Linklaters > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile
Linklaters Offices
NINTH FLOOR, CURRENCY HOUSE
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE
PO BOX 506516, DUBAI
United Arab Emirates
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Linklaters > The Legal 500 Rankings
United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 1
Linklaters is capable across a wide range of cross-border financing and refinancing work - notably in relation to real estate and infrastructure projects – with key expertise in Islamic financing underpinning the firm’s offering. Practice head Kieron Zaman is a formidable adviser who is well versed in all manner of financing deals, particularly structured and restructured syndicated financings. Fellow team-head Reem Al Sayegh – noted for his regulatory expertise – is a frequent port of call for many clients interested in real estate and infrastructure lending. Recommended for his proficiency in cross-border debt finance transactions, Valery Nformba provides key support on a number of the team’s key engagements. Senior consulant Christian Saunders joined the team in April 2023.Practice head(s):
Kieron Zaman; Reem Al Sayegh
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team at Linklaters is knowledgeable, accessible, and provides actionable and pragmatic advice.’
‘Reem Al Sayegh is exceptional – she is conscientious, pragmatic, and very knowledgeable, and is a valued adviser to our business.’
Key clients
Meydan City Corporation
Emirates NBD Bank
Mashreqbank PSC
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC (“ADCB”)
Dubai Islamic Bank
Ahli United Bank
Samba Financial Group
Citibank NA
Work highlights
- Advising on the restructuring of the financial obligations of the Limitless Group across various classes of secured and unsecured creditors.
- Advising the arrangers and agent on the refinancing of an existing jumbo unsecured syndicated club facility loan to Bank Muscat.
- Advising the documentation agent and the global coordinators on a US$ 3.5bn revolving credit facility for Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (“TAQA”).
United Arab Emirates > Capital markets Tier 1
Linklaters's expertise ensures that the team is sought out by numerous established corporates and financial institutions for blockbuster transactions in the region. The firm has been active in a variety of complex IPOs, including first-of-its-kind transactions in the ADX and overseas listings, while on the debt side the team has been notably active on a range of sukuk issuances. Jonathan Fried works with a global portfolio of banks and corporates on an array of instructions and Scott Campbell is a leading figure in the public M&A and equities space. Dalia Nammari, who is well versed across Islamic finance transactions, is regularly supported by counsel Peter Cullen. Sergey Shiposha is active on a growing volume of ESG transactions.Practice head(s):
Jonathan Fried; Dalia Nammari; Scott Campbell;
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Jonathan delivered outstanding service.’
‘High quality work, time of delivery, unmatched level of professionalism and ethics.’
Key clients
Burjeel Holdings PLC
BNP Paribas
Emirates NBD Bank PJSC
First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC
HSBC Bank plc
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, Dubai (DIFC) Branch
Standard Chartered Bank
Goldman Sachs International
Damac Real Estate Development (“Damac”)
Oman Telecommunications Company S.A.O.G. (“Omantel”)
Work highlights
- Advised Abraj Energy on its recent IPO.
- Advised the arrangers, dealers and joint lead managers on Egyptian Sovereign US$5bn Trust Certificate Issuance Programme and its debut US$1.5bn issuance thereunder.
- Advised the joint lead managers on the issue of US$500m 4.375 per cent.
United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance) Tier 1
Linklaters has further strengthened its dominant projects practice with the hire of David Miles, who joined from Covington & Burling LLP in September 2022; Miles brings with him a wealth of capabilities in both the conventional and Islamic financing space. The firm is well placed to advise on a host regional mandates, including energy transition and NEOM-related ventures in Saudi Arabia, social infrastructure PPPs in Jordan, and large-scale renewable energy builds in the UAE. The team is also noted for its work on innovative transactions, spanning novel sustainability-linked loans in Bahrain, ESG dual tranche conventional and Islamic financing facilities, and hydrogen and ammonia builds in Oman. Matthew Keats draws on both financing and development expertise to advise on projects from the inception stage through to completion. Leila Amos is particularly noted for her ESG-related expertise, while Jack Allen-Fitt‘s practice is increasingly concentrated on energy transition and renewables matters. Jonathan Vick's broad remit includes large-scale PPP programs.Practice head(s):
Matt Keats; David Miles
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
NEOM
Public Investment Fund (“PIF”)
ACME
Scatec
SABIC
Fortescue Future Industries (“FFI”)
International Finance Corporation (“IFC”)
Saudi Power Procurement Company (“SPPC”)
The Oil and Gas Holding Company B.S.C. (“nogaholding”)
Plenary
INEOS
Bahrain Petroleum Company (“BAPCO”)
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (“JBIC”)
SACE
The Export–Import Bank of Korea (“KEXIM”)
Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (“K-SURE”)
Work highlights
- Advising JBIC and the commercial lenders on their support of a consortium bidding on an EWEC procured PV 1,500MW solar project located in Ajban region, Abu Dhabi.
- Advising the export credit agencies and lenders on the financing of a greenfield green hydrogen and ammonia project in Duqm.
- Advising the IFC and the Ministry of Education of the Government of Jordan on the first schools PPP project in Jordan.
United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2
Linklaters handles work for clients including sovereign wealth funds, financial sponsors and premium corporates and the team regularly handles standout M&A transactions and top-quality commercial advisory work. The firm has seen a recent uptick in energy and infrastructure deals, as well as outbound investment by key clients. Scott Campbell has a well-established practice assisting top-end clients with complex cross-border transactions. Nicholas Edwards is active in private M&A and joint ventures and is a key port of call for domestic and international clients as they look to form partnerships. Patrick Sutton-Mattocks stand outs within a team of talented juniors for his high level of activity, supporting on a range of M&A, equity raisings and joint venture deals. Waleed Rasromani and Amro Bakhaidar are key names for deals with a nexus to Saudi Arabia.Practice head(s):
Scott Campbell; Nick Edwards; Waleed Rasromani; Amro Bakhaidar
Other key lawyers:
Patrick Sutton-Mattocks; Claire Neil
Testimonials
‘Commercial, internationally and domestically knowledgeable, practical, user friendly, to the point, time efficient, personable and a genuine sense of team effort.’
Key clients
Hassana Investment Company
DP World Limited
SHUAA Capital
Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (“e&”)
Meraas Holding LLC
Emaar Properties PJSC
Emaar Malls PJSC
The Mawarid Investment Group
Bytedance Pte. Ltd.
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (“TAQA”)
Ahli United Bank B.S.C.
Work highlights
- Advising e& e& on its proposed US$400m investment in exchange for a majority stake in Careem’s Super App.
- Advising Emaar on its acquisition of 100% of the shares of Dubai Creek Harbour LLC from Dubai Holding.
- Advising Hassana, on behalf of the General Organization for Social Insurance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (GOSI), on a landmark c. US$2.4bn investment in three of DP World’s flagship UAE assets, valued at approximately US$23bn.
Saudi Arabia > Banking and finance
Linklaters, recently granted a licence to practice law from a new office in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia by the Ministry of Justice, caters to a well-established clientele comprising governmental bodies, major corporations, and investment banks. Omar El Sayed has a prominent presence in syndicated loans and Islamic financings in the Gulf region. Matthew Keats stands out as another key practitioner; he has over twenty-five years of experience in advising on large scale project development and financing. Additionally, David Miles brings a wealth of experience in energy and infrastructure financings in the Middle East.Practice head(s):
Omar El Sayed; Matt Keats; David Miles
Key clients
NEOM
The Oil and Gas Holding Company B.S.C. (“nogaholding”)
The Saudi National Bank
Banque Saudi Fransi
Gulf International Bank
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
Saudi Electricity Company
Saudi Telecommunication Company (“stc”)
Goldman Sachs
Riyadh Bank
HSBC
Work highlights
- Advising the Public Investment Fund on the refinancing of an existing jumbo unsecured syndicated term credit facility loan, the largest self-arranged term loan ever raised for general corporate purposes.
- Advising Saudi Electricity Company on an unsecured dual tranched conventional and Islamic facilities which included two separate Islamic tranches as well as a conventional tranche.
- Advising the groups of existing and new ECAs and commercial lenders on the expansion of the existing SATORP refinery to add the new greenfield Amiral petrochemicals complex.
Saudi Arabia > Commercial, corporate and M&A
The Linklaters corporate team opened its Riyadh office in May 2023. Waleed Rasromani leads the practice with strong experience in advising on the sale-and-leaseback of large telecoms portfolios and digital infrastructure. Amro Bakhaidar is also noted. Scott Campbell and Nicholas Edwards support the team from the firm's Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices, respectively.Practice head(s):
Waleed Rasromani
Other key lawyers:
Faysal Lassas; Amro Bakhaidar; Scott Campbell; Nicholas Edwards
Testimonials
‘Linklaters is assisting us with a complex M&A transaction with a major local player. We are very happy with their support. ’
‘Waleed Rasromani is an outstanding lawyer. ’
‘Waleed Rasromani demonstrated high professionalism and expertise in transaction documents negotiations with counterparties. ’
Key clients
Al Athar Saudi Trading Company limited
ARABIO
BlackRock
BRF Foods GmbH
BRF S.A.
CGG
FLOW
Hassana Investment Company
INEOS
John Cockerill
KAUST
Linde
Lockheed Martin
Mobile Telecommunications Company Saudi Arabia (“Zain Saudi Arabia”)
National Real Estate Registration Services Company (RER)
NEOM
SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company
Saudi Bugshan
Saudi Electricity Company
Saudi Esport Federation
Saudi Telecommunications Company (“stc”)
State Street
TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy Technology Co.,
The Saudi National Bank
Thyssenkrupp
Tiffany & Co.
Uber
Zain KSA
Work highlights
- Advising DigitalBridge on the establishment of a fund which will partner with the Saudi Public Investment Fund to develop data centres in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
- Advising Zain Saudi Arabia on the sale-and-leaseback of its entire portfolio of 8,069 telecoms towers in Saudi Arabia to investors led by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
- Advising Hassana, on behalf of the General Organization for Social Insurance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a landmark c. US$2.4bn investment in three of DP World’s flagship UAE assets.
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