Reed Smith adds partner in Abu Dhabi

With over 25 years’ practicing, including 12 years in the Middle East, Anders Nilsson is a highly experienced corporate and M&A advisor. He counsels multinational clients on public and private M&A, including joint ventures and strategic investments or collaborations. He regularly acts for international clients as well as local and regional blue-chip clients on general corporate matters.

Anders Nilsson joins the firm from Bird & Bird, where he was head of its Middle East offices.

“Building on the recent opening of our new office in Riyadh, we are thrilled to welcome a lawyer of Anders’ caliber to our team. He has an outstanding reputation in the market with a wealth of experience that will benefit our clients and builds on the work that we are doing throughout the Middle East and Europe,” said Mike Young, head of Reed Smith’s EME global corporate group.

Sachin Kerur, Reed Smith’s Middle East offices manging partner, commented: “Anders has a really impressive track record for corporate and M&A work across the GCC and Africa, with a particular emphasis on the aviation industry. His arrival will prove a real bonus for our clients and demonstrates our commitment to providing them with the very best possible service.”

For his part, Anders Nilsson said: “Reed Smith has a tremendous reputation, and long-standing history, in the Middle East. The firm’s collaborative approach, strong global platform and clear growth strategy were all factors that convinced me this is the right place to further grow my practice and serve my clients. I am delighted to be here and look forward to working with the team to support our clients on their most complex challenges.”

Anders has a particular focus on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Africa cross border transactions as well as the aviation, aerospace and defense sector, where his experience extends throughout the Middle East, Europe and Africa. He also advises some of the leading global players within the area of future mobility and transport.

He has advised many of the world's leading aviation and aerospace companies on their operations internationally as well as government entities in the GCC on aviation related matters. He has also advice international aerospace and defense companies in relation to UAE government contracting and matters related to its off-set program.

With Reed Smith’s recent office opening in Riyadh, the firm now has three offices in the region (in addition to Abu Dhabi and Dubai), and 34 offices globally.

Reed Smith has added over 125 new lawyers globally so far in 2025.