Ayman A. Khaleq, co-leader of the firm’s Middle East practice, advises global and regional institutional clients and asset managers on cross-border investment management, capital markets, and structured finance transactions. In particular, Ayman advises on the structuring and documentation of private investment funds and alternative investment platforms; global investments by regional institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds; and conventional and Shari’a-compliant privately placed debt capital markets, structured finance and restructuring matters. He is admitted to practice in New York, is registered as a Foreign Legal Consultant with the California Bar, and is a Registered Foreign Lawyer with the Law Society of England & Wales.
In addition, Ayman provides regulatory and legal advice to global asset managers and foreign direct investors in relation to the marketing of securities (to conventional and Islamic investors) and doing business in the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and in such sectors as healthcare, technology, infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, and education. He also advises on policy reform initiatives in the MENA region and other emerging markets.
Ayman, who is fluent in Arabic and English, is a frequent speaker at international conferences on topics relating to foreign direct investment, investment management, and structured transactions (including Islamic finance). In addition, Ayman taught on transactional Islamic law and international investment law at George Washington University Law School (Washington, DC); Bocconi University (Milan, Italy), and Sorbonne University (Abu Dhabi, UAE). He is also serving on the firm’s Advisory Board, is the chair of the International Bar Association’s Arab Regional Forum, and is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).
Ayman Khaleq was recently invited by the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC), Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM) to join a new focus group that these three entities are forming, with support from the Climate Bonds Imitative (CBI). The focus group will be comprised of relevant experts in capital markets and environmental protection and will be responsible for developing “Sustainable Sukuk Standards”.
Note: This list includes engagements completed prior to joining Morgan Lewis.
Investment Funds and Private Placements
Debt Capital Markets and Structured Transactions
Restructuring
Highly Regarded, IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate (2018–2021)
Recommended, Corporate Finance (Including Islamic Lending), United Arab Emirates, The Legal 500 EMEA (2020)
Recommended, Capital Markets, United Arab Emirates, The Legal 500 EMEA (2020)
Recommended, Investment Fund Formation and Management, United Arab Emirates, The Legal 500 EMEA (2020)
Co-chair (as of 2019) and officer (2013-2018) of the Arab Regional Forum of the International Bar Association
Member of the Young Presidents’ Organization – Dubai Downtoiwn Chapter
Legal 30 Power List, Private Equity Manager (2013)
Ranked, Islamic Finance, Middle East, Chambers Global (2009–2020)
Ranked, Investment Funds, Middle East, Chambers Global (2011–2020)
Ranked, Capital Markets: Debt, United Arab Emirates, Chambers Global (2008–2020)
Ranked, Banking & Finance: Islamic Finance, United Arab Emirates, Chambers Global (2008–2020)
Ranked, Corporate & Finance, Bahrain, Chambers Global (2011–2016)
Recognized, Capital Markets: Islamic Finance (United Arab Emirates), Who’s Who Legal (2009–2017)
Recognized, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in Corporate and Finance (Dubai), Legal Expert (2013)
Leading Lawyer, Asset and Fund Management; Corporate and Commercial; Energy and Natural Resources; Project and Infrastructure Finance; and Takaful and Re-Takaful, Islamic Finance News (2010–2012)
Recognized, Finance Law, United Arab Emirates, Best Lawyers (2008–2016)
Leading Lawyer in the UAE, IFLR1000: The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms (2013)
Best of the Best, Legal Media Group's (Euromoney) Expert Guide to the World's The Best of the Best (2017)
Recognized, Islamic Finance, Legal Media Group's (Euromoney) Expert Guide to the World's The Best of the Best (2011, 2013, 2017)
Recognized, Islamic Finance and Investment Funds, Legal Media Group's (Euromoney) Expert Guide to the World's Leading Banking, Finance & Transactional Lawyers (2010, 2012, 2017)
Recognized, Islamic Finance, Legal Media Group's (Euromoney) Expert Guide to the World's Leading Emerging Markets Lawyers (2010)
Recognized, The Legal List, MENA FM’s MENA Fund Manager Power 4 (2011)
Recognized, Islamic Finance and Capital Markets, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers (2009–2010)
Recognized, The Guide to the World’s Leading Islamic Finance Practitioners (2008)
Recognized, United Arab Emirates, Best Lawyers International in Finance (2008)
Member, Board of Advisors, George Washington Center for Law, Economics & Finance (C-LEAF) (2010)
Member, Islamic Finance News Panel of Experts (2009)
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