Abu Dhabi

Skadden has a long and distinguished history of advising on some of the most complex matters in the Middle East, representing both regional clients and international businesses operating from and within the area. Our work in the region encompasses cross-border M&A and joint ventures, financings, litigation and arbitration matters, and white collar defense and investigations. We draw on the firm’s extensive transactional, disputes and regulatory experience across our global footprint to deliver the best outcomes for clients, which include prominent corporations, financial sponsors, government-owned institutions, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

Our attorneys have a wealth of experience in handling complex transactions and disputes, offering innovative solutions unique to the commercial, regulatory, political and cultural dynamics of the Middle East. They serve clients across a variety of industries, including energy, natural resources, infrastructure, financial services, private equity, technology and telecom.

Transactions

Skadden’s attorneys excel in advising on high-stakes public and private M&A transactions and joint ventures, such as leveraged buyouts, consortium and minority equity investments, and disposals. Our experience includes counseling portfolio companies of financial sponsors on bolt-on acquisitions, restructurings, recapitalizations and other strategic and general matters. Additionally, we provide guidance on a broad spectrum of corporate finance matters, including initial public offerings and secondary fund raisings.

Disputes

We offer robust capabilities in handling government enforcement actions, investigations and corporate compliance issues. This includes managing cross-border matters and engaging with regulators on allegations of corrupt practices, money laundering, economic sanctions violations, accounting and financial irregularities, and improper business practices.

Skadden is also recognized as a go-to firm for litigation and arbitration matters. We have represented global companies, international investors and their advisers in some of the most significant and high-profile cases in the Middle East, securing landmark decisions.

Recognition

In honor of our significant Middle East-related work, Skadden was named:

Breakthrough Law Firm of the Year
Highly Commended Corporate Team of the Year
– Law Middle East 2025

Foreign Law Firm of the Year: Middle East Law Awards
– Thomson Reuters’ Asian Legal Business 2024

Our attorneys are also recognized as outstanding practitioners by a range of leading legal publications and rankings.

Collaborations

We coordinate with leading Middle East law firms that offer local law knowledge in the various jurisdictions.