Corporate/M&A
Global Guide 2024 : United Arab Emirates
Band 4
Contact number
+971 (0) 4 374 2800Chambers Review
The Dubai office of CMS fields a notable team with a commendable M&A practice. The firm's lawyers frequently carry out the Middle Eastern elements of high-profile global acquisitions. They are furthermore experienced in restructurings, FDI, joint ventures and divestments. The team can often be found representing clients from the financial services, hospitality, technology and energy sectors.
Work Highlights
- CMS acted for Croatian oil company INA on the sale of its interests in two oil and gas production sharing agreements to Afentra.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"CMS has strong sector expertise and a commercial understanding of what underscores the deals it advises on."
"The team at CMS is very responsive and the quality of the service is extremely high."
"CMS has strong sector expertise and a commercial understanding of what underscores the deals it advises on."
"The team at CMS is very responsive and the quality of the service is extremely high."
Notable Practitioners
John O'Connor is head of corporate and commercial in Dubai. He is a well-established figure in the market whose wide-ranging practice covers buyouts and joint venture structuring, in addition to group reorganisations and various commercial contracts considerations.
"John is very responsive and open to providing the advice we need, as well as listening to us and our requirements. We always get clear-cut answers from him."
"John provides excellent pragmatic advice and coverage of the risks."
Graham Conlon is a well-reputed practitioner advising private equity funds operating in Ukraine and Central and Eastern Europe on multi-jurisdictional acquisitions in the insurance sector. He also has a track record of dealing with transactions related to the chemicals and shipping sectors. He relocated to Dubai from Kyiv in 2023.
"Graham is a pleasure to work with - he is collaborative, approaches problems with a commercial mindset and is technically very strong."