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People
Jawad I. Ali, Managing Partner of our Middle East offices, has extensive experience advising clients on complex cross border corporate, finance and investments matters related to real estate, private equity and M&A transactions.
Jawad is a pioneer in developing and implementing Shari'ah-compliant financing and investment structures. These include lease finance (Ijara), acquisition finance (Ijara wa-iqtinah), construction finance (Istisna'a-Ijara), trade finance (Murabaha) and joint ventures (Musharaka) that are regularly used in financial and investment transactions globally. He regularly advises banks, financial institutions, private equity and real estate firms, and sponsors in structuring and implementing U.S., European, Middle Eastern and global Shari'ah-compliant real estate and private equity funds and transactions.
In addition, Jawad is a trusted counsel to many of the Firm’s family office and ultra-high net worth clients in the Middle East. He is regularly called upon by these clients to provide advice on matters related to their global investments in a variety of sectors and any disputes related to the same.
Jawad is frequently invited to speak on the investment environment and capital flow in and out of the Middle East as well as Islamic finance and investment matters. He is also regularly cited by independent legal directories and client-based surveys, and has been recognized among the Best of the Best in Euromoney's biennial list of top law practitioners worldwide.
He is a highly recommended Islamic finance lawyer in the Middle East by Chambers Global 2020 and Legal 500 EMEA 2019. Chambers Global has identified Jawad as a "well-established figure in all forms of Shari'a-compliant transactions, including real estate and private equity investments" and market commentators recognize him as "a strong player" who is "grounded in all elements of Islamic Finance." Furthermore, in its most recent edition, clients describe Jawad as "an eminent guy" and "a prominent name" within the Islamic finance space.
Jawad has held and continues to hold several leadership positions at the firm including: Deputy Head of The Middle East & Islamic Finance Practice Group (2007-2017), Member of the Firm’s Policy Committee (2015 – 2017), Head of EMEA Corporate Finance & Investment Team (2018 – 2019), Global Head of the Firm’s Islamic Finance Practice Group (2017 to present), and Chair of the Corporate Finance & Investment Practice Key Global Clients Initiative & Committee (2019 to present).
Credentials
LL.M., Boston University, cum laude
LL.B., Liverpool University, UK, with honors
A-Levels, Stafford House Tutorial College, UK
New York
American Bar Association
Arabic
Close
Recognition
Ranked Band 2 in both Middle East-Wide Islamic Finance and UAE Banking and Finance
Chambers Global, 2019
"Known in the market for his robust Islamic finance practice with peers pointing to his "good reputation in this space"
Chambers Global, 2018
Ranked Band 2 in both Middle East-Wide Islamic Finance and UAE Banking and Finance
Chambers Global, 2018
Recognised as a leading individual in UAE Islamic Finance
Legal 500 EMEA, 2018
Ranked as a leading lawyer in both Investment funds and Islamic finance
IFLR1000, 2018
Market sources say "has got a lot of experience in the Middle East region and knows what he is talking about."
Chambers, 2017
Identified as "fantastic on Shari'ah compliance."
Chambers, 2017
Ranked Band 2 in both Middle East-Wide Islamic Finance and UAE Banking and Finance
Chambers, 2017
Recognised as a leading individual in UAE Islamic Finance
Legal 500 EMEA, 2017
Ranked as a leading lawyer in both Investment funds and Islamic finance
IFLR1000, 2017
Leading Islamic Finance lawyer who is highly recommended for Saudi and UAE banking and finance matters
Legal 500 EMEA, 2016
Described as a "sectoral expert generally in Islamic finance."
Chambers Global, 2016
Included in the annual Power 30 List
Mena Fund Manager Magazine, 2016
News
Recognition
February 19, 2021
Chambers Global Again Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading International Law Firm
Recognition
October 9, 2020
IFLR1000 Recognizes King & Spalding Among Top Financial & Corporate Law Firms in Jurisdictions Worldwide
In the News · Source: LexisNexis Middle East & North Africa
July 13, 2020
Jawad Ali discusses law firms turning to technology to face the post COVID-19 landscape
Matters
Investment Funds, Real Estate and Real Estate Finance
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant funds sponsored by Kuwait Finance House and KFH Capital on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of commercial, residential, healthcare, logistics and hospitality assets in the U.S., UK and Europe with aggregate value in excess of US$2.0 billion.
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant funds sponsored by Dimah Capital Investment Company on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of commercial and residential assets in the U.S. and U.K. with aggregate value in excess to US$800 million.
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant sponsored by Arcapita Investment Limited on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of residential and logistics assets in the UAE with aggregate value in excess of US$300 million.
See more
Close
Matters
Investment Funds, Real Estate and Real Estate Finance
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant funds sponsored by Kuwait Finance House and KFH Capital on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of commercial, residential, healthcare, logistics and hospitality assets in the U.S., UK and Europe with aggregate value in excess of US$2.0 billion.
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant funds sponsored by Dimah Capital Investment Company on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of commercial and residential assets in the U.S. and U.K. with aggregate value in excess to US$800 million.
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant sponsored by Arcapita Investment Limited on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of residential and logistics assets in the UAE with aggregate value in excess of US$300 million.
Advised NBK Capital in connection with the US$100 million sale and lease back transaction of a school in Dubai.
Corporate, M&A, PE and Acquisition Finance
Advised Dalma Energy LLC on the merger of its business operations in Oman, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands with the business operations of KCA Deutag. The combined enterprise value of the KCAD Group (the Enlarged Group) was over US$2.6 billion, making it one of the biggest drilling contractors in the Middle East to date.
Advised Merchantbridge Holdings Ltd. in connection with the restructuring and disposal of a significant minority interest in Asiacell, a telecommunications company in Iraq, worth over US$800 million.
Advised a consortium led by Al Muhaidib and ACWA Power in connection with its successful bid for, and US$600 million privatization of, the cargo business and ground-handling services division of Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Advised Dalma Energy in connection with the refinancing of a US$360 million multi-jurisdiction acquisition finance facility.
Advised Dalma Energy in connection with the acquisition, construction and financing of nine on-land oil-drilling rigs worth in excess of US$300 million.
Advised Injaz Projects, Al Hokair Group, Al Fozan Group and Newrest in the US$200 million privatization of the catering business of Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Insights
Client Alert
September 15, 2020
The Dubai International Financial Centre Implements the New Data Protection Law
Client Alert
August 10, 2020
Impact of COVID-19 on Financings Secured by Real Estate Assets
Client Alert
July 28, 2020
Distressed Debt Opportunities in the COVID-19 Environment- the UAE and Saudi Arabia
News
Recognition
February 19, 2021
Chambers Global Again Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading International Law Firm
Recognition
October 9, 2020
IFLR1000 Recognizes King & Spalding Among Top Financial & Corporate Law Firms in Jurisdictions Worldwide
In the News · Source: LexisNexis Middle East & North Africa
July 13, 2020
Jawad Ali discusses law firms turning to technology to face the post COVID-19 landscape
Matters
Investment Funds, Real Estate and Real Estate Finance
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant funds sponsored by Kuwait Finance House and KFH Capital on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of commercial, residential, healthcare, logistics and hospitality assets in the U.S., UK and Europe with aggregate value in excess of US$2.0 billion.
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant funds sponsored by Dimah Capital Investment Company on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of commercial and residential assets in the U.S. and U.K. with aggregate value in excess to US$800 million.
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant sponsored by Arcapita Investment Limited on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of residential and logistics assets in the UAE with aggregate value in excess of US$300 million.
See more
Close
Matters
Investment Funds, Real Estate and Real Estate Finance
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant funds sponsored by Kuwait Finance House and KFH Capital on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of commercial, residential, healthcare, logistics and hospitality assets in the U.S., UK and Europe with aggregate value in excess of US$2.0 billion.
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant funds sponsored by Dimah Capital Investment Company on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of commercial and residential assets in the U.S. and U.K. with aggregate value in excess to US$800 million.
Advised a number of Shari'ah-compliant sponsored by Arcapita Investment Limited on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of residential and logistics assets in the UAE with aggregate value in excess of US$300 million.
Advised NBK Capital in connection with the US$100 million sale and lease back transaction of a school in Dubai.
Corporate, M&A, PE and Acquisition Finance
Advised Dalma Energy LLC on the merger of its business operations in Oman, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands with the business operations of KCA Deutag. The combined enterprise value of the KCAD Group (the Enlarged Group) was over US$2.6 billion, making it one of the biggest drilling contractors in the Middle East to date.
Advised Merchantbridge Holdings Ltd. in connection with the restructuring and disposal of a significant minority interest in Asiacell, a telecommunications company in Iraq, worth over US$800 million.
Advised a consortium led by Al Muhaidib and ACWA Power in connection with its successful bid for, and US$600 million privatization of, the cargo business and ground-handling services division of Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Advised Dalma Energy in connection with the refinancing of a US$360 million multi-jurisdiction acquisition finance facility.
Advised Dalma Energy in connection with the acquisition, construction and financing of nine on-land oil-drilling rigs worth in excess of US$300 million.
Advised Injaz Projects, Al Hokair Group, Al Fozan Group and Newrest in the US$200 million privatization of the catering business of Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Insights
Client Alert
September 15, 2020
The Dubai International Financial Centre Implements the New Data Protection Law
Client Alert
August 10, 2020
Impact of COVID-19 on Financings Secured by Real Estate Assets
Client Alert
July 28, 2020
Distressed Debt Opportunities in the COVID-19 Environment- the UAE and Saudi Arabia
News
Recognition
February 19, 2021
Chambers Global Again Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading International Law Firm
Recognition
October 9, 2020
IFLR1000 Recognizes King & Spalding Among Top Financial & Corporate Law Firms in Jurisdictions Worldwide
In the News · Source: LexisNexis Middle East & North Africa
July 13, 2020
Jawad Ali discusses law firms turning to technology to face the post COVID-19 landscape
Credentials
LL.M., Boston University, cum laude
LL.B., Liverpool University, UK, with honors
A-Levels, Stafford House Tutorial College, UK
New York
American Bar Association
Arabic
Close
Recognition
Ranked Band 2 in both Middle East-Wide Islamic Finance and UAE Banking and Finance
Chambers Global, 2019
"Known in the market for his robust Islamic finance practice with peers pointing to his "good reputation in this space"
Chambers Global, 2018
Ranked Band 2 in both Middle East-Wide Islamic Finance and UAE Banking and Finance
Chambers Global, 2018
Recognised as a leading individual in UAE Islamic Finance
Legal 500 EMEA, 2018
Ranked as a leading lawyer in both Investment funds and Islamic finance
IFLR1000, 2018
Market sources say "has got a lot of experience in the Middle East region and knows what he is talking about."
Chambers, 2017
Identified as "fantastic on Shari'ah compliance."
Chambers, 2017
Ranked Band 2 in both Middle East-Wide Islamic Finance and UAE Banking and Finance
Chambers, 2017
Recognised as a leading individual in UAE Islamic Finance
Legal 500 EMEA, 2017
Ranked as a leading lawyer in both Investment funds and Islamic finance
IFLR1000, 2017
Leading Islamic Finance lawyer who is highly recommended for Saudi and UAE banking and finance matters
Legal 500 EMEA, 2016
Described as a "sectoral expert generally in Islamic finance."
Chambers Global, 2016
Included in the annual Power 30 List
Mena Fund Manager Magazine, 2016