A&O Shearman excels across the full regulatory spectrum, with significant activity in the UAE, ADGM, DIFC, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. In addition to advising on market entry, business operations, and major financial mergers, the firm is increasingly involved in shaping legislative and regulatory frameworks. It has also seen a rising volume of instructions from non-traditional financial service providers, notably in the fintech, crypto-asset, and artificial intelligence arenas. Team head Jodi Norman is praised as ‘an exceptional lawyer and a leader in the field’, with strong connections to various regulatory authorities and regional banks. Promoted to counsel in May 2024, Victoria Ferres has a broad practice, with a particular focus on retail financial services regulation. Will Tunstall-Prince provides key support on legislative drafting and regime implementation.

Clifford Chance is highly regarded for its ‘deep knowledge and understanding of the financial services regulatory field‘, with a longstanding history of working with regulatory authorities to shape legal frameworks across the UAE. The firm is active in M&A and funds work, and handles a substantial volume of fintech matters, including app creation, payment platforms, and digital asset transactions and exchanges. Team head Jack Hardman is praised for his ‘expertise, dedication, and client-centric approach’, with a practice covering M&A, fintech, and regulatory matters. Co-head Cheuk-Yin Cheung is a derivatives specialist with strong ties to the DIFC, while James Dadford provides support across a range of mandates.

Norton Rose Fulbright offers a robust financial services practice, with leading expertise in fintech matters, such as establishing cryptocurrency exchanges, license applications and reviews, and advising regulatory bodies on framework development. The firm has strong ties with both regional and global financial institutions, including a number of investment banks and a diverse array of startups, asset and fund managers, and fintech and payment providers. Practice head Matthew Shanahan, lauded as ‘the best regulatory lawyer in the EMEA‘, works extensively with private entities and regulators. Karl Masi, who joined from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in March 2024, has a growing practice in investigations and regulatory enforcement. Andre Abou Aad offers additional expertise in digital assets, while Hasanali Pirbhai covers both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Afridi & Angell has a long track record of providing multinational investment banks and financial service providers with legal opinions on the enforceability and validity their agreements and transactions with parties in the UAE, including termination and close-out netting provisions and title transfer collateral arrangements. The firm also advises on engagement with regulators and the development of financial products. Practice head Charles Laubach is lauded for his ‘commercial and client-oriented’ approach, while co-head Bashir Ahmed offers specialist advice on Shari’ah-compliant matters. Abdus Samad also comes recommended.

Serving as lead and UAE counsel for financial institutions, tech conglomerates, and sovereign-backed entities, Al Tamimi & Company advises on license applications, regulatory compliance, investigations, and legislative developments. The firm is particuarly noted for its strong fintech practice, supporting payment service providers and start-ups alike. Team head Jody Waugh works closely with regional banks on regulatory and licensing matters. Divya Abrol Gambhir is a key contact for fintech work, working with a diverse client roster across multiple sectors. Ali Awad and Sarah El Serafy also come recommended.

Demonstrating ‘good international strength with a strong local flavour in the markets they cover‘, Pinsent Masons LLP works for financial institutions, digital asset funds and investors, and venture capital firms on a variety of issues. Lana Akkad comes recommended. Ex-practice head Tom Bicknell joined Clyde & Co LLP in October 2024.

Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP advises across the full spectrum of financial services regulatory advice, with particular strength in conventional and Shari’ah-compliant fund formation (including Shari'ah-compliant funds), digital assets, financial crime, and regulatory investigations. The firm is also praised for being ‘engaged at the highest level with key governmental policy makers’ and as such is ‘one of the key players involved with shaping the legal and regulatory space’. Muneer Khan leads the team and is well regarded for his work on asset management, fintech and digital asset matters. Adam Wolstenholme frequently works with a number of regulators and securities exchanges. Nina Fischer and Matthias Ng also come recommended.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP is a notable player in the UAE financial services market, providing guidance on business establishment, expansion, licensing, and compliance. The firm also maintains a prominent fintech practice, advising start-ups and established industry players on online payment services, digital assets, and blockchain matters. Team lead Philip Clarke offers a well-rounded contentious and non-contentious practice backed by strong regulatory expertise. The addition of John Lewis from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in March 2024 further enhances the firm’s capabilities in disputes and investigations.

White & Case LLP has a strong focus on fintech, advising global tech companies and investment firms on regulation, cryptocurrency, and NFTs. The firm is also a key port of call for corporates and sovereign-backed entities on M&A and private equity transactions, leveraging its extensive Middle East platform. Practice head Stefan Mrozinski, known for his tech expertise, is a key contact for regulatory, commercial, and transactional matters. Arnold Krutilins is highly regarded for his regulatory insights and connections with key regulators, as well as his expertise in funds. Gabrielle Margerison is recommended for her contentious and non-contentious work across onshore and offshore UAE zones, as well as in Saudi Arabia.

Addleshaw Goddard has kickstarted its fintech and financial services practice through the hire of ex-PWC legal director Anna Zeitlin, who joined the firm in March 2024. Zeitlin, who leads the team, acts for a solid roster of regional and multinational clients on regulatory matters in the DIFC and ADGM and obtaining various licenses. Co-head Hardeep Plahe is a further name of note who supports clients with respect to the guidelines for securities and funds marketing.

Baker McKenzie LLP s dedicated financial services regulatory team is frequently engaged by clients for advice on corporate, compliance, and investigatory matters. The firm has a strong fintech, AI, and crypto practice, with recent activity spanning blockchain, carbon credit and crypto trading platforms, licensing, and M&A. Team head Mazen Boustany is noted for his expertise in complex regulatory issues for exchanges, online trading platforms, and payment providers. Samir-Safar Aly left the firm in 2025.

Bird & Bird offers comprehensive financial services expertise, from setting up digital banking and asset platforms to managing licensing and advising on commercial and data protection matters. The firm’s depth in blockchain, NFTs, and tokenisation makes it a top choice for established tech firms and start-ups alike. Team lead Gregory Man advises multinational corporates and has a growing focus on fintech, while Jessica White specialises in financial regulation for both traditional and digital assets.

Regarded as a firm ‘defined by the exceptional expertise and unwavering dedication of the individuals in its team‘, DLA Piper has strengthened its financial services regulatory practice through the hire of Adrianus Schoorl from White & Case LLP in April 2024. A prominent practitioner in the market, Schoorl leads the team, leveraging previous market and in-house regulatory experience to advise clients across a wide array of financial products, licensing, and compliance instructions. Paul Allen sits as global co-chair of intellectual property and technology in the firm, overseeing digital transformation projects. Rami Zayat comes recommended for his skill in fintech matters.

Hadef & Partners LLC maintains an active financial services practice, advising regional and international clients on compliance, fund structuring, digital asset matters, and dispute resolution. Furthermore, the team is known for delivering comprehensive, business-wide counsel that spans regulatory obligations, partnerships, and outsourcing arrangements. Catriona McDevitt leads the group, providing guidance to financial institutions, corporates, government-backed entities, and regulators, with a notable focus on virtual assets. Aziz Yasin is a key contact for virtual assets and cryptocurrency, while Ajai Ramakrishnan supports a broad financing portfolio.

Linklaters' financial regulatory practice is well positioned to provide specialised advice on structured financial products, licensing, and compliance matters, with further capabilities in virtual assets and fintech platforms. The firm’s offering has been enhanced through the hire of Gabriella Savastano from CMS in January 2024, who has an established track record supporting clients on critical regulatory matters. Savastano co-heads the group alongside Reem Al Sayegh who remains a key adviser to commercial banks, covering a wide variety of financial instructions.