Lauded as one of the ‘best funds teams in the GCC’, King & Spalding LLP’s full-service practice is highly regarded for its fund formation expertise, advising marquee sponsors and asset managers on diverse structures, including real estate funds, REITs, and venture capital funds. James Stull is active across the full range of the firm’s sponsor-side fund formation matters and is noted for his knowledge of regional securities laws. Nabil Issa is chiefly recognised for his work in Saudi Arabia, with his in-depth understanding of the Capital Market Authority’s regulatory framework making him a sought-after advisor for both domestically domiciled funds and foreign funds. Macky O’Sullivan is valued by clients for his complementary venture capital funds and venture capital transactional practice. Dounia Mansour, who covers a broad range of funds work, has a strong track record in Shari’ah compliant structures. Sayf Shuqair‘s experience in the Kingdom allows him to comprehensively advise on Saudi Arabian fund structures.    

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Work quickly and efficiently.’

  • ‘Nabil Issa and James Stull.’

  • ‘The team is the best funds team in the GCC, they are very knowledgeable and produce the best quality legal fund documents.’

  • ‘James Stull is the most knowledgeable funds lawyer I have worked with in the region, in addition to Dounia Mansour who is helping him on these subjects.’

  • ‘The knowledge base is very deep and people are highly competent and responsive.’

  • ‘Prompt response, genuine solutions to problems and a very practical attitude that can only come from experience.’

  • ‘Very smart, knowledgeable, and responsive.'

Key clients

  • Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC
  • SAB Invest
  • Gemcorp Capital
  • Antler
  • Dubai Future District Fund
  • Iliad Partners
  • Al Jazira Capital
  • Artal Capital Company
  • Franklin Templeton
  • Oman Investment Authority
  • Jadwa Investment Company
  • BSF Capital
  • GFH Financial Group
  • Arcapita
  • Mubadala Capital
  • Shorooq Partners
  • Gulf Islamic Investments
  • Global Ventures
  • Ashmore Investment Management Limited
  • Riyad Capital
  • Alkhabeer Capital
  • Ninety-One UK Limited
  • Al Rajhi Capital
  • Impact46
  • Waha Capital
  • KFH Capital
  • Saudi Venture Capital Company
  • Social Development Bank
  • Sidra Capital
  • Merak Capital
  • GIB Capital
  • ADS Investment Solutions
  • NeoVision Wealth Management
  • Seedra Investment Company
  • Derayah Financial
  • Greenstone Equity Partners
  • Sadu Capital

Work highlights

  • Advised Franklin Templeton on the establishment of two public umbrella protected cell companies in the DIFC. One public fund operates on a conventional basis and the other on a Shari’ah compliant basis.
  • Advised Arcapita Capital Company on the establishment of a Saudi Arabian private closed ended real estate fund with a target size of SAR 1.8 billion that will invest in the Saudi Arabian logistics sector – in both income-generating and development assets.
  • Advising BSF Capital on establishing a Saudi Arabian domiciled private real estate investment fund that will develop a phase of King Salman Park, one of the proposed giga projects being developed in Saudi Arabia.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Sayf Shuqair
King & Spalding LLP
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Macky O’Sullivan
King & Spalding LLP

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nabil Issa, James Stull

Other key lawyers

Mack O'Sullivan, Dounia Mansour, Sayf Shuqair