Bio

Fraser Dawson is a Scottish-law qualified partner based in the Dubai office of Gibson Dunn specializing in international corporate transactions, particularly those involving private equity. He is a member of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice Groups. Mr. Dawson has experience in acting on a broad range of M&A and other corporate transactions including MBOs, JVs, secondary buy-outs, co-investments, consortium arrangements, restructurings, convertible loan issues and trade sales. During his career, in both Europe and the Middle East, he has represented leading private equity institutions, well-known multinationals and ‘best-in-class’ regional corporates in highly-publicized and market-leading transactions. Fraser combines a deep knowledge of M&A ‘international best-practice’ with experience gained during his time in the MENA region as regards local jurisdictions. Mr. Dawson is ranked by Chambers Global 2021 as a leading lawyer for United Arab Emirates: Corporate/M&A. He is described in the latest edition as ‘adept at M&A and private equity transactions. He is especially well versed in cross-border acquisitions, most significantly those taking place in the healthcare and food and beverage industries, while also possessing notable experience acting for sovereign wealth funds’. In 2020, The publication quotes clients as praising his technical skills and commercial awareness and ‘practical ability in bringing business-focused solutions to the table’ and describe him as ‘incredibly smart and skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution’. He is also recommended for United Arab Emirates: Commercial, Corporate and M&A by Legal 500 EMEA 2021, which noted the team is ‘extremely commercial and able to leverage global insight quickly and efficiently’. In addition, he was recently included in the United Arab Emirates: Commended External Counsel of the Year 2020 by In-House Community. Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, he was with magic circle firm, Allen & Overy, where he was based in both their Dubai and London offices. During his time with A&O Fraser was involved in drafting cutting-edge precedent documents for use in private equity transactions and was also responsible for know-how relating to the application of local law in the context of corporate transactions in the MENA region. He first moved to the UAE in 2007 and has over 15 years’ experience of advising on M&A/PE transactions. Mr. Dawson earned his Diploma in Legal Services in 2002, and his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. (Hons.)) in 2001 both from the University of Edinburgh. He is also a member of the Scottish Law Society. Mr. Dawson has also recently passed the CFA® Level 1 and 2 examinations and is currently a candidate for Level 3.