Investment Funds
Global Guide 2024 : Middle East-wide
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+971 4 319 7934About
Provided by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Morgan Lewis’ Middle East Fund Formation and LP Investments team, led by five UAE-based partners, regularly advise asset managers, institutional investors including sovereign wealth funds on the entire life cycle of all types of regional and international funds including private equity, leveraged buyout, venture capital, mezzanine, real estate, hedge, distressed debt, captive and semi-captive (corporate and strategic) funds, fund of funds and Shari’a-compliant funds, and we work daily with institutional investors including sovereign wealth funds, public and private pension and endowment funds, family offices, angel and seed capital investors and incubators, and portfolio companies across economic sectors.
Chambers Review
Morgan Lewis has a highly esteemed practice in this field, with significant experience advising on Shari'a-compliant funds, as well as in regard to the representation of limited partners. It is well versed in credit and feeder funds, and advises on a range of QIFs, including in the real estate and technology sectors. Its lawyers represent clients in fund-related matters throughout the Middle East, with particular strengths in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The firm continues to grow its sovereign wealth and pension fund expertise.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Morgan Lewis offers a range and depth of experience in the legal landscape throughout the Middle East. They are experts at dealing with the issues that come with a still-evolving legal and regulatory environment."
"The Morgan Lewis team possess extremely high commercial and practical awareness combined with the ability to offer top-tier legal advice."
"The Morgan Lewis team are professional, commercial and client-oriented. I highly recommend them for complex commercial and cross-border matters."
"Morgan Lewis has a good range of senior and experienced practitioners along with ambitious and diligent lawyers at the more junior end."
"Morgan Lewis have a very strong understanding of sophisticated subjects and a proactiveness in finding solutions."
"Morgan Lewis offers a range and depth of experience in the legal landscape throughout the Middle East. They are experts at dealing with the issues that come with a still-evolving legal and regulatory environment."
"The Morgan Lewis team possess extremely high commercial and practical awareness combined with the ability to offer top-tier legal advice."
"The Morgan Lewis team are professional, commercial and client-oriented. I highly recommend them for complex commercial and cross-border matters."
"Morgan Lewis has a good range of senior and experienced practitioners along with ambitious and diligent lawyers at the more junior end."
"Morgan Lewis have a very strong understanding of sophisticated subjects and a proactiveness in finding solutions."
Notable Practitioners
Ayman Khaleq splits his time between Los Angeles and Dubai, and is highly rated for his expertise in Middle East investment funds. He provides clients with high-level advice on both private and public funds, including in regard to Shari'a-compliant as well as conventional structures. He has a deep understanding of structuring and documentation issues, often working with international asset managers on cross-border engagements throughout the region.
"Ayman Khaleq is very knowledgeable in cross-border fund structures and their application in both conventional and Islamic transactions."
"Ayman Khaleq is approachable and very helpful when it comes to explaining foreign concepts to non-legal professionals. He is excellent at explaining and assisting in planning next steps."
"He is responsive, hard-working and knowledgeable."
"Ayman Khaleq is well respected in the region."
Bill Nash is a lawyer who has deep roots in the Middle East, having advised clients on fund formation and investment mandates for well over a decade. He is based in the Abu Dhabi office, where he is managing partner, and has notable experience advising on the formation of ADGM-domiciled credit funds as well as providing wide-ranging advice to sovereign wealth funds.
"He has been in the region for a long time and is well known in the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund market."
"Bill Nash has a great reputation."
Carolyn Abram is an up-and-coming lawyer who was recently promoted to partner. Based in Dubai, she is well versed in acting for fund sponsors in the venture capital and private equity spaces, with additional experience concerning REITs and sovereign wealth funds.
"Carolyn has an absolute depth of knowledge in funds. She has extensive experience of private equity funds and is also readily available and a pleasure to deal with. She is commercial and understands our needs when it comes to negotiating with stakeholders."
"Carolyn Abram is the sort of partner you can always pick up the phone and call."
Ranked Lawyers at
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Middle East-wide