Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP

Eversheds Sutherland recognizes the increasing global importance of Islamic finance and is dedicated to serving financial institutions and corporations operating in this sector. Our international Islamic Finance team provides advice to financiers and their customers on a range of sharia-compliant products and transactions. Wherever you operate, we are on hand to meet your needs.

Experienced Islamic Finance lawyers

We have experience across the full spectrum of Islamic finance and regularly work with leading institutions to develop innovative sharia-compliant products. Our practices cover Europe, the Middle East, North America and the Far East, through our offices in London, Dubai, Qatar, New York and Hong Kong. The international nature of our work allows us to pass on best practices to our team around the world. Our lawyers speak a variety of languages, including Arabic, French, German, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Persian and Malay.

Our recent experience includes advising:

• DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, QInvest and QNB Capital on the establishment of Ooredoo’s sharia-compliant $2m sukuk program, including the issue of $1.25m in certificates
• Al Baraka Bank Turkey on its issuance of $200 million sukuk al murabaha, which qualified as Tier II capital, according to the Turkish Central Bank’s guidelines on capital adequacy (following Basel II)
• Majid Al Futtaim on the update of its medium-term note and sukuk issuance programs, the listing of the programs in Ireland and Dubai and the subsequent drawdowns
• Qatar Islamic Bank on QAR546,150,000 commodity murabaha financing
• Gatehouse Bank plc on a £11,700,000 murabaha financing of a residential development in London
• Gatehouse Bank plc on a £22,500,000 murabaha financing of a hotel in London
• Qatar National Bank on initial development finance for the Shard development and LBQ Limited on the subsequent development financing on the projects, redemption of a £500 million murabaha financing and £1.2 billion debt on the projects
• Qatar National Bank on the establishment of its first real estate investment fund investing in the European property market, including fund structuring, advising on sharia compliance issues and obtaining regulatory approval
• Qatar National Bank, Singapore, on commodity murabaha financings of various London properties
• Damac on its debut debt issuance of $650 million five-year Regulation S senior unsecured sukuk, including the listing of the certificates in Ireland and Dubai
• Türkiye Finans in respect of its inaugural $500 million sukuk issuance, which was the first non-pure ijara sukuk issued in Turkey
• Gatehouse Bank plc on a £22,500,000 murabaha financing of a hotel in London
• Lombard on $40 million and $50 million sharia-compliant jet financings
• a Middle East financier on a $20,000,000 wakala trade agency agreement
• a Middle East financier in relation to a $150,000,000 syndicated murabaha and mudaraba, led by the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, financing a regional sovereign entity
• a Middle East financier in relation to a $110,000,000 syndicated murabaha and mudaraba, led by the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
• a Middle East financier in relation to a master murabaha and mudaraba in respect of their ongoing relationship with Kuwait Turkish Participation Bank Inc

§  “Diversity at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP” to “Diversity at Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP”

§  “Diversity” section:

o   The firm’s emphasis on diversity is reflected in numerous ways throughout the firm, such as the manner in which we recruit lawyers and other employees, our work-life policies and our professional service efforts. We have been recognized for our achievements in diversity.  More importantly, we understand the significant role a diverse community plays in the firm's growth and development.

§  “Our Awards and Recognitions” section:

o   Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP continues to be recognized for its efforts to promote diversity in the workplace and in the legal profession. In 2016 we were named a “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality,” having earned a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, and we also were ranked a Top 100 Firm for Minority Attorneys by Law360. In addition, the firm was awarded the Gold Standard Certification for the fifth consecutive year by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum.

§  “Our Commitment” section:

o   Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is committed to promoting diversity within the firm and in the legal profession.  We believe that diverse skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger, more productive law firm.  We hire and promote qualified lawyers and other professionals regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.  We understand that diversity enhances our value to clients by allowing us to staff our client teams with professionals who possess broad experiences and a spectrum of perspectives.

o   Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP has a cross-office Diversity Committee with responsibility for supporting and enhancing our firm culture.  Our committee has helped coordinate and lead a number of efforts to advance diversity within our firm and the community. Affinity groups at the firm serve as support networks for attorneys of color; women lawyers; and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender attorneys.

o   We are committed to working with our clients as they pursue the common goal of a professional workplace where opportunity is available to all.