Senior M&A / Private Equity Lawyer

The role

We are seeking a senior corporate lawyer with extensive 5-7 years post-qualified M&A and private equity experience to be based in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Our offices in the UAE offer a full service which is completely integrated with, and supported by, our global network. We advise clients on major transactions in the Middle East and beyond. Our clients include public and private corporations, investment banks and financial institutions, governments and international bodies. Our lawyers specialise in providing a seamless integrated service.

We have the market-leading M&A and PE practice in the Middle East and can offer our lawyers the chance to develop their careers through advising on the pre-eminent transactions in the region.

"Premier practice with exceptional expertise in major M&A deals across the region. Represents clients from a broad range of sectors including food and beverages, aviation and financial services, and has played a key role in several major regional bank mergers and acquisitions of late. Has considerable experience acting for international financial institutions, major corporations and sovereign wealth funds. Much admired by the market for its seamless interdisciplinary approach and cross-border depth, with the capacity to work alongside the firm's other departments and offices with ease." Chambers Global 2021

"First-class firm with an impressive portfolio of big-ticket M&A deals across the region.” Chambers Global 2017: Corporate/M&A, High End Cross Border, UAE – Band 1

The group

Having established a presence in the Middle east over 40 years ago, we have an excellent understanding of the business and legal environment in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East and offer applied expertise based on our involvement in headline transactions. We have extensive M&A and PE experience in the region.

We apply our significant regional, European and international experience to a broad range of corporate, regulatory and commercial activities including mergers, acquisitions and disposals (both public and private), private equity, joint ventures, corporate restructurings and ECM.

Key attractions

• Clifford Chance is the number 1 Law Firm in the Chambers Global Top 30 and has more Tier 1 rankings in the Global-wide tables than any other firm.
• We have long been recognized in directories, awards and by our peers as having the leading M&A and PE practices in the region.
• Our work on the most complex and innovative deals has helped further cement our reputation and has established our team as the clear market leader. You will work on leading deals for top tier clients in a dynamic and fast-growing market. The range, calibre and international scope of our deal flow is unrivalled. For instance, we have recently advised on the following key transactions:
  • Clifford Chance advised M42, an Abu Dhabi-based tech-enabled healthcare company, in connection with its acquisition of the entire share capital of Diaverum AB, that has made M42 the largest healthcare group in the Middle East.
  • Clifford Chance advised Abraaj Capital on the US$1.41 billion acquisition of Egyptian Fertilizers Company, the largest private equity transaction to date in the MENA region
  • Clifford Chance advised Dubai International Capital and the founder shareholder in relation to their US$296 million disposal of a 75% interest in KEF Holdings Limited to Tyco
  • Clifford Chance advised Mashreqbank on US$385 million NEOPAY sale ()
  • Clifford Chance is advising ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company KSCP on the US$3.3 billion sale to Macquarie AirFinance of a portfolio of 75 aircraft and order book of 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft ()
  • Clifford Chance advised Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC (ADCB), First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) and a diverse group of other banks including Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC (who arranged and led an Islamic Murabaha facility) on Brookfield's £2.2 billion recommended offer for Network International Holdings plc.
• We are committed to working with clients as integrated team members - which means that, from day one, our lawyers have hands-on client contact.
• We are proud of our reputation for being a friendly, supportive, meritocratic and diverse group and reinforce this with regular social events - both ad hoc and organized.
• We run a sophisticated global training programme including local monthly courses run by The Academy.
• Our remuneration package is one of the most attractive in the market.

Key responsibilities

• You will be given the chance to handle a variety of work, including public and private M&A, and PE transactions across the Middle East.
• You will be expected to take responsibility for and manage transactions. This means that you will develop outstanding transactional and organisational skills as well as developing superb technical abilities.
• You will work closely with clients and other lawyers; and mentor junior associates.
  

Your experience

• Proven track record of acting or leading on M&A and Private Equity transactions.
• All candidates should be fluent in English and will have previous experience working in a top tier international law firm. Fluency in Arabic language would be valued but it is not a prerequisite.
• In all cases, candidates should have first class legal ability coupled with a practical commercial approach; excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills; and enjoy being part of a friendly outgoing team. You must also have exceptional results throughout your academic history.
  

Hybrid working

This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way in line with the hybrid working policy.

Equal opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.

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