Akin Gump Welcomes Finance and Capital Markets Partner Rizwan H. Kanji in Dubai

(Dubai, UAE) – Akin Gump is pleased to announce that Rizwan H. Kanji has joined the firm as a partner in its Dubai office. He comes to Akin Gump from another large international law firm in Dubai, where he served as the lead of that firm’s global capital markets working group and as one of the deputy heads of its financial services industry focus group.

Mr. Kanji’s practice focuses on debt capital markets, finance and securitizations using both conventional and Islamic finance structures. Particularly active in the Middle East and Turkey for over a decade and, more recently, in Africa, he advises investment banks, financial institutions, multilateral development banks, sovereign states, insurance companies and multinational regional corporations on high-profile transactions.

Well known in the market for his excellent client and technical skills, in particular for his ability to structure conventional financing as well as Shari'a-compliant sukuk, Mr. Kanji has developed a particular reputation for advising on “first of its kind” transactions. For example, he advised on the first sukuk out of Turkey, the first syndicated Murabaha financing out of Russia, the first “Blue Bond” in the world and the establishment of the largest sukuk program to date.

“Rizwan’s arrival significantly broadens our finance capability on the ground in the Middle East, in particular his Islamic and conventional finance skills,” commented Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “His experience complements that of our existing team extremely well, and I am delighted he has joined Akin Gump’s team in the Middle East.”

Mr. Kanji will work closely with colleagues in the firm’s corporate, capital markets, international trade and structured finance teams in the UAE, Europe, Asia and the U.S.

“Rizwan has a wealth of experience, particularly in the realm of Islamic finance, and highly sought-after technical skills which complement our highly regarded corporate practice in the region. His arrival is an excellent strategic fit for the firm in the UAE and our clients across the Middle East, Europe and the United States,” added Dubai partner in charge Mahmoud (Mac) Fadlallah.

Mr. Kanji commented “Akin Gump is well respected in the UAE and across the Middle East and offers a tremendous platform for my practice. I look forward to helping further build the firm’s presence in Dubai and offerings across the region to support client needs, particularly in capital markets and finance matters, and am very pleased to join this dynamic team.”

About Rizwan H. Kanji

Rizwan H. Kanji is a leading advisor on Middle Eastern and, more broadly, emerging markets capital markets and is considered to be one of the leading lawyers within the realm of Islamic finance. His practice is focused on debt capital markets and securities issuances and structured finance and finance—including both conventional and Islamic finance—as well as disputes and other transactional matters.

Ranked by Chambers & Partners in both the UAE and the Middle East for Debt Capital Markets and Islamic Finance, Mr. Kanji is cited in Chambers Global 2019 for having “undertaken substantial debt and equity transactions, including securitisations and [being] active in both conventional and Shari'a-compliant matters,” and for being a “well-respected capital markets lawyer involved in transactions across the Middle East” who has a “considerable reputation for his activity in sukuk and Shari'a-compliant issuances.” One client comments that he is “always available and a great problem solver. He comes up with innovative ideas and solutions.”

He received his LL.B. from the University of Leicester and his LL.M from Southampton University. He is qualified in England and Wales.

About Akin Gump in Dubai

Akin Gump resumed serving clients from Dubai in 2014 to further expand its Middle East presence. The office particularly focuses on advising public and private sector clients in a range of practice areas, including corporate, mergers and acquisitions, finance, energy, oil and gas, antibribery, economic sanctions and other international trade controls, public policy, investment funds and dispute resolution, as well as construction and engineering, entertainment and other economic activity in the region.

The work of the firm’s Dubai lawyers has been recognized in leading legal and industry outlets including The Legal 500 EMEA, IFLR and The Oath.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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