Job Description

The Role

We are seeking mid-senior level corporate lawyers with M&A and ECM experience to join our award-winning team in the Middle East.


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 ECM practice in the Middle East and can offer our lawyers the chance to develop their careers through advising on the pre-eminent M&A and ECM 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 ECM 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), 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 ECM 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: Acted as underwriters' counsel to Lulu Retail Holdings Plc on its US$1.72 billion IPO and listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) 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 Acted as international issuer's counsel to Middle East alternative asset manager

Investcorp Capital plc

(Investcorp) on the initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) of Investcorp Capital. The IPO raised approximately US$451 million from the offering of about a third of the Company's shares resulting in an implied market capitalisation for the Company of approximately AED5.04 billion (equivalent to approximately US$1.37 billion) 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 Advised

National Bonds Corporation Sole Proprietorship P.S.C.

and

Emirates Islamic Bank P.J.S.C.

, on the sale of 50,000,000 ordinary shares in Taaleem Holdings PJSC by EIB to National Bonds through a direct deal on the Dubai Financial Market Advised

Americana Restaurants PLC

in relation to the first-ever concurrent dual US$1.8 billion IPO and listing for UAE and KSA's stock exchanges 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 Advised

MBC Group

on its US$222 million IPO and listing on the Saudi Stock Exchange Advised the Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners on

DEWA's landmark IPO

and listing of on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). This was the largest ever IPO in Dubai and the first in the government utilities sector in the Emirate.


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 ECM 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.


Qualifications

Your Experience

Proven track record of acting or leading on M&A and ECM transactions. All candidates should be fluent in English and will have previous experience working in a "Magic Circle" or 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.


Company Description

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm's global standards with in-depth local expertise.


Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That's why we're so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.


Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.


You'll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they've reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that's possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you'll find across all of our teams.


Whichever area of the business you join, you'll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.



Additional Information

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.