Chris Lester is a corporate partner based in the Dubai office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Lester specializes in public and private mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and restructurings.
Christopher Lester
Partner
Profile
Experience
Mr. Lester's representative transactions include advising:
- OCTAL, a major global producer of PET sheet based in Oman with operations in the UAE, KSA, and the US, on its US$620 million sale to Alpek, S.A.B. de C.V. (Alpek)
- Funds managed by Silver Lake Partners, a global private equity firm focused on investments in technology, technology-enabled, and related industries, on their minority investment in G42, an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing company
- SIG Combibloc, a Swiss listed leading systems and solutions provider for aseptic carton packaging company, on its acquisition of the 50% stake in its Middle East joint venture SIG Combibloc Obeikan held by the Obeikan Group
- Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) on the merger of the agri-nutrients businesses of SABIC and Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company (SAFCO)
- J.P. Morgan on the three-way merger of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, United National Bank, and Al Hilal Bank
-
Mubadala Healthcare and China UAE Fund on the acquisition of Amana Healthcare
Dubai Holding on the acquisition of a significant minority stake in Azadea - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank on the acquisition of Barclays’ UAE retail banking business
- Mubadala on the US$15 billion merger of EMAL and DUBAL to form Emirates Global Aluminium
- Mubadala on mining investments in the Republic of Guinea
- Oldendorff on the acquisition and disposal of shipping assets
- Government of Dubai on the restructuring of Dubai World
Qualifications
Bar Qualification
- England and Wales (Solicitor)
Education
- LLB, Monash University
- B. Ec., Monash University
News & Insights
March 2, 2023
Our Work
Multi-office team represents the global multi-energy company in the transaction.
July 28, 2020
Client Alert
The DIFC Prescribed Company: A Guide to Uses and Requirements
The Prescribed Company Regulations offer a more flexible incorporation and permitted purposes regime than its predecessor, the Special Purpose Company Regulations.
July 15, 2019
Client Alert
Update on the UAE Foreign Direct Investment Law: Part 1
UAE Federal Cabinet approves Positive List of activities eligible for up to 100% foreign ownership.