A&O Shearman was formed in 2024 via the merger of two historic firms, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling. A firm of nearly 4,000 lawyers, including 800 partners, working across almost 50 offices in 28 countries, A&O Shearman has the experience, diversity of skills and backgrounds, and global understanding to stay at the forefront of the changes across every sector, market, and jurisdiction around the world.

A&O Shearman is one of the leading international firms in the United Arab Emirates, with lawyers in the key hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm acts as trusted advisors to leading domestic and international corporates, investors, and financial institutions, and have long-standing relationships with government agencies and regulatory bodies across the UAE and the wider Middle East. The firm won the prestigious InternationalLaw Firm of the Year at the IFLR Middle East Awards 2026.

Key clients
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), ADNOC Murban, Aljazira Capital, Al Rajhi Capital Company, Asyad Shipping, Dubai Islamic Bank, Dubizzle, Emirates Global Aluminium, Emirates NBD Bank, ENGIE, G42, Gulf Capital, Islamic Development Bank, Khazna Data Centres, Mubadala, OMIFCO, RAK Gas, Saudi Telecom Company, Tabreed

Highlights
In banking and finance, Anthony Traboulsi and his team advised Khazna Data Centres on its landmark AED 9.62 billion debt financing with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank. This transaction stands among the largest private financing deals in the MENA region, underscoring market confidence in the rapidly expanding digital infrastructure sector.

The firm’s market-leading capital markets practice was recognised with several wins at the 2026 IFLR Middle East Awards. The team advised Saudi Telecom Company (stc) on its USD5 billion trust certificate issuance programme and inaugural USD2 billion dual-tranche issuance, incorporating an innovative sukuk manafae structure, which received an Impact Deal award. It also advised on Cenomi Centres’ debut retail sukuk, the first issued under the CMA’s newly amended Rules on the Offer of Securities and Continuing Obligations and winner of Deal of the Year. The firm also acted for the underwriters on OMIFCO’s IPO, which won Equity Deal of the Year.

In restructuring, Adam Banks and Haris Meyer Hanif led the team advising creditors on the complex and strategically significant restructuring of Amlak Finance PJSC, winner of Restructuring Deal of the Year.

Testimonials
“A&O Shearman has embedded knowledge of AD Inc positions, placements, approaches etc. They always go above and beyond to get the deal across the line. They are collaborative across jurisdictions to deliver clients cohesive advice.” – Capital markets 

“Anzal Mohammed is responsive, a sector expert, and consistently provides a high level of service.” – Debt capital markets 

“Diana Billick is responsive, pragmatic, and calm.” – Capital markets 

“Diana Billick is a powerhouse on deals, leading a cross-jurisdictional (US, UK, and ME) practice from Paris.” – Capital markets 

“Jodi Norman is responsive, detail-oriented, a creative thinker, strategic, consistently delivers at a high level, and is a great people leader.” – Financial services regulatory 

“Jodi Norman is a sophisticated navigator of governance, regulatory, and policy matters, offering nuanced and complex regulatory insight.” – Financial services regulatory 

“Benjamin Crawford has extensive M&A experience and provides practical risk management solutions for transactions, with good digitalisation efficiencies.” – M&A 

“A&O Shearman’s exceptionally high quality of work and full-service offering stand out across teams and functions. In particular, the complexity of enterprise-level IT cloud and infrastructure agreements demonstrated commercial acumen in navigating large IT provider positions.” – Project development 

A&O Shearman’s real estate team showed skill and knowledge in negotiating local law and commercial aspects of leases and premises relocation risks.” – Real estate 

“Faye Priestley has excellent local law knowledge, combined with practical commercial positions in the market.” – Real estate