Akin acts for an impressive array of sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions and the market's most active investors on premium, multibillion-dollar M&A, joint venture and commercial mandates. The firm has an 'excellent team that works seamlessly across various jurisdictions’, leveraging vast expertise across the Middle East and abroad to handle complex transactions in the energy and infrastructure, healthcare, defence, hospitality and retail sectors - among others. On the ground in the UAE, Wael Jabsheh heads the group and handles the practice's most consequential transactions, utilising his leading expertise in digital assets and cryptocurrency to competently advise on tech-related aspects of deals. Simon Rootsey - who relocated from London in 2023 - largely focuses on cross-border M&A and private equity, with extensive experience in joint ventures and public takeovers. Associate Mazen Baddar is quickly building an impressive portfolio of deals due to high levels of activity across a range of sectors.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent Team that works seamlessly across various jurisdictions’
‘Wael Jabsheh provides excellent counsel ’
‘Professional and outstanding.’
‘Team with proper global reach, experience in emerging markets and developed markets along with deep experience in the UAE domestic market means they can offer full service in the region. Very client service focused, responsive and highly professional team covering all practice areas. Especially strong on corporate and transactional work and of great assistance to us with our operations in the region in Telecoms, Tech and media.’
‘Wael Jabsheh has been our leading advisor in the region for a decade now - he has deep experience in the market and the entire region, provides excellent advice on complex transactions, M&A and all our corporate issues in the UAE and the region (including ME, NA and further afield). His ability to provide solutions and focus on customer service is unparalleled.’
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Wael Jabsheh