Profile

Hayel serves as the Managing Principal at Hourani Global and has been advising clients on cross-border transactions for over two decades. As a US-qualified legal consultant, he works closely with Middle Eastern, US and other international conglomerates, family groups and other clients on a broad range of complex legal matters in the fields of corporate, investments, securities and capital markets, financial and insurance services, hospitality, restructuring advisory, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital and other transactions.

Hayel represents a balance of issuers, underwriters and portfolio companies seeking to navigate the nuances of acquisition finance, securities and shareholder matters in the private and public equity and debt markets. He also acts for leading investment banks and funds on corporate and regulatory requirements, as well as family offices, founders and investors in the context of multijurisdictional venture capital, fund-raising, joint venture and M&A matters across the Middle East and along the GCC-US corridor.

Hayel’s understanding and exposure to global finance, business and government affairs provide a valuable and pragmatic perspective on objectives and issues that drive cross-border transactions, and bring real-world insights, commercial acumen and solutions to help successfully navigate deal negotiations, developments and challenges as and when they arise.

Leading global legal directory Chambers and Partners cites Hayel as being ‘frequently commended for his rapport with clients and strong client service ethic’ and is ‘widely acknowledged as a formidable lawyer when it comes to transactions in Saudi Arabia.’

Prior to his role as the managing principal at Hourani Global, Hayel practiced as a transactional lawyer with prominent international law firms in New York and elsewhere, including Winston & Strawn and Baker & McKenzie.

Expertise
  • Corporate
  • Capital Markets
  • Funds
  • Insurance
  • Joint Ventures
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Private Equity
Qualifications

Education

  • Juris Doctor (JD), Georgetown University Law Center, Washington DC

Admissions

  • New York State Bar Association
  • Dubai Legal Affairs Department
Languages
  • Arabic
  • English
  • French