Sullivan & Cromwell Opens Abu Dhabi Office in ADGM Expansion

The arrival of the New York-headquartered firm in the UAE capital underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing stature as a hub for international finance and sovereign investment. By planting a physical presence in the ADGM, Sullivan & Cromwell aims to streamline its advisory services for government entities, sovereign wealth funds, and private equity firms across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Ahmed T. el-Gaili, who previously practiced with the firm in London, returns to lead the Middle East initiative. With nearly two decades of experience in the region, el-Gaili specializes in high-stakes M&A, project finance, and infrastructure development. He will collaborate with partners Garth Bray and Umberto Hassan to manage mandates involving energy, technology, and corporate restructuring. According to Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, the firm’s entry validates the jurisdiction's ability to attract top-tier global professional services. Sullivan & Cromwell has secured full regulatory authorization from the ADGM Registration Authority to commence operations immediately.