Akin excels in guiding clients through complex sanctions and compliance restrictions, seeing an influx of mandates arising from the Russian-Ukraine conflict. Leveraging its substantial US footprint, the team handles sensitive internal investigations that centre on fraud, accounting regularities, sanctions and export controls violations, money laundering, and compliance with regulatory bodies including the DCPA and FDA. Mac Fadlallah is one of ‘the strongest advisers on sanctions and export controls in the UAE and the region’, and is an expert on US laws and how they apply outside of the country, focusing on global corporate investigations with international sanctions, export controls and anticorruption issues. Natasha Kohne has a substantial data protection, cybersecurity and privacy practice and frequently handles cross-border investigations. Recently promoted partner Lauren Talerman is particularly well-regarded for her work defending Middle Eastern clients in disputes against US governmental agencies. Counsel Jean-Pierre Denour is noted for his ‘excellent commercial sense’ and advice on economic sanctions and export controls.

DLA Piper's deep bench of advisers are well-equipped to handle an array of internal and external investigations, including those related to corruption and bribery, money laundering, and cyber-security. The group has a strong sanctions offering, regularly advising multinational clients on compliance with US, EU, UK and Canadian sanctions. The team is well placed to advise regional companies on political issues, employment and data laws, and regulatory concerns. Practice head Adam Vause is 'able to cut through the most difficult of issues and give direct, client-friendly and commercially focused advice'; he is particularly well-reputed for his criminal investigations and anti-corruption work and acts for an enviable list of top-tier clients. Ramsey Jurdi's has considerable skill advising on international economic sanctions mandates and has noted an uptick in instructions arising out of the sanctions targeting Russia and Iran. Legal director Laura Shingler is particularly sought out by clients in the financial services sector.

A 'disputes powerhouse', Jones Day fields a 'formidable' investigations team with experienced practitioners proficient in local and US laws and regulations and capable of handling multi-jurisdictional issues. The group has a strong track record advising clients on FCPA and US sanctions and export control issues, regularly defending a variety of global players against allegations brought by US governmental agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice and Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. The 'very practical and knowledgeable' Sheila Shadmand, who acts for clients from a range of sectors including retail, technology, and telecoms and has strength handling sanctions compliance and investigatory issues, heads the team. Heather Martin has 'thousands of hours of experience on her feet in court' and is also able to draw in previous in-house counsel experience, which makes her well-positioned to handle regulatory enforcement mandates, with a particular emphasis on white-collar criminal law.

Norton Rose Fulbright's team has a strong knowledge of the local and regional regulatory landscape and advises clients on sensitive and complex investigatory proceedings as well as providing compliance advice. The firm has a wealth of experience representing clients in response to investigations by bodies including the Dubai Financial Services Authority, Financial Service Regulatory Authority and Abu Dhabi Global Market regulator, and are also well positioned to carry out investigations regarding issues including harassment and discrimination allegations. Matthew Shanahan handles contentious and non-contentious mandates, with a strong focus on white-collar crime, anti-money laundering, and other financial crimes, and is praised for his 'timely and sound guidance in a multitude of different subject matters'. Associate Hasanali Pirbhai is also highly active in complex regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. Orlando Vidal  left the firm.

‘A very experienced team that has been involved in some major high-profile investigations in recent years’, Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP has seen an uptick in work pertaining to regulatory tech disputes and pharma investigations. The firm is also able to handle multi-faceted cases involving allegations of bribery, corruption and contravention of local regulatory violations. Payam Beheshti 'is technically superb, commercially pragmatic, and personable with both senior leaders and junior members of staff', and is a go-to for a range of clients, particularly those in the financial services sector who are engaged with investigations with financial institutions and Muneer Khan is also well-regarded as an investigation specialist. David McDonald has particular expertise handling contentious issues arising from employment investigations, especially senior employee misconduct, and is praised by clients for his ability to handle 'tricky contentious matters'. Managing associate Adam Wolstenholme is also noted.

A&O Shearman has an active practice handling money laundering and criminal fraud matters, employment-related issues, and sanctions compliance advice. The firm also has a strong financial services regulatory offering, aiding a range of prominent clients in this space. Jodi Norman and Yacine Francis are the two team heads, and both practitioners are prolific specialists in this area of work with experience in complex investigations and and financial crime mandates. Senior associate David Berman handles high-profile, multi-jurisdictional instructions from a mix of industry players in relation to regulatory investigations, often interacting with regulators and government authorities and senior associate Victoria Ferres is a key contact for financial institutions as they look to design and implement internal policies and procedures.

Baker McKenzie LLP has ‘strong local knowledge supported by a global network'. The team frequently handles matters relating to financial crime and money laundering, export controls and custom audits, international trade sanctions, and employment and also has an active compliance and risk assessment offering. The firm has also been engaged to handle matters pertaining to Russian and US sanctions, human rights, and terrorism-based claims. Department lead Borys Dackiw is recognised for his work on anti-bribery policy and investigations as well as anti-corruption. Joanna Matthews-Taylor brings her employment experience to bear in a number of multifaceted client instructions and Samir-Safar Aly predominantly focuses on financial crime, sanctions, and investigations.

 

Clyde & Co LLP handles complex and sensitive investigations in a range of areas including financial services, health and safety, data and cyber security, employment, and audit and accounting. Rebecca Kelly has extensive experience in regulatory and investigatory work and is notably proficient in fraud investigations and and asset tracing cases. Mark Beswetherick excels in representing clients in regulatory investigations conducted by a range of regional bodies and authorities and has a strong cross-border practice and Rebecca Ford adds expertise in employment-related issues. Olivia Darlington's arrival in 2023 from Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP bolsters the firm's ability to handle contentious insurance mandates.

Dentons' team has a 'thorough understanding of the issues including commercial realities'. The group ramped up its offering with the arrival of Christopher Brennan from the firm's London office; his expertise ensures that the team is sought out by corporates for investigations in a variety of sectors, especially financial services. Other key areas of expertise include bribery and corruption issues, money laundering and asset tracing, and compliance with international sanctions advice. Shiraz Sethi handles a range of contentious and non-contentious employment-related mandates, specialising in workplace investigations and senior associate David Slim has been notably active in internal investigations, crisis management issues involving regulatory bodies, and compliance audits to mitigate sanctions and offences. Andrew Cheung left the firm.

Eversheds Sutherland LLP's 'experienced and knowledgeable' team is well equipped to handle complex sanctions and compliance queries, regulatory advice and investigations, and workplace disputes. The firm has recently been engaged in significant accounting fraud cases that required cross-border collaboration and close engagement with the ADGM. The team is led by Rebecca Copley, who is a go-to for the the firm's extensive list of financial services providers and institutions, and is active in compliance regulation and defending investigations. Lisa Bryson is noted for her stellar employment practice, handling both employee-specific disputes and company-wide non-compliance issues and senior associate Shibani Kapur has been kept busy handling investigations concerning fraud and malpractice.

Hadef & Partners LLC has a wide-ranging international practice that deals with cases involving foreign governmental bodies, regional and international investment companies, and leading industry players Abdulrahman Juma is noted for his close connections with a variety of government entities and Walid Azzam stands out for his asset tracing and recovery work. Karim Mahmoud handles a steady stream of high-profile mandates that include money laundering, investigations work, and criminal allegations and Taher Abdeen Ibrahim advises on anti-money laundering, fraud, cybercrime, bribery and corruption cases. Associate Mohammed Abbas provides additional support.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is frequently sought out by multinational corporates, regional and state-backed entities, and regulatory bodies for investigations and compliance advice and is particularly strong in financial crime matters. Team head Stuart Paterson covers the entire waterfront of investigatory mandates and is noted for his extensive cross-border practice, handling claims in Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia as well as Asia and North Africa. Janine Mallis is also noted. Benjamin Hopps left the firm in early 2024.

Squire Patton Boggs is frequently sought out by multinationals, financial services institutions, and military defence subcontractors for high-profile and complex sanctions advice, regulatory issues, and investigations support. Richard Gibbon is well positioned to act on white-collar regulatory enforcement, internal investigations and financial crime compliance. Malak Abbas is a strong supporting presence across a range of key mandates. The team has also bolstered its capabilities through a number of junior hires, including senior associate Katy Fisher who joined in September 2023 and who brings a wealth of experience in complex cross-border investigations and government enforcement actions from her time at Kobre & Kim.

Al Tamimi & Company handles an impressive body of domestic and international work, with notable case highlights including audits and asset investigations, risk and compliance reviews, and corruption and fraud investigations. The team is jointly led by Khalid Al Hamrani, who is recognised for advising on fraud, bribery and money laundering issues, and Ibtissem Lassoued, who has deep knowledge of inter-governmental organisations which helps her advise clients on issues including corruption, as well as being adept at assisting with sanctions and international compliance.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP ‘covers a lot of the important bases in the investigations bracket’. The team represents corporates and individuals in financial crime, anti-money laundering, bribery and corruption cases, and is also noted for global asset recovery and corruption work. Sara Sheffield specialises in fraud and asset tracing and recovery mandates, often working alongside fellow team head Ghassan El Daye, who is highly respected for fraud investigations, on key matters. Karl Masi is widely praised for his ‘understanding of the complex legal and factual issues in cases‘ and his ‘technical skills’.

Clifford Chance‘s team is sought out by international banks for complex, high-stakes investigatory work that involves allegations of fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption. The group also advises a range of asset managers and sovereign investment companies on regulatory concerns and compliance, frequently with a cross-border nexus. Paul Coates is a construction dispute specialist and Jack Hardman leverages strong corporate and regulatory knowledge to act for large corporations and financial institutions in a range of matters. Senior associate Prachi Trivedi supports on many of the firm's matters. James Abbott left the firm.