Nabil A. Issa

Investment Funds

• Diriyah – counsel on strategies and all aspects of various CMA funds.
• Sovereign Wealth Fund – counsel on the formation of a fund of funds over SR 4 billion focused on venture capital and private equity in the GCC.
• Merak Capital – counsel in relation to a CMA debt fund.
• Solidere International – counsel on the formation of a CMA fund and investments over SR 2 billion in Saudi Arabia in addition to advice in relation to a DIFC holding company.
• Al Rajhi Capital and Arcapita Bank – counsel regarding formation of a Saudi Arabian property income fund and acquisition and sale-lease back of a warehouse from Savola, in addition to sale of the fund's assets.
• SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia – counsel regarding documentation for a Shari'ah-Compliant SR2 billion hospitality fund in Saudi Arabia and related agreements with Rotana Hotel Management LLC, in addition to acquisition of various properties to develop hotel properties in Jeddah and formation of new sub-funds.
• PRIVATE EQUITY/VENTURE CAPITAL
• Loro Piana – counsel in relation to a JV in ADGM and acquisition of stores/distribution centers in Saudi Arabia.
• Aster DM – counsel in relation to the acquisition of multiple healthcare assetsd in Saudi Arabia.
• Gulf Islamic Investments – counsel on all aspects of structuring and documentation in relation to the acquisition of a majority stake in Al Meswak Dental Clinics.
• Dior – counsel in relation to a JV in ADGM and acquisition of Dior stores and warehouses in Saudi Arabia.
• Western Union – counsel in relation to structuring and acquisition of a minority stake in stc Pay, creating the first Unicorn in Saudi Arabia and the first fintech Unicorn in the Middle East and first Saudi digital bank as stc Bank (awarded "M&A, Equity & IPO Deal of the Year" for 2020 by Islamic Finance News).
• Tasnee – counsel in relation to sales of various entities.
• Gateway Fund I – counsel in relation to acquiring a stake in the Tim Horton's franchise throughout the GCC (awarded "Cross Border Deal of the Year" for 2020 by Islamic Finance News).
• Ikcon – counsel in relation to its Series A round and sale of REEF Technology (awarded both "Cross Border and UAE Deal of the Year" for 2021 by Islamic Finance News).
• Gulf Capital – counsel in relation to the sale of a chain of radiology clinics in Saudi Arabia to Mediterranea Capital through a fund structure and restructuring of the same (shortlisted for IFLR "M&A Deal of the Year" in 2020).
• Sedco Capital – counsel in relation to the acquisition of a stake in a leading Saudi PPP developer.
• Soliman Fakeeh – counsel in relation to acquisition of a stake in Saudi Arabian Airline's medical center resulting in the first healthcare privatization in Saudi Arabia under the Vision 2030 program.
• NMG – counsel in relation to the acquisition of a stake in a Saudi Arabian company through a sukuk mudaraba (named Islamic Finance News "Most Innovative Deal of the Year" for 2019).
• Jabal Omar Development Company - counsel in relation to sale and leaseback of various hotels in Mecca for SR 6 billion to a public fund managed by Alinma Invest and advice on potential restructuring.
• NMC Healthcare plc - counsel on formation of a fund, structure and investments in multiple hospitals and medical centers in Saudi Arabia.
• Mizuho Gulf - counsel in relation to formation of a fund and majority acquisition of a food & beverage company in Saudi Arabia.
• Geidea - counsel in relation to sale of a stake to Gulf Capital utilizing a unique DIFC structure, which was the largest fintech deal at the time.
• Investcorp - counsel on acquisition of a stake in Bindawood Group, which own one of the largest chains of grocery stores and related businesses in Saudi Arabia, which is Investcorp's largest investment in the Middle East to date.
• Malaz Capital - counsel in relation to the sale and leaseback of two BAE compounds in Saudi Arabia and eventual sale of the Salwa compound.
• NBK Capital - counsel on its exit from Hanco, a leading fleet leasing and rental company in Saudi Arabia (awarded "The Deal of the Year" by The Banker in May 2012).
• Jadwa Investment - counsel to consortium regarding successful bid and acquisition of a stake in the Saudi Aramco Lubricating Oil Refinery Company (Luberef) in Saudi Arabia (awarded "Most Innovative Islamic Finance Deal of the Year 2008" at the 7th Annual Euromoney's Islamic Finance Awards 2009) and documentation of a Shari'ah-compliant CMA fund (awarded "Best New Private Equity Fund" by Private Equity World (MENA) November 2008).

Corporate/Restructurings

• Arkad Contracting - counsel in relation to SAR 3 billion restructuring (named IFLR "Restructuring Deal of the Year" in 2023).
• Azmeel Contracting – counsel in relation to US$2 billion restructuring and a Saudi FRP utilizing a Sukuk mudaraba (awarded restructuring deal of the year, Perpetual Sukuk and Saudi deal of the year by Islamic Finance News in 2024).
• Roshn - counsel on various joint venture and structuring handovers.
• Cintana - counsel in relation to agreements with a leading U.S. University to develop a campus in Saudi Arabia.
• SME Authority – counsel on potential revisions to laws and regulations in relation to private equity and venture capital industries in Saudi Arabia.
• Landmark – counsel in relation to joint venture in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
• Diaverum – counsel in relation to the structuring and successful bid for the privatization of dialysis centers in Saudi Arabia.
• Al Borg Laboratories – counsel in relation to restructuring prior to partial acquisition by Investcorp.
• Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation - counsel for the proposed privatization fo its Prince Sultan Aviation Academy.
• Various major U.S. defense contractors – counsel in relation to their sales and joint ventures in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.
• Al Noor Hospitals Group PLC – counsel on the restructuring of its Abu Dhabi operations, resulting in its £221m initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange.

Nabil A. Issa's experience includes work in the areas of funds, private equity, joint ventures, restructuring, foreign investment,  healthcare, education, and real estate industry transactions. He is particularly known for his development of innovative funds and investment structures for private equity and real estate investments in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Nabil is regularly cited by independent legal directories and client-based surveys. Chambers Global 2026 ranks Nabil as Foreign Expert, Band 1 for his Corporate/Commercial work in Saudi Arabia and Band 2 for Corporate and M&A matters in the UAE and is recognized by Legal 500 EMEA 2026 as Leading Partner for Commercial, Corporate and M&A in Saudi Arabia. He is also one of the highest ranked lawyers for fund matters throughout the Middle East.  Clients quoted in Chambers Global say \"Nabil is one of the best lawyers in the region  He really understands the intricacies of the Saudi legal system\" and \"has strong awareness of the evolving market and the general issues clients encounter\". 

Moreover, Nabil is listed among the “Leading Lawyers” by Islamic Finance News and IFLR1000 for his work in the UAE.  Nabil is also included in the inaugural editions of Euromoney's "Guide to the World's Leading Islamic Finance Lawyers".  

Nabil received both his J.D. and a graduate certification in Middle East and Islamic Law from the University of Pennsylvania.  Following graduation, Nabil was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to UAE University. Nabil was a founding member and senior editor of the Journal of Constitutional Law at the University of Pennsylvania.  Nabil is proficient in Arabic as well as being fluent in English.