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In a quieter deal market characterized by global regulatory and geopolitical uncertainty, oil & gas companies were generally well...
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Akin Gump
WJ
Wael Jabsheh
Partner
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
About me
Address: -
Areas of Focus: Corporate; Capital Markets; Joint Ventures & Strategic Alliances; Mergers & Acquisitions; Preferred Equity & Hybrid Capital; Private Equity Transactions; Projects & Energy Transition; Project Acquisition & Disposition; Fund Manager Transactions; Sovereign & Government Investors; Intellectual Property; Capital Solutions
Biography:
Wael serves as partner in charge of Akin’s Abu Dhabi office. He also leads the firm’s M&A and corporate law practices in the Middle East. Wael’s practice encompasses the full spectrum of domestic and cross-border transactions, including private M&A, public M&A, joint ventures (JVs), private equity, co-investment deals and fund-of-one structures.
Wael has a global practice advising on domestic and outbound investments across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. He has represented government and private clients on matters involving investment management & private equity, financial services, energy & infrastructure, communications, intellectual property, media & entertainment and hospitality.
Wael is also highly regarded for his cutting-edge practice representing corporate and funds clients pursuing opportunities in the technology sector. Clients rely on Wael to provide advice on strategic capital investments and transactions involving digital infrastructure and emerging technologies, such as cryptocurrency, blockchain and AI.
Since 2005, Wael has been based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he leverages his fluency in Arabic and deep understanding of the region to assist a wide range of sovereign and private clients, including many of the Middle East’s top sovereign wealth funds.
Wael is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers , The Legal 500 and others. His clients consistently commend his strategic insight, deep industry knowledge and ability to deliver practical solutions in difficult legal matters.
Representative Work:
- Advised a Saudi sovereign wealth fund on its US$1.3 billion acquisition of minority stakes in four Egyptian companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (eFinance, Abu Qir Fertilizers and Chemical Industries Company, Misr Fertilizer Production Company (MOPCO) and Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company).
- Represented Russia’s leading oil company in its acquisition of a 5% stake (valued over US$1 billion) in an ultra-sour gas concession from ADNOC, the UAE’s national oil company.
- Represented an Abu Dhabi state-owned entity in its joint venture with the Phoenix Group to establish a US$2 billion crypto mining farm on Reem Island, the largest mining facility in the world.
- Advised on licensing, operating and branding arrangements for various hospitality and location-based entertainment assets, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and the Yas Marina Circuit (including the annual Formula One Grand Prix).
- Advised on the formation of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a joint venture established between an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund and Wizz Air Holdings plc, which operates Europe’s fastest growing airline.
- Advised the largest drilling company in the Middle East on the establishment of Enersol, a strategic joint venture with Alpha Dhabi to invest up to US$1.5 billion in technology-enabled companies in the oilfield services and energy sectors.
Credentials:
Education: LL.B., University of Victoria Faculty of Law, 2003; B.A., University of British Columbia, 2000
Bar Admissions: Law Society of Alberta, Canada, 2005
Recognitions:
- Chambers Global, Commercial Contracts - UAE, 2016-2026.
- Chambers Global , Corporate/M&A: Abu Dhabi-based, 2023-2026.
- The Legal 500 EMEA , Commercial, Corporate and M&A - UAE, 2015-2026.
- Thomson Reuters’ Asian Legal Business , MENA Super 50 Lawyers, 2024
- The Legal 500 M&A Powerlist: Middle East, Gold Standard, 2024.
Affiliations:
- Member, AmCham Abu Dhabi
- Member, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ADCCI).
Insights:
- Akin Advises ePointZero in $2.25 Billion Acquisition of Traverse Midstream Partners (July 28, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/press-releases/akin-advises-epointzero-in-dollar225-billion-acquisition-of-traverse-midstream-partners
- CryptoLink Newsletter - June 2026 Updates (July 28, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/cryptolink-newsletter-june-2026
- CryptoLink Newsletter - May 2026 Updates (June 22, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/cryptolink-newsletter-may-2026
- CryptoLink Newsletter - April 2026 Updates (May 15, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/cryptolink-newsletter-april-2026
- Lexology In-Depth: Private Equity (May 7, 2025): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/articles/lexology-in-depth-private-equity
- CryptoLink Newsletter - March 2026 Updates (April 28, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/cryptolink-newsletter-march-2026
- CryptoLink Newsletter - February 2026 Updates (April 3, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/cryptolink-february-2026
- Akin Lawyers and Practices Recognized in the Legal 500 EMEA 2026 Guide (March 25, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/press-releases/akin-lawyers-and-practices-recognized-in-the-legal-500-emea-2026-guide
- Chambers Global Recognizes Akin’s Lawyers and Practices in 2026 Edition (February 12, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/awards-and-accolades/chambers-global-recognizes-akins-lawyers-and-practices-in-2026-edition
- Oil & Gas in 2026: Emerging Trends & Predictions (February 5, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/articles/oil-and-gas-in-2026-emerging-trends-and-predictions
- Oil & Gas in 2026: Pursuing Capital for Growth (February 5, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/articles/oil-and-gas-in-2026-pursuing-capital-for-growth
- CryptoLink Newsletter - January 2026 Updates (January 31, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/cryptolink-newsletter-january-2026-updates