Noted for its understanding of the regional regulatory landscape, Al Tamimi & Company fields a deep bench of experienced practitioners focused on commercial advisory, transactional and corporate structuring. Additionally, the practice has carved out an enviable reputation for its specialist knowledge in the growing sectors of fintech, foodtech, telemedicine and proptech. Practice head Rad El Treki is especially well regarded in the oil and gas sectors, handling a steady flow of complex cross-border M&A mandates. Associate Yara Frotan is developing a solid reputation among international and domestic clients, especially in setting up commercial entities and advising on Bahrain’s Commercial Companies Law.

Baker & McKenzie Limited has an impressive reputation among major domestic, regional and international corporates thanks to its capacity to deliver on complex M&A, joint venture and commercial mandates. Practice head Ian Siddell splits his time throughout a number of Gulf states and is well regarded for his restructuring expertise. Fatima Alhasan is also a practitioner to note, with a broad corporate practice encompassing private equity and investment fund work.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP’s corporate and commercial practice in Bahrain has a strong focus on international corporate structuring and restructuring, as well as a thriving M&A, commercial contract, joint venture, private equity and regulatory offering. Its breadth of expertise is reflected in the diverse range of sectors it operates, spanning telecoms, aviation, technology, retail and manufacturing, among others. From the Dubai office, William Reichert leads the firm’s corporate practice for the Middle East and has handled an abundance of high-value transactions in the technology, healthcare, real estate and energy sectors. Leading on the commercial side, Mark Hill is an expert in the fields of media and entertainment, IP and technology and acts for a large number of significant clients in these spaces. Transactional lawyer Alex Reid joined from HFW in December 2022. At the senior associate level, Jonathan Fisher has accumulated strong experience handling domestic and cross-border M&A.

Well versed in large and complex transactions, Trowers & Hamlins LLP has a highly respected corporate and commercial practice in Bahrain, with M&A, fund formation and regulation, capital markets and group restructurings among its key areas of expertise. Specialist corporate and funds lawyer Brian Howard leads the team and brings over two decades of experience acting for GCC clients, including sovereign wealth funds, private equity funds, banks and industrial enterprises; co-head Dominic O’Neil is especially strong on the private equity side. Benjamin O’Brien-McQueenie was promoted to partner in July 2023 and splits his time between the Bahrain and Oman offices.

ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners has continued to grow its presence in Bahrain’s M&A market, offering services that span a range of transactions and matters, encompassing incorporation, governance and compliance, restructuring, M&A, share transfers and divestments. Steven Brown heads the practice and regularly acts for major corporations across a diverse range of sectors, from technology and healthcare to hospitality, defence and real estate.

Newton Legal’s corporate and commercial team increasingly advises clients on new pieces of legislation in Bahrain, from the Corporate Governance Code and Personal Data Protection Law to the Law Protecting and Promoting Competition and the Reorganisation and Bankruptcy Law. Jointly heading the offering is the experienced pair of Aamal Al Abbasi and Ahmed Alfardan, both overseeing a practice which has established a solid reputation for M&A, joint ventures, business transfers, share transfers and sales agreements.