DUBAI, September 13, 2015: Morgan Lewis has strengthened its international finance capabilities with the addition of Tarek El-Assra as a partner in Dubai. With his background handling matters for clients in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Mr. El-Assra will collaborate with the firm’s global finance, debt capital markets, and restructuring teams in Dubai, New York, London, Frankfurt, and Singapore in offering world-class services. Mr. El-Assra was previously the leader of the global Islamic finance practice at another global law firm.
“We are dedicated to providing the most comprehensive international finance services to our global clients,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “Tarek adds depth to our existing teams and expands our reach within the Middle East to important markets in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.”
“Tarek is a versatile lawyer with a strong reputation in the field,” international finance practice leader Bruce Johnston said. “His diverse practice further enhances our service offering, particularly in the area of cross-border Islamic finance and investment, which is increasingly important to our global client base.”
Mr. El-Assra focuses on general banking and finance, Islamic finance and investment, leveraged and acquisition finance, asset finance, real estate finance, trade finance, infrastructure and project finance, and restructurings. Among the clients he represents are major financial institutions and corporate and family offices in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He has worked on high-profile Islamic financings across various product areas, including the banking market, capital markets, and Shari’a-compliant funds, and has led numerous “first-of-their-kind” Shari’a-compliant financings and products.
“We are excited that Tarek, a senior lawyer with pedigree and experience in Islamic finance, international finance, and restructuring, is joining us at such an exciting time for our regional practice and as part of Morgan Lewis's continued expansion in global financial centres,” said Ayman A. Khaleq, managing partner of the firm’s Dubai office and a partner in the finance and investment management practices. “Tarek will further strengthen our Gulf Cooperation Council and international transactional practices while greatly enhancing our already leading cross-border Islamic finance and investment capabilities.”