Said Al-Shahry & Partners (SASLO)‘s banking and finance team acts in a number of high-value mandates in the local market, including the recent HSBC Oman merger with Sohar International Bank. The team holds notable expertise in transactional matters, equity and debt capital markets, project financing in the power, oil and gas, and real estate sectors, and share and asset sales to banks, among others. The team is jointly led by its senior partners, including Thamer Al Shahry, an expert in capital markets who is noted by clients for his ’invaluable guidance’. Head of corporate work Jeremy Pooley is often active in the team’s transaction-heavy matters. Maria Mariam Rabea Petrou is an increasingly key member of the team, and extensively works on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. Sherif Hampton is a key port of call for complex Islamic finance matters, especially in regional GCC jurisdictions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A key strength of the team lies in its ability to handle complex legal issues – they are able to tackle challenges from various angles and offer creative and effective solutions. The team is also diverse and has a deep legal expertise.’
‘The responsiveness that Thamer Al-Shahry gives in relation to an engagement makes the Bank feels supported and valued throughout the process. He provides honest assessments of potential risks and outcomes especially for any Oman related inquiries (ministries, notary public, other government related bodies) and offers invaluable guidance throughout the engagement.'
'Sherif Hampton has a deep understanding of the subject matter combined with a proactive approach to addressing client needs.'
'Maria Mariam Rabea Petrou's proactive approach to problem-solving has contributed positively to our overall success.'
'They are not just legal advisors but also trusted partners who take the time to fully grasp the business and its challenges.’
Key clients
- Sohar International Bank SAOG
- Financial Services Authority
- Ahlibank SAOG
- Bank Muscat SAOG
- China Energy Engineering Group Shanxi Electric Power Engineering Co. Ltd
- CNECC International Engineering Co., Ltd
Work highlights
Advised Sohar International Bank SAOG on its merger with HSBC Bank Oman SAOG.
Acted as sole legal counsel to Ahlibank SAOG in relation to the following high-profile series of public M&A transactions: in relation to an unsolicited merger offer from Bank Dhofar; in relation to an unsolicited takeover offer from a consortium led by Ominvest and Arab Bank plc; and in relation to an unsolicited competing takeover offer from Bank Dhofar.
Acted as sole legal counsel to Al-Imam Jabir Bin Zayed Foundation in the successful establishment and initial public offering of the Gheras Endowment Fund.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Thamer Al-Shahry; Jeremy Pooley; Sherif Hampton; Maria Mariam Rabea Petrou