Clifford Chance — United Arab Emirates

About

- Clifford Chance > Abu Dhabi - Clifford Chance > Dubai - Managing Partner: Charles Adams - Senior Partner: Adrian Cartwright - Executive Partner & Legal Counsel: Robin Abraham ### Firm Overview Clifford Chance is a global law firm committed to creating advantage for its clients. The firm combines legal and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect and defend its clients’ business. Operating as a single, fully-integrated global partnership Clifford Chance provides forward-thinking insights and tech-enabled solutions in the sectors and markets that matter most to its clients. The firm’s culture of collaboration and commitment to rigorous and ethical standards, ensures consistent, high-quality service worldwide. ### Main areas of practice - Antitrust Antitrust challenges are growing across the world. Over 130 jurisdictions now have antitrust laws, and that number continues to grow. The range of business practices giving rise to antitrust enforcement is likewise expanding, and fines for antitrust infringements are rising. We have the expertise and global network to help our clients address these antitrust risks. Our global network of over 200 antitrust lawyers covers all the key hubs of Europe, Asia Pacific, the US and the Middle East, enabling us to support our clients on their most complex and important antitrust matters across the world. Our antitrust teams work together to solve multinational antitrust issues, taking into account the interplay between different practices and rules, and always mindful of the practical implications antitrust issues may have on our clients' business. - Capital Markets We advise major market participants including leading financial institutions, corporates, governments and supranational organisations across the world as well as first time issuers and other new players in the capital markets. Our lawyers cover the whole spectrum of capital markets work including debt and equity transactions, structured debt, high yield and trusts. Alongside mainstream capital markets issuances in the major economies we work on benchmarking and other innovative transactions including in new frontier markets. With over 120 partners and a further 400 lawyers dedicated to capital markets, as well as close links with our finance, corporate and tax practices, we can quickly assemble cross-border teams who combine local and industry focus with international perspective to provide practical, integrated legal advice for all our clients' capital markets activities. - Corporate We advise clients on public and private M&A, disposals, demergers, joint ventures, restructurings, corporate governance and regulatory compliance, with a particular focus on complex, cross-border transactions. Our integrated team includes experts in antitrust/competition law, funds and investment management, insurance, private equity and public policy. Our clients include many of the world's leading companies including more than half of the Global Fortune 500. Our extensive global reach, combined with international deal execution skills and local market knowledge, provides clients with access to 200 partners and a further 500 lawyers with global and local capability. Our team also offers clients the combination of focused technical and industry expertise across 12 sectors from financial services through to energy & resources and healthcare. We are also supported by partners in our market leading finance, capital markets, litigation, tax, pensions, employment and real estate practices. - Energy Transition We advise clients on the full breadth of energy transition-related matters, ranging from project development, construction and financing to M&A and joint ventures, as well as providing detailed regulatory and tax advice. We are also well-positioned to advise and represent multinational clients in cross-border litigation, international arbitration, investigations and risk mitigation. Across the globe, our lawyers are routinely involved in many first-of-a-kind and award-winning transactions as we support our clients in their energy transition journey, across onshore and offshore wind, floating offshore wind, solar, carbon capture, clean hydrogen, battery storage, EV charging, grids, interconnection, carbon trading, digital infrastructure and new nuclear. - Finance We have an expert international finance practice. We act on many of the financial markets' ground-breaking deals and have become trusted advisers to the corporations and financial institutions that define the global markets. We advise on a full spectrum of financial products, including asset finance, corporate & investment grade lending, derivatives & structured finance, fintech, Islamic finance, leveraged & acquisition finance, projects & infrastructure finance, real estate finance, restructuring & insolvency, and trade, commodities & export finance. - Intellectual Property We advise on the IP aspects of our client’s most complex and business-critical projects, including contracts, technology adoption, transactions and disputes. Our team possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of intellectual property law and its practical application in various industries. Whether your project is a standalone initiative or part of a larger transaction, we are equipped to navigate the complexities involved. We leverage our expertise to protect your innovations and maximise the value of your intellectual assets, ensuring that your business remains competitive and secure. - Litigation & Dispute Resolution Clifford Chance's global litigation & dispute resolution practice has around 500 lawyers based in the UK, Continental Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the United States, who are experienced in the full spectrum of litigation, dispute resolution and regulatory issues that our clients face. Our highly qualified teams are focused on resolving high risk litigation, international arbitration and regulatory investigations. We are committed to resolving disputes as efficiently as possible and are focused on offering solutions that are practical and commercial. Our peers know that we are always prepared to proceed, however, and recognise our record in delivering results for clients in major litigation and arbitrations. Our credibility is also acknowledged by regulators and prosecutors, which assists with the effective resolution of investigations and other negotiations. - Real Estate Acting for the real estate industry's leading players, we advise on the full range of real estate-related transactions. With an integrated network of highly qualified individuals, we have the commitment, resources and know-how to get your deals done, whatever and wherever they are. Forward thinking and commercial in our approach, with a proven ability to deliver complex deals, we handle the entire property 'life-cycle' from the initial acquisition, development, leasing, joint venturing and financing through to the final exit. Our scale, geographical reach and seamless, coordinated approach means that we can support any real estate project. - Sustainability and ESG We provide support as businesses pursue the opportunities presented by the exponential growth of sustainable finance and investment opportunities, action on emissions, climate tech, innovation and infrastructure to facilitate the energy transition, and the promotion of human rights, talent and diversity in the workforce across businesses and supply chains. Core to business resilience in a time of change, are corporate governance frameworks that support coherent management of the opportunities and risks associated with a just transition to a carbon neutral or negative future. We advise clients internationally and locally as they incorporate ESG into business strategies and implement ESG in operations, supply chains and business relationships throughout value chains. We support businesses as they seek to transition to net zero and invest in new clean or low carbon businesses or products. We provide advice on comprehensive ESG management, implementing net zero strategies, identifying risks and obligations such an increasing reporting disclosure and due diligence requirements on ESG matters, to assistance with litigation, dispute and reputation risks arising from ESG, where effective stakeholder engagement is increasingly paramount. - Tax, Pensions, Employment and Incentives Unlike many competitors, we have offices with tax expertise across the globe and with over 170 tax advisors worldwide, we possess one of the largest international tax groups of any single law firm. We deliver commercial advice across the full spectrum of international and domestic tax issues and have unparalleled experience in advising on cross-border transactions. Our experienced employment, incentives and pensions specialists work with clients from a wide range of sectors to address local and cross-border issues. ### International offices - Abu Dhabi: Tel: +971 2 419 2500 - Amsterdam: Tel: +31 20 711 9000 - Barcelona: Tel: +34 93344 2200 - Beijing: Tel: +86 10 6505 9018 - Brussels: Tel: +32 2 533 5911 - Bucharest*: Tel: +40 21 666 6100 - Casablanca: Tel: +212 5201 3 2080 - Delhi: Tel: +91 (0) 124 401 7300 - Dubai: Tel: +971 4 362 0444 - Düsseldorf: Tel: +49 211 43 550 - Frankfurt: Tel: +49 69 71 9901 - Hong Kong: Tel: +852 2825 8888 - Houston: Tel: +1 713 821 2800 - Istanbul: Tel: +90 212 339 0001 - London: Tel: +44 20 7006 1000 - Luxembourg: Tel: +352 48 50 501 - Madrid: Tel: +34 91 590 7500 - Milan: Tel: +39 02 806 341 - Munich: Tel: +49 8921 6320 - Newcastle: Tel: +442070061000 - New York: Tel: +1 212 878 8000 - Paris: Tel: +33 1 44 05 52 52 - Perth: Tel: +61 8 9262 5555 - Prague**: Tel: +420222555222 - Riyadh***: Tel: +966 1 478 0220 - Rome: Tel: +39 06 422 911 - São Paulo: Tel: +55 11 3049 3188 - Shanghai: Tel: +86 21 6335 0086 - Singapore: Tel: +65 6410 2200 - Sydney: Tel: +61 2 8922 8000 - Tokyo: Tel: +81 3 5561 6600 - Warsaw: Tel: +48 22 627 1177 - Washington DC: Tel: +1 202 912 5000 *Clifford Chance has entered into an association agreement with Clifford Chance Badea SPRL in Bucharest. **Clifford Chance has entered into an association agreement with Clifford Chance Prague Association S.R.O. in Prague. - ***AS&H Clifford Chance, a joint venture entered into by Clifford Chance LLP ### Staffing Figures - 677 Number of partners - 3514 Number of fee earners

Office locations

Practice areas

Lawyers in this office

BC

Bola Coker

Banking & Finance

Deniz Tas

Deniz Tas specialises in cross-border M&A, joint ventures and restructurings, advising sovereign wealth fund, private equity, financial investor, corporate and other regional and international clients. Deniz has advised on several high profile deals in the MENA region and has a particular focus on the energy & resources, infrastructure, consumer goods & retail and real estate sectors. Deniz is the Africa Practice Leader for Agribusiness. · Corporate / M&A

Graham Brewer

Graham Brewer is a partner in the firm's Banking and Finance practice of Clifford Chance, in Dubai and has many years’ experience of advising funds, borrowers, sponsors and financiers on a wide range of financing transactions. He specialises in private credit, leveraged finance, acquisition finance, structured finance, infrastructure finance, Islamic finance and restructuring. · Banking & Finance

Inaamul Laher

Inaamul Laher is based in Abu Dhabi and leads our Middle East transactional Construction practice. He advises sponsors, financial investors, lenders and government entities on the development, acquisition/disposal and financing of large-scale energy, infrastructure and real estate projects across the MENA region. Inaamul has acted on, and continues to be involved in, some of the highest profile power (thermal and renewable), water and wastewater, oil & gas, transport, social infrastructure/PPP and new communities projects in the Middle East. · Construction

Jack Hardman

Jack Hardman specialises in technology and financial services, having significant experience in our London and Dubai teams, focusing the majority of his work on M&A for financial institutions and technology companies. Jack also leads the financial services regulatory and fintech practices for Clifford Chance in the Middle East, having advised local and international financial services and technology companies, as well as regional regulators, for several years, including on UAE, DIFC and ADGM regulations. Jack has acted on many of the leading regional transactions in the financial and technology sector in recent years. He has also been involved in the establishment of prominent fintech platforms and operations. His broad practice spans M&A, restructuring, regulatory, licensing tech contracting, data and general advisory work across the FIG/tech sectors. Jack is the Africa Practice Leader for Tech. · Mergers & Acquisitions

Jeanne Roig-Irwin

Jeanne Roig-Irwin is in our Real Estate Group and specializes in complex real estate acquisitions, financings and joint ventures. Her work also includes representing real estate developers, banks, funds and REITs in real estate dispositions, leasing and other real estate transactions. · Real Estate

Jeremy Barker

Jeremy Barker works in our Global Financial Markets practice in Dubai and is a member of our Worldwide Projects Group. He acts for a wide range of clients in the energy (particularly renewables) and infrastructure sectors, including regional project finance sponsors, export credit agencies (ECAs) and banks, advising on project finance, ECA finance and general finance. · Project Finance

Lynn Ammar

Lynn is a Partner in the Corporate M&A practice, based in the UAE. She has a broad corporate practice, specializing in high-profile M&A and private equity transactions across a diverse range of sectors including technology, healthcare, consumer products, as well as energy and renewables. She regularly advises leading corporate and public sector clients, including major sovereign wealth funds, on complex projects involving both strategic and financial investors. Prior to joining Clifford Chance, Lynn was a partner at another top tier international law firm, where she spent 12 years in the firm’s Abu Dhabi and Paris offices. Lynn is a New York qualified lawyer and is fluent in English, Arabic and French. · Corporate / M&A

Mohamed Hamra-Krouha

Mohamed Hamra-Krouha specialises in banking and projects, splitting his time between Clifford Chance in Abu Dhabi and AS&H Clifford Chance in Riyadh. Mohamed advises sponsors, financiers and governments on projects and project financings. Projects he has advised on include power and water (IWPPs), petrochemicals and infrastructure projects in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. He is also responsible for Clifford Chance's practice in Egypt and Libya. · Banking & Finance

Mohammed Al-Shukairy

Mo Al-Shukairy has extensive experience advising corporate, investment banking, private equity and other clients on takeovers and mergers, capital raising and stock exchange issues in London and the Middle East. · Corporate / M&A

Nicholas Wong

Nicholas Wong is the firm's Global Clients, Markets and Products Partner and has over 20 years’ experience advising on project development and financing. Nick acts for sponsors, investors, banks, export credit agencies, multilateral financial institutions and governments on the structuring, development and financing of major energy, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining developments in APAC, Europe, Turkey, Russia and the CIS, Middle East and Africa. · Project Finance

PA

Peter Avery

Peter Avery specialises in finance and banking law. His areas of practice include project finance, leverage finance, restructuring, Islamic finance, asset finance and corporate lending. In addition to Dubai, Peter has worked in the firm's London, New York and Tokyo offices and has experience of high profile transactions across the globe. · Banking & Finance

Prachi Trivedi

Prachi Trivedi is an experienced international commercial arbitration and commercial litigation practitioner. Prachi advises on a wide range of complex, high-value international commercial disputes, including significant cases before the DIFC Courts. Her experience encompasses acting as counsel in arbitrations conducted under various institutional rules (including LCIA, LMAA, ICC, AAA, and ICSID). She has also been appointed as arbitrator by leading arbitral institutions. Prachi represents clients across diverse sectors, including banking and finance, professional services, oil and gas, shipbuilding, aerospace, technology and defence. · International Arbitration

QL

Qudeer Latif

Qudeer Latif heads our Global Islamic Finance practice and is the architect behind many of the world's pioneering and ground breaking Islamic finance transactions. Qudeer has for many years been involved in Islamic financing techniques and Islamic product development. He advises on a very wide range of Islamic financial services and products including: capital markets, project and infrastructure finance, acquisition and leveraged finance, private equity and real estate funds, financial regulation, structured products and derivatives, real estate finance and tax. · Islamic Finance

Richard Parris

Richard Parris specialises in project finance, energy and infrastructure, including involvement in a number of high-profile petrochemical and infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East. Richard's projects include advising on regional petrochemicals, metals, wastewater treatment and power projects as well as cross-border gas projects in Asia. · Project Finance

RA

Robin Abraham

Robin Abraham is the Managing Partner of Clifford Chance's Middle East Region and specialises in banking and project finance. Robin's areas of practice include project finance, restructuring, Islamic finance and secured and unsecured lending. He has acted on a number of high profile banking and project finance deals in the Middle East. · Banking & Finance

SU

Stuart Ure

Stuart Ure specialises in structured finance and conventional and Islamic debt capital markets across the GCC (including Saudi Arabia) and Turkey. · Structured Finance

Tariq Imam

Tariq Imam leads our Middle East Real Estate Practice. Tariq advises on the full range of real estate transactions in the region, with particular expertise in development projects, real estate financing and restructuring transactions, as well as hotel deals. He has been practising in the Middle East since 2009, and has experience advising clients across a wide range of sectors, including financial services, hotel and leisure, aerospace, transport and healthcare. · Real Estate