Sam Habbas
Co-Founder & Senior Partner
ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners
More informationASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners' corporate practice is home to a team of 'seasoned professionals with deep knowledge of the local market'. The group stands out for its strength in handling M&A transactions and corporate governance matters. Rob Little and Sam Habbas have extensive experience in M&A and restructuring, and Paul Day advises domestic and international clients on franchise and distribution matters and establishing operations in Kuwait. Recent instructions include John Cunha and Luis Cunha advising Saudi Arabian company Jadwa Investment on its acquisition of a 35% stake in the Gissah Perfumes Company. Ezekiel Tuma is well versed in handling commercial and corporate transactions in Kuwait, and Ibrahim Sattout stands out for providing 'excellent, clear and useful advice'.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘ASAR is the largest, best resourced firm in Kuwait. It is able to provide the resources needed to deal with complex cases on time and in full.'
‘They are seasoned professionals with deep knowledge of the local market, a good commercial sense, ability to communicate with non-legal professionals, and a great sense of customer service.'
- 'Sam Habbas is a stand out partner.'
‘Ibrahim Sattout is exceptionally responsive and provides excellent, clear and useful advice.'
'Always available. Pragmatic and commercial advice.'
‘Excellent firm in Kuwait with strong, deep client relationships.'
‘Luis Cunha is a very strong corporate lawyer with a strong understanding of transactional challenges and a very astute business sense. He is always amiable and professional and very easy to work with.’
‘ASAR has impressed me with regard to both their local market knowledge and also their commercial nous. They have been effective in helping us to understand the intricacies of Kuwaiti law while also matching those requirements to our commercial needs. They have also worked to achieve tight deadlines when needed.’
‘John Cuhna is really client focused and always looking to give the best advice.'
Key clients
- Americana Restaurants
- LVMH
- Sama Educational Company
- Kuwait Cement Co.
- Roche
- General Electric
- Gulf Bank
- Johnson & Johnson
- British Petroleum
- Taken Seat Holding Co.
- National Bank of Kuwait
- Jadwa Investments Group
- Kuwait Danish Dairy
- Air Liquide
- Al Rashed Holdings
- Abbott
- Al Dhow Engineering
- Al Rifai Group
- Alkhorayef Petroleum
- Jubail Energy Services
- Atos Information Technology
- AstraZeneca
- JebCo International
- Kuwait International Bank
- Mustafa Karam Motors
- National Industries Group
- Reckitt Benckiser
- Rimini Street
- Saipem
- Sumitomo Mitsui
- Warba
- Wapmed
Work highlights
- Advised ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company KSCP on the acquisition of a portfolio of assets worth US$ 2.21 billion by Macquarie Airfinance Group.
- Advised Ahli United Bank B.S.C on a cross-border sale of the client's entire share capital to Kuwait Finance House K.S.C.P.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ibrahim Sattout
Partner
John Cunha
Partner
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Sam Habbas, Rob Little, Paul Day, Ibrahim Sattout, Ezekiel Tuma