Sullivan & Cromwell Opens First Middle East Office in Abu Dhabi

Sullivan & Cromwell opened its first Middle East office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market financial hub to capture accelerating dealmaking activity. The Wall Street law firm intends to handle high-profile cross-border mandates driven by infrastructure investment, private equity, and sovereign capital across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Ahmed T. el-Gaili, who rejoined the firm from Latham & Watkins, will lead the new practice. The firm plans to expand its regional presence by hiring eight to 10 lawyers and three to four partners.

This expansion comes as U.S. legal advisers increase competition with European and British firms for regional mandates, despite geopolitical tensions surrounding a U.S.-Iran war. Ahmed T. el-Gaili noted that investment in the Middle East is fueling some of the most complex transactions globally.