Carolyn Abram is a partner in the Dubai office of Gibson Dunn. She is a member of the Investment Funds, Financial Regulatory, Private Equity, Projects & Infrastructure and Real Estate practice groups.
Carolyn primarily represents fund sponsors on the structuring, formation, and operation of private investment funds across asset classes, delivering successful fund launches for emerging and spin out managers as well as some of the most established regional and global asset managers. Having practiced UAE fund formation for over 9 years, she has a proven track record in navigating the legal and regulatory intricacies of large scale, complex cross border funds and also applies her innovative and solution-oriented approach to other bespoke investment arrangements, including seed and stake arrangements with anchor investors, asset manager joint venture agreements, co-investment and warehousing arrangements, carried interest arrangements, and fund restructurings. Carolyn additionally advises on regulatory and structural matters relating to the operations of asset managers in the Middle East, particularly for global asset managers seeking to enter the UAE market.
Carolyn’s deep market knowledge also enables her to advise significant institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, seeking to deploy capital into a range of investment structures including open- and closed-ended funds, separate managed account arrangements, co-investments, and other bespoke private placements across asset classes.
Her international perspective is shaped by her experience practicing law from London, New York, and the UAE, and she has been seconded to both the New York and London offices of one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers.
Carolyn is ranked for her funds expertise by Chambers and The Legal 500. She is admitted to practice in England and Wales, and is registered legal consultant with the Dubai Legal Affairs Department.
Clients note that “Carolyn has an absolute depth of knowledge in funds. She has extensive experience of private equity funds and is also readily available and a pleasure to deal with” (Chambers Global) and "she is commercial and understands our needs when it comes to negotiating with stakeholders” (Chambers Global). Clients also regard Carolyn as “outstanding in her responsiveness, innovative solutions and can do attitude. Nothing is too much and everything is undertaken with utmost professionalism.” (Legal 500 EMEA).
Capabilities
- Investment Funds
- Energy and Infrastructure
- Financial Regulatory
- Infrastructure
- Private Equity
- Real Estate
Credentials
Education:
- Balliol College, University of Oxford - 2010 Bachelor of Arts (First Class Hons)
Admissions:
- England & Wales - Solicitor