A&O Shearman continues to be a dominant force in the infrastructure and energy market, working with a litany of  industry heavyweights - both Middle Eastern and international - who rely on the team’s advice for some of the regions largest projects. The firm’s deep bench of experienced advisors are kept on retainer by the Abu Dhabi Investment office to aid with the development of Abu Dhabi’s PPP regulatory framework, giving them key exposure to a wide array of hard, soft, and critical infrastructure ventures, as well as being a key player in the burgeoning renewable energy activity in the region. Assuming leadership following Julian Johansen‘s retirement, new practice head Joe Clinton works with a variety of sponsors, borrowers and lenders on strategic financing mandates, while Ian Ingram-Johnson‘s far-reaching international practice sees him cover procurement, financing, and construction issues in Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Sachin Karia spearheads a number of the team’s social infrastructure projects, including school and hospital PPPs, whereas Kyle Nevin is chiefly instructed on energy matters.

Advising numerous premium industry players and leading financial institutions, Ashurst LLP continue to be active on precedential infrastructure work, working across the investment, development, procurement, and financing aspects of projects. Beyond its noted expertise in oil and gas matters, the firm advises on major social infrastructure and transport infrastructure PPP projects, as well as leading work in the renewables space. Practice head David Charlier is a go-to figure for lenders, sponsors and governmental bodies across the Middle East, active on both key Abu Dhabi mandates and work in Saudi Arabia. Joss Dare is highly regarded for his transport expertise, with recent engagement including a number of significant port expansions, while Luke Robottom is regularly engaged by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), among other clients. Both Grant Batten and Natasha Kavanagh are especially active on the financing piece, advising lenders on the pre- and post-bid stages. Yvonne Cross continues to be a strong practice presence.

 

‘Commercially-oriented, flexible, responsive’ Clifford Chance is instructed by lenders, sponsors and investors on multi-billion pound infrastructure and energy projects across the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. The team leverages its substantial global financial markets expertise to advise on a myriad of assets, including – but not limited to – solar and wind, oil and gas, hydrogen and utilities. The practice is led by Mohamed Hamra-Krouha, a prolific project finance partner who has overseen a number of the region’s most consequential builds, particularly in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Fellow co-head Richard Parris and syndicated lending specialist Graham Brewer bring further financing expertise to the fore, both possessing broad and jurisdictionally diverse experience. Counsel Jeremy Barker and senior associate Prakruthi Gowda are further key members of the team.

Linklaters has further strengthened its dominant projects practice with the hire of David Miles, who joined from Covington & Burling LLP in September 2022; Miles brings with him a wealth of capabilities in both the conventional and Islamic financing space. The firm is well placed to advise on a host regional mandates, including energy transition and NEOM-related ventures in Saudi Arabia, social infrastructure PPPs in Jordan, and large-scale renewable energy builds in the UAE. The team is also noted for its work on innovative transactions, spanning novel sustainability-linked loans in Bahrain, ESG dual tranche conventional and Islamic financing facilities, and hydrogen and ammonia builds in Oman. Matthew Keats draws on both financing and development expertise to advise on projects from the inception stage through to completion. Leila Amos is particularly noted for her ESG-related expertise, while Jack Allen-Fitt‘s practice is increasingly concentrated on energy transition and renewables matters. Jonathan Vick's broad remit includes large-scale PPP programs.

Transport developments form the cornerstone of the infrastructure practice at CMS, with the firm advising on blockbuster railway, ferry, toll road and highway ventures in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and beyond. The team handles a steady stream of renewable energy builds, especially in connection to the Saudi Arabian NEOM project, as well as a number of social infrastructure assets, including significant healthcare and education sector developments. Practice head David Moore is widely regarded as a leading specialist in the rail sector, and is routinely sought out by premium clients for transport-related advice. Senior associate Iona Hunter works closely with David, and together they form a team that is lauded by clients for its expertise, efficiency and client focus. Amir Kordvani left the firm to join PWC in 2023. Keith Bullen was a new arrival in April 2024 and Robin Balmer joined the firm in September 2024.

Proficient in M&A, financing, development and construction work, Dentons leverages its considerable Middle Eastern footprint to act on an array of high-profile infrastructure and energy projects across the region. The firm oversees leading work in the emerging hydrogen sector, as well as working with state entities on critical PPP developments alongside a range of funds and financial sponsors. Jon Nash, who leads the UAE-based team, has been principally engaged on waste treatment, renewable energy, and utilities work over the past twelve months. Udayan Mukherjee is particularly noted for project finance expertise, maintaining relationships with a number of banks, borrowers and governments across the region. Senior associate Kanishka Singh excels in the waste treatment space.

Frequently sought out by governmental bodies in the region for its market-leading utilities work, DLA Piper handles an impressive range of both public and private side mandates, with notable expertise in the water and electricity space. A hallmark feature of the practice is its PPP work, with demonstrable activity in the health, transport and logistics sectors, while renewable energy matters continue to form a substantial part of the firm’s workload. James Iremonger and Robert Harker co-lead the team; the latter is a proficient project financer who is particularly knowledgeable of the traditional power and water space. Adam Haque has presided over a number of precedent-setting projects in the region, and is a go-to for utilities and hydrogen work, whereas Mona Hammadi is notably focused on solar builds. Trevor Butcher retired at the beginning of 2022.

 

Frequently instructed by international financial institutions, premium sponsors, and governments institutions for project financing expertise, White & Case LLP work on an array of blockbuster developments, spanning conventional and renewable energy ventures, social and transport infrastructure builds, and utility developments. Instututional relationships across the region gives the firm access to NEOM projects in Saudi Arabia, railway and passenger station extensions in Abu Dhabi, and novel financing arrangements in the MENA region. The practice is jointly chaired by a number of lawyers, including Adam Pierson, who is regularly sought out by oil and gas giants for his asset expertise and transactional capabilities. Yasser K. Riad is renowned for his far-reaching cross-border project financing practice, possessing comprehensive understanding of various assets, while Antoine Cousin is noted for his expertise in the power, water and utilities sectors. Alexander Malahias stands out for his work in tourism infrastructure projects, working with sovereign wealth funds on joint ventures and financing transactions, while Ivan Paskal is chiefly engaged on energy-related matters. Din Eshanov - who relocated to Abu Dhabi from Riyadh in 2023 - is a key figure for NEOM-related work.

Comprising ‘motivated, committed and devoting’ partners with ‘hands-on experience in energy sector’, Bracewell LLP acts on an array of premium conventional power and renewable energy transactions, with a particularly strong engagement with Saudi Arabia and its rounds of renewable independent power producers (IPPs). Social infrastructure is another focus for the firm, handling NEOM-based residential community developments as well as landmark hospital PPPs. Practice head Andrej Kormuth is ‘well connected with the key players and aware of the entire market’, making him a strong choice for both borrowers and lenders across the region, - particularly in relation to water and wastewater deals. Tom Swarbrick draws on considerable construction expertise to advise on an array of assets from the inception stage through to completion. Senior associate Shayan Najib and associate Amelia Bowring have been integral to an number of consequential practice matters, while associate Nick Meyer has already advised on a number of complex transactions despite only joining the group in March 2023, arriving from DLA Piper.

Acting on ‘complex, first of its kind projects’, Eversheds Sutherland LLP provides a wide-ranging offering, and is particularly geared to act on major renewable and utility projects - particularly in solar and water. Beyond its established expertise in project financing, the firm has been active on a range of M&A mandates, advising consortia of lenders and sponsors on novel acquisition financing structures. Practice head Ashley Halewood is a ‘problem solving and deal making oriented partner who brings a lot of value to the deal’, capable across an array of asset types. Clint Dempsey is a stellar financing practitioner who is equally proficient in Islamic financing and asset financing. Senior associate Adite Aloke has already built an impressively broad practice and has been involved in some the firm’s most significant and consequential deals.

 

With a number of ‘first of its kind' developments and financing methods comprising its workload, King & Spalding LLP advises some of the world's largest asset managers, sovereign wealth funds and leading industry players on high-value and cross border deals. The group is strong across multiple forms of power and have been retained as counsel from inception through to delivery and completion on market-leading giga-projects, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The practice is headed up by Tim Burbury, who utilises specialisms in PPP and project finance to advise on premium transactions. Dan Feldman and Brendan Hundt bring further capabilities on the development and financing front; the two joined the firm from Shearman & Sterling LLP in January and March 2023, respectively. Associate Sam Muir combines infrastructure and construction capabilities to advise on utilities, transport and health and education developments. James Clark left the practice in October 2023 to join Kirkland & Ellis International Law Firm LLPC.

 

Noted for its lender-side advice regarding large-scale healthcare and industrial facility developments, Latham & Watkins LLP handles some of the most strategically significant projects in Saudi Arabia, advising on an spectrum of asset types including biopharma, digital infrastructure, oil and gas and solar - both in KSA and the wider region. The group is headed up by Villiers Terblanche, who is regularly called upon by sponsors and investors for complex, multi-faceted financings and other market-leading ventures. Marc Makary often works with sovereign wealth funds to finance their acquisitions.

Capable of handling the financing, development, construction and, sale and purchase of a range of projects - spanning renewables, utilities, social infrastructure, and transport - Norton Rose Fulbright is a go-to for a range of clients, especially for ‘first-of-its-kind’ mandates. Saudi Arabia is a hotspot of activity for the group, where it acts on critical infrastructure developments such as car parks, airports and water treatment facilities, as well as advising industry players on their interactions with the National Renewable Energy Program. Practice head Angela Croker has a vast knowledge of the region and acts as project finance counsel to a long list of financial institutions, corporations and governments. Fellow co-chair Nicholas Kramer is noted for his regulatory and contractual negotiating capabilities, which he deploys in high-value, complex developments. Hesa Alsaad, who was promoted to senior associate in April 2023, is also recommended. Since publication, Robin Balmer left the firm.

Handling high-profile, multi-jurisdictional deals for a mix of leading industry players and financial institutions, Pinsent Masons LLP delivers a strong projects service that is especially geared towards renewables, utilities, and social infrastructure. Leveraging its wider expertise in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the firm can comprehensively cover the complex aspects of multi-faceted projects, including Islamic financing structures and asset specific contractual and delivery documentation drafting. Practice head Tim Armsby’s expertise ensures that the team is sought out by numerous established corporates and governmental bodies, specialising in PPP and construction ventures. Co-head Catherine Workman is regularly called upon for her ability to handle transport, maritime, waste treatment, and social infrastructure mandates, while Gurmeet Kaur is well-respected in the market for her understanding of water projects. David Platt has relocated from Singapore to strengthen the group’s UAE energy offering - both in conventional and renewables - while Matthew Escritt is a prolific cross-border finance lawyer.

Al Tamimi & Company utilises its extensive regional knowledge and market understanding to act as local counsel on a range of blockbuster mandates, spanning energy and infrastructure PPPs, utilities, transport and real estate. Practice lead Mark Brown is a proficient financing expert whose key highlights include advising lenders on substantial Middle Eastern projects. Senior associate Ashish Banga is a crucial supporting presence on a number of mandates.

A go-to for investors - both global and regional - and industry players active in LNG and LNG-to-power ventures in the region, Gibson Dunn has also tapped into renewables and infrastructure opportunities, including advising on the development and procurement of large-scale green hydrogen projects, overseeing chemical production facility builds, and the financing of landmark ‘blue’ ammonia production facilities. Practice head Renad Younes joined from Shearman & Sterling in January 2023, bringing with her Samuel Ogunlaja and Laleh Shahabi . All three practitioners are well placed to act on a broad range of assets, with the latter particularly noted for her financing expertise.

Gowling WLG‘s work in the projects space spans contractual and agreement advice, development and project financing counsel, and procurement guidance, with the group overseeing a range of infrastructure PPPs and renewable energy developments in the MENA region. Practice head Jonathan Brufal is highly experienced with a range of financing models that makes him well placed to act on utility and energy mandates, with clients praising his commercial aptitude and proficiency. Other key figures include associate Scott Geelan, who has quickly built a portfolio of impressive projects work.

Hadef & Partners LLC remains a key adviser to federal and local government authorities active in the energy and infrastructure space. The firm has overseen a steady volume of large project finance deals in the UAE, including PPPs pertaining to water, energy and transport. The practice is steered by the highly experienced Catriona McDevitt, who combines regulatory, technological and financing acumen to guide clients. Alan Rodgers is a multi-skilled finance partner who covers Islamic financing, debt capital markets, and project finance.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP pulls together a strong offering in the projects space, drawing on the contentious expertise of team head Rania Tadros, the extensive financing capabilities of co-lead Rustum Shah, and transactional prowess of partner Diwakar Agarwal. Acting for domestic and international clients alike, the team bring their experience to bear on a range of  strategically significant cross-border ventures, particularly in the renewables and agricultural space, where the embedded technological expertise of the group is greatly valued. Managing associate Toufic Safie and associate Murtaza Hussain continue to be highly active. Former practice lead Nijoe Joseph left the firm in November 2023 to join Milavous Group.