Major Appointment: Veteran Lawyer Rafe Khokhar Joins Mayer Brown

News Summary

Mayer Brown has appointed Rafe Khokhar as a Partner in its Dubai office, enhancing their capital markets expertise in the Middle East. Khokhar, a seasoned capital markets lawyer, brings extensive experience in various financial sectors, including Islamic finance and regulatory capital instruments. His involvement in pioneering blockchain transactions positions Mayer Brown to navigate the evolving legal landscape, while the firm continues to expand its services in the region.

Major Appointment at Mayer Brown: Rafe Khokhar Joins Dubai Office

Enhancing Capital Markets Expertise in a Dynamic Region

In a move that signals its commitment to bolstering capital markets capabilities in the Middle East, Mayer Brown has officially announced the appointment of Rafe Khokhar as a Partner in their Dubai office. This strategic decision reflects the firm’s ambition to enhance its service offerings, particularly in complex capital markets transactions, and to better meet the increasing demand for specialized legal services in the region.

Rafe Khokhar’s Noteworthy Background

Rafe Khokhar brings to Mayer Brown extensive experience as a veteran capital markets lawyer, having specialized in diverse areas that include advising sovereign entities, financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and asset managers. His areas of expertise are not only broad but also critically pertinent in today’s evolving financial landscape, with strong focus areas such as capital markets, Islamic finance, Sharia-compliant products, regulatory capital instruments, and liability management transactions.

A noteworthy aspect of Rafe’s practice is his work on Regulation S/Rule 144A offerings. He has excelled at advising both issuers and underwriters, speaking to his depth of knowledge and practical experience in navigating various regulatory challenges. Furthermore, Rafe demonstrates a commitment to responsible finance, having actively participated in the offerings of ESG-linked securities.

A Pioneer in Digital Capital Markets

Rafe’s innovation credentials are further highlighted by his involvement in one of the pioneering financial transactions to utilize blockchain technology—the world’s first sukuk financing through this cutting-edge platform. This groundbreaking development not only showcases Rafe’s acute understanding of technological advancements in capital markets but also positions him uniquely in an increasingly digital world.

Mayer Brown’s Expanding Dubai Office

The recruitment of Khokhar follows other significant appointments in Mayer Brown’s Dubai office, including Global Energy partner Anne Wicks and the relocation of Projects partner Paulo Rage from Rio de Janeiro to Dubai. With these strategic hires, the Dubai office is well-positioned as a central hub for Mayer Brown’s Middle East practice, aiming to provide legal counsel across a multitude of sectors and jurisdictions.

Mayer Brown is known for its impressive global footprint, comprising several esteemed legal practices, including Mayer Brown LLP in Illinois, Mayer Brown International LLP in England & Wales, and Mayer Brown Hong Kong LLP, among others. The firm is particularly well-equipped to handle both inbound and outbound matters relevant to the Middle East, providing services across corporate and commercial matters, disputes and arbitration, major projects, finance transactions, construction, employment, and compliance.

Multilingual Team with Decades of Experience

The Dubai office boasts a diverse team that possesses decades of combined legal experience and maintains a network of trusted relationships in the region. The lawyers are fluent in several languages, including Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese, further enhancing the firm’s ability to serve its clients effectively and comprehensively.

As Mayer Brown continues to expand its operations, the firm remains committed to delivering exceptional legal services while nurturing strategic client relationships across the Middle East. With the arrival of Rafe Khokhar, Mayer Brown stands ready to navigate the complexities of the capital markets and meet the evolving needs of its clients.

Conclusion

As Mayer Brown evolves with hires such as Rafe Khokhar, it underscores its commitment to excellence and innovation in the legal landscape. With the strategic enhancement of its Dubai office, the firm aims not only to address the immediate legal needs of its clients but also to anticipate future challenges in a rapidly changing global financial environment.