King & Spalding Expands Middle East M&A and Energy Practices with Addition of Partners

King & Spalding Expands Middle East M&A and Energy Practices with Addition of Partners

King & Spalding has strengthened its expertise in Middle East M&A and the energy sector by welcoming partners Simon Fraser and Matt Hartsuyker to its Corporate, Finance, and Investments (CFI) practice group in Abu Dhabi. They are seasoned M&A lawyers and specialize in handling complex regional and global transactions, encompassing acquisitions, divestitures, strategic investments, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring across various industries, particularly in resources, energy, and infrastructure.

Todd Holleman, head of the CFI practice group said, “Simon and Matt bring an excellent reputation and track record in the Middle East market along with impressive cross-border M&A capabilities that complement many of our practices very well – including our energy practice, an area where they have significant experience. In Simon and Matt, we are adding two partners who have extensive experience navigating and closing the kinds of complex, high-value transactions that advance our clients’ business strategies. They will help propel the continued growth of our corporate practice in the region.”

Fraser has more than 25 years’ experience advising clients on transactions around the globe from London, New York, Australia, Asia and the Middle East. He was most recently a partner at Ashurst, where he led the Corporate and Oil & Gas teams in the Middle East. He is listed in Legal 500’s “Hall of Fame” for Oil, Gas and Natural Resources UAE and ranked in Chambers Global for Corporate/M&A (Abu Dhabi), Corporate/M&A (Kuwait) and Projects & Energy (Kuwait).

Hartsuyker, also previously at Ashurst, has over 10 years’ experience advising on major international transactions in the Middle East, Asia and Asia Pacific. His practice spans various sectors, with a particular focus on energy, resources and infrastructure.

Nabil Issa, Middle East Managing Partner of King & Spalding added, “Simon and Matt are outstanding additions to the team, providing added depth to our transactional capabilities in the Middle East. We are in growth mode across the region – in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and our new Riyadh office – so are proud we have recently recruited additional senior lawyers who are attracted to our culture of excellence and collegiality and who further complement our existing team and help drive forward our commitment to our clients and this region.”

“While King & Spalding has a long and successful history in the Middle East, stretching back decades, I have been impressed by the ambition and enthusiasm of the firm to evolve with and continue to invest in the market,” Fraser added. “The firm’s energy, uncompromising focus on client service and forward-facing approach, alongside the exciting regional developments such as the recent COP 28 summit in Dubai and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, make King & Spalding incredibly attractive for Matt and me. It is great to be part of the growth story.”