Partner

John O'Connor

Languages

English

Social media

John O'Connor is a partner in our Corporate M&A Practice in the UAE where he has been practicing since 2012. His expertise covers domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures, capital raising, franchise and distribution structures, restructurings and reorganisations. He has particular expertise in the corporate real estate, hospitality, industrial, technology and energy sectors.

John co-authored the UAE chapter of Hewitt on Joint Ventures (Sweet & Maxwell 6th & 7th Ed.) and has been published in The Oath, Asian MENA Counsel magazine, Practical Law Company, www.law.com, www.inhousecommunity.com and various other media in relation to corporate and commercial activity in the Middle East.

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

Quote

"Humility. Always looking for the best solution. Relationship management John O'Connor is an exceptional stand out."

Legal 500, 2026
Quote

"John O’Connor is always available, gives good practical advice, takes the problem away and deals with it."

Legal 500
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"High quality of legal work provided, good understanding of clients’ problems, very supportive."

IFLR1000

Relevant experience

Aldar on the AED 38bn expansion of their strategic joint venture with Dubai Holding for the development of master communities across the Emirate of Dubai.
Aldar Properties on their acquisition of London Square Development for £230m.
Athenaeum Partners on its acquisition of Johnsons Cars, one of the UK’s largest automotive distribution platforms.
Graff Diamonds on the acquisition of its franchised retail operations in Dubai from Damas Jewellers.
Al Ghandi Group on its acquisition of a portfolio of automotive distribution centres in the United Kingdom, supporting the client’s entry into the UK market.
Palantir International on its joint venture with Dubai Holding to launch “Aither”, a platform aimed at commercialising two of Palantir’s AI-powered technologies for deployment across large, primarily government-linked organisations in the UAE.
A premium UK-based Education Group on their acquisition of various schools across the GCC, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
A Global Technology business on the disposal of their payments processing business in the Middle East covering nine jurisdictions.e& (Etisalat) Group on the restructuring and carve out of their e& Enterprise Digital business.
A GCC Government on a multi-billion dollar G2G joint venture with an Asian Government, for the structuring, development and implementation of a new $24bn smart city development.
A listed German conglomerate on its €120m acquisition of a UAE-based packaging and distribution business with operations across 20 countries in the region.

Education

2005 - LPC, Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, Oxford, UK
2004 - European Comparative and International Law, LLB, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

Quote

"Humility. Always looking for the best solution. Relationship management John O'Connor is an exceptional stand out."

Legal 500, 2026

Relevant experience

Aldar on the development of the Nobu Hotel, Restaurant and Residences, Abu Dhabi, sale of Westin Golf Club and Hotel and acquisition of Nurai Island.
Aldar on Project Leicester, Project Aurora 1.0, Project Aurora 2.0, Project Athena, Project Knight and many other transactions.
Dubai SWF on its investment into a white label hotel operator and restructuring 11 of its existing hotels in Dubai to become managed by the white label operator’s new Dubai platform.
Rosewood on the development of various hotels and branded residences in the GCC.
Sellers on the disposal of a 5* Voco hotel and branded residences in Dubai to a PE Fund.
A “Big 4” operator on certain branded residences developments in the Middle East.
Corinthia on the development of eight hotels and residences across the Middle East, Asia and Caribbean, and its acquisition of a hotel in Turks & Caicos.
Marjan Island LLC On the HMA, TSA and Licence Agreement for the development of the Barcelo 5* All Inclusive Resort, Al Marjan Island.
The Westin Abu Dhabi advised Aldar on the sale of the business and assets of The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa and Abu Dhabi Golf Club to Old County Properties (a subsidiary of Ascorp Holdings) for up to AED180million.

Education

2005 - LPC, Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, Oxford, UK
2004 - European Comparative and International Law, LLB, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

Practice Areas

Corporate Commercial Corporate Crime, Compliance & Forensics

sectors

Hospitality, Travel & Leisure Communications Private Equity Consumer Products Life Sciences & Healthcare TMT - Technology, Media & Telecommunications

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John O'Connor

Languages

Social media

Relevant experience

Education

Relevant experience

Education

Practice Areas

sectors

Insights by John

CMS advises Aldar on AED 38bn expansion of strategic joint venture with Dubai Holding

UAE updates the Federal Commercial Companies Law - a deep dive into what's changed

Navigating M&A deals through a tariff storm

Dubai's Game-Changer: New Executive Council Resolution Unlocks Mainland Access for Free Zone Companies