UAE
About
White & Case is a top-tier US-headquartered firm with a deep presence in the Middle East region, including in the United Arab Emirates, for more than 35 years. We are a full-service office with one of the largest teams on the ground in the UAE, approximately 100 lawyers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and more than 140 lawyers across the Middle East. Our presence in the UAE showcases a vision of providing clients with a “one-stop-shop” legal service that includes US, English and local law-qualified specialists with a deep understanding and appreciation of the Middle East region, and the UAE.
Comprehensive practice coverage
Our lawyers in the UAE provide clients with advice on finance, including debt finance (conventional and Islamic finance), capital markets, financial restructuring and insolvency, M&A and corporate, and commercial law, private equity, energy, infrastructure and project development (including public-private partnerships), construction and dispute resolution, real estate and fintech & regulatory.
Partner-led team, with international expertise and deep local knowledge
Our partner-led team combines international expertise gained on high-profile cross-border transactions with an in-depth understanding of local law. Our team also brings:
- Strong relationships with UAE regulators, government institutions and authorities
- UAE law advice and local law legal opinions
- Practicing English, New York and UAE-qualified lawyers
- An on-the-ground team of more than 90 lawyers with fluent Arabic speakers who understand UAE business practices
- Experience of advising on complex transactions across the UAE and other countries across the Middle East region
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
"All members of the White & Case team are highly knowledgeable and they are always quick to respond and provide consistently high levels of service."
"They are amazing at managing requests and the team understands very well our business needs."
"The firm is phenomenal in the advice and guidance provided. The team consistently displays a proactive approach to communication and a willingness to engage in open dialogue."
"The firm excels both in terms of technical input and expertise. The fact that they're extremely attentive is what sets them apart. Response times are phenomenal."
"Working with White & Case in the UAE provides great access to the firm's global network, which helps in cross-border transactions."
Chambers Global 2024
Tier 1: Banking & Finance: Corporate Finance (including Islamic lending)
Tier 1: Commercial, Corporate and M&A
Tier 1: Construction
Tier 1: Oil, Gas and Natural Resources
The Legal 500 2023
UAE Corporate/M&A Law Firm of the Year
Chambers & Partners Middle East Awards, 2023
Equity Capital Markets Legal Adviser of the Year
Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Awards, 2023
Islamic Finance Capital Markets Law Firm of the Year
Islamic Finance News, 2023
Best Law Firm – Middle East
EMEA Finance Middle East Banking Awards 2023
UAE Law Firm of the Year
Fintech Law Firm of the Year Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year
Asian Legal Business Middle East Awards, 2023
Ranked 1 in the Middle East and Africa for project finance by deal value
Infralogic League Tables 2023
Ranked 1 in the Middle East and Africa for M&A by deal value
Mergermarket League Tables 2023
Experience
Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline
Representation of the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline LLP, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), in the inaugural issuance of US$3 billion senior secured bonds. The Rule 144A/Regulation S bonds were the first capital markets issuance by the ADNOC group. The bond issuance was also one of the largest non-sovereign bond issuances in the history of the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
Representation of ADNOC in connection with its strategic partnership with Baker Hughes, a GE Company (BHGE: NYSE), in connection with ADNOC's subsidiary, ADNOC Drilling. The transaction also involved BHGE acquiring 5 percent of ADNOC Drilling for US$550 million. This deal was named ”MENA M&A Deal of the Year“ by IJGlobal in 2019.
Amanat Holding PJSC
Representation of the joint lead managers in connection with the AED 1.375 billion IPO of 55 percent of the share capital of Amanat Holdings PJSC on the Dubai Financial Market.
Al Fahim Group
Representation of Noor Bank PJSC, as arranger, in connection with the dual-tranche AED 800 million Islamic development financing in Dubai for Al Fahim Group.
Al Ghurair Investments
Representation of Al Ghurair Investments in relation to its AED 1.2 billion Shari'a-compliant syndicated real estate development financing.
Barakah nuclear project
Representation of the ADWEA/ADWEC in connection with the power purchase agreement for the 5,6000 MW US$35 billion Shuweihat nuclear power project being constructed at Barakah, Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This project was recognized as "MENA Public Sector Financing Deal of the Year" by IJGlobal in 2016.
DP World
Representation of the managers in the Dubai-based global port operator DP World’s issuances of US$300 million notes due 2048 under its Global Medium Term Note (GMTN) Programme, and US$1 billion trust certificates due 2029 under its Trust Certificate Issuance Programme. Both issuances were oversubscribed, with the order books for the GMTN issuance and trust certificates issuance reaching US$1.6 billion and US$4.6 billion, respectively.
