Rima Mrad

Rima is a Partner in the firm’s Corporate and M&A practice.

Rima’s core expertise includes advising public, private clients and financial institutions on general corporate and commercial matters including mergers and acquisitions, commercial agencies, anti-trust and competition law, restructuring and general regulatory and compliance regulations. Rima has also advised and assisted international clients in developing their business throughout the GCC.

Rima has been appointed on several occasions to assist government agencies and departments to work on gap analysis projects, advising on improving regulations according to best practices. Her experience in relation to the drafting of laws and regulations are frequently commanded and sought after.

Rima was recognized as a leading woman in the legal industry by Executive Women Magazine and was selected to be the face of Executive Women magazine. She was also selected as one of the 10 top influential Women Lawyers in the GCC twice and was recognized by Financial News London among the 50th most influential women in Middle East finance.

Rima is an active lawyer and promoter of major pro bono events across the jurisdictions she practices in including the organization of the annual BSA legal Clinic. She is an active writer and often contributes to articles and legal guides. She also co-authored two books: Islamic Finance – A Practical Guide and Insurance and Reinsurance in the Mena Region: a Legal and Regulatory Guide both published by Globe Law and Business, UK.

SERVICES

• Commercial
• Corporate & M&A
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Employment
• Environment, Social and Governance
• Private Client Services

INDUSTRY

• Energy
• Financial Institutions
• Leisure & Hospitality
• Real Estate
• Retail

M&A

• Advising a prominent Tech investor on the creation of the largest tech holding in ADGM and the acquisition of various related assets including a majority stake in one of the largest Asian banks
• Advising Halliburton on various acquisitions of regional oil and chemical related businesses across the GCC
• Advising one of the largest regional government owned mining company on the restructuring of their main operating arm in Fujairah, its recapitalization though an asset contribution and negotiation of partial minority acquisition by a prominent Saudi Group
• Acting for Hoist Locatel in the UAE in relation to its acquisition by Planet
• Advising Uniqproject in relation to the proposed acquisition of various F&B outlets in the DIFC
• Advising a Dubai born fintech company on its partial acquisition by a fund and handling the restructuring of the group as part of this acquisition
• Advising on the acquisition of FME Public by Together Group
• Advising Kids First group on the acquisition of various nursery outlets operating under the brand names of Oasis and Mosaic

Corporate Restructuring

• Advising GFG Alliance on their restructuring activities and providing legal representation in relation to their presence in the UAE
• Advising one of the largest entertainment groups in relation to a restructuring claim before Dubai Courts. This process involved more than 12 entities operating in the UAE and Bahrain
• Restructuring the ownership and the subsidiaries of one of the earliest fintech PSP providers in Dubai as part of their plan to expand to other territories in Europe and USA

Franchise and Brands

• Advising Bijoux Burma on their business in the region
• Advising a large local family group on a franchising dispute involving the termination of a franchise covering more than 25 F&B outlets in the UAE and Oman and managing to renegotiate the terms of the franchise and continuation of the relationship
• Advising on the contractual arrangement relating to the operation of Terra Solis by Tomorrowland in the UAE

Private Clients

• Advising one of the largest local families on the restructuring of the ownership of the group to prepare for the succession of the ownership to the second generation while addressing potential dispute and business continuity
• Advising on the creation of local foundations and developed customized succession planning strategies for family-owned businesses, balancing business continuity with family dynamics and financial considerations

Real Estate

• Advising on the purchase of one of the largest private villas in the Palm sold for a record-breaking price in Dubai
• Advising Durar Development on the acquisition of plots in Al Marjan Island and the related development of various real estate projects and negotiations of joint ventures with various parties to develop these plots.
• Advising in relation to the creation and operation of a fintech start up operating an innovative mortgage app in the region.