AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION APRIL 2025 • VOL.1 • ISSUE 03 Ahmed Ibrahim on the UAE’s biggest IPOs THE DEAL MAKER LME_Apr2025_00_Cover_13567644.indd 102/04/2025 23:01Standard Chartered Bank UAE is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. Now’s the time to invest globally before New York wakes up Grow your wealth globally and connect with the right opportunities right now. Now’s your time for wealth Standard Chartered Priority Untitled-7 131/01/2025 12:25April 2025 | 3 law-middleeast.com EDITOR’S LETTER Hello readers, Reeling off the back of Eid celebrations, there is still much to celebrate. Can you believe it has been one year since we launched, fi rst online, and now in print? What an eventful year it has been! In that time, we have seen one lawyer pop up on nearly every major IPO in the UAE: Ahmed Ibrahim. From Talabat, Lulu Retail, and Spinneys in the last year alone, to government-backed listings including DEWA, Empower, and ADNOC, we speak with him about his record-breaking IPO run, averaging one IPO every two months for the past three years. Beyond this, we bring you Saudi Arabia’s Rising Stars 2025. This inaugural list features 12 up-and-coming associates at the nation’s top law fi rms. Saudi Arabia is a burgeoning market, and we reveal the lawyers working on the biggest deals, cases, and projects in the Kingdom. Returning to the UAE, we turn our attention to one of the nation’s oldest law fi rms, Hadef & Partners, which this year marks 45 years since its launch. The fi rm’s managing partner, Sadiq Jafar, discusses the fi rm’s key milestones which include drafting the UAE Space Law, the fi rst of its kind in the Middle East, and the fi rst corporate tax system. As we enter a new quarter, we also gain insights from another local fi rm’s managing partner, BSA Law’s Michael Kortbawi, who comments on deal fl ow in the UAE and his refl ections for the year ahead. All in all, this issue off ers just a glimpse into the exciting developments unfolding in the region’s key economic centres. Until next month, Aishah Hussain Editor, Law Middle East @lawmiddleeast linkedin.com/company/law-middle-east Here are a few things which have been on our radar: UAE and KSA deal fl ow The deal market remains buoyant in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE and KSA. Top fi rms are advising on major IPOs and partnership deals, highlighting the region’s strong market growth. Head to pages 8-9 for a round-up of the big deals which have recently taken place in the region. Court reform Changes are coming to some Middle Eastern courts. Oman has taken a big step towards enhancing its business environment with the establishment of an ‘Investment and Commerce Court’. Meanwhile, Dubai Courts has launched a strategic plan for 2025-2029, and the DIFC Courts has introduced a new law establishing, among other things, a mediation centre. Head to page 14 for more. US fi rms vie for market share Saudi Arabia continues to capture the attention of the global legal market, particularly US law fi rms. Akin is the latest fi rm to signal its intention to open in Riyadh. Find out more on page 11. Elsewhere, Paul Hastings is following Skadden into Abu Dhabi with an energy & infrastructure team hire. There is more on page 15. LME_Apr2025_3_Editors letter_13576997.indd 304/04/2025 05:53law-middleeast.com 4 | April 2025 CONTENTS 26 THE DEAL MAKER BEHIND THE UAE’S BIGGEST IPOS From Talabat to Dubai Taxi, Ahmed Ibrahim shares his career highlights and why his next stop is Saudi Arabia 2234 INSIDE ONE OF THE UAE’S OLDEST LAW FIRMS Hadef & Partners managing partner Sadiq Jafar reveals the fi rm’s biggest milestones and evolving priorities SAUDI ARABIA’S RISING STARS 2025 This inaugural list shines a spotlight on 12 up-and-coming associates at the nation’s top law fi rms LME_Apr2025_4-5_CONTENTS_13576994.indd 404/04/2025 05:55April 2025 | 5 law-middleeast.com 46 50 44 SAUDI ARABIA’S BIG PUSH TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT As the Kingdom pushes ahead with diversifi cation plans, foreign investors can tap into the region’s largest market UAE’S DEAL MARKET AND WHAT LIES AHEAD After a strong fi rst quarter, deal fl ow is expected to remain healthy, driven by national priorities DECODING CRYPTO LAW: 10 TIPS FROM A DUBAI GC Shahab Ahmed breaks down what lawyers need to navigate the rapidly changing world of Web3 LME_Apr2025_4-5_CONTENTS_13576994.indd 504/04/2025 05:56law-middleeast.com 6 | April 2025 PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Editor: Aishah Hussain Tel: +971 4 444 3132 email: aishah.hussain@itp.com Commercial Editor: Angitha Pradeep Tel: +971 4 444 3278 email: angitha.pradeep@itp.com ART Art Director: Amjad Ayche Art Editor: Tofi q Memon ADVERTISING Group Publishing Director: Natasha Pendleton Tel: +971 4 444 3248 email: natasha.pendleton@itp.com Commercial Manager: Syed Rezavi Tel: +971 4 444 3662 email: syed.rezavi@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton email: eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events & Marketing Manager: Kate Galaktionova Events Manager: Beverly Stanforth Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Events Executive: Ella Johnson Events Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Administrative Assistant: Aronn Pureza Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION Production Manager: Balasubramanian P DISTRIBUTION Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai ITP GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. PUBLISHED BY AND © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. LME_Apr2025_6_Flannel_13576492.indd 604/04/2025 05:56WHERE THE FUTURE OF TECH TAKES CENTRE STAGE April 30 2025 | Anantara Downtown Dubai SCAN QR CODE TO REGISTER8 April 2025law-middleeast.com ONLINE Saudi Arabia is seeing a remarkable shift in female lawyers move through the ranks and make partner in the Kingdom. For the fi rst time, three lawyers recently appointed to partner in the Riyadh offi ce of their respective fi rms, speak on how they made it and the challenges they overcame along the way. Roopal Jobanputra is general counsel at Core42, a G42 company formed in October 2023 to lead the UAE’s national cloud and generative AI initiatives. She shares how she came to lead the legal team of a major technology company, as well as advice for female lawyers. Businesses across the globe are growing fast, and legal teams are under pressure to keep pace. RAYNE CEO and co-founder Sarah Jones discusses what inspired her to launch a UAE legal consulting business, while championing work-life balance for legal professionals as a mother of fi ve young children. The Middle East is seeing a growing number of female lawyers making signifi cant inroads into the traditionally male-dominated fi eld of construction law. Two high- powered women in the UAE offi ces of global law fi rms Linklaters and Reed Smith share their career stories. WHAT IS TRENDING ONLINE law - middleeas t .co m Saudi Arabia’s new female partners My life as a technology lawyer The rise of legal consulting Women paving the way in construction law WHAT OUR READERS THINK... Gibson Dunn’s meteoric rise in the Middle EastThe Saudi IPO lawyer behind major listings "A thoughtful, long-term approach always stands out in competitive markets. Great to see Gibson Dunn leading with depth and strategy." "Fascinating insights from a true leader in the fi eld. Salman Al-Sudairi’s expertise and track record in Saudi Arabia’s IPO market are truly impressive." LME_Apr2025_8-9_Web DPS_13576444.indd 804/04/2025 05:57April 2025 9law-middleeast.com ONLINE Kirkland & Ellis was the fi rst international law fi rm to establish its Riyadh offi ce as its regional headquarters in October 2023. Under founding partner and Middle East practice head Kamran Bajwa’s leadership, the offi ce has grown to over 20 legal professionals, with core specialisms including corporate, capital markets, projects, and restructuring. Right now his focus is on making the Riyadh offi ce as successful as possible, he tells Law Middle East in an exclusive interview. KIRKLAND & ELLIS MIDDLE EAST HEAD: We aim to build the best culture and brand in KSA ONLINE April 2025 9law-middleeast.com LME_Apr2025_8-9_Web DPS_13576444.indd 904/04/2025 05:58Next >