UAE – Leading international law firm Baker McKenzie has been voted "Middle East Financial Services M&A Legal Adviser of the Year" at Mergermarket's Middle Eastern M&A Awards 2018 in Dubai on 9 April 2018. Now on its third year, the awards hosted by Mergermarket, a leading news and intelligence service for mergers and acquisitions, recognised the top banks and law firms supporting M&A in a range of sectors in the region.

Baker McKenzie was also shortlisted in three other categories: "Middle East & North Africa M&A Legal Adviser of the Year", "Consumer M&A Legal Adviser of the Year" and "Industrials & Chemicals M&A Legal Adviser of the Year". The Firm's Middle East M&A practice was voted " Telecoms, Media & Technology M&A Legal Adviser of the Year" by Mergermarket last year.

Regularly ranked in the top 10 in Middle East M&A league tables, the Firm has been involved in a series of major and complex transactions over the past 12-18 months, including helping regional banks, private banks and insurance companies to efficiently and effectively execute successful strategic acquisitions and disposals across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey. Baker McKenzie advised LGT Group on the USD 20 billion acquisition of ABN AMRO’s private banking operations in Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore, a consortium of investors on the USD 1.12 billion acquisition of a stake in Jordan's Arab Bank Group, and Allianz Group on its acquisition of shares in Allianz Saudi Fransi Cooperative Insurance Company - the first time a foreign strategic investor has been allowed to acquire a stake in a company already listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange.

"We are delighted to have won the "Middle East Financial Services M&A Legal Adviser of the Year" award at Mergermarket's Middle Eastern M&A Awards this year. This continued recognition of Baker McKenzie's Middle East M&A practice is a testament to our reputation as a go-to firm for support on cross-border transactions," said George Sayen, Head of Baker McKenzie's Saudi Arabia focused Corporate/M&A practice.

Omar Momany, UAE Head of Corporate & Commercial at Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla added: "With positive macroeconomic deal drivers accelerating acquisitions and consolidations across the Middle East, we are pleased that clients continue to seek the sector-specific, pragmatic advice we provide to help them realise their strategic goals."

This is the third award won by Baker McKenzie's Middle East practice in the past 12 months. The Firm was also recognized as "Litigation Team of the Year" at the 2017 Middle East Legal Awards hosted by Legal Week and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

As the world's largest M&A practice, Baker McKenzie executes more cross-border transactions than any other law firm. Our team is regularly called upon by domestic and international clients with increasing demands for local and cross-border support on high-end complex M&A transactions in the Middle East across key industries driving economic growth, including the financial institutions sector.

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About Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie helps clients overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. We solve complex legal problems across borders and practice areas. Our unique culture, developed over 65 years, enables our 13,000 people to understand local markets and navigate multiple jurisdictions, working together as trusted colleagues and friends to instill confidence in our clients. (www.bakermckenzie.com)

© Press Release 2018