< Previous10 November 2025law-middleeast.com NEWS Global law f irm Reed Smith has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia with the launch of a new offi ce in Riyadh. The new offi ce, located in Laysen Valley, is its third in the region and its 34th globally. This expansion follows the fi rm receiving a licence from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice to operate in the Kingdom. It builds on Reed Smith’s long-standing presence in the Middle East, where the fi rm has operated since opening an offi ce in Abu Dhabi in 1978 and in Dubai in 2006. Reed Smith’s Middle East headcount is now over 25 lawyers, including seven partners. The Riyadh office will operate initially with two partners and one senior associate, with plans to grow in the coming years. It will be led initially by Gregor Pryor, the fi rm’s Europe and Middle East managing partner, who has been seconded from London to oversee the new offi ce in Riyadh. “The relocation of one of our senior management team members to work in the Kingdom and build our capability underscores our commitment to be a leading force in this fast-growing legal market,” said Casey Ryan, global managing partner of Reed Smith. Pryor will be joined by new arrivals from local fi rm Mahassni & Co, who the fi rm has worked with for almost a decade without any formal relationship. They include partner Emad Alshaikhi and senior associate Foram Majmudar. Alshaikhi previously served as co-managing partner of Mahassni & Co, where he also led its REED SMITH EXPANDS TO SAUDI ARABIA WITH RIYADH OFFICE LAUNCH It will be led initially by Gregor Pryor, the fi rm’s Europe and Middle East managing partner, who has been seconded from London to oversee the new offi ce in Riyadh The relocation of one of our senior management team members to work in the Kingdom and build our capability underscores our commitment to be a leading force in this fast- growing legal market Casey Ryan, global managing partner LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 10LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 1028/10/2025 14:0428/10/2025 14:04November 2025 11law-middleeast.com NEWS Reed Smith Europe and Middle East managing partner Gregor Pryor dispute resolution practice. He brings more than 15 years of experience advising on commercial disputes, government projects, and transactions in the Kingdom. “I am delighted to join Reed Smith as we establish our new offi ce in Saudi Arabia,” said Alshaikhi. “With the Kingdom undergoing rapid economic transformation, this step will facilitate the transfer of know-how and the introduction of advanced resources, enabling us to keep pace with the fast-growing market and to better support clients across a wide range of business needs and high-profi le projects, while also contributing to the Saudi market’s growth.” Majmudar advises on joint ventures, securities, M&A, restructurings, incorporations, and liquidations for regional and multinational companies operating in Saudi Arabia. She has advised on major projects including Green Riyadh, NEOM, and Riyadh Metro. The Riyadh offi ce launch continues the fi rm’s recent growth trajectory, following the opening of an offi ce in Atlanta in January and Denver in February. “In direct response to growing client demand, we have opened three new offi ces this year—a clear testament to our long-term growth strategy,” said Ryan. “This expansion demonstrates our commitment to support our clients on their most complex, high-value matters, and aligns with our long-term strategy of being where our clients need us most.” Speaking to Law Middle East, Pryor said: “We have seen incredible revenue growth in the region. It is a natural step for us to expand into the Kingdom as our clients look for our services there.” “When we think about Vision 2030, and what is going to be happening in the Kingdom, and the goals for the growth of the country, they are centred around our industry strengths: fi nance, energy, entertainment and media, construction, transport, and logistics,” he said. “These areas neatly align with ours, and hopefully we can diff erentiate ourselves within the market through growing in these areas.” On whether the Riyadh offi ce will become the fi rm’s regional headquarters, Pryor said: “We will wait and see how things go, but I would never rule it out.” Regarding his time in Riyadh, Pryor clarifi ed that his move is a secondment to establish the offi ce structure, rather than a permanent relocation. “I will be there as long as it takes to get the team up and running,” he said. “I do not think I am quite ready to be stationed there permanently. It is very much a secondment for now. But, over time, I could see myself spending more time there, depending on how things go.” With the launch coming amid a wave of inbound legal work, Pryor said his focus is on delivery and scaling the team to meet capacity needs. “We have so much inbound work, even in the last few months, and so servicing the client work is our number one priority,” he said. “We then need to focus on growing the team; if we are going to meet the capacity for the work, we are going to need more lawyers with us in the offi ce.” On the immediate areas of opportunity, Pryor said: “I think M&A and fi nance are the fi rst areas, just because that is where we are seeing the most immediate demand right now.” Recent regulatory reform in Saudi Arabia, which permits foreign law fi rms to operate independently, has triggered a rush of new international law fi rms to open new offi ces or expand their teams in the Kingdom. Trowers & Hamlins recently announced it is returning to the Saudi capital with the launch of a new offi ce in November. We have seen incredible revenue growth in the region. It is a natural step for us to expand into the Kingdom as our clients look for our services there Gregor Pryor, Europe and Middle East managing partner LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 11LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 1128/10/2025 15:2628/10/2025 15:2612 November 2025law-middleeast.com NEWS 20+ The number of years the General Counsel Wellbeing Network has operated A network dedicated to the wellbeing of general counsel has expanded to the Middle East in partnership with Pinsent Masons. The General Counsel Wellbeing Network hosts workshops and webinars for senior in- house counsel. It aims to help them sustain performance by focusing on leadership and resilience. The launch expands on the network’s existing collaboration in the UK. In addition to the Middle East, the network is active in the UK, Ireland, and Spain, with more areas to be added in the coming year. It was founded by Steven MacGregor, a senior advisor to McKinsey & Company and honorary professor of health and wellbeing at the Glasgow School of Art. “The Middle East is a fast-moving, high- pressure environment for senior in-house counsel,” said MacGregor. “With Pinsent Masons’ support, we can create spaces where clarity, connection, and wellbeing become true strategic assets for legal leaders.” Pinsent Masons partner Marie Chowdhry, who is supporting the initiative, said: “As a former GC, I know fi rst-hand how valuable it is to have a trusted space to share, learn, and recharge. I only wish such a network had been available to me in my previous in-house role, which is why we are so pleased to support GCWN in the Middle East.” The fi rst Middle East events will be announced later this year. The wellbeing of general counsel and in- house legal teams is of concern, according to a recent article reporting fi ndings by legal talent provider Axiom. The study found that 78% of in-house lawyers reported feeling stressed or burned out, while 57% said they are open to fi nding new jobs. Nearly half of the 300 in-house lawyers surveyed reported being very or extremely stressed or burned out, with 69% of those respondents saying they were likely to look for a new job within the next year. In-house counsel would almost equally consider a law fi rm (40%) or a fl exible talent provider (39%) for their next position, while 34% would consider another in-house position, the report said. GENERAL COUNSEL WELLBEING NETWORK LAUNCHES IN MIDDLE EAST With backing from Pinsent Masons, the network aims to help GCs sustain performance through workshops and webinars LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 12LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 1227/10/2025 20:2027/10/2025 20:20November 2025 13law-middleeast.com NEWS 5 Trowers & Hamlins will soon have five Middle East offices Trowers & Hamlins is set to return to Riyadh with the launch of a new offi ce this month. The international law fi rm has been granted a licence to operate in Saudi Arabia by the Ministry of Justice and will be opening the offi ce in early November 2025. The launch is part of the fi rm’s 2030 growth strategy and builds on its existing Middle East presence in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, and Oman. It will be led by co-resident managing partners Bilal Kahlon and Nasreen Alissa. Kahlon has over 15 years of experience in banking and fi nance matters in the Gulf region with a particular expertise in project fi nance, Islamic fi nance, and debt capital markets. He has been a partner at Trowers since 2020, based in the fi rm’s Bahrain offi ce. Alissa brings several years of legal experience having run her own law fi rm in the Kingdom. She is qualifi ed in Saudi Arabia and specialises in corporate law, advising on regulatory matters and cross-border investments. They will be joined by Trowers partner Moad Giebaly, who is relocating from the UK and will be supported by a team who will off er expertise in corporate, banking and fi nance, construction, dispute resolution, private wealth, and real estate as well as sector expertise in energy, renewables, infrastructure, transport, and technology. “We are excited about the opening of our new offi ce in Riyadh, a key part of our fi rmwide growth strategy and vision for 2030,” said the fi rm’s senior partner, Sara Bailey. “Saudi Arabia is an important market requiring sophisticated legal services for international business and a region experiencing extraordinary growth and innovative development. Establishing a presence here is a logical next step for our international business, allowing us to explore new opportunities and to better serve our existing and future clients.” Trowers previously operated in Saudi Arabia in association with Feras Al Shawaf Law Offi ce. The fi rm opened its fi rst offi ce in Riyadh in 2010, followed by a second offi ce in Jeddah a few months later. Media reports indicate the Jeddah offi ce was closed less than a year later in May 2011. A recent regulatory reform in Saudi Arabia, which permits foreign law fi rms to operate independently, has triggered a rush of international law fi rms to open new offi ces or expand their teams in the Kingdom. TROWERS TO RELAUNCH IN RIYADH WITH NEW OFFICE THIS MONTH The international law fi rm has received a licence to open its fi fth offi ce in the Middle East LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 13LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 1327/10/2025 20:2027/10/2025 20:2014 November 2025law-middleeast.com NEWS 8 GLA & Company has eight Middle East offices across seven jurisdictions GLA & Company has entered an association with ALC Law yers & Counsels, a local fi rm in Muscat, Oman. The association will enable both fi rms to collaborate in Oman and across the region. By joining forces, the f irms will share knowledge and integrate resources to improve client service capabilities. Specifi cally, the collaboration will strengthen their combined expertise in corporate, commercial, banking and fi nance, dispute resolution, and regulatory mat ters, benef iting from ALC’s strong foundation in local matters and litigation. Nader Al-Awadhi, senior partner at GLA & Company, said: “This association with ALC Lawyers is a natural extension of our vision to strengthen GLA & Company’s reach across the region. Oman is a key jurisdiction in the Middle East with a rapidly evolving business and legal landscape. By combining ALC’s in-depth local expertise with our regional capabilities, we are positioning ourselves to off er clients seamless support across borders, while ensuring that the highest standards of legal service are consistently delivered. We look forward to a long and successful collaboration with our colleagues at ALC.” Alex Saleh, managing partner at GLA & Company, added: “We are delighted to collaborate with ALC Lawyers in Oman as part of our strategic growth in the MENA region. This new association refl ects our commitment to off ering clients seamless, high-quality legal services across jurisdictions. With ALC’s deep local expertise and our regional reach, we are confi dent this partnership will deliver signifi cant value to our clients in Oman.” In September 2024, GLA opened an offi ce in Doha, Qatar. In addition to Doha, GLA has offi ces in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Egypt. Oman's legal scene is transforming under Vision 2040. The legal system, a blend of sharia and civil law, permits foreign law fi rms to operate without a local partner in the sultanate. Key reforms include the establishment of a specialised Investment and Commerce Court to streamline the resolution of disputes, reinforcing legal certainty and investor confi dence. GLA & CO JOINS FORCES WITH LOCAL FIRM IN OMAN The association with ALC Lawyers allows the fi rms to integrate resources and strengthen combined expertise in corporate, fi nance, and more LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 14LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 1427/10/2025 20:2027/10/2025 20:20November 2025 15law-middleeast.com NEWS 3 Greenberg Traurig has launched three Middle East offices in two years As part of its ongoing regional expansion, Greenberg Traurig has launched an office in Abu Dhabi, led by former Latham & Watkins partners. Greenberg Traurig has secured a licence to open its 50th global offi ce in the ADGM. It follows the fi rm’s 2023 offi ce openings in Dubai and Riyadh. The new offi ce will be led by Christian Adams, a fi nance and restructuring partner, and Chris Lester, a corporate and private equity partner, who formerly worked in the Dubai offi ce of Latham & Watkins. Together, they have 34 years of experience in the UAE. “Opening our Abu Dhabi offi ce represents the execution of our growth strategy at its fi nest,” said Richard Rosenbaum, executive chair of Greenberg Traurig. “As the capital city of the UAE, our Abu Dhabi offi ce will complement the accelerated growth that the Middle East is experiencing.” “Greenberg Traurig’s commitment to the Middle East and to hiring many of the region’s top lawyers is exceptional,” said Khalid Al-Thebity, Greenberg Traurig’s Middle East chair and Riyadh offi ce managing partner. “Launching three offi ces in the Middle East in two years is unique in the market, and few other fi rms can claim the roster of talent we have in the various sectors most important to growth in the Middle East. Both Christian and Chris are perfect examples of that legal talent: highly skilled, experienced, and respected in the region over many years.” Based in the UAE since 2008, Adams advises on fi nance transactions across the Middle East and globally. His practice spans multiple industries, with a particular focus on the energy, entertainment, hospitality, infrastructure, investment, leisure, and real estate sectors. “The fi rm’s international platform positions us to serve clients with both inbound and outbound investments—an advantage that is essential for our clients’ success and for the region’s continued development,” said Adams. Lester focuses on inbound and outbound M&A, private equity, joint ventures, investments, and corporate restructurings. His practice spans multiple industries including banking and fi nance, life sciences and healthcare, and technology. Lester added: “The fi rm’s commitment to Abu Dhabi and its exceptional team of lawyers worldwide creates the ideal environment to deliver outstanding service to Abu Dhabi and beyond.” GREENBERG TRAURIG LAUNCHES ABU DHABI OFFICE WITH EX-LATHAM PARTNERS It is the latest of several elite fi rms to open an offi ce in the UAE capital, marking its third Middle East launch in two years LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 15LME_Nov2025_10-15_News_13742971.indd 1527/10/2025 20:2027/10/2025 20:2016 November 2025law-middleeast.com MOVES AL KHALEEJ INVESTMENT Fadi Kilani has been appointed chief legal offi cer at Al Khaleej Investment. He brings over 20 years of experience to the role, with expertise in corporate law, restructuring, and capital markets in both the UAE and Jordan. Prior to this role, Kilani served as chief legal offi cer at Drake & Scull International, where he played a key role in the company’s restructuring under the UAE Bankruptcy Law. He also previously worked at Al Tamimi & Company in Dubai, advising regional and international clients on M&A, high-value contracts, and dispute resolution. Earlier in his career, Kilani led his own legal practice in Jordan and served as general counsel for NEPCO. CLYDE & CO Janet Gooi has joined Clyde & Co as a partner to lead the fi rm’s Middle East tax practice in Dubai. She has joined the fi rm’s global corporate and advisory practice from Al Tamimi & Company, where she was a senior counsel. Gooi advises regional and multinational corporations, private equity groups, investment funds, and high net worth individuals on a range of tax issues with a particular focus on international tax structuring, M&A tax, and tax disputes across the Middle East. CMS Gabriella Savastano has joined CMS as a partner in the banking and fi nance practice, based in Dubai. This marks a return for her to the fi rm, where she worked as a legal director between 2022 and 2023. She rejoins the fi rm from Linklaters where she was head of the fi nancial services regulatory practice in the UAE. Savastano has more than a decade of experience advising clients on UAE fi nancial regulations, including licensing, conduct of business, regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, and other regulatory matters. She previously spent eight years working as senior legal counsel at Macquarie Group. DAR GLOBAL Charbel Sabeh has been appointed chief legal offi cer at Dar Global. He has joined the luxury real estate developer after just over two years at Clyde & Co, where he was a senior associate, based in the fi rm’s Riyadh offi ce. Prior to this, he spent close to four years at Al Tamimi & Company. His move brings him back in-house, as he was formerly legal counsel at RAFAL Real Estate Development Company for two years. Dar Global recently announced it has set up its RHQ in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from where it will manage its global operations. Sabeh, who is based in Riyadh, will oversee the company’s global operations, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia. FRESHFIELDS Olivier Rogivue, a partner in Freshfi elds’ global transactions group, has relocated from Paris to Riyadh. His relocation from Paris, where he was based for more than 11 years, marks a key milestone in the fi rm’s growth of its regional practice. Rogivue brings more than two decades of experience advising on cross-border M&A transactions. He has particular expertise in the energy, chemicals, and construction sectors. NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT Amar Meher and Paul Mansouri have joined Norton Rose Fulbright in Riyadh and Dubai, respectively. Meher has joined from Addleshaw Goddard, where he led the banking, fi nance and restructuring practice in Saudi Arabia. Prior to this, he spent ten years at Latham & Watkins in the same role. He advises on a wide range of fi nancing matters, including debt restructurings and both conventional and Islamic fi nance, spanning various asset classes. His experience also extends to Shariah-compliant structured products, such as derivatives and investment funds. Mansouri, meanwhile, has relocated from London to lead the fi rm’s Middle East projects practice in Dubai. He was previously based in the region, where he has advised on several projects with a focus on the energy, renewables, and infrastructure sectors. SIMMONS & SIMMONS Ed Crosse, a partner at Simmons & Simmons, has relocated from London to lead the fi rm’s Middle East disputes and investigations practice in Dubai. He brings three decades of experience specialising in fi nancial services litigation, international arbitration, and investigations. He acts for clients across a range of sectors and has particular expertise in commercial and civil fraud claims arising from or into the UAE, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe. He succeeds Payam Beheshti, who led the Middle East disputes and investigations team for fi ve years. Payam will continue to focus on his practice and will work with Crosse to ensure continuity as the team enters its next growth phase. New hires in private practice and in-house across the region LAWYER MOVES LME_Nov2025_16-17_Moves_13745012.indd 16LME_Nov2025_16-17_Moves_13745012.indd 1627/10/2025 20:2127/10/2025 20:21November 2025 17law-middleeast.com MOVES PROMOTIONS BAKER BOTTS Shadi Haroon has been appointed chair of Baker Botts’ global projects practice in the Middle East. He has been with Baker Botts for nearly two decades in the region, having joined the fi rm in 2006. He is based in the fi rm’s Riyadh offi ce, which operates in association with the Law Offi ce of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed. Haroon’s practice spans corporate structuring, equity off erings, M&A, and cross-border transactions and projects. He advises companies across diverse industries including fi nancial services, telecommunications, defence, mining, and oil & gas. COVINGTON Covington has promoted two lawyers to partner in Dubai. Corporate lawyer Haykel Hajjaji and employment lawyer Antonio Michaelides have been promoted to the fi rm’s partnership. Hajjaji focuses on cross-border M&A, private equity, and commercial transactions. He advises clients across a broad range of industries, including infrastructure, life sciences, and technology. Michaelides works across the fi rm’s Dubai and London offi ces. He advises clients on a broad range of regulatory and compliance issues —including labour laws, international equity compliance, and immigration. DIFC COURTS Amna Al Owais has been appointed deputy director of the DIFC Courts. In her role, Al Owais will lead the courts’ special projects and its ancillary services. Previously in her career, she established the courts' pro bono programme, the fi rst initiative of its kind in the Middle East. WHITE & CASE White & Case has promoted three lawyers to its Middle East partnership. Mahmoud Ezz and Philip Vavalidis have been named as partners in the fi rm’s M&A practice, based in Cairo and Riyadh respectively. Ezz advises regional and international clients on M&A, private equity, and capital market transactions in Egypt and across the Middle East. Vavalidis advises sovereign wealth funds, private equity fi rms, alternative capital providers and corporates on acquisitions, disposals, equity transactions, co-investments, alternative capital transactions, and portfolio assistance. Joshua Cohen, meanwhile, has been named a partner in the fi rm’s project development and fi nance practice, based in Doha. He advises on transactions in the energy, petrochemicals, power and water sectors, with a focus on the commercial and project development aspects. The promotions are eff ective January 1, 2026. LME_Nov2025_16-17_Moves_13745012.indd 17LME_Nov2025_16-17_Moves_13745012.indd 1727/10/2025 20:2227/10/2025 20:2218 November 2025law-middleeast.com DEALS $55B The amount EA was acquired for by a private equity consortium Kirkland & Ellis and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz are advising on the largest-ever leveraged buyout as a private equity consortium acquires NASDAQ-listed games maker Electronic Arts (EA) for $55 billion. Kirkland is providing legal counsel to the consortium, comprising Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Silver Lake, and Affi nity Partners. The global law fi rm, which operates across the Middle East through its Riyadh offi ce and regional headquarters, is also the lead counsel to PIF. Gibson Dunn is providing “specialised counsel” to PIF, according to a company statement. A cross-border Kirkland team is advising on the all-cash transaction, including Riyadh offi ce head Kamran Bajwa and partner Noor Al-Fawzan, alongside a global team of 16 corporate, fi nance, tax, and antitrust lawyers. Wachtell is advising EA, the maker behind FIFA (EA FC) and The Sims. Latham & Watkins and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett are serving as Silver Lake’s legal counsel. Latham is also acting as co-counsel to the investor consortium on IP and gaming matters. The Latham team is led by US partners Michael Anastasio, Ghaith Mahmood, Ian Nussbaum, Rick Off say, and Charles Ruck. Sidley Austin is advising Affi nity with a team led by partners Jonathan Blackburn, William Levi, and Perry Shwachman. Under the terms of the agreement, the consortium will acquire EA, with PIF rolling over its existing 9.9% stake in the company. The deal, priced at $210 per share (a 25% premium to EA’s unaff ected share price), will be funded by $36 billion in equity and $20 billion in debt fi nancing, positioning EA to expand into new revenue streams. The deal is expected to close in the fi rst quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by EA stockholders. It will surpass the $45 billion TXU buyout in 2007, setting a new benchmark for leveraged buyouts. KIRKLAND AND WACHTELL LEAD ON LARGEST-EVER TAKE-PRIVATE DEAL AS PIF-LED CONSORTIUM ACQUIRES ELECTRONIC ARTS FOR $55 BILLION Gibson Dunn, Latham, Simpson Thacher, and Sidley are playing key roles in the all-cash transaction, expected to close in the fi rst quarter of 2027 LME_Nov2025_18-19_Deals_13745224.indd 18LME_Nov2025_18-19_Deals_13745224.indd 1827/10/2025 20:2227/10/2025 20:22November 2025 19law-middleeast.com DEALS Dentons advised the founders of Ports Services and Storage Company (PSSC) on the sale of a 51% stake in the company to Sustainable Infrastructure Holding Company (SISCO), advised by Greenberg Traurig. SISCO is an investment holding company in Saudi Arabia. Established in 1984, SISCO has assets under management of over SAR 4 billion through its eight portfolio companies. Its latest investment comes as it looks to grow its investment in the Kingdom across the logistics, ports, and water solutions value chains. The Dentons team was led by Saudi Arabia managing partner Ziad Saad. The Greenberg Traurig team was led by Middle East regional chair and Saudi Arabia managing partner Khalid Al-Thebity, alongside corporate partner Marwa Al-Siyabi. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. It is expected to close in the fourth quarter of the year. KKR ACQUIRES MINORITY STAKE IN ADNOC GAS PIPELINES Gibson Dunn advised KKR in its acquisition of a minority stake in ADNOC Gas Pipeline Assets, marking another step in the global investment fi rm’s expansion across the Middle East and its ongoing collaboration with regional energy players. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The gas pipeline network connects ADNOC’s upstream operations to local off -takers across the UAE, providing critical infrastructure for the country’s energy distribution. Ownership and operational management of the pipelines will remain with ADNOC, while KKR will hold its stake through managed accounts designed to align long-duration capital with the investment’s tenure. This transaction builds on the longstanding relationship between KKR and ADNOC. In 2019, they completed a deal involving ADNOC’s oil pipelines, structured to give regional partners access to global institutional capital while keeping operating control with ADNOC. The Gibson Dunn team was led by London partners Federico Fruhbeck and Alice Brogi, alongside Abu Dhabi partner Renad Younes. Gibson Dunn also recently advised KKR on its investment in Gulf Data Hub, a data centre platform in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. DUBIZZLE IPO A trio of law fi rms are advising Dubizzle Group as it prepares to launch an IPO on the DFM. A&O Shearman is acting for Dubizzle, with Ibrahim & Partners advising the group in relation to local law matters. Freshfi elds is advising the underwriters. Dubizzle is off ering around 1.25 billion shares, representing just over 30% of its share capital, in the upcoming listing. The subscription period ran from October 23-29, with the fi nal off er price announced on October 30. The listing is expected to go live on November 6. The Dubizzle legal team is led by general counsel Mohammed Majid. The A&O Shearman team is being led by London partner and global co-head of US capital markets and global equity capital markets, Adam Wells, alongside Dubai counsel Harsha Kumar. Ibrahim & Partners founder and managing partner Ahmed Ibrahim is advising Dubizzle in relation to UAE and DIFC matters. A cross-border Freshfi elds team in London and Dubai is advising the joint lead managers, which are Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, EFG Hermes UAE, Emirates NBD Capital, and HSBC Bank Middle East. The group operates online marketplaces through its fl agship platforms Dubizzle and Bayut across the UAE and wider Middle East. Over the past 18 months, the group has expanded its portfolio with acquisitions including DriveArabia, Property Monitor, and Hatla2ee. SAUDI LOGISTICS DEAL Dentons and Greenberg Traurig have advised parties in relation to the SAR 132.6 million sale of a majority stake in a logistics storage company. LME_Nov2025_18-19_Deals_13745224.indd 19LME_Nov2025_18-19_Deals_13745224.indd 1927/10/2025 20:2227/10/2025 20:22Next >