clients are ‘very satisfied with the service provided’, Legal500 2011

Habib Al Mulla is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the UAE’s most experienced M&A firms. Our clients range from families and family businesses to multinational corporations and boards of directors, to private companies and small businesses.

Over the years, we have been involved in a significant number of transactions concerning local and foreign acquirers of regional targets and have been instrumental in the development of effective acquisition structures. The firm also has extensive experience in-house with such matters as take-over bids, plans of arrangement, amalgamations, leveraged buy-outs and management buy-outs.

Our firm’s Chairman is the former Chair of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) which is the regulator of all financial and ancillary services conducted in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and was the architect of the legal structure which led to the establishment of the very first financial free zone in the UAE. He thus brings significant added value to any transaction.

To better meet the needs of clients who are involved in either the purchase or the sale of a company or business unit, the M&A Group works closely with other practitioners throughout the firm to provide a full array of related services, such as general commercial law, intellectual property , environmental, real estate , government relations, and employment and, importantly, regulatory expertise .

Services

• Corporate acquisitions and dispositions both asset and share
• Structuring joint ventures and similar investments
• Worldwide transactional experience (In the UAE, GCC, Middle East, North America, Europe and Southeast Asia)
• Diverse M&A experience in areas including toll roads, telecommunications, water and sewage treatment facilities, power production projects
• Transactional experience in resource based projects such as mining, forestry, agriculture and oil and gas
• Advise on all aspects of acquisition financing
• Structure, negotiate and settle terms of purchase/sale documentation
• Know the local law, governments and agencies and work with clients to streamline their entry into the UAE market place

Our Experts

 

Douglas G. Smith

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Position:	Senior Legal Consultant
Contact:	douglas.smith@habibalmulla.com
Admitted:	1998, England and Wales,1998, Law Society of Hong Kong Solicitor; 1983, Law Society of Upper Canada Barrister and Solicitor
Education:	LL.B. Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario Canada, 1981; B.A. (History, Politics) Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 1978
Language(s):	English
Expertise:	Asset Finance / Securitisation Commercial Corporate Finance & Capital Markets Corporate Structuring & Restructuring Cross-Border Transactions Employment Law Infrastructure Projects Intellectual Property/Franchising Mergers & Acquisitions Investment Funds Private Equity Regulatory & Public law
Practice & Experience:	With over 25 years’ experience, Douglas’s main areas of practice include corporate law, M&A, private equity, equity-related securities offerings (including IPOs and secondary offerings), corporate restructurings, joint ventures and the drafting, negotiation and settlement of associated documentation and commercial agreements. He also advises on corporate governance and regulation within the UAE. Douglas has been involved in complex transactional work in numerous jurisdictions in the Middle East, North America and Europe, as well as in East and Southeast Asia, including China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and India. Douglas is on the board of directors of numerous public and private companies and frequently speaks on corporate and commercial law. He is a former lecturer at Carlton University in Ottawa, Canada and at the University of Hong Kong as well as a guest lecturer at the City University of Hong Kong. Douglas holds an LLB from Queens University in Canada. He is admitted to the Bar of England and Wales, the Hong Kong Bar and the Canadian Bar.
Publications/Papers:	"The Use of Trusts for Asset Protection in the UAE,” In-House Lawyer, March 2010. "Commentary On The Dubai World Insolvency Code - Toward A Clearer Path,” Mondaq, January 2010. "International Stock Purchase Acquisitions: Summaries of International Law,” American Bar Association, 2007 Edition "China Commercial Contracts,” LegalStudio (4th Edition, 2005-6), Co-Editor and Contributor, Author Finance and Banking chapters "Proposed Changes to Companies Law,” International Financial Law Review, October, 2004 "The New Listing Rules,” International Financial Law Review, August, 2004 "Hong Kong Company Law Reform,” International Financial Law Review, April, 2004 "Due Diligence in Commercial Transactions,” Hong Kong Lawyer, October, 2000
Publications:	Commentary upon the Dubai World insolvency code by Douglas G. Smith and Shoeb Saher, MONDAQ, 16 December 2009 (151 KB )   Use of Trusts for Asset Protection in the UAE by Douglas G. Smith, The In-House Lawyer, April 2010 (1.256 KB ) "Foreign Ownership Restrictions: The Perspective From the Gulf”, International Bar Association Journal, August 2010
Speaking Engagements:	"The Legal Framework for M&A: strategies, pitfalls and the Legislative Landscape,” MEED Mergers and Acquisitions Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 2009 "Business Development in the Middle East Conference, Forming Alliances and Partnerships - the Indigenous Law Firm Perspective,” The Lawyer ?Dubai, UAE, April 2009 "Conducting Business in the Gulf,” China Law and Practice Hong Kong In-House Summit, Hong Kong, March 2009 "Centres of Islamic Finance panel,” Pacific Business Press, 2009 UAE In-House Counsel Forum, Moderator: Dubai, UAE, March 2009 "Conducting Due Diligence in Cross-border Transactions,” Lexis/Nexis Due Diligence in Commercial Transactions Conference, Hong Kong, March 2008 "Conducting Due Diligence in PRC Transactions ? Evaluating Your Partner or Target,” American Conference Institute Second National Symposium on Mergers and Acquisitions in China, New York City, NY, USA, December 2006 "Overview of PRC Commercial Law: Legislative and Practical Developments,” Alliance for Tax, Legal, and Accounting Seminars (ATLAS) Fourth Annual Summit on Legal and Financial Strategies for Doing Business in China, New York City, NY, USA, November 2006 "Drafting Letters of Intent and MOUs in China Transactions,” American Conference Institute, National Symposium on Mergers and Acquisitions in China, San Francisco, CA, USA, May 2005

 

Eliane Nassour

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Position:	Senior Counsel, Dubai
Contact:	eliane.nassour@habibalmulla.com
Admitted:	1998, Beirut Bar Association
Education:	LLB, La Sagesse University, Lebanon, 1997
Language(s):	English, Arabic, French
Expertise:	Commercial Corporate Structuring & Restructuring Employment Law Intellectual Property/Franchising Mergers & Acquisitions Supply & Distribution
Practice & Experience:	Eliane has more than 14 years‘ experience in corporate and commercial law in the Middle East and a sound understanding of UAE laws.  She is experienced in mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, reorganisation and joint ventures. Eliane also advises on company formation as well as all associated commercial contracts and associated compliance with UAE laws and regulations. She is also experienced in commercial agencies law and employment law. Eliane also specialises in legislative drafting and regulatory matters and has reviewed, drafted and commented upon existing UAE laws and proposed amendments at a Federal and Emirate level.  Eliane holds an LLB from La Sagesse University in Lebanon and is admitted to the Beirut Bar Association. She is fluent in English, Arabic and French.