King & Spalding expands ME M&A and Energy practices with new partners

King & Spalding has further expanded its Middle East M&A and energy industry capabilities with the addition of partners Simon Fraser and Matt Hartsuyker to its Corporate, Finance and Investments (CFI) practice group in Abu Dhabi.

Fraser and Hartsuyker are M&A lawyers who handle sophisticated regional and international transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, strategic investments, joint ventures and corporate restructuring activities around the world. They have considerable experience with M&A and transactions in the resources, energy and infrastructure space.

“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,” said Todd Holleman, head of the CFI practice group. “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.

Fraser and Hartsuyker are the latest additions to King & Spalding’s CFI team in the Middle East this year. In early 2023, the firm hired projects partners Dan Feldman and Brendan Hundt, who were both previously at Shearman & Sterling. In August, finance counsel Dounia Mansour joined the firm from Dechert. Real estate partner Malek Al Rifai joined the firm in November.  In addition, energy M&A partner Martin Hunt relocated to Riyadh from London earlier this year.

“Simon and Matt are outstanding additions to the team, providing added depth to our transactional capabilities in the Middle East,” added Nabil Issa, Middle East Managing Partner of King & Spalding. “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.”