Partner

John O'Connor

Partner

Languages

English

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John O'Connor is a partner and head of our Corporate and Commercial Practice in Dubai where he has been practicing since 2012. His expertise covers all manner of corporate and commercial transactions, including domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures, capital raising, franchise and distribution structures, agency arrangements, restructurings and reorganisations. He has particular expertise in the hospitality, health care, 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

"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 Investments on their acquisition of a majority interest in Abu Dhabi Business Hub valued at over AED500m.
e& (Etisalat) Group on the restructuring and carve out of their enterprise digital division.
Aldar Properties on their joint venture with Dubai Holding for the development of three new residential communities in Dubai.
Transguard on the buyout of Network International from their UAE cash handling business.
Weir Group on the disposal of their Middle Eastern oil & gas business covering UAE, KSA and Oman and on their acquisition of Motion Metrics, and AI-driving business in the mining sector.
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.
A UAE family office on various acquisitions, including automotive franchise businesses in the UAE and UK, two office blocks and a Middle Eastern autotech business.
A European packaging and manufacturing business on its $100m buyout of their joint venture partner from their operations in the UAE and KSA.
Hambro Perks Ventures Limited on various regional venture capital investments.
A Chinese Sovereign Wealth Fund on a $500m auction bid for various infrastructure assets in Dubai, UAE.
Savills on its acquisition of Cluttons Middle East.
The Sellers on an auction sale of an offshore accommodation service vessel group based out of Dubai for in excess of $300m.
An Abu Dhabi-based State Owned Enterprise on its joint venture with an Israeli Water Tech Company – one of the first transactions after the Abraham Accords.

Education

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

John O'Connor is a partner and head of our Corporate and Commercial Practice in Dubai where he has been practicing since 2012.

His expertise covers all manner of corporate and commercial transactions, including domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures, capital raising, franchise and distribution structures, agency arrangements, restructurings and reorganisations.
John has a particular area of expertise in the hotels & leisure sector where he has typically advises hotel owners, operators and investors on all manner of development, restructuring, rebranding and M&A transactions.

Relevant experience

Aldar on the development of the Nobu Hotel, Restaurant and Residences, Abu Dhabi.
A “Big 4” operator on certain branded residences developments in the Middle East.
Corinthia on the hotel management agreement and technical services agreement for a 5* hotel and residences in Dubai, Riyadh, Maldives, Moscow and Doha.
Marjan Island on the development of the Barcelo Marjan Island all-inclusive resort, Marjan Island, UAE.
UAE Family Office on the development of their Studio M Hotel with Millennium & Copthorne under a “manchise” structure.
A UAE Sovereign Wealth Fund on the restructuring and renegotiation of four management agreement with Radisson and their joint venture with a global white label operator in the UAE.
Dogus Holding on their acquisition of a majority shareholding in Zuma.
The purchaser on its acquisition of the La Petit Maison restaurant chain.
Time Out Market on the development of its markets in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Bahrain.
A major Abu Dhabi Real Estate Developer on the sale of a 5* hotel, resort and marina.
The owners on the development of Avani Marjan Island Resort, Ras Al Khaimah.
Premedion, a German Wellness Resort Operator on the development of a 54 key wellness resort in the UAE.
Owner of a high-profile tower in Dubai Marina on the development of a Millennium & Copthorne hotel and residences.
Mint Leaf of London on various corporate and financing arrangements for their restaurant in DIFC, Dubai.
UAE Real Estate developer on the structuring and funding of the “Marina Gate” project – a three tower mixed use development in central Dubai Marina, part of which is now managed under Jumeirah Living Marina Gate.

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

Insights

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John O'Connor

Partner

Languages

Social media

Relevant experience

Education

Relevant experience

Education

Practice Areas

sectors

Insights by John

Navigating M&A deals through a tariff storm

Dubai's Game-Changer: New Executive Council Resolution Unlocks Mainland...

CMS Middle East M&A Report 2024/25

Amendments to the UAE Economic Substance Regulations