TMT
Global Guide 2024 : United Arab Emirates
Band 1
Contact number
+971 2 418 0400Chambers Review
A&O Shearman is a global powerhouse with a strong TMT practice in the UAE. The firm serves an impressive list of technology and telecoms clients and is well versed in overseeing the drafting of commercial agreements, including outsourcing contracts. The team is very strong on transactional TMT work, assisting major clients with key strategic acquisitions and disposals. It also advises on e-commerce, data protection and telecoms regulatory matters. It is notably commended for its fintech practice and has advised on payment services regulations. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.
Work Highlights
- The firm advised Injazat Data Systems on the implementation of a digital primary healthcare platform in Abu Dhabi.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are a very strong team, especially on software development agreements, data privacy and regulatory matters. They are excellent: responsive, engaged, professional and well tuned into the market and its trends."
"They have strong attentiveness and a customer-service focus."
"The team is cohesive, integrated and collaborative; they're fantastic. I will be going back to them for additional work."
"They are a very strong team, especially on software development agreements, data privacy and regulatory matters. They are excellent: responsive, engaged, professional and well tuned into the market and its trends."
"They have strong attentiveness and a customer-service focus."
"The team is cohesive, integrated and collaborative; they're fantastic. I will be going back to them for additional work."
Notable Practitioners
Tom Butcher is commended for his strength in handling transactions in the technology industry, with experience advising on a plethora of M&A and joint venture mandates. He possesses further experience in regulatory issues related to data privacy and cybersecurity. He is based in Abu Dhabi.
"Tom is great to work with; he goes beyond pure matters of law and actively advises on strategy and business issues, which we value a lot as a team. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to technology and early-stage investments, and brings much-needed expertise."
"I find Tom and his team very knowledgeable, very flexible and very approachable, but also highly pragmatic, and with a keen sense for the commercial interest of the client."