Clifford Chance is equally proficient handling equity and debt capital markets matters, advising on landmark IPOs in the UAE and the wider region, as well as transactions for sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, and corporates. The firm has played a crucial role in IPOs involving Taaleem Holdings, Americana Restaurants, and Al Ansari Financial Services and frequently collaborates with colleagues in the firm's London office. Mike Taylor is predominantly engaged with high-profile IPOs, and is lauded for his 'in-depth knowledge of the market' and Stuart Ure focuses on structured finance and conventional and Islamic debt capital markets. Senior associate Rezwan Azam has a 'broad knowledge of the entire transaction spectrum'.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘CC have a tight-knit team which means that they always work in partnership to deliver a great end product. They have increased team size & on-the-ground-presence over the past 12 months, and I feel this has had a notable impact on their work quality. I feel now that they have specialists to cover all areas, rather than spreading the individuals too wide. CC take a more considered approach to responding to issues, which whilst may take longer, often means that you have a higher-quality end product.’
‘Mike Taylor has an in-depth knowledge of the market. A particular differentiator for Mike is his knowledge outside of the Capital Markets space. He is an extremely accomplished Corporate/M&A lawyer, and this knowledge comes across in to the Capital Markets when a deal is more complex, or requires additional structuring aspects.
- 'Rezwan Azam continues to grow as an associate, and has taken on more leadership across deals. He has a broader knowledge of the entire transaction spectrum now, which I believe is increasing his work output - as he focuses across the bigger picture.'
Key clients
- ACWA Power
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC
- Al Ansari Exchange
- Americana Restaurants
- Bank of America (BofA)
- Citigroup Global Markets
- Credit Suisse
- Dubai Islamic Bank
- EFG Hermes UAE Limited
- Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.
- First Abu Dha bi Bank PJSC
- Goldman Sachs International
- HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
- J.P. Morgan Securities Plc
- Moelis
- Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc
- Rothschild
- Taaleem
Work highlights
- Acted as issuer’s counsel to Americana Restaurants on its IPO and first-ever dual listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul).
- Advising the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates, acting through the Ministry of Finance, as issuer on the establishment of a UAE dirham Treasury Sukuk Programme and AED 1.1 billion auction and AED 1.1 billion tap issuance.
- Advising the Egyptian Ministry of Finance on the establishment of its US$5 billion sovereign sukuk programme and the debut US$1.5 billion issuance.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mike Taylor, Stuart Ure