The winners of IFLR’s eighth annual Middle East awards were revealed during a lavish ceremony last night.

In the impressive surrounds of the Burj Al Arab, the region’s finest lawyers gathered to celebrate the legal innovation for which the Middle East is renowned.

Allen & Overy took home the prestigious International Law Firm of the Year award, as well as winning accolades for its M&A and project finance teams. The firm was a worthy winner after a record-breaking year that saw the regional powerhouse win mandates on numerous high-profile deals.

Among Allen & Overy’s many highlights – and there have been lots – was the Emirates Airline sukuk, OCI NV’s public takeover for Orascom Construction Industries, and the Dana Gas restructuring.

Latham & Watkins was also celebrating a successful night as it scooped the fiercely contested award for debt and equity-linked team of the year. Latham’s roles on four of the shortlisted deals in the category highlight its growing presence in the region and secured its win this year.

Linklaters took equity team of the year, having advised Al Noor Hospitals on its initial public offering (IPO), the first premium listing of a local UAE business on the London Stock Exchange. The firm is also commended for its work on the Asiacell listing, a hugely challenging emerging market IPO that was recognised on the shortlist for its innovation.

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