Sullivan & Cromwell launches in Abu Dhabi with Latham Middle East corporate chair

Sullivan & Cromwell has opened an office in Abu Dhabi, marking the US law firm's 14th global office and its first on-the ground presence in the Middle East. The firm has hired Ahmed T. el‑Gaili, an M&A partner who joins from Latham & Watkins where he served as regional chair of the Middle East corporate department, to lead the new Abu Dhabi practice.

"Establishing an on-the-ground presence in the Middle East for the first time," the firm has positioned the Abu Dhabi launch as a strategic expansion to serve clients directly in the region, the announcement states.

The hire of Ahmed T. el‑Gaili brings to Sullivan & Cromwell a lawyer with established experience in regional corporate and M&A work. At Latham & Watkins, el‑Gaili held the role of regional chair of the Middle East corporate department, advising on cross-border deals and corporate matters involving clients active across the Gulf. His move to Sullivan & Cromwell will be central to building the new Abu Dhabi office's capabilities and client relationships.

The establishment of an Abu Dhabi office represents a notable geographic step for Sullivan & Cromwell, which now counts 14 offices worldwide. The firm's decision to base the office in Abu Dhabi — rather than other regional hubs — signals an intent to engage more closely with the emirate's corporate, sovereign and investment community. By placing a senior M&A officer in charge, Sullivan & Cromwell appears focused on transactional work and advisory roles tied to mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and large cross-border corporate assignments.

Details of the move

• New office: Abu Dhabi — the firm's first physical presence in the Middle East.
• Leadership hire: Ahmed T. el‑Gaili, formerly regional chair, Middle East corporate department at Latham & Watkins.
• Office count: This marks Sullivan & Cromwell's 14th global office.

El‑Gaili's background at Latham & Watkins, where he led the region's corporate team, gives him familiarity with the legal, regulatory and commercial environment across the Gulf. That experience is likely to be instrumental in advising international clients on accessing regional capital, negotiating corporate transactions with local counterparties, and navigating the increasingly complex regulatory landscape in the UAE and wider Middle East.

For Sullivan & Cromwell, the Abu Dhabi launch expands its global footprint at a time when international firms are assessing how best to serve clients with interests in the region. The office will enable the firm to provide on-the-ground counsel, streamline cross-border deal execution and deepen ties with regional institutions.

Looking ahead, the new Abu Dhabi office under Ahmed T. el‑Gaili's leadership will be watched for the types of mandates it secures and the extent to which it recruits locally or from other international firms. The move also raises questions about further regional expansion and how Sullivan & Cromwell will position its Middle East offering relative to established international competitors and local practices.