We have worked on some of the most complex mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and corporate reorganisations in the Middle East and Pakistan.

With clients operating in a multitude of industries, jurisdictions and business sectors, our lawyers have ranked as top advisors in handling the highest number and dollar volume of deals.

We have developed expertise in the energy, banking and finance, pharmaceutical and telecom sectors and our lawyers are dedicated to performing innovative and groundbreaking work.

Acting for large corporations, investment funds, institutional investors, family business groups, investment banks and private equity firms as well as boards, management and shareholder groups, our services cover the full spectrum of negotiated and contested mergers and acquisitions. We have a strong record advising on takeover bids and shareholder contests and use our corporate and litigation lawyers to advise senior management, owners and boards of directors.

Our approach is to work closely from the outset with all parties to move deals forward. As the complex nature of mergers and acquisitions requires a multidisciplinary mindset, we often assemble a supporting team of tax, competition, real estate, intellectual property and employment lawyers to advise on the various aspects of the transaction.

  • Acquisitions
  • Asset purchases
  • Carve-outs
  • Corporate finance
  • Divestitures
  • Entry and exit deals
  • Escrow arrangements
  • Exchangeable share transactions
  • Joint ventures
  • Leveraged and management buy-outs and buy-ins
  • Mergers
  • Private equity
  • Schemes of arrangement
  • Share purchases
  • Spin-outs

  • Agility Logistics and France Telecom (joint venture): purchase of shares in Korek Telecom Iraq, including the establishment of the investment holding structure in the DIFC (pre RIAA Barker Gillette).
  • Al Mulla Group: acquisition of ‘The Holiday Inn Express’ chain in Dubai from Dubai International Capital and Ishraq Holdings (pre RIAA Barker Gillette).
  • Alcazar Capital Limited: corporate restructuring (pre RIAA Barker Gillette).
  • Emirates Financial Services/Emirates NBD Capital: development and private placement of a school project in Dubai (pre RIAA Barker Gillette).
  • Start Consult and Crystal Foods Limited: acquisition of shares in Dofreeze LLC (pre RIAA Barker Gillette).
  • The Carlyle Group: restructuring and disposal of shares in General Lighting Company, Saudi Arabia (pre RIAA Barker Gillette).
  • The Carlyle Group: UAE aspects of Carlyle’s investment in Alamar Foods, Saudi Arabia, including restructuring and disposal (pre RIAA Barker Gillette).
  • The Catalyst Group: USD 150m acquisition of F&B sector entity in the GCC.
  • Tricap Investments: a number of investments and acquisitions in the GCC, Far East and Africa.

Key contacts

Ahsan Zahir Rizvi

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Hasan Anwar Rizvi

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What clients say...

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“Large and well-reputed practice”

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

“RIAA’s banking and finance department is noted for its ‘vast experience’ and ‘strong track record’”

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

“Our relationship with the firm started 20 years ago and we have never looked back.”

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

“They really take the time to listen to the case.”

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

“I only use RIAA and no other firm in Pakistan – I have the utmost regard for them.”

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

“’Strong’ litigation department”.

The Legal 500: Asia Pacific 2015

“’Renowned’ corporate practice”

Tier 1: IFLR1000 2015

RIAA is ‘strong on telecoms-related work’, and has acted on for a number of high-profile clients in this sector.

Legal 500: 2015

RIAA’s ‘experienced’ tax department is praised as ‘top notch’. It is advising several multinational corporate clients on tax structuring to minimise fiscal exposure in Pakistan. Ahsan Rizvi leads on tax mandates.

Legal 500: 2015

RIAA’s ‘exceptionally good’ practice is ‘always available’ and ‘has excellent knowledge of the energy sector’.

Legal 500: 2015

Ahsan Rizvi (a former director of the Karachi Stock Exchange) is recommended for capital markets work.

Legal 500: 2015

…banking and finance department is noted for its ‘vast experience’ and ‘strong track record’ on project finance.

Legal 500: 2015

"We have a very positive relationship with them. They are proactive, down-to-earth, thorough and extremely knowledgeable when finding solutions."

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

"I have the utmost regard for the firm; they are first class."

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

"RIAA has vast experience of the power sector, and always provide alternative solutions to problems - they really take ownership of the projects they are working on."

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

What the RIAA team is known for: Active on a wide range of conventional and renewable projects, including notable activity on the conversion of power plants to coal.

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

What the RIAA team is known for: Offers high levels of expertise in the power sector, advising the sponsors on development, financing and regulatory issues.

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

Ahsan Zahir Rizvi keeps things on an even keel and so people trust him, even those on the other side."

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

Sources highlight Ahsan Zahir Rizvi’s strong negotiation capabilities, with one noting: "He can see the other side's perspective, that is his greatest strength.

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

Ahsan Zahir Rizvi is held in high regard for his depth of expertise in the power sector.

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

Ahsan Zahir Rizvi is also praised for "his precision in giving advice. He is very to the point."

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

Senior partner Ahsan Zahir Rizvi is one of Pakistan's most highly reputed transactional lawyers: "He is one of the most individually outstanding people, both from a commercial point of view and a legal point of view."

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

"RIAA has a very strong reputation for handling commercial and corporate matters."

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

"They have been absolutely outstanding. I don't think there is a team more dedicated."

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

Excellent bench of practitioners with a full-service corporate offering. Often mandated on big-ticket M&A deals, particularly for corporations in the energy and power sectors.

Chambers: Asia Pacific 2015

RIAA Barker Gillette provides notable expertise across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious banking matters, and counts numerous financial institutions among its clients. On the borrower side, the team has experience representing companies in the power, energy and transport sectors.

Legal 500: 2016

The firm has an active transactional practice and is instructed by clients across the energy, telecoms, financial services and construction sectors. Complementary expertise in tax, employment and competition benefits a practice covering mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, joint ventures and privatisations.

Legal 500: 2016

RIAA Barker Gillette’s disputes department handles cases spanning constitutional, employment, trade mark, energy and family law.

Legal 500: 2016

RIAA Barker Gillette maintains an active energy practice, where it advises clients on compliance and liability under environmental law, and assists with licensing and regulatory approvals.

Legal 500: 2016

RIAA Barker Gillette receives instructions from insurance company clients in relation to both contentious and non-contentious matters. Past work includes handling corporate transactions and international arbitrations.

Legal 500: 2016

RIAA Barker Gillette advises on corporate and commercial agreements relating to power, water and construction projects, and is becoming increasingly involved in matters concerning wind and other renewables.

Legal 500: 2016

RIAA Barker Gillette’s longstanding experience in the construction sector, with past work including the construction and development of hospitals and various power and infrastructure projects. Acquisitions, sales, transfers and property leasing are other mainstays, as is project finance…

Legal 500: 2016

In the media space, the team has experience in licensing, and advises radio, television and print clients on operational matters.

Legal 500: 2016

Telecoms is an area of strength at RIAA Barker Gillette, with the team providing expertise in corporate, commercial and regulatory matters.

Legal 500: 2016

RIAA Barker Gillette advises multinational corporate clients on tax structuring and restructuring. It is also active in tax litigation and appeals before the High Court.

Legal 500: 2016

RIAA Barker Gillette…"It is a powerhouse."

Chambers Guide: Asia-Pacific 2016

Renowned for his expertise in the power sector, peers highlight Ahsan Zahir Rizvi as "one of the most experienced projects lawyers in Pakistan."

Chambers: Global Guide 2016

Ahsan Zahir Rizvi continues to be revered by market commentators, who single him out for his "sharp legal mind."

Chambers: Global Guide 2016

Hasan Anwar Rizvi is “technically assured and resourceful” and with "good local market knowledge".

Legal 500: 2015

"Clients enjoy working with Hasan Anwar Rizvi... He wins praise from sources for being 'extremely responsive, commercially practical and incredibly diligent'".

Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business: 2014

Ahsan Zahir Rizvi is singled out by clients for the depth of his transactional experience and for "bringing a colour and vibrancy to the table."

Chambers: Global Guide 2016

Sources describe Ahsan Zahir Rizvi as "an exceptional practitioner" and "a backbone of the firm."

Chambers: Global Guide 2016

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