Ryan Nash is an associate in the Dubai office of Gibson Dunn, where he practices in the firm’s Investment Funds practice group.
Ryan primarily advises fund sponsors on the structuring, formation, and operation of private investment funds across asset classes, including private equity, venture capital, credit, real estate, and infrastructure. His practice focuses, in particular, on the establishment of funds in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), as well as cross-border structures for sponsors with a presence in other jurisdictions, including the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He has acted for both emerging managers and global asset managers, advising on fund structuring, sponsor economics (including carried interest and co-investment arrangements), and the regulatory and operational frameworks governing asset managers.
Ryan also represents institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and family offices, on their fund investments, co-investments, fund-of-one vehicles, separately managed accounts, investment management agreements, and other bespoke investment arrangements across a range of strategies and jurisdictions.
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Ryan practiced in the investment funds teams of other leading international law firms in the UAE, London, and Sydney.
He is admitted to practice in England and Wales, Australia (NSW), and is a registered legal consultant with the Dubai Legal Affairs Department.
Representative Experience*
- Fund Formation: Represented and advised multiple investment managers (GCC and global) on the establishment of open- and closed-ended private investment funds across asset classes, domiciled across the GCC and internationally, including:
- $100 million venture debt fund domiciled in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC);
- $300 million Shari’a-compliant private credit fund domiciled in the Cayman Islands with a DIFC asset manager, targeting both MENA and US investments;
- $1 billion MENA infrastructure fund with a structure involving both GCC and international vehicles;
- $100 million real estate fund domiciled in the DIFC;
- multiple evergreen fund strategies domiciled in the ADGM, including a private equity fund, real estate fund, development fund, and opportunities fund, with seed assets exceeding $180 million committed by the sponsor;
- $1 billion MENA infrastructure fund with a structure involving both ADGM and international vehicles;
- $150 million MENA private credit fund domiciled in the ADGM;
- Investindustrial on the formation of the China-Italy Industrial Cooperation Fund;
- MML Capital Partners on the formation of MML Partnership Capital VII;
- Cow Corner on the formation of Cow Corner I (UK);
- GPT Group in relation to equity capital raisings of GPT Wholesale Office Fund and GPT Wholesale Shopping Centre Fund (Australia); and
- Brookfield on the establishment of the Brookfield Real Estate Partnership Australia.
- Investor Representation: Represents multiple Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other sovereign wealth funds on the investment of billions of US dollars, including into private funds across asset classes, separate managed accounts, co-investments, and funds-of-one.
- Financial Services Regulatory: Regularly provides advice on UAE asset manager regulation and fund distribution for the GCC region to international investment managers.
*Includes representations prior to Ryan’s association with Gibson Dunn.
Capabilities
Credentials
Education:
- Australian National University - 2018 Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
- Bond University - 2017 Bachelor of Commerce
- Bond University - 2017 Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
Admissions:
- Australia - Australia - Law Society of New South Wales
- England & Wales - Solicitor