Admired for its hotel and leisure expertise, real estate financing, investments, mixed-use developments, and portfolio management remain cornerstones of the practice at Al Tamimi & Company. Practice head Andrew Thomson is active across the education, retail, and residential sectors and counts family offices, real estate funds, and corporates on his client roster. David Bowman often advises public sector entities on drafting real estate laws and regulations. Anna White is knowledgeable of drafting and negotiating hotel management and operation agreements. Malek Al Rifai left the firm in late 2023.

Adept in the full array of transactional real estate matters, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is reputed for its hotel and mixed-use development expertise. David Nunn oversees the team and is experienced in international arbitration, joint ventures, and co-investment structures. With ‘a very solid real estate background’, Farida Sadiq is well informed on planning and zoning law, and Hannah Gohar is proficient in leasing, refinancing, and sales and purchases. Stephen Kelly and Sarah Mahood left the firm.

Leveraging its international footprint, Clyde & Co LLP is often entrusted by hotel developers, investors, and operators. Seen as a ‘market leader for real estate’, the department is also particularly skilled in hospitality project development, real estate leasing, as well as real estate transactions. Alexis Waller oversees the group and handles hotel management contracts, industrial letting and disposals, as well as the management and funding of development sites. Peter Greatrex advises clients on the full spectrum of real estate development matters, while Janeen Pickering is also noted.

At the forefront of hospitality matters, DLA Piper (ADME) LLP is well versed in large-scale real estate development projects. The practice, which is also a strong choice for public authorities, is often engaged in lease renewals and reviews for commercial banks, hotel, and leisure clients, and private companies. Duncan Pickering spearheads the team, while Sean Cope’s key strengths lie in branded residencies, hotel management arrangements, and mixed-use development projects. Nicola De Sylva and Lauren Greig are noted for their expertise in commercial and retail leasing.

Often working in conjunction with the firm’s commercial and corporate department, Hadef & Partners LLC is notably experienced in UAE arbitration proceedings. The team, which is often entrusted by sizeable regional developers, has broad expertise of branded residences, energy, infrastructure, and tourism matters. Basil Siddiqi jointly chairs the team with Ashraf Sayed, the latter being proficient in commercial leasing, property litigation, and real estate development. Manali Sangoi handles property management arrangements and transactional real estate mandates. Michael Lunjevich departed to an in-house position in February 2023.

Led by off-plan specialist Jeremy Scott, who is praised for his 'great experience', Addleshaw Goddard specialises in asset management, branded residential projects, and mixed-use developments. Danielle Fuemana is active across the commercial, industrial, and retail sectors, and is skilled at commercial leasing.

With a broad contentious offering, Afridi & Angell is lauded for its ‘strong relationship with the government authorities’. Practice head Shahram Safai specialises in real estate transactions and ‘is always updated with the latest laws, regulation and market trends’.

Baker McKenzie LLP is admired for its master communities expertise and ‘broad skill set to support any nuances of transactions’. Practice head Keri Watkins is experienced in real estate developments, while Tessa Crawford is adept at real estate transactions. Jana Al-Afoo is often engaged in hotel matters across the UAE.

Well regarded for its hospitality and real estate M&A capabilities, CMS's real estate team in Dubai is geared to handle real estate development, finance, investment across the office and retail sectors. Practice head Geoff Smith is praised for his ‘remarkable track record in managing real estate disputes and transactions’. Mai Marshad is also a key member of the team.

Commended for its ‘great legal expertise and commercial mindset’, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has a presence in the hospitality and logistics sectors. The practice is led by master-planned communities specialist Steven Henderson who is lauded for a ‘hands-on mentality and a key commercial mindset’. Emma George acts for corporates and developers on landlord and tenant issues as well as property portfolio management.

With ‘deep legal knowledge and the ability to understand the broader business context’, Pinsent Masons LLP handles property development, investment, and planning. Practice head Philip Corfield-Smith has ‘meticulous attention to detail’, and is a key port of call for contractors, corporations, and public sector entities. Louisa Lynch is geared to handling matters pertaining to hospitality assets, while Nayab Aziz handles residential and commercial transactions.

A&O Shearman specialises in hotel acquisitions and disposals, outbound investment, as well as real estate investments and joint ventures. Ian Bevan leads the department and is experienced in real estate developments, joint ventures, and transactions. 'Quality senior associate’ Faye Priestley is knowledgeable of corporate acquisitions, disposals, and financing.

Acquisitions, disposals, mixed-use developments, and real estate finance remain the key components of the practice at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP. The team has a strong presence in the hotels and hospitality space and is well versed in leasehold and property management. Simon Green spearheads the department and is proficient in development projects, hotel management, and real estate investment. Glenn Bull is a key contact for contractors, subcontractors, and developers.

With a strong foothold in Saudi Arabia, Clifford Chance seamlessly integrates with firm’s construction, finance, and projects teams on real estate acquisitions, developments, and transactions. Experienced practitioner Tariq Imam leads the department and is particularly skilled at real estate investment work. Nicholas Chan specialises in commercial leasing, while Sher Khan often advises clients on landlord and tenant matters.

Bolstered by its international network, Dentons is praised for its ‘seamless, coordinated, and transactional service’. The practice is also particularly active in franchising and REITs and often acts for an assortment of developers, landlords, and occupiers. With over two decades of real estate experience, Nick Simpson co-leads the team with Iain Black, who handles hotel and other real estate transactions. Joe Carroll is proficient in acquisitions and disposals, mixed-use projects, and landlord and tenant matters.

The ‘very time efficient’ team at Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants is admired for its ‘excellent knowledge of various areas of law and high-quality advice'. Firm founder Ziad Galadari handles international and regional litigation and arbitration, notably disputes involving major infrastructure construction projects. Manish Narayan is focused on real estate development projects, real estate funds, and private equity funds, while Abdulla Ziad Galadari is noted for his contentious real estate capabilities.

Frequently acting for construction contractors and developers, the team Horizons & Co Law Firm LLC is well-informed on real estate acquisitions, disputes, and leasing. Ali Ismael Al Zarooni has an impressive litigation track record, and represents real estate companies in development, land ownership, and transactional delay disputes. Areen Jayousi handles contentious commercial and residential property matters, as well as master development agreements.

A key contact for a litany of investment funds and REITs, King & Spalding LLP is noted for its real estate finance capabilities, notably Shari’ah-compliant real estate finance transactions. Nabil Issa oversees the group and handles the structuring of real estate and private equity investments, while Michael Rainey counts family offices, funds, and high net worth individuals on his client roster. James Stull handles capital raising transactions involving real estate assets, and Sayf Shuqair is a further key team member to note. Malek Al Rifai was a new arrival in November 2023.

The Bench is often engaged in asset and facilities management agreements as well as commercial leasing; notably active in the hotels space, handling financing, franchise agreements, M&A, and mixed-use developments. Joby Beretta ‘provides strategic advice in complex real estate transactions and potential disputes', while Alexandra Plain advises investors on real estate acquisitions and disposals. Hameed Almihdar is often engaged in transactional work, and Elise Gillians is experienced in construction as well as infrastructure projects. Yulande Neethling is a further contact to note.

Seamlessly integrating with the firm’s capital markets, construction, and debt finance specialists, White & Case LLP’s full-service real estate offering encompasses developments, leasing, and transactions. Louise Vun heads the department and is experienced in real estate finance, joint ventures, and restructurings. Samatha Shaw handles commercial leasing and land tenure issues.