A&O Shearman delivers a comprehensive service to marquee clients in the UAE, expertly managing regional, inbound and outbound transactions. The firm’s deep bench of multi-sector specialists handles the full range of corporate and commercial mandates, showcasing extensive experience across multiple markets in the region. Ben Ward leads the practice and is routinely sought out by a host of government-backed entities, multinational corporates, and financial institutions for his expertise in domestic and cross-border M&A, PE and joint venture deals. David Foster has recently been active in major transactions in the healthcare, education and transport sectors, while Tom Butcher is noted for his far-reaching commercial practice that is particularly focused on the TMT sector. Khalid Garousha and Zeid Qursha continue to act for a broad range of regional clients on complex corporate transactions. Grace Hunt comes recommended for her venture capital and tech-related work. Benjamin Crawford relocated from the firm’s Beijing office in August 2024.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We recently worked with David Foster on a transport-related deal. His deep expertise in joint ventures and strategic investments was evident throughout the process. David demonstrated a remarkable ability to maintain control of the complex negotiations, ensuring that every stakeholder's concerns were addressed while keeping the project on track.'
- 'David Foster is always accessible, proactive, and displays exceptional professionalism and resourcefulness. Beyond his legal acumen, he is a pleasure to work with, and his dedication and character were greatly appreciated by our team.’