Akin‘s ‘highly sophisticated and reliable’ compliance and investigations practice is particularly strong advising international clients on export control regimes, sanctions and trade-related regulations, and interactions with American regulations and legislations. Internal investigations, white-collar crime, crisis reaction and transactional advisory work is another area of focus. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Mahmoud Fadlallah and Lauren Talerman co-head the practice, with the duo experienced acting on criminal and investigatory instructions for prominent regional and international energy, technology, and aviation companies. ‘Extremely bright and dedicated’, Zahra Mashhood is another key contact within the practice.

‘Thorough, timely, and strategic’, Clyde & Co LLP offers global capabilities in major investigations, representing clients facing allegations of procurement irregularities, money laundering, corruption, and fraud. The firm also advises on strengthening compliance frameworks relating to data and cybersecurity, alongside related litigation. Rebecca Kelly heads the firm’s regulatory and investigative efforts, and is assisted on cases by Damian Wright. Elsewhere in the practice, Olivia Darlington and Mark Beswetherick act on complex pieces of litigation. Sam Tate joined the firm in March 2025, acting on a range of mandates from London.

DLA Piper‘s ‘truly exceptional’ practice specialises in acting as global sanctions and export control counsel, and equally capable of representing clients facing cross-border regulatory investigations by governmental authorities. The firm also advises on the design and implementation of sanctions compliance programmes, regulatory change, and white-collar crime litigation. The ‘very diligent, focused and practical’ Adam Vause heads the firm’s efforts, and is highly experienced in complex forensic internal investigations and related commercial litigation. Ramsey Jurdi specialises in sanctions and export control cases. Laura Shingler is another leading names, and Faisal Al Hinai joined the firm from Addleshaw Goddard in February 2025.

Integrating the expertise of a dedicated global investigations practice, Jones Day advises prominent clients on cross-border investigations by regulatory and law enforcement agencies. The practice is equally capable in conducting internal investigations on a global scale, co-operating with the relevant governmental authorities on matters relating to embezzlement, improper sales, and irregular payments. Financial crime litigation is another area of focus, as is the establishment of compliant frameworks in sanctions and anti-boycott regulations. Sheila Shadmand ‘is a powerhouse’ with experience dealing with a range of international regulatory regimes and investigations, while Heather Martin  employs significant courtroom experience on white-collar criminal matters.

Baker McKenzie LLP specialises in regulatory compliance frameworks, acting on extensive cross-border reviews and risk assessments. The firm also advises on the localisation of international policies in line with UAE laws and regulations, and conducts internal investigations into compliance concerns. Sanctions and AML risk analysis are further areas of expertise. Practice head Laya Aoun ‘has deep knowledge of compliance regulations’ and also advises on concerns on procurement and market entry.  Joanna Matthews-Taylor widely supports. Samir-Safar Aly departed the practice and Borys Dackiw retired in 2025.

Investigations into international and criminal matters are the main focus of Charles Russell Speechlys LLP’s practice. The firm is particularly noted for defending prominent clients in local court cases involving Interpol Red Notices and extradition requests. Beyond its criminal work, the team is instructed on financial and transactional investigations, shareholder disputes, and has also acted on cyber and white-collar crime matters. With a broad base of experience, Ghassan El Daye is an experienced advocate in UAE courts and Sara Sheffield brings expertise from the offshore courts. Jonathan Huth joined the practice from Howard Kennedy LLP in October 2025 and brings experience in regulatory compliance and global investigations.

Praised for its ‘deep knowledge across diverse legal matters’, Dentons is capable across a range of compliance and sanctions-related mandates, from reviewing internal procedures and drafting AML policies to advising on compliance with international regulations and on internal and criminal investigations. The practice adopts a cross-sector approach and works closely with the firm’s employment law team where relevant.  ‘Highly experienced’, Christopher Brennan heads the group, specialising in contentious investigations, and David Slim is also a leading name on enforcements and regulatory matters.

Eversheds Sutherland LLP has a broad compliance and investigations practice, with a multidisciplinary team praised for its ‘great market presence and a wealth of experience in the space’. The group acts on investigations for employers facing allegations of fraud, bribery, and corruption, and also advises on UAE laws and regulations in disputes across a range of courts. Regulatory due diligence and risk assessments are further capabilities of the practice. Rebecca Copley leads the practice and is praised for her ‘calm authority and strategic thinking’ in both litigation and dispute management, and Shibani Kapur acts on AML and sanctions-related instructions.

Hadef & Partners advises on a wide range of highly complex international disputes, acting for both investigators and regulatory bodies as well as individuals and corporates clients as defendants. Proceedings relating to debt recovery, embezzlement, and fraud, as well as enforcement actions, are key strengths of the practice. Walid Azzam acts in financial crime litigation and asset tracings and recovery. Karim Mahmoud advises on large shareholder disputes, and Taher Abdeen leverages experience in the local courts on corporate enforcement work. Senior counsel Mohammed Abbas is active across the full range of practice matters and leverages both common and civil law knowledge.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP‘s broad compliance and investigations team advises on internal restructurings and compliance with international financial regulatory and sanctions regimes. On the contentious side, the firm also acts on investigations by international regulatory bodies, as well as employee, transactional, and shareholder disputes. Stuart Paterson is instructed on complex investigations concerning allegations of fraud, financial crime, and misconduct. Tania Forichon specialises in disputes and data privacy compliance.

Financial services regulatory investigations are the central focus of Norton Rose Fulbright‘s practice. The firm regularly acts for clients in AML and financial misconduct cases, general regulatory compliance and related remedial actions, and enforcement orders. Outside of finance, the practice oversees complex internal investigations at a cross-border scale. Practice head Matthew Shanahan has international experience in financial regulations and related contentious work. Karl Masi specialises in enforcement actions and Hasanali Pirbhai has a broad regulatory practice.

Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP advises on large internal investigations into allegations of financial crime and regulatory breaches, integrating specialisms in relevant corporate and employment laws when needed. ‘Very experienced and cool under pressure’, Payam Beheshti acts on contentious regulatory matters and investigations related to data protection, cybercrime, money laundering, and sanctions. David McDonald integrates experience in employment law on internal investigations, and Stuart Storry, who joined the firm in November 2024, has experience in relevant arbitrations.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ ‘superbly technical’ government investigations and white-collar practice advises on contentious cross-border sanctions disputes, internal investigations and related US, UK, and EU money laundering and sanctions laws. The practice is helmed by Richard Gibbon, praised for his ‘clear and pragmatic solutions to complex problems’ in matters spanning financial crimes defense and investigations. Katy Fisher and Malak Abbas are other key contacts in the practice group.

Clifford Chance provides regulatory and compliance advice to local firms and potential foreign investors in the UAE in areas covering financial services regulations and political risk assessment. The practice also acts in the review of internal policies in JVs and leads in whistleblower investigations. Leading the practice, litigation specialist Paul Coates ‘is very much a safe pair of hands’ while Jack Hardman advises on compliance and investigations in the context of M&A.

'Able to combine a wide international reach with excellent local knowledge’, CMS advises on risk management, asset protection, and investigations into corporate structures in cross-border sanctions and boycott-related proceedings. The practice has also led on liability assessments in the context of transactions and internal investigations. ‘One of the most experienced commercial litigators in Dubai’, James Abbott has experience in investigations and relevant arbitrations, and Stephanie Melone has a broad investigations and compliance practice.

Greenberg Traurig Limited‘s investigations practice, described as having ‘genuine experts in their field’, acts as Middle Eastern counsel on white-collar and compliance matters, as well as on complex cross-jurisdictional criminal proceedings in finance and cryptocurrency. Recent highlights include advising on corporate governance updates, sanctions compliance, and global enforcement matters. Formerly of Al Tamimi & Company, Practice head Benjamin Jones is a ‘go-to for any compliance related matters’ and Florence Jerome-Ball brings ‘technical expertise and precision’ to cases.

International sanctions are a key focus of Reed Smith’s compliance and investigations practice, which offers a highly specialised range of capabilities in this area. The team is particularly active in sanctions disputes for clients in transportation, including delisting applications and related criminal proceedings, and also advises on business dealings with sanctioned entities and in sanctioned jurisdictions. James Willn is ‘a guru when it comes to sanctions’ and he is assisted on a range of mandates by Finlay Donaldson.