Key facts
- Sullivan & Cromwell has opened a new office in Abu Dhabi.
- The office is located in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) international financial center.
- Ahmed T. el-Gaili will lead the firm's Middle East practice.
- The firm aims to serve clients in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider region.
- S&C has received full regulatory authorization from ADGM's Registration Authority.
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, a prominent US law firm, has established a new office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, signaling a strengthened commitment to the Middle East market. The office, situated within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) international financial center, is set to enhance the firm's capacity to advise clients across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the broader region on complex, cross-border transactions and regulatory matters.
Ahmed T. el-Gaili will rejoin the firm as a partner to spearhead its Middle East practice. el-Gaili brings nearly two decades of experience in the region, with a focus on advising sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises, governments, corporations, and private equity firms on M&A, private equity, joint ventures, project finance, and restructuring, particularly within the energy, infrastructure, life sciences, telecom, and technology sectors.
Robert Giuffra and Scott Miller, Co-Chairs of Sullivan & Cromwell, expressed their delight in deepening the firm's connection to Abu Dhabi, a dynamic financial center. They highlighted el-Gaili's return as a key asset for leading the firm's regional work. el-Gaili himself noted the significant sovereign capital, private equity, and infrastructure investment fueling high-profile transactions in the Middle East, positioning S&C's global platform to advise sophisticated clients.
Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer of ADGM, welcomed Sullivan & Cromwell, viewing their presence as a testament to Abu Dhabi's growing status as a hub for international finance and professional services. The expansion will also be supported by other S&C partners with regional experience, including Garth Bray and Umberto Hassan.