IFLR1000 Reviews

Financial and corporate

GLA & Company is a regional MENA-based law firm with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Kuwait, Cairo and Beirut and is led by managing partner Alex Saleh.  In the State of Kuwait, GLA & Co operates under Gulf Lawyers & Legal Advisors Company, W.L.L., a Kuwaiti professional limited liability company with full rights of audience in all Kuwaiti courts. In financial and corporate work, the firm focused on acquisitions and financing for a wide variety of clients including many from the banking sector whilst in projects the firm works on both energy and infrastructure projects. 

 

Highlights  

GLA & Co. acted as local counsel to Zain Group in its acquisition of a 70% stake in IHS Kuwait Limited from IHS Holding Limited, bringing Zain’s total ownership to 100%. The team was led by Rana El Nahal and advised on all local law matters, including legal due diligence, transaction structuring, regulatory approvals, and negotiation of the share purchase agreement. The transaction closed in November 2025.  

The firm also advised EnerTech in relation to Project GEO, an integrated green hydrogen project. The team, led by Alex Saleh, served as lead counsel and handled the negotiation and finalization of the term sheet agreement with consortium partners. Phase two of the project was completed in September 2024 and phase three is currently ongoing.  

Partner Ashraf Hendi joined the Banking & Finance team from Matouk Bassiouny in October 2024 and partner Rana El Nahal joined the Corporate M&A team from Zulficar & Partners in November 2024.  

Partner Yousef Al Amly moved to Norton Rose in August 2024.  

 

Key Clients  

ACWA Power Company; Cognita Middle East Holdings Limited; Al Ansari Financial Exchange; Zain Group; ICBC – Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; National Company for Education Services and Training (NEST); National Technology Enterprises Company (NTEC); Enertech; Hayat Communication 

 

Testimonials 2024-2025  

GLA & Company combined strong knowledge of Kuwait Law with international finance standards, offering clear and practical advice that balanced legal risk with business needs. Their responsiveness, bilingual capability, and familiarity with Kuwait requirements and market practice made the process efficient and effective. (Banking & Finance) 

Overall, I believe GLA's depth of legal expertise, tailored approach, technical legal excellence, client-centric service, and strong industry reputation make them an ideal partner for this type of legal engagement.” (Project Development  

"I am confident in their ability to provide high-quality legal counsel and support us in achieving our goals. (Project Development) 

Alex Saleh is highly respected in Kuwait for his deep expertise in banking and finance. He is known for his impactful role in shaping the framework of financial institutions and for guiding complex transactions with clarity and commercial insight. His combination of local regulatory knowledge and international market practice makes him a trusted advisor on high-profile matters. (Banking & Finance) 

Mohammed Al Awadhi is highly effective at breaking down complex issues and tailoring his advice to our commercial needs. He is responsive, clear in his guidance, and combines local knowledge with an understanding of international market practice, which makes his input both reliable and practical for our transactions.” (Banking & Finance) 

"Nader Al-Awadhi stands out for his depth of legal expertise, strategic thinking, effective advocacy skills, client-centric service approach, and technical legal excellence. These qualities make him a valuable asset to his clients. (Project Development)