Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance appoints new Regional Managing Partner for the Middle East

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has appointed Mo Al-Shukairy as Regional Managing Partner for the Middle East, commencing a four year term on 1 May 2019.

Mo takes over from Robin Abraham who has been in the post since 2014. Robin has worked in the Middle East for over 15 years, where he has been instrumental in building the banking, finance and projects practices in the region. He will continue to play an important role in leading key client relationships within the region and beyond.

A corporate partner with a strong regional and outbound M&A practice, Mo will continue to work closely with clients and be heavily involved in client work going forward. Mo joined Clifford Chance in London in 2002, moving to Dubai in 2011. He specialises in advising corporate, private equity and other clients on mergers and acquisitions and stock exchange issues in the Middle East (and London previously).

Clifford Chance Managing Partner Matthew Layton comments: "Mo has been advising many of the firm's clients on highly strategic and complex mandates in and out of the Middle East and his appointment as Regional Managing Partner will reinforce our position as the leading law firm in the Middle East. Under Mo’s leadership, I am confident that we will continue to go from strength to strength."

"I would also like to thank Robin for the fantastic role he has played in developing our Middle East practice, and in bringing together the expertise of the entire firm on complex transactions supporting our regional clients beyond the Middle East, especially into Africa and Asia Pacific."

Mo adds: "It is of course an honour to accept this role and get the opportunity to lead such a talented and dedicated team in the Middle East. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the region and across the firm in the coming years to build on our successes, for the benefit of our clients and people."

Clifford Chance regularly advises on the most significant Middle East mandates – below are a few recent highlights:

• Aldar Properties on its c.USD 1 billion acquisition of real estate assets from TDIC, one of the largest ever real estate M&A deals in the Middle East.
• Union National Bank on its proposed merger Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and their subsequent acquisition of Al Hilal Bank. The proposed transaction will create the third largest financial institution in the UAE and the fifth largest in the GCC, with assets of c.USD 114 billion. 
• In cooperation with Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm, Clifford Chance is advising Saudi British Bank (SABB) on its proposed c. USD 5 billion merger with AlAwaal Bank. This will be the first ever statutory merger in Saudi Arabia and creates a highly significant precedent for other public listed companies in the Kingdom.
• SABIC on its multi-billion USD acquisition of a 24.9% stake in Clariant, a Swiss listed publicly listed chemicals company and its debut USD 2 billion Rule 144 bond offering.
• DP World on the issuance of USD 3.3 bilion of senior notes and sukuk. The deal sets a new benchmark for Middle East issuers as it’s the largest bond issue from the Middle East since 2014.