Doha – Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has received the 2022 Banking & Finance Law Award from the Islamic Finance News (IFN) as part of the publication’s annual legal awards, with the firm also receiving honorable mentions this year in the Energy & Natural Resources and Fintech categories.

Over the last year, the K&L Gates team has advised on a range of Islamic finance transactions across a number of jurisdictions globally. In particular, K&L Gates’ work in innovative vessel, aviation, and retail sector transactions was highlighted as a key factor for the firm’s selection as the recipient of this award. The publication also pointed to the firm’s work in advising on Shariah-compliant Wakalah facilities for Indonesian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups through ALAMI Fintek Sharia, the first Shariah challenger in Indonesia. ALAMI is an online financier that focuses on the Halal industry.

Doha partner Amjad Hussain remarked: “We are pleased that our global Islamic finance team’s innovative work has been recognized in this way. It showcases our ability to seamlessly collaborate on projects across our global platform – with the Doha, London, and Singapore offices collaborating on these award-winning deals. It’s great to be involved in providing Islamic banking solutions to SMEs and retail customers who otherwise would not have access to banking services. We are confident that the pathfinder initiatives in which we have been involved will prove to be impactful and provide the roadmap to other funders in accessing previously un-banked communities and businesses.”

Launched in 2008, the global IFN Law Awards are among the most prestigious Islamic finance legal accolades, recognized for their impartiality, independence, and inclusivity. Rewarding law firms’ leading Islamic finance capabilities and services, the IFN Law Awards consider various metrics beyond the sheer size of a firm, including, more significantly, a firm’s inventive and progressive spirit in terms of expansion, innovation, impact, and development.