Sullivan & Cromwell has opened an office in Abu Dhabi as it looks to expand its work for clients in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East.
Ahmed T. el-Gaili is rejoining the firm as a partner to lead its Middle East practice after previously spending six years at S&C in London.
Sullivan & Cromwell has opened an office in Abu Dhabi, becoming the latest international law firm to expand its presence in the Middle East.
The US firm looks to build on its work for sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises and other clients across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
S&C has brought back Ahmed T. el-Gaili as a partner to lead its Middle East practice. El-Gaili previously spent six years at the firm in London before moving to the Middle East, where he has worked most recently as a partner at Latham & Watkins.
Returning to S&C
El-Gaili advises sovereign wealth funds, governments, state-owned enterprises, corporates and private equity firms on M&A, joint ventures, project finance and development, and restructuring.
His practice focuses on energy, infrastructure, life sciences, telecoms and technology.
“Sovereign capital, private equity and infrastructure investment in the Middle East is fuelling some of the most high-profile and complex transactions anywhere in the world, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” he said.
S&C co-chairs Robert Giuffra and Scott Miller said the opening would deepen the firm's connection to “one of the world’s most dynamic financial centres” and that the move underscores the firm’s long-term commitment to the region.
Building the practice
El-Gaili will work alongside other S&C partners with experience in the region, including Garth Bray, who advises on cross-border M&A, technology and regulatory matters, and Umberto Hassan, whose practice includes cross-border M&A and restructuring.
The opening makes S&C the latest international firm to expand in the Gulf, following a wave of launches over the past 18 months. Paul Hastings, Addleshaw Goddard, Simmons & Simmons and Mishcon have all opened in Abu Dhabi, while Freshfields, Reed Smith and Bird & Bird are among the firms to have recently launched in Riyadh.
The launch gives S&C 14 offices globally and marks its first office in the Middle East. The firm has around 1,000 lawyers worldwide.
Join 10,000+ City law professionals who start their day with our newsletter.
The essential read for commercially aware lawyers.
