Clifford Chance Expands Middle East Practice With Appointment Of Antitrust Counsel Sabra Ferhat

Clifford Chance Expands Middle East Practice With Appointment Of Antitrust Counsel Sabra Ferhat

Clifford Chance has bolstered its Middle East Practice with the Appointment of Sabra Ferhat as its first dedicated Antitrust Counsel Based in the UAE. Sabra, who relocates from the firm’s London office, brings extensive experience in international antitrust matters across sectors including technology, telecoms, energy, consumer goods, insurance, and banking.

Sabra’s recent work includes advising Nationwide Building Society on the antitrust aspects of its £2.9 billion acquisition of Virgin Money UK plc, marking the largest UK banking deal since the 2008 financial crisis. She also provided counsel to Coca-Cola on its acquisition of Costa Coffee and to a consortium of KIRKBI, Blackstone, and CPPIB on the £4.77 billion take-private of Merlin Entertainments plc. Additionally, Sabra has worked with clients in the UAE and broader Middle East, such as DP World on several global acquisitions.

"We are delighted to welcome Sabra to the region," says Mohammed Al-Shukairy, Clifford Chance's Regional Managing Partner. "Her move will build upon our regional Antitrust practice in Saudi Arabia, as well as complement our broader corporate offering in the Middle East and Türkiye at an important point in the development of merger control regimes as well as added regulatory scrutiny by regulators worldwide, including in the region."

Marc Besen, Partner and Chair of Clifford Chance's Global Antitrust Group, adds: "Sabra's appointment is testament to our commitment to meeting the complex antitrust and competition needs of our clients globally. Her deep expertise is set to further bolster our Middle East and global Antitrust team's capacity to guide clients through the intricate and rapidly evolving landscape of competition as well as associated regulations."

Sabra says: "I am delighted at this opportunity to contribute to such a dynamic regional team and to advise on cutting-edge competition law matters. As the Middle East is experiencing unprecedented growth and expansion, the need for robust antitrust advice is crucial for both local and international clients navigating complex regulatory landscapes worldwide and in the region. I look forward to expanding our team while continuing working closely with my colleague Counsel Selman Ansari in Saudi Arabia and the antitrust global network to deliver strategic, forward-thinking solutions that will help our clients thrive in this evolving regulatory environment."

Before joining Clifford Chance in 2018, Sabra served as in-house competition counsel at British broadcaster Sky and previously practiced in Brussels. She is a dual-qualified lawyer (France and UK) and is fluent in French, English, and German.