Sullivan & Cromwell LLP has opened its Abu Dhabi office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), marking the firm’s expansion in the Middle East, with Ahmed T. el-Gaili rejoining the firm as a partner to lead its regional practice.
El-Gaili returns to Sullivan & Cromwell after previously spending six years with the firm in London. He subsequently moved to Latham & Watkins, where he continued to advise clients on complex cross-border transactions and projects in the Middle East.
He has nearly two decades of experience advising sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises, governments, corporates and private equity firms on cross-border transactions and projects in the region.
His practice covers mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, project finance and development, and restructuring. He has advised clients across sectors including energy, infrastructure, life sciences, telecommunications and technology.
El-Gaili also has experience advising sovereign wealth funds and state-owned enterprises across the Middle East, including on complex cross-border transactions.
“Sovereign capital, private equity and infrastructure investment in the Middle East is fueling some of the most high-profile and complex transactions anywhere in the world, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” said Mr. el-Gaili. “S&C’s global platform, integrated offering and depth of expertise make it uniquely positioned to advise the region’s most sophisticated clients on matters where judgment is decisive.”
As part of the firm’s Middle East practice, el-Gaili will work with Sullivan & Cromwell partners including Garth Bray, who advises on cross-border M&A, technology and regulatory matters, and Umberto Hassan, whose practice includes cross-border M&A and restructuring, with a focus on UAE-based clients.
“We are delighted to deepen S&C’s connection to one of the world’s most dynamic financial centers with a new office in Abu Dhabi,” said Robert Giuffra and Scott Miller, Co-Chairs of Sullivan & Cromwell. “Underscoring our long-term commitment to the region, we are pleased to welcome back Ahmed to S&C.”
Sullivan & Cromwell has received regulatory authorisation from the ADGM Registration Authority to operate from the jurisdiction.
