Profilo
Chris Lester is Greenberg Traurig’s Co-Managing Shareholder of the Abu Dhabi office. Chris focuses on inbound and outbound mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, investments and corporate restructurings. His practice spans multiple industries including AI and digital infrastructure, technology, life sciences and healthcare and banking and financial services.
Chris has more than 17 years of experience of living and working full-time in the Middle East and more than 25 years of professional experience across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Chris’ clients include Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds and government related entities and global and regional private equity firms.
Competenze
Esperienze Professionali - Attività Accademiche
- Represented Mubadala on multiple investments, acquisitions and public offerings, including the merger of EMAL and Dubal to form EGA, the IPO of Global Foundries and multiple investments into India, Europe and the United States and the UAE.°
- Represented MGX on multiple investments and acquisitions including its investment in Khazna Data Centres.°
- Represented M42 on multiple health care joint ventures in the Middle East.°
- Represented ADNOC on its acquisition of a minority stake in Presight in exchange for a minority stake in AIQ.°
- Represented Dubai Holding on its acquisition of a minority stake in Azadea and its acquisition of the Westin Hotel, Paris.°
- Represented Rakiza on acquisitions of minority stakes in an Omani ports company and an Omani telecommunications company.°
- Represented Silver Lake on multiple investments in G42 and its investment in Khazna Data Centres.°
- Represented General Atlantic on its investment in Eyewa and other investments in the UAE.°
- Represented Levant Capital on its acquisition of a minority stake in Warehouse Gyms and other investments in the Middle East.°
- Represented Aliph Capital on its acquisition of a minority stake in Sanipex and other investments in the Middle East.°
- Represented PJT Partners on its acquisition of de Novo, a boutique investment bank based in the Middle East.°
- Represented the shareholders of OCTAL, a major global producer of PET sheet based in Oman with operations in the UAE, KSA, and the United States, on the sale of OCTAL to Alpek.°
- Represented Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) on the merger of the agri-nutrients businesses of SABIC and Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company (SAFCO).°
- Represented a major financial institution on the three-way merger of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, United National Bank, and Al Hilal Bank.°
- Represented Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank on the acquisition of Barclays’ UAE retail banking business.°
- Represented the Government of Dubai on the restructuring of Dubai World.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Lester prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Riconoscimenti e Premi
- Listed, Chambers Global Guide,
- Corporate/M&A: Dubai-Based, 5 years ranked
- Corporate/M&A: Middle East-Wide, 1 year ranked
Formazione
- LL.B., Monash University
- B.Ec., Monash University
- Regno Unito
- Dubai Legal Consultant