Serves as co-partner in charge of the Abu Dhabi office and leads Akin’s mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and corporate law practices in the Middle East.
Represents public and private clients on domestic transactions, and outbound investments and opportunities across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa.
Advises on complex matters spanning investment management & private equity, media & entertainment, communications, intellectual property and emerging technologies, including cryptocurrency, blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI).
Also advises on infrastructure-related matters, including digital infrastructure, traditional energy, energy transition and new energy technologies.
Has been advising Middle Eastern clients since 2005 and is fluent in Arabic.

Wael serves as co-partner in charge of Akin’s Abu Dhabi office. He also leads the firm’s M&A and corporate law practices in the Middle East. Wael’s practice encompasses the full spectrum of domestic and cross-border transactions, including private M&A, public M&A, joint ventures (JVs), private equity, co-investment deals and fund-of-one structures.

Wael has a global practice advising on domestic and outbound investments across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. He has represented government and private clients on matters involving investment management & private equity, financial services, energy & infrastructure, communications, intellectual property, media & entertainment and hospitality.

Wael is also highly regarded for his cutting-edge practice representing corporate and funds clients pursuing opportunities in the technology sector. Clients rely on Wael to provide advice on strategic capital investments and transactions involving digital infrastructure and emerging technologies, such as cryptocurrency, blockchain and AI.

Since 2005, Wael has been based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he leverages his fluency in Arabic and deep understanding of the region to assist a wide range of sovereign and private clients, including many of the Middle East’s top sovereign wealth funds.

Wael is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers, The Legal 500 and others. His clients consistently commend his strategic insight, deep industry knowledge and ability to deliver practical solutions in difficult legal matters.

Representative Work

Advised a Saudi sovereign wealth fund on its US$1.3 billion acquisition of minority stakes in four Egyptian companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (eFinance, Abu Qir Fertilizers and Chemical Industries Company, Misr Fertilizer Production Company (MOPCO) and Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company).
Represented Russia’s leading oil company in its acquisition of a 5% stake (valued over US$1 billion) in an ultra-sour gas concession from ADNOC, the UAE’s national oil company.
Represented an Abu Dhabi state-owned entity in its joint venture with the Phoenix Group to establish a US$2 billion crypto mining farm on Reem Island, the largest mining facility in the world.
Advised on licensing, operating and branding arrangements for various hospitality and location-based entertainment assets, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and the Yas Marina Circuit (including the annual Formula One Grand Prix).
Advised on the formation of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a joint venture established between an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund and Wizz Air Holdings plc, which operates Europe’s fastest growing airline.
Advised the largest drilling company in the Middle East on the establishment of Enersol, a strategic joint venture with Alpha Dhabi to invest up to US$1.5 billion in technology-enabled companies in the oilfield services and energy sectors.

Advising a Saudi sovereign wealth fund on multiple acquisitions in Egypt, including a significant minority position in BTECH, one of Egypt’s largest importers and distributors of electronics, appliances and other household goods.
Advised Olin Corporation on its global joint venture with Mitsui & Co., Ltd., known as the Blue Water Alliance, which aims to optimize procurement, sales and logistics operations in the chlor-alkali industry and to accelerate industrial efforts for decarbonization.
Advised Abu Dhabi investment vehicle CYVN Holdings on its US$2.2 billion investment in New York Stock Exchange-listed Chinese electric vehicle maker NIO Inc.
Advised a UAE sovereign wealth fund on the development and implementation of its data and AI program, including the drafting of key legal and operational documents and negotiating with internal stakeholders, external service providers and portfolio companies.

"Wael Jabsheh is one of the outstanding lawyers in the region. Thoroughness and proficiency on all types of corporate, commercials and M&A issues."

Legal 500 EMEA, 2022