Middle East - United Arab Emirates
Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard consolidates its status as a go-to firm for financing in the UAE through the hire of Sandeep Puri, an experienced Islamic banking specialist who joined the team from Baker McKenzie LLP in August 2023. The firm is noted for its strength in debt capital markets, structured finance, and complex restructurings, advising a range of major domestic and international banks. Practice head Robin Hickman maintains a broad sector focus, covering real estate, infrastructure and energy, and TMT, where he advises a host of government bodies, corporations, and multinational banks. Victoria Mesquita acts for both borrowers and lenders on high-value, cross-border deals, where she is regularly supported by managing associate Philip Chalmers.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Philip Chalmers was great to work with - always accessible, highly knowledgeable on his subject matter but also able to understand the wider transaction and be able to provide commercial solutions to the key negotiating points in the transaction.’
‘Victoria Mesquita is one of the most competent people I have ever worked with. Her advice is valuable even outside her areas of expertise.'
‘Addleshaw Goddard adopts a holistic approach to legal counsel. They believe in not just addressing the legal issue at hand but understanding the broader implications for the client.’
'At Addleshaw Goddard, the team prioritises keeping the client informed at every stage of the process. This transparency builds trust and ensures clients are never in the dark.’
Key clients
- HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
- Commercial Bank of Dubai
- Emirates NBD
- Mashreqbank PSC
- Emirates Islamic Bank
- First Abu Dhabi Bank
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
- JP Morgan
- Dubai Islamic Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- Bank ABC
- Ahli Bank of Kuwait
- National Bank of Fujairah
- Bank of Baroda
- Barclays
- AW Rostamani
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited
- State Bank of India
- Investbridge Capital
- JP Morgan
- Shuaa Capital
- Franklin Templeton
Work highlights
- Acting for the steering committee of creditors (on behalf of 38 banks) in respect of the multi-billion-dollar restructuring of KBBO, a UAE investment group in healthcare, consumer products and payment systems.
- Acted for Mashreqbank PSC providing an AED 455,000,000 term facility to the owners of the Pullman Hotel in Downtown Dubai to, among other things, refinance existing indebtedness to a syndicate of regional and wider international banks (including ADCB as security agent).
- Act for a committee of creditors for the restructuring of Utico Group.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Robin Hickman