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Middle East

The Dubai office of Allen & Overy opened in 1978 and was the firm’s first office outside of London. Dubai was chosen as a base in the Middle East because it had a strong future as a financial centre and welcomed foreign businesses.

Our partners have developed deep relationships with a broad base of widely envied clients, both government-related and private sector. Furthermore, we have gained unparalleled experience in relation to the ground-up establishment of mega projects and transactions in the region.

For over 40 years the Dubai office, along with our office in Abu Dhabi, has thrived together with the economy. Today we are proud to be able to say that we have grown to become the pre-eminent international law firm located in the Middle East, with an unrivalled presence in the region. We can offer you strength and depth that no competitor can match, with top-tier legal advice delivered by our on-the-ground team of legal experts.

Independent market recognition was first achieved in 2008 when Chambers Global introduced a Middle East category and Allen & Overy was ranked in band 1 for our corporate/ commercial work. We have remained in band 1 ever since.

What we can offer you

Our lawyers combine the international expertise gained on high-profile, multi-jurisdictional transactions with deep local roots, the result of many years’ experience in the local Middle East markets where they operate. They advise on some of the most innovative and complex transactions in the region, many of which are market firsts.

Our coverage extends beyond the jurisdictions in which our offices are based into the wider MENASA region. In countries such as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Tunisia and Yemen, among others; our clients benefit from our lawyers’ deep knowledge of each market’s specific requirements.

Over the years we have also built strong relationships with key government agencies, regulatory bodies and local law firms. Thanks to this combination we are now recognised as the preferred legal adviser to some of the most successful organisations operating in the Middle East, including those expanding overseas and international clients investing in the region.

Whether we are handling corporate, banking, project finance, capital markets, funds and real estate transactions or dispute resolution matters, we use the best of our technical and international expertise and local knowledge to find practical ways to help our clients achieve their business objectives.

Areas covered:

News and insights

High rise buildings

News: 23 August 2023

A&O advises Aljazira Capital as anchor investor on Axiom Space’s USD350m Series C investment round

Allen & Overy has advised Aljazira Capital (AJC) as anchor investor on the USD350m Series C investment round of Axiom Space, a Houston-based space company building the world’s first commercial space…

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News: 27 July 2023

Allen & Overy appoints Khalid Garousha as interim global managing partner

Allen & Overy (A&O) today announces the appointment of Khalid Garousha as interim global managing partner, effective 1 September 2023, for an eight-month period to 30 April 2024.

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High rise building

Blog Post: 20 July 2023

FATF recognises significant improvements to the UAE’s anti-money laundering regime

Summary In June 2023, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issued a report addressing the progress made by the UAE in improving its level of compliance with the FATF Standards, since the FATF’s…

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Trees and fountains outside high rise buildings

News: 06 July 2023

A&O supports Hub71 on the intake of its latest cohort of start-ups

Allen & Overy has advised Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s unique global tech ecosystem, on the development of its incubator investment framework for the intake of the latest cohort of start-ups joining its…

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Recognition for our work

Download our office brochure

A&O Middle East brochure

We are at the top end of the market – as evidenced by advising on all ground-breaking ‘big-ticket’ deals across the UAE and wider Middle East.

Our global coverage

Click on the regions in the map below to find out more about the jurisdictions we cover across the world.

  • Europe
  • Africa
  • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • North America
  • Latin America

In addition to countries where we have offices, we also have a number of International Desks advising clients on large scale international transactions in Europe.

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Global Experts and Markets

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Our Global Experts and Markets bring together lawyers from across Allen & Overy with significant experience of working on deals in key regions and markets – they support our clients with their business needs across any region by mobilising international teams as well as selecting and maintaining our ties with our chosen relationship law firms. As our network of relationship law firms has grown, we have committed to build an enduring bond that will bring value to them, us and ultimately to our clients. 

Media contact

Amira Alyamani
Amira Alyamani

Senior BD Manager

Dubai

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Dubai
  • 11th Floor, Burj Daman Building, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai International Financial Centre

    Dubai

    PO Box 506678

  • View office