#Capital Markets #Dubai #UAE #Islamic Finance #Greenberg Traurig

Greenberg Traurig's Capital Markets Success at the 2025 IFN Awards

Greenberg Traurig's Capital Markets Practice achieved significant recognition at the Islamic Finance News (IFN) Awards 2025, with accolades spanning five prestigious Deals of the Year. This achievement not only highlights the firm's robust expertise in Islamic finance but also its prominent position in leading impactful capital market transactions across the region.

The IFN Awards are highly regarded within the Islamic finance industry, distinguished for recognizing exceptional deals that reflect innovation, execution, and market significance. This year, the ceremony will take place on September 22, 2025, in Dubai, where Greenberg Traurig's team will be celebrated for their outstanding contributions.

The five notable transactions that earned Greenberg Traurig this acclaim include:

• - UAE Deal of the Year 2025: Arada Developments secured a remarkable $450 million Sukuk.
• - Kuwait Deal of the Year 2025: The Kuwait International Bank successfully issued a $300 million Tier II Sukuk.
• - Hybrid Deal of the Year 2025: Arada Developments again featured prominently with another $450 million Sukuk.
• - Mudarabah Deal of the Year 2025: The Kuwait Finance House's $850 million Additional Tier 1 Sukuk was recognized for its strategic execution.
• - Regulatory Deal of the Year 2025: Once more, the Kuwait International Bank’s deal for $300 million Tier II Sukuk highlighted the firm’s innovative approach.

Leading these winning transactions was Greenberg Traurig's adept Dubai-based Capital Markets team, composed of several key players including Shareholder Alex Roussos, Senior Associates James Osun-Sanmi and Sana Siddiqui, Associate Olga Efstathiou, Practice Group Attorney Katie Phillips, and Paralegal Oshin Maheshwari.

Richard A. Rosenbaum, Executive Chairman of Greenberg Traurig, expressed immense gratitude to the team: "Congratulations to the team on being recognized across five winning deals, undertaken in a relatively short period of time. Our strategy in the Middle East is focused on assembling experienced partners to enhance our work in essential industries while becoming integral allies to both regional and international clients."

Khalid A. Al-Thebity, the Middle East Regional chair and managing shareholder in Riyadh, pointed out the prestige associated with the IFN Awards. He noted, "These awards are among the most coveted in the global Islamic finance sector. Our capital markets and finance teams played a crucial role in navigating significant transactions, showcasing the robustness of our service offerings."

Co-managing shareholders Chadi Salloum and Shibeer Ahmed from the Dubai office jointly stated their pride in the team's recognition, attributing the achievements to the remarkable aptitude and commitment of their professionals. They highlighted that the success is a testament to the collaboration and dedication put forth in delivering exceptional results to their clients across the region.

Roussos added, "We are proud to be recognized for our pivotal role in structuring Shariah-compliant capital market transactions across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The growth and resilience of Islamic capital markets over the past two decades are exciting, and we look forward to supporting our clients as these structures evolve and gain traction in new markets."

The recognition at the IFN Awards follows Greenberg Traurig's participation in the IFN KSA Dialogues 2025, where team members engaged as panelists on crucial topics surrounding the advancement of Islamic finance and investment products in Saudi Arabia.

Greenberg Traurig entered the Middle Eastern legal landscape in 2023 with offices in Riyadh and Dubai. Since then, they have expanded their footprint to include an office in Abu Dhabi as of 2025, increasingly embedding themselves in key sectors such as real estate, energy, finance, and entertainment, among others.

With over 3,100 lawyers distributed across 51 offices worldwide, Greenberg Traurig is recognized as one of the leading law firms globally, known for its innovative legal services, commitment to pro bono work, and extensive philanthropic initiatives. Their reputation for excellence is mirrored in their consistent ranking among the top firms across various industry benchmarks, highlighting their role as trusted legal advisors in a dynamic economic landscape.