Hadef & Partners
Overview
Hadef & Partners is a long-established, full-service UAE law firm founded in 1980 that focuses exclusively on the UAE market from offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The firm emphasises deep local and governmental relationships, having advised on landmark projects, drafted major federal laws and acted for government entities as well as regional and international corporates. Its strengths include infrastructure/project finance, dispute resolution and capital markets work, and it positions itself as a trusted adviser for complex, high-value transactions and litigation in the UAE.
- Headquarters: Abu Dhabi
- Founded: 1980
- Lawyers: 120+
- Offices: 2
Values & Culture
Practice Areas
- International Arbitration
- Banking & Finance
- Capital Markets
- Commercial Contracts
- Corporate & M&A
- Data Protection & Privacy
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Employment
- Immigration
- Construction & Engineering
- Intellectual Property
- Private Client & Wealth
- Real Estate
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Tax
- Technology & Digital
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Infrastructure & Projects
- Insolvency & Restructuring
- Insurance & Reinsurance
- Shipping & Maritime
- Transport & Logistics
- Financial Services & Regulation
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Retail & Consumer
- Media & Entertainment
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
Geographic Focus: Hadef & Partners concentrates on the UAE market, operating from Abu Dhabi and Dubai and deliberately maintaining an on‑the‑ground UAE-only office footprint. The firm nevertheless accepts cross‑border and regional mandates by teaming with local counsel and international firms where required, offering UAE-centric advice to clients operating across the Middle East and beyond.
Training Contract
Mentorship
The firm highlights mentoring, supportive supervision and cross‑department exposure; trainee testimonials reference mentoring and development during rotations and the firm emphasises empowerment to own one’s career.
Notable Matters
Acted on the incorporation of Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC and the preparation/offer of its shares to the public, described by the firm as the first ever initial public offering in the UAE. The matter is presented as one of the firm’s early, market‑defining capital markets engagements.
Capital Markets
Advised on the establishment of the first Islamic bank in the UAE via a public offering, a precedent-setting financial services transaction for the jurisdiction.
Financial Services & Regulation
Acted on the first Independent Water and Power Plant in Fujairah (F1) for sponsors, a major project‑finance and infrastructure matter involving complex registration of security and interfacing with local authorities; the project is one of the largest hybrid desalination plants in the world and set a template for subsequent IWPPs.
Infrastructure & Projects
Acted for the Government of Abu Dhabi on the reclassification of Saadiyat Island and assisted in establishing Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and TDIC, supporting the legal framework for large cultural, hotel and residential developments including museum and university campuses.
Real Estate
Advised sponsors on an award‑winning refinancing of the Shuweihat 2 IWPP including repayment of debt and equity and a US$825 million bond issue under Rule 144A; the transaction was notable as the first Middle Eastern IWPP utility refinancing using bond markets.
Banking & Finance
Acted on drafting the UAE Space Law, described by the firm as the first law of its kind in the Middle East and a notable legislative contribution to UAE national policy.
Regulatory & Compliance
Acted as local UAE counsel to Fertiglobe in becoming the first free zone company to list onshore in the UAE, supporting a significant capital markets/listing milestone.
Capital Markets
Led the KBBO Group through a high-profile, precedent-setting restructuring in Abu Dhabi courts, demonstrating the firm's capability in complex insolvency and restructuring proceedings.
Insolvency & Restructuring
What Hadef & Partners Looks For
Key Competencies
- Commercial awareness
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Resilience and persistence
- Adaptability to change
- High standards of professional integrity
- Strong communication skills
- Sector or technical specialism where relevant (e.g., TMT, banking, projects)
Evidence Signals
- Relevant commercial work experience or internships in UAE/MENA or in-house roles
- Regulatory or government-facing experience (projects, drafting or compliance)
- Multilingual ability or experience working across jurisdictions
- Sector-specific knowledge (energy & infrastructure, banking, TMT, real estate)
- Contributions to research, publications or pro bono work demonstrating initiative and subject-matter interest
Benefits & Wellbeing
Awards & Recognition
- IFLR Middle East Award – National Firm of the Year: UAE Firm of the Year 2024
- IFLR Middle East Award – Deal of the Year: Restructuring 2024
- IFLR Middle East Award – Deal of the Year: Project Finance 2024
- IFLR Middle East Award – Deal of the Year: Impact Deal Award 2024
- Chambers Middle East Awards – Employment Team of the Year 2024
- The Oath Middle East Legal Awards – UAE Law Firm of the Year 2023
- In House Community – Most Responsive Law Firm of the Year 2023
- Chambers Middle East Awards – UAE Domestic Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2023 (winner)
- IFLR Middle East Award – Equity Deal of the Year 2022
- Chambers Middle East Awards – UAE Employment Law Firm of the Year 2022
- The Oath Middle East Legal Awards – Corporate Team of the Year 2016
- GAR100 Selected Firm (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- Asian MENA Counsel In‑house Survey – multiple category winners (2015–2017)
- The Middle East Legal Awards – Arbitration Team of the Year 2019
- IFLR Middle East Award – Domestic Deal of the Year 2017
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The firm states a firmwide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, a multicultural workforce speaking over 10 languages, and active leadership embedding DEI into daily practices. It highlights its role in training and capacity building through the Dubai CLPD Programme and publishes programme activity (events, networks) rather than numeric targets or external pledge memberships on the available pages.
- Hadef & Partners Women’s Network
- Diversity & Inclusion client networking series (launched with an International Women’s Day event)
- Environment, Social & Governance committee
- Participation in community volunteering and labour camp support programmes
- Involvement in Dubai Government Legal Affairs Department CLPD Programme (one of five firms selected to develop mandatory courses)
Pro Bono
Hadef & Partners engages in community volunteering and charitable partnerships across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, supports labour‑camp initiatives, takes part in community sporting events (including the Dubai Fitness Challenge) and encourages staff volunteering. The firm also contributes to legal training and public interest capacity building through the CLPD Programme.
Innovation
The firm actively publishes analysis and guidance on technology, AI, data protection and digital commerce (including the Digital Commerce Law and Child Digital Safety Law). Hadef & Partners combines its Data Protection and Commercial teams to advise on AI and platform architecture, demonstrating an advisory focus on legal/regulatory implications of new technology rather than naming internal legal‑tech platforms. Trainees and lawyers engage with innovation through client work on AI, digital platforms and regulatory change and via published insights and podcasts.
- Insight and thought leadership on AI, digital commerce and platform compliance (regular insights and podcasts)
- Cross-practice support for data protection, digital platform and AI regulatory advice
Quick Application Angles
- Highlight demonstrable UAE market knowledge or practical experience (e.g., project finance, ADGM/DIFC procedures or UAE onshore regulatory work) — the firm stresses local regulatory and governmental relationships.
- Reference the firm’s landmark work (Saadiyat Island, IWPP projects, Fertiglobe listing, KBBO restructuring) when explaining commercial impact you’ve followed or been involved in — this signals sector interest and commercial awareness.
- For TMT or data roles, discuss practical implications of UAE digital laws (Digital Commerce Law, PDPL, Child Digital Safety Law) or projects involving AI/data protection — the firm publishes detailed insights in these areas.
- Emphasise collaborative experience and examples of working across teams; the firm presents a close-knit, multidisciplinary culture and values people who can operate across practice areas.
- If applying for regulatory or government-facing roles, show understanding of the firm’s CLPD training involvement and examples of working with or advising public entities or regulators.
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