The leading lawyers and law firms globally

Saudi Arabia

chambers.com

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Saudi Arabia Banking & Finance www.chambers.com

Band 1

Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in co-operation with Clifford ChanceSee profile on p.3154What the team is known for Premier firm recognised throughout the market for its regular presence on high-pro-file syndicated financings and refinancings. Often seen acting on notable projects in the infrastructure and energy spaces. Represents a range of international and regional banking clients, as well as government entities. Also has considerable experience in real estate financings.Strengths One client said: “A powerhouse here will always

be the association between AS&H and Clifford Chance; that goes without saying.”Work highlights Advised a Marubeni-led consortium on financing for the Shuqaiq-3 independent water project.Notable practitionersMohamed Hamra-Krouha (see p.316) is a respected project finance lawyer who is able to leverage his vast international experience in his advice to clients. He often acts on behalf of large regional and Saudi banks, as well as government entities. Peers describe him as “very pragmatic, result-ori-ented and efficient,” further appreciating that he “quickly establishes rapport with all parties.” Yasser Al-Hussain (see p.2524) regularly advises on project finance, syndicated lending and other Shari’a-compliant transactions, as well as banking litigation. Sources describe him as “extremely knowledgeable about Saudi law.” He heads the firm’s banking and finance practice from Riyadh.

Khoshaim & AssociatesSee profile on p.2528What the team is known for Longstanding player in Saudi Arabia, advising on the full gamut of Shari’a-compliant and conventional banking mandates. Has an extensive client list comprising top Saudi banks and other well-known finan-cial institutions. Often mandated on project financing, refi-nancing and banking regulatory matters.Strengths In the eyes of clients, the firm is “among the top players in the market.”Work highlights Represented Banque Saudi Fransi in its provision of a SAR1.5 billion subordinated financing to Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company.Notable practitionersKarim Wali (see p.2525) is widely commended for his lending and restructuring work, acting for major Saudi banks and government entities. Project finance is another major facet of his practice. Commentators regard him as “very helpful, solution-oriented and a very knowledgeable lawyer.” Other sources add: “He knows the details of our legal issues, be it financing, security creation or agency documen-tation.”

Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in cooper-ation with Latham & Watkins LLPWhat the team is known for Leading firm with a wealth of experience operating in the Saudi market. Has extensive expertise in all forms of financing, including conventional and Islamic mandates. Noted for its strong track record acting on sukuk and ijara as well as its deep knowledge of the issues arising from financial restructurings.Strengths One commentator said: “With them, they just need to be doing more of what they’re doing. I can’t think of a negative, I am a very, very satisfied customer.”

Sources add: “They have a very strong reputation in the Kingdom, and rightly so.”Notable practitionersSalman Al-Sudairi is a widely known practitioner who is well versed in the full gamut of transactional matters, including Islamic and project finance. He regularly advises Saudi and international clients on transactions arising in the energy, healthcare and telecoms sectors. Amar Meher assists with an array of Islamic financing mandates, acting for a long list of major Saudi banking clients and global financial institutions. He has experience advising on several notable region-spanning transactions, with his expertise in financing complemented by a sound grasp of Shari’a-com-pliant fund formation.

Legal Advisors in association with Baker Mc-Kenzie LimitedWhat the team is known for Pre-eminent firm with signif-icant experience across the full spectrum of Islamic and conventional financing. Noted for its in-depth knowledge of murabaha and ijara instruments. Often acts as borrower’s counsel, representing major construction clients in project financings and restructurings. Also well versed in acting for banks.Strengths One commentator stated that the team “goes that extra mile,” further saying that the group “has a way of investing their time in relationships.”Work highlights Acted for the Saudi Binladin Group on its receipt of a high-value financing package in connection with its role on a major construction project.Notable practitionersJeddah-based Basel Barakat remains a significant name in the market. His deep-seated experience of financing structures is an asset to clients, who frequently mandate him on Shari’a-compliant transactions. He is particularly well known for his long-running representation of the Saudi Binladen Group and is said by sources to be “a very good lawyer.” Heading the banking and finance team, Ian Siddell assists clients with a wide range of financings, including conventional and Islamic transactions. He is noted for his particular expertise in project finance and is also well versed in financial restructurings.

The Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan in cooperation with White & CaseSee profile on p.3500What the team is known for Experienced team, well noted for its enduring relationships with government entities and energy companies. Lauded for its stellar Islamic finance capabilities, particularly in sukuk, murabaha and ijara prod-ucts. Often seen on very high-value transactions in Saudi Arabia, working in tandem with White & Case offices in the

* Indicates firm / individual with profile.

◊ (ORL) = Other Ranked Lawyer.

Alphabetical order within each band. Band 1 is highest.

Band 1Barakat Basel Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie

Siddell Ian Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie Limited

Band 2Abedi Ali Derayah LLPC *

Al-Farisi Zaid King & Spalding LLP *

Al-Sudairi Salman Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi

Hamra-Krouha Mohamed Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm *

Latto Paul Alshahrani Almansour in collaboration with DLA Piper *

Wali Karim Khoshaim & Associates *

Band 3Abdel-Baky Mahmoud The Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa

Al-Hussain Yasser Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) *

Meher Amar Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi

Peel Doug The Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan *

Up-and-coming individualsEl Sayed Omar Zamakhchary & Co (ORL) ◊Rana Bilal Faisal Adnan Baassiri Law Firm (ORL) ◊

Leading Individuals

Band 1Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) *

Khoshaim & Associates *

Law Office of Salman M. Al-SudairiLegal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie LimitedThe Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan *

Band 2Derayah LLPC *

King & Spalding LLP *

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm *

Band 3Alshahrani Almansour in collaboration with DLA Piper *

The Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa in association with Dentons

Leading FirmsBanking & Finance

How lawyers are rankedEvery year we carry out thousands of in-depth interviews with clients in order to assess the reputations and expertise of business lawyers worldwide. The qualities we look for (and which determine rankings) include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.

Banking & Finance

Contents:Banking & Finance p.2514Banking & Finance Foreign Experts (Based Abroad) p.2515Capital Markets p.2516Capital Markets Foreign Experts (Based Abroad) p.2517Corporate/Commercial p.2518Corporate/Commercial Foreign Experts (Based Abroad) p.2521Dispute Resolution p.2521Leading Individuals p.2524

2515

www.chambers.com Banking & Finance Saudi Arabia

Ranked Lawyers

Robin Balmer splits his time between Dubai and Riyadh, offering clients a wealth of knowledge on Saudi banking and Shari’a-compliant financing arrangements. He is declared by peers to be “a good lawyer” who is “very active” in the market. One client remarked on his “impressive” perfor-mance on a recent mandate, adding: “I really like him and I’d work with him again.”Antoine Cousin (see p.2524) is an Abu Dhabi-based partner who is noted for his broad-ranging strengths in project finance. He has considerable expertise in infrastructure, oil and gas and energy matters and regularly advises on work in Saudi Arabia. Earlier in his career, he spent a significant period of time practising in the Kingdom, which has pro-vided him with an in-depth understanding of the market.Global head of Islamic finance at Clyde & Co, Adil Hus-sain often oversees Saudi-related mandates, dividing his time between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. His Saudi practice is complemented by his handling of a wide variety of matters across the Middle East and further afield, and he is well

known within the Saudi market.Dubai-based Ian Ingram-Johnson maintains a stellar project finance practice, advising on matters throughout the Middle East. As part of this broader regional practice, he has devel-oped considerable Saudi-related experience, and assists with both conventional and Shari’a-compliant financings. His clients include several major financial institutions and government bodies. In addition to his client work, he has significant responsibilities as Allen & Overy’s Middle East managing partner.Julian Johansen is now based in Dubai, where his advice to clients draws on more than a decade of experience gained practising in Saudi Arabia. He is well known for his deep knowledge of the banking sector, working on financings as well as regulatory matters. Fluent in Arabic, sources say that “he is something of a legend,” with one mentioning that “for all Saudi law advice on banking matters, Julian is the port of call.”Craig Nethercott is a leading finance specialist, splitting his time between London and Dubai. As co-chair of Latham & Watkins’ global Islamic finance practice, he provides clients

* Indicates individual with profile.

Band 1UK Nethercott Craig Latham & Watkins

United Arab Emirates Rai Harjaskaran Latham & Watkins

Band 2United Arab Emirates Ingram-Johnson Ian Allen & Overy

United Arab Emirates Johansen Julian Allen & Overy LLP

Band 3United Arab Emirates Balmer Robin Norton Rose *

United Arab Emirates Cousin Antoine White & Case LLP *

United Arab Emirates Hussain Adil Clyde & Co LLP

United Arab Emirates Pierson Adam White & Case LLP *

Saudi Arabian expertisebased in countries listed below

Foreign Experts (Based Abroad)Banking & Finance

UAE and further afield.Strengths Clients appreciate that “the firm clearly values our relationship and consistently provides service that is very responsive and very high quality.”Work highlights Acted for Ma’aden on the restructuring of Ma’aden Rolling Company (MRC) and conversion of an existing loan from the Public Investment Fund into a stake in MRC. The team in Riyadh acted alongside White & Case’s offices in Abu Dhabi and London on this matter.Notable practitionersWhite & Case’s Middle East head Doug Peel (see p.2525) is a well-known name in the market. He is able to draw upon a vast range of international experience in his advice to cli-ents, touching on an array of specialisms that include M&A and project finance.

Band 2

Derayah LLPCSee profile on p.2527What the team is known for Prominent independent prac-tice with offices in both Jeddah and Riyadh. Well versed in representing international clients and regularly acts as local counsel on cross-border project finance files, with notable expertise in renewable energy and IWP matters. Noted for its deep knowledge of Saudi law and strong relationships with well-established clients. This firm was known as Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co until February 2021.Strengths Sources regard the firm as “very good,” adding that “they’re responsive and solution-oriented.”Work highlights Advised the lead developer on the USD700 million financing for the Rabigh-3 IWP desalination project.Notable practitionersAli Abedi (see p.2524) has extensive local and international experience in project finance. One client said: “He under-stands the drivers of the business and gives practical advice for achieving our goals in compliance with the Kingdom’s laws and regulations.”

King & Spalding LLP (in association with the Law Offices of Mohammed Al-Ammar)See profile on p.3471What the team is known for Well-known group with a wealth of knowledge in conventional and Islamic financings. Regularly acts for big-name Saudi banks. Wide-ranging capabilities cover project and real estate financings as well as bankruptcy and refinancing matters.Notable practitionersZaid Al-Farisi (see p.2524) is an astute Saudi finance expert with deep knowledge of the market. He divides his time between Riyadh and King & Spalding’s office in Dubai. Sources comment that “he is a very bright and capable lawyer.”

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm – In Associa-tion with Norton Rose Fulbright US LLPSee profile on p.3481What the team is known for Respected team often acting as lenders’ counsel on Shari’a-compliant project financings, with further experience acting for project companies. Rep-resents several Saudi banks in negotiating lending agree-ments with borrowers across a number of sectors. Has further experience acting for international banks on Saudi regulatory issues, including the establishment of branch offices.Work highlights Acted for Al Rajhi Bank on a SAR400 mil-lion murabaha financing provided to United Electronics.Notable practitionersA key contact is Robin Balmer, who divides his time between Dubai and Riyadh.

Band 3

Alshahrani Almansour in collaboration with DLA PiperSee profile on p.3156What the team is known for Notable practice with deep market experience. Often advises on project finance and restructuring, working closely with numerous banks and financial institutions across the Kingdom. Leverages the considerable regional footprint of DLA Piper to advise cli-

ents on the full gamut of issues, including regulatory man-dates.Notable practitionersClients rate Paul Latto (see p.2525) highly, observing that “his sense for how things work on the ground in Saudi is fan-tastic.” One source added: “He’s very solution-oriented and always available.” He is a regular adviser to major financial institutions and has notable expertise in project and asset finance.

The Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa in association with DentonsWhat the team is known for Compact team active in Riyadh and Jeddah, and which represents some of the largest banks and financial services clients within the Kingdom. Offers considerable experience in Shari’a-compliant real estate finance, including assisting with the provision of financings to REITs. Expertise also extends to project finance.Work highlights Advised The National Commercial Bank on a SAR1.4 billion ijara financing.Notable practitionersMahmoud Abdel-Baky is a notable figure whose expertise encompasses sukuk and restructuring mandates in addition to project and real estate finance. He is well known and respected in the market.

Other Ranked Lawyers

Omar El Sayed is gaining widespread recognition among sources, who highlight his “strong knowledge of key legal and commercial points and Shari’a structures.” Interviewees further note that he “understands the level of detail he needs to go into” and is “able to identify potential risks.” He has an extensive background in Islamic and conventional financing with significant expertise in syndicated loans and restruc-turings.Bilal Rana is quickly cementing a strong reputation in the market. One source commented that “he’s really responsive and very supportive any time we need him, and he ensures that the timeline is well managed.” He is best known for his project finance work, where he has developed a particular reputation for representing sponsors.

Banking & Finance Foreign Experts (Based Abroad)

2516

Saudi Arabia Capital Markets www.chambers.com

Band 1

Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in co-operation with Clifford ChanceSee profile on p.3154What the team is known for Pre-eminent group with exten-sive experience in debt capital markets, often acting as issuer’s counsel on sukuk matters. Has further expertise in IPOs and other equity issuances and is also well versed in regulatory matters relating to the Capital Market Authority and Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul). Its clients include financial institutions and government entities as well as an impressive array of issuer companies.Strengths One client praised the group for being “in tune with the needs of our organisation,” further saying: “They pos-sess a great deal of commercial sense.”Work highlights Advised the Savola Group, as issuer, on an SAR5 billion sukuk programme offered in exchange for an earlier SAR1 billion sukuk.Notable practitionersMansoor Alhagbani (see p.2524) is a distinguished figure in the Kingdom and heads up the firm’s capital markets and regulatory group. He assists clients with the full gamut of equity and debt transactions, and is praised as “a top person when it comes to anything that is securities or regulatory.” Interviewees further describe him as “a brilliant, commer-cially-minded lawyer.”

Khoshaim & AssociatesSee profile on p.2528What the team is known for Prominent player in the market, advising major Saudi Arabian corporations as well as gov-ernment entities. Has considerable experience across all aspects of capital markets work in Saudi Arabia, including IPOs and sukuk issuances, and complementary expertise in share swaps. Especially noted for its debt expertise with further capabilities in regulatory securities matters.Strengths Fellow practitioners acknowledge that the firm is “definitely big in DCM.”Work highlights Counselled the Samba Financial Group on the establishment of its USD5 billion medium term note programme.Notable practitionersZeyad Khoshaim (see p.2525) is a well-known name in the Kingdom who is highly regarded for his strong capa-bilities on debt transactions. He also has deep experience concerning CMA regulations and is frequently sought out to provide counsel on IPOs. One peer highlighted his prag-matic approach as a specific strength, noting: “I would defi-nitely want him on the other side of a transaction.” Others state simply that “he is highly respected.”

Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in cooper-ation with Latham & Watkins LLPWhat the team is known for Market-leading law firm with a distinguished capital markets practice. Covers the full gamut of capital market transactions and has deep expe-rience acting for government and quasi-sovereign entities. Has a wealth of knowledge in sukuk, including with regard to cross-border mandates.Strengths Peers widely regard Latham & Watkins as “one of the good, strong firms in the Kingdom.”Notable practitionersSalman Al-Sudairi commands deep respect for his long-standing expertise in this field. He has wide-ranging expe-rience assisting with all aspects of sukuk transactions and IPOs. Commentators observe that “he’s always available if we need to talk about anything strategic” and is “one of the most respected Saudi lawyers.”

Legal Advisors in association with Baker Mc-Kenzie LimitedWhat the team is known for Distinguished group with strong on-the-ground capabilities in the Kingdom. Well placed to advise on rights issuances and IPOs, regularly acting for global investment banks in their capacity as underwriters. Equally capable of assisting issuer clients, with experience representing major food and beverage, retail and insurance companies. Has extensive experience in debt capital mar-kets with regular roles on high-value sukuk mandates.Strengths One interviewee lauded the group as “always one of the top laws firms of choice” for Saudi capital markets work.Further sources highlight the team’s strong commercial instincts and add that “they are very, very solid.”Work highlights Acted for Arabian Centres Company on its

USD748 million IPO.Notable practitionersKarim Nassar is described as “a go-to guy” for capital mar-kets transactions in Saudi Arabia. Commentators enthuse that “he’s a great resource” who is “very much involved in the transaction.” His deep knowledge of the Saudi market is also highlighted as a standout strength. He is particularly adept at representing major international and regional clients in IPOs and rights issuances. Robert Eastwood is a notable presence in the market and well equipped to handle IPOs and M&A transactions. His client list features several major financial institutions, including multinational investment banks. Commentators admire him as someone who “gets things done in a quick and efficient manner.”

The Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan in cooperation with White & CaseSee profile on p.3500What the team is known for Prestigious group with deep experience in sukuk issuances, IPOs and public M&A. Main-tains a very close relationship with the Dubai-based law-yers of its international association partner, White & Case. Government entities, international corporations and signifi-cant regional players from a diverse range of industries are among the team’s loyal clients.Work highlights Acted for Arabian Centres Company on a USD500 million sukuk issuance.Notable practitionersSami Al-Louzi is a key contact for the group. He is based in Dubai.

Band 2

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in associ-ation with the Law Firm of Salah Al-HejailanSee profile on p.3161What the team is known for Notable team with strong his-tory of advising on IPO mandates. Frequently acts for major international banks and financial institutions. Has further experience in securities regulatory matters and is often called upon to advise major regional and multinational com-panies.Work highlights Advised Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Services on its Tadawul IPO.Notable practitionersPractice head Fares Al-Hejailan (see p.2524) is commended by sources as “a very good lawyer” who “has very balanced views” and is “very well respected in the legal community.” He is especially experienced in equity transactions, including IPOs, and is also noted for his strong understanding of Cap-ital Market Authority regulations.

King & Spalding LLP (in association with the Law Offices of Mohammed Al-Ammar)See profile on p.3471What the team is known for Dynamic group operating in close collaboration with King & Spalding’s office in Dubai.

* Indicates firm / individual with profile.

Alphabetical order within each band. Band 1 is highest.

Band 1Al-Sudairi Salman Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi

Alhagbani Mansoor Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm *

Nassar Karim B Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie

Band 2Khoshaim Zeyad Khoshaim & Associates *

Band 3Abedi Asad Derayah LLPC *

Al-Hejailan Fares Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP *

Eastwood Robert Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie

Vydra Robert STAT Law Firm

Leading Individuals

Band 1Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) *

Khoshaim & Associates *

Law Office of Salman M. Al-SudairiLegal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie LimitedThe Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan *

Band 2Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP *

King & Spalding LLP *

Band 3Derayah LLPC *

STAT Law Firm *

Leading FirmsCapital Markets

with a range of advice on Shari’a-compliant financing mat-ters, as well as IPOs. He often acts for government entities and power companies.Adam Pierson (see p.2525) advises on project finance and development mandates, with expertise in oil and gas, power and infrastructure projects. Clients view him as “very responsive and a pleasure to deal with.” He recently relocated to White & Case’s Abu Dhabi office after almost a decade based in Riyadh.

Dubai-based Harj Rai is a well-known practitioner who has a strong track record of representing governmental bodies, as well as financial institutions and energy clients, in an array of conventional and Shari’a-compliant financings. Interviewees note that “he’s got a good practice and a good standing in the market.”

Capital Markets

2517

www.chambers.com Capital Markets Saudi Arabia

Ranked Lawyers

Allen & Overy’s Bilal Ahmad has extensive experience han-dling debt capital markets and sukuk transactions for cli-ents based in the Kingdom, as well as underwriting banks. Peers enthuse that he is “consistently front and centre” when it comes to Saudi-related work and is “well thought of” within the legal community. He is based in Dubai.Sami Al-Louzi (see p.307) enjoys a distinguished reputa-tion within the market, especially with regard to IPOs. Now based in Dubai, he previously practised from Saudi Arabia and continues to be mandated on high-profile work. Inter-viewees rate him as a “strong choice” of capital markets counsel.Debashis Dey (see p.312) is based in White & Case’s Dubai office and has a significant sukuk practice, delivering advice to government institutions, banks and international corpora-tions. His cross-border experience in M&A also adds to his expertise. Peers remark that “he has been around for a long while and is doing a good job; he knows what he’s doing.”Dubai-based Lee Irvine provides clients with advice on the full spectrum of capital markets transactions and has a wealth of experience in Saudi work. Clients laud him for going “above and beyond to make sure everything is done in a timely fashion,” while peers say that “he knows the market very well.”

Dubai-based Nabil Issa (see p.317) has a strong focus on Saudi Arabian matters, with his work spanning capital mar-kets, investment funds, private equity and commercial con-tracts. He is especially noted for his extensive expertise in REITs and investment funds, and often advises on related securities issues.Harj Rai is regarded by his peers as being “very capable on the DCM side.” He is well versed in sukuk issuances and well known for maintaining a substantial portfolio of Saudi-re-lated work. He is based in Dubai.Based out of Clifford Chance’s Dubai office, Mike Taylor (see p.328) has over two decades of experience advising on equity transactions and maintains a strong track record regarding matters that originate in Saudi Arabia. Inter-viewees note his strong client following and impressive depth of expertise, referring to him as “a great ECM lawyer.” In addition to capital markets issuances, he also regularly assists with M&A.Stuart Ure (see p.328) frequently leads on major Shari’a-compliant transactions, representing a variety of government entities and giants of the regional market. Based in Dubai, he regularly advises on Saudi-related sukuk and is a key adviser to a number of global financial institu-tions.

* Indicates individual with profile.

Band 1United Arab Emirates Ahmad Bilal Allen & Overy LLP

United Arab Emirates Al-Louzi Sami White & Case LLP *

United Arab Emirates Rai Harjaskaran Latham & Watkins

United Arab Emirates Taylor Mike Clifford Chance LLP *

United Arab Emirates Ure Stuart Clifford Chance LLP *

Band 2United Arab Emirates Dey Debashis White & Case LLP *

United Arab Emirates Irvine Lee Simmons & Simmons

United Arab Emirates Issa Nabil King & Spalding LLP *

Saudi Arabian expertisebased in countries listed below

Foreign Experts (Based Abroad)Capital Markets

Frequently cited as a leading practice for Saudi REITs and funds work, and has complementary expertise in public REIT listings. Further experience covers all aspects of equity and sukuk issuances, as well as regulatory mat-ters, with the firm well versed in engaging with the Capital Market Authority.Work highlights Counselled the arranger, Ashmore Invest-ments Saudi Arabia, on InterHealth Canada’s creation of a SAR125 million sukuk programme.Notable practitionersNabil Issa and James Stull are key contacts. Both are based in Dubai.

Band 3

Derayah LLPCSee profile on p.2527What the team is known for Well-regarded independent firm which receives regular mandates from international companies, regional banks and financial institutions. Has considerable expertise in Shari’a-compliant transactions, particularly sukuk issuances. Also leverages a highly expe-rienced disputes practice to assist clients with a wide range of contentious securities issues. This firm was known as Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co until February 2021.Strengths Sources commend the group as “the go-to firm for large financial institutions in the Kingdom,” with one source adding: “My experience with them has been over-whelmingly positive.”Notable practitionersAsad Abedi (see p.2524) has a strong position in the market. He calls upon his varied regional and international experi-ence in his advice to clients, which covers sukuk issuances and a range of regulatory securities matters. His client port-folio includes banks and several major regional companies.

STAT Law FirmSee profile on p.2530What the team is known for Independent Saudi prac-tice formed through the merger of two notable law firms towards the end of 2019. Its well-rounded capital markets group has impressive international experience and advises on all facets of capital markets. Active on both equity and debt transactions, with further complementary expertise in public M&A.Strengths Sources describe the group as “a hands-on team who work around the clock and have outstanding knowledge of Saudi law.”Work highlights Guided Ma’aden through a USD796 million capital increase via a debt conversion.Notable practitionersRobert Vydra is described by market commentators as “a veteran of Saudi capital markets transactional work” who has “an impressive first-hand knowledge of Saudi securities laws and strong prospectus-drafting skills.” He is well versed in IPOs and a range of other capital markets matters.

Capital Markets Foreign Experts (Based Abroad)

2518

Saudi Arabia Corporate/Commercial www.chambers.com

Band 1

Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in co-operation with Clifford ChanceSee profile on p.3154What the team is known for Top-tier firm with consider-able depth in the Saudi market and noted for its handling of numerous high-profile transactions throughout the Kingdom. Often seen on very high-value M&A and major joint venture agreements, with significant experience advising on cross-border mandates. Clients include govern-ment entities, major energy players and international banks.Strengths Peers enthuse that “their partners are excel-lent,” adding: “It’s a great firm; they’re very well-known and respected lawyers.”One client described the team as “my go-to firm for any serious work in Saudi Arabia.”Work highlights Advised Sahara Petrochemicals on its USD2.15 billion merger with Sipchem.Notable practitionersOmar Rashid has wide-ranging expertise, equipping him well to handle acquisitions, joint ventures and IPOs. He regularly takes a lead role on some of the most signifi-cant transactions in Saudi Arabia. One source commented: “There’s no denying that he has a wealth of experience in cor-porate matters and is one of the leading lights in this market.” Another commentator added: “He’s been around the block many times and can therefore offer a very realistic, practical perspective.” Majid Al-Sheikh (see p.2524) is a well-known practitioner with strong capabilities in M&A and real estate transactions. Heading the firm’s corporate practice, he reg-ularly works on behalf of financial institutions and govern-ment entities.

Khoshaim & AssociatesSee profile on p.2528What the team is known for Pre-eminent group with established depth in the Saudi market. Well equipped to advise on market entry mandates, including by way of joint venture agreements. Also handles M&A and group restructurings, acting for major international and regional clients, including government entities and heavyweight energy clients. Further adept at regulatory and commer-cial contract issues.Strengths One source commented: “Khoshaim & Associates is, in my view, the best Saudi-based firm for complex local matters.”Commentators say: “This is an outstanding firm that consist-ently delivers excellent results.”Work highlights Acted for Saudi Aramco in relation to a joint venture with Total, valued at over USD1 billion.Notable practitionersZeyad Khoshaim (see p.2525) is an immensely well-known practitioner with strong capabilities across the board. He advises on joint ventures, corporate structurings and M&A, regularly acting for government entities. He is also well placed to handle corporate governance mandates on behalf of a range of national and international companies. Commentators enthuse that “he’s one of the best lawyers in Saudi; no one doubts his capabilities or experience.” Leen Zaza (see p.2525) has an ever-more prominent position in the market, assisting with a broad array of commercial advi-sory, transactional and regulatory work. Commentators say

“she is a brilliant lawyer,” while peers observe that she is a practitioner they are happy to see on the other side of deals.

Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in cooperation with Latham & Watkins LLPWhat the team is known for Compact team of highly respected lawyers. Known for its strong client relation-ship with the Saudi government and often called upon to oversee major transactions in the Kingdom. Regularly man-dated by government entities and financial institutions, with particular expertise in privatisation and M&A matters. Also capable of advising on inbound investments into Saudi Arabia.Strengths A peer remarked: “They’re a good firm; I’m very impressed by them.” Another observed that “they’re certainly involved in the premium work.”Work highlights Assisted SABIC with the disposal of its agri-nutrients division to SAFCO in return for newly issued shares in SAFCO.Notable practitionersCommentators consider Salman Al-Sudairi a “very good lawyer” and “a standout name in the market.” Interviewees further praise him as someone who is “commercial, sensible and very pragmatic.” He is well known for his extensive expe-rience advising on major Saudi M&A transactions, with his wider practice encompassing corporate restructuring and privatisation mandates.

Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie LimitedWhat the team is known for Leading firm with a consid-erable track record representing clients in a host of M&A transactions throughout the Saudi market. Its well-estab-lished presence and extensive experience in the Kingdom make it a go-to firm both for cross-border and purely domestic matters. Adept at advising on company formation as well as corporate structuring and regulatory compliance, often acting for oil and gas, banking and healthcare clients.Strengths Clients say that “they remain a top law firm in the Kingdom.”Work highlights Represented Alawwal Bank in its USD4.9 billion merger with Saudi British Bank (SABB).Notable practitionersGeorge Sayen heads the corporate practice in Riyadh, advising on a variety of M&A, competition and employment mandates. He leverages his substantial international expe-rience and longstanding presence in the Kingdom to assist an array of top-tier clients. One peer said: “He is absolutely first-rate – really knowledgeable and a good lawyer.” Karim Nassar has deep roots in the Saudi market and is fre-quently engaged on transactions for significant regional players. His clients come from various sectors, including financial services and construction. He is noted by sources to be “an excellent lawyer.” Zahi Younes advises clients on the full gamut of corporate work throughout Saudi Arabia, including M&A, joint ventures and corporate reorganisa-tions. He represents several significant regional and mul-tinational players in a variety of cross-border transactions.

The Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan in cooperation with White & CaseSee profile on p.3500What the team is known for Noted for its strong presence in the market, and particularly for its work on behalf of gov-ernment entities and major regional companies. Leverages several decades of experience in the Kingdom to provide stellar advice on M&A transactions, joint ventures and IPOs. Also proficient at commercial contract matters and privati-sations.Strengths One source noted that “they have depth, knowl-

Oman Simpson Nick The Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa

United Arab Emirates O’Connell Nick Al Tamimi & Company

Based in Saudi Arabiawith expertise in countries listed below

Foreign ExpertsCorporate/Commercial

* Indicates firm / individual with profile.

◊ (ORL) = Other Ranked Lawyer.

Alphabetical order within each band. Band 1 is highest.

Band 1Al-Hejailan Fares Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP *

Khoshaim Zeyad Khoshaim & Associates *

Rashid Omar Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H)

Sayen George Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie

Band 2Abedi Ali Derayah LLPC *

Al-Sudairi Salman Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi

Giansiracusa Yusuf Jones Day *

Nassar Karim B Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie

Band 3Abedi Asad Derayah LLPC *

Akel Anas Hourani & Partners

Al-Akkas Looaye M. The Law Office of Looaye M. Al-Akkas (ORL) ◊ *

Al-Ammari Saud Dr. Saud Al-Ammari Law Firm (ORL) ◊Al-Sheikh Majid Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) *

Haroon Shadi Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed *

Husein Amgad T Hourani & Partners

Band 4Abdukhalilov Sanjarbek Dr. Sultan Almasoud & Partners

Al-Ghamdi Mohammed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm *

AlDehais Fahad Dhabaan & Partners in association with Eversheds

Baassiri Faisal Adnan Faisal Adnan Baassiri Law Firm

Bassi Rakesh Hammad & Al-Mehdar Law Firm (ORL) ◊Hourani Chadi Hourani & Partners

Sfeir Alain Clyde & Co

Younes Zahi Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie

Up-and-coming individualsZaza Leen Khoshaim & Associates *

Leading Individuals

Senior Statespeople: distinguished older partnersWells David Law Office of Dr Mujahid M Al-Sawwaf (ORL) ◊Eminent PractitionersAl Fahad Abdulaziz H The Law Office of Abdulaziz H. Al Fahad

Senior Statespeople and Eminent Practitioners

Band 1Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) *

Khoshaim & Associates *

Law Office of Salman M. Al-SudairiLegal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie LimitedThe Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan *

Band 2Derayah LLPC *

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP *

King & Spalding LLP *

Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed *

Band 3Al Tamimi & Company *

Clyde & Co *

Dr. Sultan Almasoud & Partners *

Hourani & PartnersJones Day *

Band 4The Law Office of Abdulaziz H. Al Fahad and PartnersAl Enezee Legal Counsel in association with EKPAlshahrani Almansour in collaboration with DLA Piper *

Dhabaan & Partners in association with Eversheds *

Faisal Adnan Baassiri Law Firm in association with AshurstMahassni & Co *

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm *

The Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa in association with DentonsZamakhchary & Co in cooperation with Linklaters *

Leading FirmsCorporate/Commercial

Corporate/Commercial

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edge and capacity across their network in Riyadh, Dubai and New York.”Work highlights Advised Arabian Drilling Company on its USD415 million acquisition of Schlumberger’s onshore drilling assets across the Middle East and Pakistan.Notable practitionersDoug Peel is a key contact at the firm. The team in Saudi Arabia often works in close cooperation with White & Case partners based in Dubai, including Sami Al-Louzi.

Band 2

Derayah LLPCSee profile on p.2527What the team is known for Well-established independent Saudi firm, known for its considerable experience handling transactions and regulatory issues in the Kingdom. Typi-cally called upon to represent international clients as local counsel, as well as in regard to market entry matters. Pos-sesses further strengths advising on joint ventures, group restructurings and privatisations. This firm was known as Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co until February 2021.Strengths Commentators laud that “in addition to their knowledge of laws and regulations, they know the precedents and norms.”Clients add that the team is “very responsive” and provides “quick turnarounds.”Work highlights Advised ABB on the Saudi law elements of its joint venture with SNC-Lavalin.Notable practitionersAli Abedi (see p.2524) draws on his extensive international experience to advise well-known international clients on a host of privatisation and joint venture transactions. Sources describe him as being “very knowledgeable on Saudi corpo-rate and commercial law.” Of late his work has encompassed matters in the healthcare, oil and gas, and aviation sectors. Commentators say that Asad Abedi (see p.2524) is “respon-sive and understands the dynamics of a complex, cross-border M&A transaction,” further praising that he is “well suited for transactions with a strong international element.” His practice includes advising on M&A, joint ventures and privatisations.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in associ-ation with the Law Firm of Salah Al-HejailanSee profile on p.3161What the team is known for Highly experienced group, able to advise on a wide range of M&A, joint ventures and com-mercial contracts. Has particular expertise in privatisations, and is frequently mandated by clients from the healthcare and education sectors, among others. Also well equipped to represent technology clients and government bodies in acquisitions involving cross-border elements. Like many Saudi law firms, it maintains a very close working relation-ship with the Dubai office of its international affiliate.Strengths One client said: “They are my first option for M&A,” while others agree the firm is “a strong practice.” Peers view the team as “really good lawyers.”Work highlights Represented Saudia Medical Services in connection with the company’s privatisation, valued at approximately USD500 million.Notable practitionersSources consider Fares Al-Hejailan (see p.2524) “an amazing lawyer.” He regularly acts for major commercial clients, assisting with a variety of joint ventures, regulatory mandates and M&A transactions. Commentators further enthuse: “He’s a really good lawyer who knows what he’s doing and has top-notch capabilities.”

King & Spalding LLP (in association with the Law Offices of Mohammed Al-Ammar)See profile on p.3471What the team is known for Noted for its long-standing

involvement in major Saudi transactions. Regularly cited for its in-depth knowledge of Saudi-related investment fund matters and often acts for private equity houses on high-value buyouts. Further expertise covers corporate restruc-turings and joint ventures. Regularly assists clients hailing from the energy and healthcare sectors.Strengths A client noted: “King & Spalding have so much regional experience – they know how the regulations work in practice.”Multiple sources emphasise that “their funds team is fan-tastic,” remarking on the group’s “strong knowledge” of both fund formation and subsequent private equity investments.Work highlights Acted for NMG on its acquisition of a stake in a joint venture with Gulf Medical.Notable practitionersNabil Issa is a key contact, splitting his time between Riyadh and Dubai.

Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed (in association with Baker Botts LLP)See profile on p.3444What the team is known for Astute team noted for its impressive capabilities in Saudi Arabia. Has strengths across the full spectrum of corporate matters. Experience includes assisting multinationals with their entry into the Saudi market, as well as advising on M&A. Regularly acts for clients from the defence and energy sectors, assisting with corporate structuring and restructuring as well as a variety of commercial contract mandates.Strengths One commentator praised the firm for providing “timely, expert advice that is practical and easily understand-able. The firm does a very good job of providing the right level of detail so the cost of services are appropriate and in line with expectations.”Work highlights Advised a well-known Saudi bank on its USD270 million buy-back of shares from two foreign share-holders.Notable practitionersShadi Haroon (see p.2525) often acts for defence clients and other multinationals on a range of corporate structuring and market entry mandates. One source mentioned that “he has a long track record in the Kingdom and is an expert on local law and practice,” further appreciating that “his advice is well reasoned and reliable.”

Band 3

Al Tamimi & CompanySee profile on p.3039What the team is known for Strong regional practice with extensive experience. Provides guidance on M&A, joint ventures and a variety of commercial contracts, as well as numerous Saudi employment and regulatory issues. Offers broad market coverage, with offices in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province.Strengths Commentators state that “the firm operates very effectively in the mid-tier of the market. It provides fantastic advice and represents real value for money to its clients.”Work highlights Advised Jacobs Engineering on the Saudi aspects of its global acquisition by Worley Parsons.Notable practitionersNick O’Connell heads the firm’s TMT practice in Saudi Arabia. Having previously been based in Dubai, he continues to advise a number of high-profile clients on technology issues in the UAE and across the wider Middle East region. His practice typically sees him handle licensing and e-com-merce mandates, as well as providing guidance on privacy and data protection.

Clyde & CoSee profile on p.2526What the team is known for Prominent team which is

frequently engaged to assist with the Saudi elements of regional and global M&A transactions, including group restructurings. Has further expertise in franchising and foreign investment regulations. Recent mandates include a number of matters in the technology and food and beverage sectors.Strengths Commentators appreciate that the team is “clear in its advice” and that “they keep us apprised of concerns and manage our expectations about deadlines.”Clients note that “they have always taken the time to listen and understand our requirements.”Work highlights Advised Genesys Telecommunications on the restructuring of its Saudi operation following its acqui-sition of Interactive Intelligence.Notable practitionersClients praise Alain Sfeir for his “keen insight into the changing legal landscape in Saudi Arabia.” With two decades of experience in the region, he has a significant depth of expertise in M&A, joint ventures, restructurings and foreign investment. Clients additionally note him as “very respon-sive.”

Dr. Sultan Almasoud & Partners in association with Shearman & Sterling LLPSee profile on p.3491What the team is known for Quality firm with a wealth of transactional experience in the Kingdom. Able to provide clients with strong advice on corporate restructurings, joint ventures and private equity matters. Also has deep exper-tise in a host of transactional mandates, often working in collaboration with Shearman & Sterling offices in the UAE and further afield. Has extensive experience acting for healthcare and financial services clients.Strengths One source lauded the firm as “excellent and very easy to deal with,” before going on to praise its “top-quality international service.”Sources appreciate the group for its “outstanding legal work.”Work highlights Mandated by financial adviser Goldman Sachs on the SAR18.6 billion merger between Saudi British Bank and Alawwal Bank.Notable practitionersSanjarbek Abdukhalilov is a noteworthy practitioner who is experienced assisting with the full range of corporate Saudi work, including foreign investment and business reorgan-isations. He often advises banks and financial institutions. One client enthused: “From a technical perspective, he’s a go-to for Saudi advice, and he’s brilliant.”

Hourani & PartnersWhat the team is known for Dynamic team with well-es-tablished strengths in joint ventures, M&A and strategic planning. Also has extensive experience advising clients on corporate governance and privatisations. Advises a number of major Saudi and international players, leveraging its bench within Saudi Arabia as well as its strong capabilities in Dubai and Beirut.Strengths Clients say the firm “provides practical legal advice” and its team members are always “keen to assist.”Work highlights Acted for Alamar Foods on its SAR108 mil-lion sale of Premier Foods to Almarai.Notable practitionersAnas Akel utilises his significant market experience to assist both national and international clients with cross-border transactions and regulatory matters. Clients applaud his “vast knowledge of corporate law and venture capital transactions.” Amgad Husein has a range of experience in transactions and commercial advisory issues. One client remarked: “He is probably the most responsive lawyer we have dealt with,” while another said: “He understands the Saudi market as well as understanding global companies and the way they think.” Chadi Hourani has significant interna-tional and regional experience and is frequently engaged

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Saudi Arabia Corporate/Commercial www.chambers.com

by regional clients on transactions and joint ventures. He is also experienced acting for banks and an array of other multinationals. A source said: “He’s a good lawyer who is very commercially oriented.”

Jones DaySee profile on p.3468What the team is known for Strong, compact practice assisting clients with cross-border transactional matters throughout the Kingdom. Particularly present in the Khobar region, with additional resources in Riyadh. Has extensive knowledge of the oil and gas and construction spaces and is also noted for its representation of high net worth individ-uals in business investments.Strengths Market commentators acknowledge that “they’re very strong in the market.”Notable practitionersYusuf Giansiracusa (see p.2525) is a skilled practitioner who has been based in Saudi Arabia for close to 30 years. He has immense experience in transactional and projects matters, with commentators observing: “He’s been here a long time and he’s very knowledgeable.” Interviewees also go on to acknowledge that “he’s certainly a good technical lawyer.”

Band 4

The Law Office of Abdulaziz H. Al Fahad and PartnersWhat the team is known for Noted practice with a seasoned bench of practitioners. Represents international and Saudi clients in a range of transactional mandates. Has extensive capabilities in corporate restructuring, joint venture agree-ments and commercial contract drafting. Also well noted for its deep knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s energy sector.Strengths Commentators say: “They are very impressive.” Notable practitionersManaging partner Abdulaziz Al Fahad is a respected pro-fessional with many years’ experience assisting with com-mercial mandates, including the frequent representation of international energy companies and government entities. Interviewees consistently describe him as “a good name in the market.”

Al Enezee Legal Counsel in association with EKPWhat the team is known for Experienced team advising on the full gamut of corporate and commercial issues. Acts for a client base hailing from a range of sectors, including insurance, construction and financial services. Offers a sig-nificant understanding of corporate governance and struc-turing matters as well, and is further experienced advising on distribution and franchise agreements.Strengths One source remarked on the “very high standard” the firm upholds, adding: “The quality and delivery of work are fantastic.”Work highlights Acted for Walaa Cooperative Insurance on its SAR180 million merger with MetLife AIG ANB.Notable practitionersZiad El-Khoury and Wissam Hachem are key contacts for the firm.

Alshahrani Almansour in collaboration with DLA PiperSee profile on p.3156What the team is known for Respected team which advises clients on M&A in addition to corporate structuring and restructuring and franchising matters. Further experienced in commercial contract work, including the establishment of joint ventures. Regularly works in close collaboration with DLA Piper’s offices in Dubai and Bahrain.Strengths One client enthused: “They did a fantastic job for us.”

Notable practitionersTim Sunar is a key contact.

Dhabaan & Partners in association with Ever-sheds SutherlandSee profile on p.3158What the team is known for Multifaceted group assisting clients with a variety of M&A deals and group restructur-ings. Noted for its impressive bench and considerable cross-border experience. Regularly advises on private equity acquisitions and disposals, as well as joint venture matters, with a client list spanning the technology, education and pharmaceuticals sectors, among others. Further experi-enced in privatisations.Strengths Clients enthuse that “their advice is pragmatic, they know the market well and have a wide range of capabil-ities.”Work highlights Represented the selling shareholders in their disposal of a majority stake in Meres Arabia to MEFIC Capital and Dallah Healthcare.Notable practitionersManaging partner Fahad AlDehais is a well-established Saudi practitioner with extensive experience advising on joint ventures, IPOs and M&A. He also has a strong regu-latory practice, often representing government entities in addition to banks and financial institutions.

Faisal Adnan Baassiri Law Firm in association with Ashurst LLPWhat the team is known for Experienced group advising on a range of regulatory and commercial contract man-dates, as well as M&A. Particular expertise in contractual work arising from energy, water and infrastructure pro-jects. Well versed in acting for financial services clients and other major multinationals. Also regularly assists with the formation of joint ventures and is well versed in company structuring.Strengths Clients say: “They are knowledgeable, but most importantly they are prompt and meet demanding deadlines.”Notable practitionersJeddah-based Faisal Baassiri regularly advises on commer-cial contracts in the context of major infrastructure projects, and has further experience assisting with joint ventures, acquisitions and disposals. Clients praise his “very efficient” work on their behalf.

Mahassni & CoSee profile on p.2529What the team is known for Independent Jeddah-based practice with a wealth of international experience. Acts for a number of significant Saudi clients on major M&A and joint venture projects in sectors such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Also represents a range of international clients and has further experience assisting with corporate restructuring matters.Notable practitionersManaging partner Hassan Mahassni is a key contact.

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm – In Associa-tion with Norton Rose Fulbright US LLPSee profile on p.3481What the team is known for Distinguished firm with strengths in regulatory, transactional and corporate struc-turing mandates. Regularly assists clients from the oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and healthcare industries, and is well versed in the representation of multinationals. Well equipped to handle privatisations, as well as M&A transac-tions of all sizes throughout the Kingdom.Notable practitionersMohammed Al-Ghamdi (see p.2524) has extensive capabil-ities in commercial contract agreements, and is experienced acting for government bodies and financial institutions. He is well acquainted with the needs of multinational clients and plays a key role on much of the firm’s work.

The Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa in association with DentonsWhat the team is known for Full-service practice covering a wide array of commercial and corporate matters, including joint ventures, franchising and corporate governance mandates. Its strengths further extend to M&A. Regularly handles mandates on behalf of notable financial services clients and other multinationals.Strengths One client enthused: “The group has been ter-rific,” judging its lawyers to be “responsive, thorough and good at what they do.”Work highlights Advised Dynamic Industries on the negoti-ation of contracts with Saudi Aramco relating to the devel-opment of a number of offshore oil and gas projects with a total combined value of USD200 million, as well as pro-viding guidance on the associated corporate governance and regulatory concerns.Notable practitionersNick Simpson recently relocated to Riyadh as Dentons’ head of Saudi Arabia, having previously been managing partner of the firm’s Muscat office. He continues to act for major Omani clients on M&A, joint ventures and corporate restructurings.

Zamakhchary & Co in cooperation with LinklatersSee profile on p.3163What the team is known for Established firm with an expe-rienced bench. Capable of advising on a wide array of M&A matters, as well as providing guidance on franchising issues and private equity mandates. Frequently represents banks and financial services companies. Often sought out to assist foreign multinationals with their entry into the Saudi market through the establishment of a joint venture.Strengths One commentator said that the firm offers “out-standing service for a competitive fee,” further describing the team as “experts in M&A.”Sources appreciate that “they know the law and how to address matters commercially.”Work highlights Advised Finablr on acquiring a stake in the fintech company BayanPay for USD5.8 million.Notable practitionersWaleed Rasromani is a key contact.

Other Ranked Lawyers

Looaye Al-Akkas (see p.2524) is a respected practitioner who is highly capable of advising clients on cross-border M&A, corporate governance and commercial contracts. He is lauded as “a very capable lawyer” by market commenta-tors, who further describe him as “very approachable” and good at what he does.Saud Al-Ammari is noted by market commentators as one of the most prominent legal advisers in the Eastern Prov-ince, with a particular specialism in the petrochemicals sector. He leverages his vast experience both inside and outside the Kingdom to assist clients with a range of cor-porate mandates, and has noteworthy experience acting for government entities.Rakesh Bassi is a respected figure with a wealth of expe-rience in joint ventures and M&A transactions. Sources remark on his “deep knowledge of corporate law,” adding that “his communication skills are impressive and he looks at every detail of the matter.” He recently joined Hammad & Al-Me-hdar after leaving Al Tamimi.David Wells is a seasoned practitioner who is noted for his considerable strength in commercial contract work and M&A transactions. He is also well accustomed to giving advice on corporate structuring. Sources describe him as “a very good US lawyer,” further enthusing that he is “really, really smart and experienced.”

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Band 1

Al-Jadaan and PartnersWhat the team is known for Premier Saudi firm with a strong bench of seasoned litigators. The team adeptly advises on government disputes, additionally acting on a

wide range of business disputes including those relating to joint ventures and M&A transactions, as well as breach of contract claims. The firm has extensive experience repre-senting clients before the courts in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, as well as advising on alternative dispute resolution. Clients include government and regulatory bodies, as well as banks.

Strengths Commentators acknowledge the firm’s long-standing presence and say: “They are very, very good lawyers with very good experience.”One source said: “We think very highly of them; they’re as good as it gets.”Notable practitionersAbdullah Al-Hashim leads the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution practice and combines deep litigious experience with proficient corporate knowledge. His wide-ranging experience covers numerous areas, including construction, competition and shareholder disputes. Founding partner Yousef Al-Jadaan represents clients before various courts and judicial committees throughout the Kingdom. He lever-ages his extensive local experience to provide clients with astute advice on arbitration, mediation and complex litiga-tion.

Haberbeck Andreas Derayah LLPC *Leading IndividualsSaudi ArabiaShipping: Dispute Resolution

Band 1Al-Hashim Abdullah Al-Jadaan and Partners

Al-Jadaan Yousef Al-Jadaan and Partners

Haberbeck Andreas Derayah LLPC *

Band 2Al Tamimi Abdullah Al Tamimi & Company

Khoshaim Zeyad Khoshaim & Associates *

Band 3Al-Ghamdi Mohammed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm *

Almasoud Sultan Dr. Sultan Almasoud & Partners

Gonem Sarah Zamakhchary & Co in cooperation with Linklaters

Up-and-coming individualsAlrubayyi Nasser Khoshaim & Associates *

Leading Individuals

Senior Statespeople: distinguished older partnersAl-Sawwaf Mujahid Law Office of Dr Mujahid M Al-Sawwaf

Mahassni Hassan M S Mahassni & Co

Eminent PractitionersAl Fahad Abdulaziz H The Law Office of Abdulaziz H. Al Fahad

Al-Ammari Saud Dr. Saud Al-Ammari Law Firm (ORL) ◊

Senior Statespeople and Eminent PractitionersDispute Resolution

* Indicates firm / individual with profile.

◊ (ORL) = Other Ranked Lawyer.

Alphabetical order within each band. Band 1 is highest.

Band 1Al-Jadaan and PartnersDerayah LLPC *

Band 2Clyde & Co *

Khoshaim & Associates *

Band 3Al Tamimi & Company *

Dhabaan & Partners in association with Eversheds *

Law Office of Dr Mujahid M Al-SawwafFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP *

Mahassni & Co *

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm *

Band 4Alshahrani Almansour in collaboration with DLA Piper *

Dr. Sultan Almasoud & Partners *

Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie LimitedZamakhchary & Co in cooperation with Linklaters *

Leading FirmsDispute Resolution

Ranked Lawyers

Sami Al-Louzi (see p.307) is particularly well known for his advice on IPOs and high-value regional M&A, often advising Saudi government entities and large corporations. He lever-ages over two decades of experience to provide clients with astute advice on large-scale acquisitions.Of counsel John Boehm (see p.2524) is regarded by one peer as “one of the most capable lawyers” advising on Saudi Arabian transactions. Sources also remark that “he’s very experienced and good to work with.” He splits his time between Houston and Norton Rose’s associated office in Riyadh, advising clients from the energy, healthcare and technology sectors on a range of M&A and commercial con-tract issues.

Omar El Assir (see p.2524) splits his time between Saudi Arabia and Beirut, providing clients with the benefit of his extensive regional experience in M&A, investment funds and Shari’a compliance more generally. Leading the group’s Riyadh office, he also advises on group restructurings and corporate governance issues.Ziad El-Khoury is managing partner of Lebanese firm EKP, splitting his time between offices in Beirut, Riyadh and Dubai. His practice encompasses advice on corporate structuring, market entry and corporate governance, among other matters. One client said: “He is dynamic, client-fo-cused, possesses excellent communication skills and is an innovator when it comes to orchestrating solutions to complex problems.”Omar Elsayed is adept at cross-border M&A and joint ven-ture agreements. Having spent a number of years practising from Riyadh, he now advises on Saudi-related issues from Latham & Watkins’ Dubai office and is well respected by interviewees.Hayel Hourani advises both domestic and foreign clients on a plethora of regulatory and commercial advisory matters from his base in Dubai. Well known in the market, he often works on behalf of private equity firms, financial institutions and hospitality clients. One market commentator noted: “He’s been in the market a long time; he’s solid.”

Nabil Issa (see p.317) is lauded for his wide-ranging experi-ence of Saudi matters, covering M&A, sukuk and investment fund launches. Commentators say that he is “very detailed in his advice, always makes himself available via email or a phone call, is thorough and overall conducts himself in a very professional manner.” He is based in Dubai.Shiraz Khan (see p.3033) is a prominent tax specialist based in Dubai. He regularly assists with the Saudi tax elements of sales and acquisitions and has further experi-ence helping clients to obtain settlement agreements with the General Authority of Zakat & Tax. Sources praise his “excellent command of tax laws across the region,” adding: “The work he’s produced has been clear, comprehensive and effectively addressed the issues raised.”Stephen Matthews (see p.3033) has a wealth of experi-ence advising on joint ventures and other commercial con-tract matters in Saudi Arabia. Sources say that “he is very knowledgeable about local law, with a long track record of experience that provides a valuable perspective.” Commen-tators add: “He is knowledgeable, responsive, pragmatic and results-driven.” Dividing his time between Dubai and Riyadh, his practice has a strong focus on representing clients from the defence sector.Dubai-based James Stull (see p.328) is well regarded for his knowledge of investment fund and REIT matters, and regularly assists with Saudi mandates. Clients say he is “extremely personable, very responsive and understands our needs.”

United Arab Emirates Khan Shiraz Al Tamimi & Company *

Saudi Arabian expertisebased in countries listed below

Foreign Experts (Based Abroad)Tax

Band 1United Arab Emirates Al-Louzi Sami White & Case LLP *

United Arab Emirates Issa Nabil King & Spalding LLP *

United Arab Emirates Matthews Stephen Baker Botts *

USA Boehm, Jr. John Norton Rose Fulbright *

Band 2Lebanon El Assir Omar Alem & Associates *

Lebanon El-Khoury Ziad G. El Khoury & Partners Legal

United Arab Emirates Elsayed Omar Latham & Watkins

United Arab Emirates Hourani Hayel F Hourani & Partners

United Arab Emirates Stull James King & Spalding LLP *

Saudi Arabian expertisebased in countries listed below

Foreign Experts (Based Abroad)Corporate/Commercial

Corporate/Commercial Foreign Experts (Based Abroad)

Dispute Resolution

United Arab Emirates Lawrence Robert Clyde & Co LLP

Saudi Arabian expertisebased in countries listed below

Foreign Experts (Based Abroad)Shipping: Dispute Resolution

2522

Saudi Arabia Dispute Resolution www.chambers.com

Derayah LLPCSee profile on p.2527What the team is known for Widely recognised practice with astute disputes lawyers, able to provide clients with advice on a wide array of litigation mandates. The firm maintains a market-leading presence in Saudi Arabia and is a regular feature of large commercial, banking and government con-tract disputes. It also offers expert knowledge of shipping issues, with further experience in relation to insurance liti-gation and bankruptcy law. This firm was known as Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co until February 2021.Strengths Commentators agree that the firm has “brilliant credentials and a big team.”Sources say: “They’re one of the major go-to firms for ship-ping law in Saudi.”Work highlights Continues to represent Citicorp Trustee Company and Golden Belt 1 Sukuk Company in proceedings brought against Saad Trading and Maan Al Sanea relating to a default under a USD650 million sukuk.Notable practitionersAndreas Haberbeck (see p.2525) is an extremely well-known practitioner with nearly three decades of experience practising in Saudi Arabia. He wins particular recognition for his keen shipping knowledge and capably provides advice on various offshore disputes. One client commented: “His expertise in litigation really gives us a sense of security as he provides realistic advice on how given issues are likely to be resolved by the Saudi courts.”

Band 2

Clyde & CoSee profile on p.2526What the team is known for Stellar team known for advising Saudi and international clients on a host of commercial and banking disputes, as well as domestic and cross-border arbitration proceedings. Regularly handles matters for cli-ents from sectors including financial services, insurance and energy. Also adeptly advises on shipping, aviation and construction litigation.Strengths Commentators note that the team is “very quick to respond to queries and provides invaluable advice.”Notable practitionersDubai-based Robert Lawrence provides expert advice on shipping disputes, often defending clients in significant cases in the Kingdom. He is well versed in both shipbuilding and ship conversion disputes as well as damages claims.

Khoshaim & AssociatesSee profile on p.2528What the team is known for Well-regarded firm with deep roots in the Saudi market and wide-ranging strength in dispute resolution. It is equally well equipped to advise on commercial litigation and arbitration, as well as offering experience representing clients before the Saudi Admin-istrative Supreme Court. Additional experience includes advising on bankruptcy and securities cases.Strengths Commentators enthuse that Khoshaim & Associ-ates is “an outstanding firm that consistently delivers excel-lent results.”Sources further acknowledge that “the lawyers are very high calibre.”Work highlights Defended Saudi Aramco against claims brought by Saudi Arabia Refineries (SARCO) arising from the liquidation of a closed stock company, amounting to more than SAR1 billion.Notable practitionersManaging partner Zeyad Khoshaim (see p.2525) is a very well-known lawyer with noted proficiency across corporate transactional matters and related litigation and arbitration; his wide experience includes advising on construction cases and shareholder disputes. One commentator enthused:

“He’s an excellent lawyer and he’s one of the best if not the best lawyer in the Saudi market; he’s of genuine pedigree.” Nasser Alrubayyi (see p.2524) is increasingly noted as an astute practitioner with deep strength in Saudi disputes. He has a strong background in Islamic law, and sources say: “He is an excellent lawyer whose knowledge of Shari’a law is outstanding.” He leads the dispute resolution practice at the firm.

Band 3

Al Tamimi & CompanySee profile on p.3039What the team is known for Well-known regional firm able to advise clients on a very wide range of domestic litigation and shipping issues. Also represents both Saudi and inter-national clients in tax, employment and regulatory disputes.Strengths One source enthused: “Al Tamimi is my go-to local counsel in KSA,” further saying: “You know what level of ser-vice to expect across all practice areas – it’s refreshing.”Work highlights Acted for BGP Arabia on a multimil-lion-SAR dispute relating to alleged damages caused by its equipment.Notable practitionersAbdullah Al Tamimi is a notable name in the market. Leading the firm’s Saudi dispute resolution team, he is fre-quently instructed by clients to advise on labour disputes, commercial litigation and intellectual property issues. His extensive background in Shari’a makes him well suited to advise on the broad spectrum of Saudi disputes.

Dhabaan & Partners in association with Eversheds SutherlandSee profile on p.3158What the team is known for Proficient team with a strong background in commercial litigation, arbitration and medi-ation processes. Advises on both civil and criminal matters, as well as cases involving matters of Shari’a. Clients include both Saudi and international companies.Work highlights Represented Abdul Rahman Saad Al-Rashid & Sons Company in a SAR53 million licensing dispute.Notable practitionersKey contacts include Fahad AlDehais AlMalki and Dr Saud AlRomi.

Law Office of Dr Mujahid M Al-SawwafWhat the team is known for Firm with deep roots in the Kingdom and a wealth of knowledge of Shari’a. Its seasoned lawyers are well placed to assist clients with wide-ranging litigation proceedings including trade mark infringement actions, debt recovery and construction claims. Also advises on arbitration.Notable practitionersMujahid Al-Sawwaf is an exceptional practitioner who is well known for his longevity and depth of experience in the market. A specialist in Shari’a matters, he is adept at pro-viding advice on a wide range of Saudi disputes. Commenta-tors acknowledge him as “a very accomplished lawyer” who “has very strong experience.”

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in associ-ation with the Law Firm of Salah Al-HejailanSee profile on p.3161What the team is known for Strong disputes practice with significant arbitration experience, including the enforce-ment of foreign judgments. The firm’s client portfolio includes government bodies, insurance companies and construction giants, as well as members of the Saudi royal family.Strengths Sources say: “The Freshfields team is really great.”

Notable practitionersSalah Al-Hejailan is a key contact at the firm.

Mahassni & CoSee profile on p.2529What the team is known for Independent Jeddah-centred team with deep experience representing clients in both commercial litigation and arbitration. Adeptly advises on regulatory and Shari’a issues, in addition to IP litigation. Cli-ents include international banks, major Saudi construction companies and high net worth individuals.Strengths Peers commend the group, saying: “They’re prop-erly prepared when coming to court; they’re definitely a firm I would recommend.”Notable practitionersManaging partner Hassan Mahassni leverages his deep knowledge of a wide range of Saudi law issues to provide cli-ents with expert advice on contractual disputes, labour law and intellectual property litigation. He advises clients from a range of sectors, including banking and financial services.

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm – In Associa-tion with Norton Rose Fulbright US LLPSee profile on p.3481What the team is known for Prominent international firm with a well-established association partner in Saudi Arabia. Well placed to advise on the full range of disputes, including commercial litigation and labour disputes, as well as arbi-tration and mediation. Acts for local, regional and multina-tional clients.Strengths Interviewees say that on the disputes side the firm is “very impressive,” with clients specifically high-lighting the team’s ability to provide “straightforward answers and follow-up.”Notable practitionersMohammed Al-Ghamdi (see p.2524) is a well-known prac-titioner with noted capacities in both commercial litigation and arbitration. He is head of the firm’s Saudi regulatory and disputes team.

Band 4

Alshahrani Almansour in collaboration with DLA PiperSee profile on p.3156What the team is known for Well-known litigation group with noted proficiency in commercial, construction and engineering disputes. Also leverages the firm’s strength in project development to provide guidance on contentious energy and infrastructure matters. The team additionally advises on employment cases.Strengths Commentators note: “They show that they are really working for the best interests of the client.”Work highlights Acted for an international services logis-tics company in relation to the recovery of amounts lost in a SAR55 million theft.Notable practitionersSaad Almansour is a key contact.

Dr. Sultan Almasoud & Partners in associa-tion with Shearman & Sterling LLPSee profile on p.3491What the team is known for Benefits from a strong back-ground in commercial dispute resolution, advising major Saudi companies on cases across a broad range of sectors. Also offers experience representing clients in litigation involving government entities.Notable practitionersSultan Almasoud wins increasing recognition for his litiga-tion work. One client noted: “Sultan is an outstanding Saudi litigator with a wealth of local knowledge that is invaluable for international clients.”

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Legal Advisors in association with Baker McKenzie LimitedWhat the team is known for Established group representing clients before all levels of the Saudi courts. Benefits from deep local experience coupled with a strong international network to provide a broad range of advice to both regional and international clients in relation to commercial disputes, arbitration and employment issues, among others.Strengths One source enthused: “They have some niche practices where nobody can compete with them.”Notable practitionersAbdulrahman AlAjlan is a key contact for the group.

Zamakhchary & Co in cooperation with LinklatersSee profile on p.3163What the team is known for Notable firm able to provide effective advice on a range of litigious issues throughout the Kingdom. Regularly completes mandates for large inter-national and regional companies, including clients from the pharmaceutical, financial services and healthcare indus-tries. Also well versed in handling claims involving govern-ment entities.Strengths Sources say that the team “offers a unique com-bination of local and international expertise with very strong commercial skills.”Work highlights Defended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia before the Arab Investment Court following a USD200 million claim made against it in accordance with the Arab Investment Treaty.Notable practitionersSarah Gonem has an increasingly substantial presence in the market and is noted by commentators for being “good at combining Western and Arabic legal expertise in a very effective manner.” She is well placed to advise on significant claims for both multinational companies and major Saudi players. Clients also comment that she provides “very strong and detailed advice.”

Other Ranked Lawyers

Abdulaziz Al Fahad is described as “one of the best and a legend” in the market for his astute litigation experience. He is able to incorporate his extensive international back-ground to provide advice to government entities and energy clients.Saud Al-Ammari is considered by market commentators to be “an authority on arbitration.” He is particularly lauded for his strength in the oil and gas sector. One source enthused: “He is the most prominent arbitration lawyer in Saudi.”

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Saudi Arabia Leading Individuals www.chambers.com

ABEDI, AliDerayah LLPC, Jeddah+966 12 650 4475ali.abedi@saudilegal.com

Featured in Banking & Finance (Saudi Arabia), Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia)

Practice Areas: Banking and Finance, Pro-jects & Energy, Corporate/CommercialCareer: Mr. Abedi worked for six years with White & Case in New York, where he specialised in asset finance, project finance and cross-bor-der joint ventures. Since his return to Saudi Arabia in 1994 he has practised within his areas of specialisation in a Saudi context.Professional Memberships: Mr. Abedi was called to the Bar of England and Wales by the Middle Temple in 1988 and the New York Bar, Second Department in 1989. He is also a member of the International Bar Association and received his licence to practice law in Saudi Arabia in 2001.Publications: Co-author, of ‘Banking Laws of Saudi Arabia’, New York Law Journal, 1990. Co-author of ‘Doing Business in Saudi Arabia – All Change?’, World Legal Forum by In Brief Magazine, June 2000. Author of ‘Enforceability of Interest’, Global Banking & Financial Policy Review 2002-2003.

ABEDI, AsadDerayah LLPC, Jeddah+966-12-6504475asad.abedi@saudilegal.com

Featured in Capital Markets (Saudi Arabia), Corpo-rate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia)

Practice Areas: Capital Markets, Corporate/CommercialCareer: Mr. Asad Abedi worked for four years with White & Case in New York, where he specialized in securities law and acquisitions. Since his return to Saudi Arabia in 1994 he has developed his expertise in securities law and acquisitions in addition to advising on general corporate and commercial matters.Professional Memberships: Mr. Asad Abedi was called to the New York Bar in 1993. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association.Publications: Mr. Asad Abedi authored “Re-forming Saudi Utilities” MENA Guide, 2004, and “Great Expectations of Saudi Arabian Capital Market”, Global Banking and Financial Policy Review, 2005 and “Public Mergers and Acquisi-tions in Saudi Arabia” Practical Law, 2011-14. Mr. Asad Abedi has also co-authored “Saudi Arabia Merger Control”, Lexis Nexis, 2014, and “Saudi Arabia Corporate M&A, Law and Practice”, 2017.

AL-AKKAS, Looaye M.The Law Office of Looaye M. Al-Akkas, in Association with Vinson & Elkins LLP, Riyadh966 11 250 0888lalakkas@velaw.com

Featured in Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia)Practice Areas: Looaye has been involved in some of the Kingdom’s most high-profile ener-gy, petrochemical, and infrastructure projects, and also advises clients on regional, internation-al, and cross-border M&A and capital markets matters. In addition to acting for major Saudi corporations, Looaye has counseled leading Saudi business families as they endeavor to restructure and diversify their businesses, and seek out investment opportunities, both within the Kingdom and around the world.

AL-FARISI, ZaidKing & Spalding LLP (in association with the Law Offices of Mohammed Al-Ammar), Riyadh+971 4 377 9949zalfarisi@kslaw.com

Featured in Banking & Finance (Saudi Arabia)Practice Areas: Zaid Hadir Al-Farisi is a partner in the Islamic Finance and Investment practice of King & Spalding, working from the Dubai and affiliated Riyadh offices. Zaid focuses his practice on banking and finance, and general corporate and commercial matters. He has represented numerous companies with respect to various strategic financing trans-actions and is widely regarded in the Middle East for his expertise. Mr. Al-Farisi began his practice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1996, and primarily focuses on advising lenders, borrowers and sponsors on the full spectrum of Shari’ah-compliant and conventional financings in the kingdom, including real estate financings, financings involving fund structures, acquisition financings, corporate financings, construction financings and project financings.

AL-GHAMDI, MohammedMohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm – In Asso-ciation with Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, Riyadh+966 1 474 0888mal-ghamdi@fulbright.com

Featured in Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia), Dispute Resolution (Saudi Arabia)

Practice Areas: General corporate and com-mercial regulatory; corporate dispute resolution and litigation; Saudi labour and employment law.Career: Mohammed Al-Ghamdi is actively involved in commercial transactions, including joint ventures, licensing and distribution agree-ments, as well as in commercial and labor liti-gation in the Saudi courts. He regularly advises clients on all phases of their operations in Saudi Arabia, from start-up and support of ongoing operations, including general regulatory, cor-porate governance, tax matters, and strategic transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. He is experienced in handling wide variety of sectors, including energy, petrochemicals, power and water, manufacturing, construction, aviation, transport, technology and innovation, media, telecommunications and life sciences and health care. He joined the firm in 2006 from the Kadasa Law Firm. Prior to joining the Kada-sa Law Firm, he practiced law in Washington, DC, as an international legal consultant with an American law firm. He received a commenda-tion from Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States of America, for achievement of high academic standing in legal studies.Personal: LLM, American University; LLB, Cairo University. Native Arabic and fluent in English.

AL-HEJAILAN, FaresFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in asso-ciation with the Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan, Riyadh+966 11 479 2200fares.al-hejailan@freshfields.com

Featured in Capital Markets (Saudi Arabia), Corpo-rate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia)

Practice Areas: Fares is co-head of Fresh-fields’ Riyadh office. His areas of practice are M&A, corporate and regulatory, with a particu-lar emphasis on IPOs and securities issues, corporate restructuring, licensing and capital markets regulations. Fares also has experience in dispute resolution in Saudi Arabia.

Career: Fares has been a partner since 2011.Personal: Fares speaks fluent English and Arabic.

AL-HUSSAIN, YasserAbuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in co-operation with Clifford Chance, RiyadhPractice Areas: Yasser Al-Hussain is Partner and Head of Banking and Finance at AS&H. He has extensive experience advising on a broad range of banking and finance matters including project finance, bilateral and syndicated lending transactions as well as Islamic Finance. He also represents international and Saudi clients in litigation, arbitration and enforcement proceedings.

AL-LOUZI, SamiWhite & Case LLP, Dubai+971 4 381 6271sami.louzi@whitecase.com

Featured in Capital Markets (Saudi Arabia), Capital Markets (Middle East-wide), Corporate/Commer-cial (Saudi Arabia), Corporate/M&A (United Arab Emirates)

See under Global Leaders for profile.

AL-SHEIKH, MajidAbuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in co-operation with Clifford Chance, Riyadhmajid.alsheikh@ashlawksa.comPractice Areas: Majid Al-Sheikh is Partner and Head of the Corporate practice at AS&H. Majid has extensive experience in advising multinational and regional clients, including a number of government entities, listed compa-nies and family-owned businesses on a broad range of cross-border M&A, corporate, equity capital markets and real estate transactions.

ALHAGBANI, MansoorAbuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in co-operation with Clifford Chance, Riyadh+966 11 481 9700Info.ASH@ashlawksa.comPractice Areas: Mansoor Alhagbani is Partner and Head of Capital Markets & Financial Regu-latory at AS&H. He is recognised as one of the leading lawyers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and specialises in public M&A, equity capital markets, debt capital markets, capital market regulatory and financial regulatory.

ALRUBAYYI, NasserKhoshaim & Associates, RiyadhPractice Areas: Nasser is a partner and quali-fied lawyer whose practice involves represent-ing clients in complex litigation and commercial arbitration cases. He has acted as counsel representing and defending international as well as domestic corporations in a wide assort-ment of litigation and arbitration cases in the construction, telecommunications, securities, employment, insurance, and real estate sectors. Nasser is one of the first lawyers to argue cases before the newly established Administrative Supreme Court. He also sits as arbitrator in commercial cases. Nasser has been recently appointed as advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Justice in relation to the reform of the Saudi judicial system. Nasser holds a Bachelor degree in Islamic Law from Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University and a Masters degree in Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine School of Law (ranked number one by U.S News & World Report for 13 years). Before joining the firm, Nasser was trained at the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) in France and JAMS in the

United States. Nasser is known amongst his peers for being one of the leading litigators in Saudi Arabia, having personally argued over 170 cases. Nasser is fluent in Arabic and English.

BALMER, RobinNorton Rose Fulbright, Dubai+971 4 369 6365robin.balmer@nortonrosefulbright.com

Featured in Banking & Finance (Saudi Arabia)Practice Areas: Banking and finance Islamic finance ShippingCareer: Robin Balmer is a banking and finance lawyer based in Dubai. He leads our banking and finance practice in Saudi Arabia. Robin has been working on financing transactions within Saudi Arabia since 2004 and has a particular focus on asset finance, project finance, proper-ty finance and Shariah compliant transactions. Robin’s transactions are primarily asset related involving real estate, ships, aircraft and project assets or complex structured transactions.

BOEHM, JR., JohnNorton Rose Fulbright, Houston+1 713 651 5565john.boehm@nortonrosefulbright.com

Featured in Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia)Career: John Boehm is of counsel in the firm’s Houston office, where he moved in 2020 after 14 years serving as a partner resident in the Middle East. John advises advises on forming, financing and governing companies and joint ventures in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries. He handles mergers, acquisitions, agency arrangements and reg-ulatory matters relating to market entry and operations in the region, and represents owners, concessionaires, technology suppliers and EPC contractors in industrial and infrastructure projects including in PPP.Professional Memberships: State Bar of Texas; American Bar Association.

COUSIN, AntoineWhite & Case LLP, Abu Dhabi+971 2 611 3400acousin@whitecase.com

Featured in Banking & Finance (Saudi Arabia)Practice Areas: To read more, visit: whitecase.com/people/antoine-cousin

DEY, DebashisWhite & Case LLP, Dubai+971 4 381 6202debashis.dey@whitecase.com

Featured in Islamic Finance (Middle East-wide), Capital Markets (Saudi Arabia), Capital Markets (Middle East-wide), Banking & Finance (United Arab Emirates), Capital Markets (United Arab Emirates)

See under Global Leaders for profile.

EL ASSIR, OmarAlem & Associates, Beirut+961 1 999 717omar.assir@alemlaw.com

Featured in Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia)Practice Areas: Omar is a partner of Alem & Associates. He manages Alem’s Riyadh office and leads the regional banking & finance, cap-ital markets and corporate and M&A practices of the Firm. Omar has advised a number of high profile banks, investment banks and private equity funds within the region, focusing on their investments, fund raising and structuring activities. He is widely recognized as a leading expert in corporate governance, and has a significant record of advising international, regional and local entities (such as the IFC, the Lebanese government, and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) on matters related to governance and structuring, as well

Leaders’ Profiles in Saudi Arabia

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www.chambers.com Leading Individuals Saudi Arabia

as securities regulation. Omar El Assir is the author of several articles and legal publications tackling, amongst others, issues relating to corporate law, securities regulations and bank corporate governance. Omar El Assir holds an LLB from Saint Joseph University, an LLM in International Private Law and International Business Law from the University of Paris I (Panthéon- Sorbonne). He has been a member of the Beirut Bar since 2002. Languages: Eng-lish, Arabic and French.

GIANSIRACUSA, YusufJones Day, Riyadh00 44 966 (11) 252 8700ygiansiracusa@jonesday.com

Featured in Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia)Career: Yusuf Giansiracusa has worked in Sau-di Arabia for almost 30 years representing cli-ents doing business in the Kingdom and abroad. He represents a number of the Kingdom’s prominent industrial and service enterprises, leading commercial and industrial families, and ultra-high net-worth (UHNW) investors. Yusuf has a broad range of experience in commer-cial and corporate transactions, licensing, industrial and infrastructure projects, defence, oil-gas-petrochemicals (OGP), and private client matters. Since 1991, he has represented participants in many of the major projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Yusuf has advised developing country governments on rule of law issues and has assisted in training government officials and professionals from emerging democracies and developing countries in infra-structure projects, public-private partnerships, and international arbitration. Yusuf currently serves as Vice Chairman of three professional football clubs, Sheffield United FC, which com-petes in the English Premier League, Koninklijke Football Club Olympia Beerschot-Wilrijk (Ant-werp), which competes in the Belgian Football League and Al Hilal United, which competes in Dubai. He also serves on the boards of several investment and private trust companies.

HABERBECK, AndreasDerayah LLPC, Jeddah+966 (12) 6504475andreas.haberbeck@saudilegal.com

Featured in Dispute Resolution (Saudi Arabia), Shipping (Saudi Arabia)

Practice Areas: Dispute Resolution, Corpo-rate/Commercial, ShippingCareer: Following pupillage at 3 Essex Court (now 20 Essex Street), Mr. Haberbeck worked with Coward Chance (now Clifford Chance) in London and Jeddah from 1982 to 1986. He sub-sequently worked with Thomas Miller & Co and Richards Butler (now Reed Smith) in London. He returned to Saudi Arabia in 1991, which brings his cumulative experience as a lawyer in Saudi Arabia to 33 years. His professional status in Saudi Arabia is that of legal advisor (mustashar qanuni), which authorizes him to provide adviso-ry and representative services to clients other than appearances before Saudi Arabian courts.Professional Memberships: Called to the Bar of England and Wales by Gray’s Inn in 1981.Publications: Mr. Haberbeck is the co-author of the books “The Maritime Laws of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council States” (1986) and

“Saudi Shipping Law” (1990). His articles include “Insurance under Saudi Arabian Law” (1986) Lloyd’s Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly 246; “Risk Sharing in an Islamic Society” (1987) Arab Law Quarterly 138; “Reg-ulating the Saudi Arabian Insurance Industry”, International Bar Association Insurance Law Newsletter, August 2000; “Succession in Saudi Arabia”, Trusts & Trustees, 2010 16 (1) 28-30; and “Saudi Arabian Competition Law”, Interna-tional Financial Law Review, September 2011.

HAMRA-KROUHA, MohamedAbuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in co-operation with Clifford Chance, Riyadh+971 50 450 4801mohamed.hamra-krouha@cliffordchance.com

Featured in Projects (Middle East-wide), Banking & Finance (Saudi Arabia)

See under Global Leaders for profile.

HAROON, ShadiLaw Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed (in association with Baker Botts LLP), Riyadh+966 11 218 7825shadi.haroon@bakerbotts.com

Featured in Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia)Practice Areas: Shadi Haroon has been work-ing in Saudi Arabia since 2006 and is active in advising both Saudi Arabian and foreign clients on a wide range of corporate, capital markets and M&A transactions. Shadi’s practice centers on corporate structuring, equity offerings, acquisitions and other corporate transactional matters. Shadi has worked for leading overseas investors in their expansion into the Saudi Arabian.Professional Memberships: Jordan Bar AssociationPersonal: Education: University of Jordan (B.A. Law) Aberdeen University (LLM) Languages: English and Arabic.

ISSA, NabilKing & Spalding LLP, Dubai+971 4 377 9909nissa@kslaw.com

Featured in Corporate/M&A (Middle East-wide), Investment Funds (Middle East-wide), Capital Mar-kets (Saudi Arabia), Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia), Corporate/M&A (United Arab Emirates)

See under Global Leaders for profile.

KHAN, ShirazAl Tamimi & Company, Dubai+971 (0) 4 331 7161s.khan@tamimi.com

Featured in Tax (Saudi Arabia), Tax (United Arab Emirates)

See under United Arab Emirates for profile.

KHOSHAIM, ZeyadKhoshaim & Associates, Riyadh966 11 461 8703zeyad@khoshaim.comPractice Areas: Zeyad Khoshaim is the man-aging partner of Khoshaim & Associates. He is qualified in New York, California, Washington DC, and Saudi Arabia. He specializes in advising corporate multinationals on raising funds, struc-turing, financing, and litigating major projects, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions in Saudi Arabia. For 15 years, he has advised and

led on some of Saudi Arabia’s highest profile energy –petrochemical – oil and gas – related projects, acted on arbitrations and litigation, including securities litigation and banking mat-ters. Zeyad obtained a Bachelor of Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University Law School. Zeyad also obtained a Management of Law Firms certificate from Harvard Law School Executive Education.

LATTO, PaulAlshahrani Almansour in collaboration with DLA Piper, Riyadh+966 11 201 8900paul.latto@dlapiper.com

Featured in Banking & Finance (Saudi Arabia)Career: Paul Latto’s core practice focuses on both conventional and Islamic finance products with experience across the full spectrum of banking and finance transactions, including lev-eraged and acquisition finance, derivatives and capital markets, asset and project finance, gen-eral bank lending, restructuring and insolvency. Having spent over eight years working in the Middle East, based in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Paul has led many of the largest and most innovative banking and finance transactions undertaken in the region to date.

MATTHEWS, StephenBaker Botts LLP, Dubai+971 4 436 3630stephen.matthews@bakerbotts.com

Featured in Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia), Corporate/Commercial (United Arab Emirates)

See under United Arab Emirates for profile.

PEEL, DougThe Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan in cooperation with White & Case, Riyadh+966 11 499 3620dpeel@whitecase.com

Featured in Banking & Finance (Saudi Arabia)Practice Areas: To read more, visit: whitecase.com/people/doug-peel

PIERSON, AdamWhite & Case LLP, Abu Dhabi+971 2 611 3412apierson@whitecase.com

Featured in Banking & Finance (Saudi Arabia)Practice Areas: To read more, visit: whitecase.com/people/adam-pierson

STULL, JamesKing & Spalding LLP, Dubai971 4 377 9929jstull@kslaw.com

Featured in Investment Funds (Middle East-wide), Corporate/Commercial (Saudi Arabia)

See under Global Leaders for profile.

TAYLOR, MikeClifford Chance LLP, Dubai971 4 503 2638mike.taylor@cliffordchance.com

Featured in Corporate/M&A (Middle East-wide), Capital Markets (Saudi Arabia), Capital Markets (Middle East-wide), Capital Markets (United Arab Emirates), Corporate/M&A (United Arab Emirates)

See under Global Leaders for profile.

URE, StuartClifford Chance LLP, Dubai009714 5032659stuart.ure@cliffordchance.com

Featured in Capital Markets (Saudi Arabia), Capital Markets (Middle East-wide), Capital Markets (Unit-ed Arab Emirates)

See under Global Leaders for profile.

WALI, KarimKhoshaim & Associates, Riyadh+966 1 478 0220Practice Areas: Karim is the leading partner in our Finance & Projects practice. He has extensive experience in acting for borrowers and lenders on Islamic, conventional and pro-ject financings. Karim also advises on financial services regulations and Sukuk issuances. Karim is admitted as a Solicitor in England & Wales, having qualified within the London office of Allen & Overy LLP. Karim graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from The London School of Economics & Political Science. Karim is fluent in Arabic and English.

ZAZA, LeenKhoshaim & Associates, Riyadh+966 11 461 8715leen.zaza@khoshaim.comPractice Areas: Leen is a New York-qualified partner in our corporate practice, heading the private M&A and JVs team, who has experience of a wide range of corporate and commercial transactions in the Middle East and internation-ally, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, IPOs, private placements, and general corporate regulatory and advisory work. She has worked on transactions in the oil and gas, energy, shipping, chemical production, health, e-commerce, education, F&B, real estate, retail and heavy equipment and machinery industries. Leen has worked with a variety of international companies, local Saudi entities, and governmental bodies on corporate and foreign investment matters and is familiar with the regional and regulatory issues arising from such transactions. She is currently the only female lawyer in private practice to be ranked across all practice areas in Saudi Arabia. Leen obtained an LLM in Commercial Law (Distinc-tion), and an LLB (Hons) from the University of Bristol. Leen is fluent in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.

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Saudi Arabia Leading Law Firms www.chambers.comSAUDI ARABIA www.chambersandpartners.com

CLYDE & COtel: +966 11 253 2100 fax: +966 11 253 2105

Chairman: Dr Mujahid M Al-Sawwaf Managing Partner: David M WellsLanguages: Arabic, English, French

Firm Overview: About Clyde & Co in the Middle EastClyde & Co has the largest presence and is one of most experienced international law firms in the Middle East with over 40 partners and 300 staff, based full time in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, Doha in Qatar, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The firm supports international investors and local organisations throughout the wider region with a full-service offering of local specialists across most business sectors and areas of law, including commercial, corporate, dispute resolution, employment, intellectual property, international arbitration, finance & banking, insurance, projects & construction, real estate, regulatory & investigations, and technology.

About Clyde & Co Clyde & Co is a leading global law firm, specialising in the sectors that underpin global trade and commercial activity, namely: insurance, transport, infrastructure, energy, and trade and commodities. It is globally integrated, offering a comprehensive range of contentious and non-contentious legal services and commercially-minded legal advice to businesses operating across developed and developing markets. Clyde & Co is committed to operating in a responsible way. This means progressing towards a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of its communities and clients, using its legal skills to support its communities through pro bono work, volunteering and charitable partnerships, and minimising the impact it has on the environment. The firm has 440 partners, 1800 lawyers, 2500 legal professionals and 4000 staff in over 50 offices and associated offices worldwide.

Main Areas of Practice:

Commercial, Corporate & M&AAbdulaziz Al-Bosaily Tel: +966564735807 Email: abdulaziz.albosaily@clydeco.comAlain Sfeir Tel: +966112532112 Email: alain.sfeir@clydeco.com

Commercial Litigation & ADR, International ArbitrationBen Cowling Tel: +966540599443 Email: ben.cowling@clydeco.comSaud Alsaab Tel: +966538888840 Email: saud.alsaab@clydeco.comRichard Bell Tel: +971 58 972 4484 Email: Richard.bell@clydeco.com

Data Protection & CybersecurityDino Wilkinson Tel: +971 50 554 0675 Email: dino.wilkin-son@clydeco.com

Employment & ImmigrationSara Khoja Tel: +971 50 552 9961 Email: sara.khoja@clydeco.com

Finance & BankingAdil Hussain Tel: +971 50 459 6465 Email: adil.hussain@clydeco.com

Insurance & ReinsuranceSaud Alsaab Tel: +966538888840 Email: saud.alsaab@clydeco.com

Intellectual Property & TechnologyJoycia Young Tel: +971 56 683 7576 Email: joycia.young@clydeco.com

MarineRobert Lawrence Tel: +971 50 457 3118 Email: Robert.lawrence@clydeco.com

Projects & ConstructionBen Cowling Tel: +966540599443 Email: ben.cowling@clydeco.com

Real EstatePeter Greatrex Tel: +971 50 304 9433 Email: peter.greatrex@clydeco.com

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PRACTICE AREAS AviationCommercialCommercial Litigation & ADRCorporate & M&AData Protection & CybersecurityDebt RecoveryEmployment & ImmigrationFinance & BankingForeign Direct InvestmentInsurance & ReinsuranceIntellectual Property & TechnologyInternational ArbitrationMarineProcurement & Commercial AgenciesProjects & ConstructionReal EstateRegulatory & Investigations

OFFICE

SAUDI ARABIARIYADH: Clyde & Co Riyadh The Business Gate, Building 14 Airport Road, Qurtubah District, Building 14, Airport Road, Qurtubah District Tel: +966 11 253 2100 Fax: +966 11 253 2105 Email: businessdevelopmentmena@clydeco.com

INTERNATIONAL OFFICES ABERDEEN LOS ANGELES ABU DHABI MADRID ATLANTA MANCHESTER AUKLAND* MELBOURNE BEIJING MEXICO CITY BRISBANE MIAMI BRISTOL MONTREAL CAPE TOWN MUNICH CARACAS NAIROBI* CHICAGO NANTES CHONGQING NEW DELHI* CIUDAD DEL CARMEN NEW JERSEY DAR ES SALAAM NEW YORK DOHA NEWCASTLE DUBAI PARIS DUBLIN PERTH DUSSELDORF RIO DE JANEIRO EDINBURGH RIYADH GLASGOW SAN FRANCISCO GUILDFORD SANTIAGO* HAMBURG SAO PAULO HONG KONG SHANGHAI IRVINE, ORANGE COUNTY SINGAPORE JOHANNESBURG SYDNEY KANSAS CITY TORONTO KUALA LUMPUR* ULAANBAATAR* LEEDS WASHINGTON DC LONDON

*ASSOCIATED OFFICES

2527

www.chambers.com Leading Law Firms Saudi ArabiaSAUDI ARABIA www.chambersandpartners.com

DERAYAH LLPC - SAUDILEGALwww.saudilegal.com tel: +966 12 650 4475 fax: +966 12 657 2007

Number of lawyers worldwide: 12 Languages: Arabic, English

Firm Overview:Derayah LLPC (formerly Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co.) is an independent Saudi Arabian law firm. The firm regularly acts in high profile transactions and has developed a reputation for providing quality advice on some of the largest and most complex projects in Saudi Arabia. It remains the first-choice Saudi counsel for many foreign companies and international law firms seeking advice on Saudi Arabian law.

Main Areas of Practice:

Dispute Resolution:The dispute resolution department provides general litiga-tion and arbitration services and has particular expertise in banking disputes, capital market disputes, government contract claims, agencies and distributorships, shipping, insurance, and providing expert evidence on Saudi Arabian law in overseas proceedings. The firm is currently involved in six bankruptcy proceedings, including the Maan Al Sanea/Saad Trading financial reorganisation procedure involving claims totaling US$ 21 billion, the first financial reorganisation under the new Saudi Arabian bankruptcy legislation that was enacted in 2018. The firm also provided expert evidence on Saudi Arabian law in English High Court proceedings brought by the liquidators of Saad Investments Company against SAMBA Financial Group, in connection with a claim for US$ 318 million.

Projects & Energy:The projects and energy department frequently acts as local counsel to sponsors, lenders and borrowers involved in major power and water projects in Saudi Arabia, both public and private. Recently, Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co. were local counsel to the consortium that Saudi Arabia’s Water & Electricity Com-pany selected as preferred bidder for the planned Dammam West ISTP. The consortium is led by the UAE-headquartered Metito, and also includes Saudi Arabia’s Mowah and Egypt’s Orascom Construction. The US$ 245 million project reached financial close in June 2020. The Dammam ISTP has a designed capacity of 350,000 cubic meters per day and an initial capacity of 200,000 cubic meters per day, and will be developed under a 25-year sewage treatment agreement.

The firm has additionally been involved in the following private power and water projects in Saudi Arabia:

■ The lenders in the first IPP (SADAF); ■ The sponsors in the first IWP (Rabigh); ■ The lenders in the first IWPP (Shoaiba) and its

subsequent expansion; ■ The borrower in the Qurayyah IPP, the world’s largest

IPP; ■ The winning bidder in the Rabigh IWSPP; ■ The lenders for the Shuqaiq IWPP; ■ The sponsors in the first solar power project.

The firm advised Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and Sad-ara Chemical Company (Sadara) in connection with Dow’s joint venture with Saudi Aramco for the development, financing and construction of a petrochemicals complex in Jubail (the Sadara Chemicals Project). The plastics and chemicals plant is one of the largest of its kind world-wide built on a green field basis. US $2 billion of the project fi-nancing debt for the US $20 billion Sadara project was raised through a sukuk (Islamic bond). That was the largest Saudi project finance sukuk ever issued and, significantly, was the first time a project bond had been issued in Saudi Arabia before the remainder of project debt had been arranged. The total project financing raised, including the sukuk, was

approximately US $12.5 billion, the largest-ever project financing in the petrochemicals sector, as well as one of the largest multi-sourced financings in project finance history. The Sadara project financing was provided by a combina-tion of eight export credit agencies (including a record US$ 5 billion single investment from US Exim), a large number of commercial banks, Islamic financial institutions, and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The firm also represented the lenders in the second phase of the Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, and has represented both the foreign shareholders and the sponsors in numerous major petrochemical projects including the award-winning Al Waha Petrochemical project and the Jubail Acrylates project.Banking & Finance:The banking and finance department advises arrangers, issuers and placement agents in relation to debt and equity capital markets, collective investment schemes, corporate trustees as well as general securities advice.The firm’s work highlights include advising:

■ ACWA Power as it leads a consortium with Saudi Brothers Commercial Company (SBCC), on the financing of the US$ 700 million Rabigh-3 IWP which will generate 600,000 cubic metres a day and be one of the largest SWRO desalination projects in the world built in Saudi Arabia. ■ Marubeni Corporation and the National Energy

Company (Taqa) on their successful bid for the planned Marjan cogeneration ISPP and Tanajib desalination plant. The Marjan ISPP is planned to have a power capacity of 700MW-900MW, with a steam capacity of 1,152-3,054 kilo pounds an hour, and a desalination component of 24,000 cubic metres a day – expandable to 34,000 cubic metres per day by 2030. ■ ACWA Power on the development of Saudi Arabia’s

first renewable energy project under the Kingdom’s new National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP). Under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) contract the 300MW photovoltaic (PV) solar plant will be developed in Sakaka in Al-Jouf province for a world record tariff of US$c2.34/ kilowatt hour. The special purpose vehicle, Sakaka Solar Energy Company, owned by ACWA Power and AlGihaz Holding, was formed to develop the project. ■ Marubeni & Marafiq on their bid for Saudi Water Partner-

ship Company (SWPC)’s reverse osmosis desalination plant in Jubail, which will be a 600,000 cubic metres per day IWP. ■ The Marubeni and Marafiq Consortium in their bid for

the Yanbu 4 IWP, which will be built in Ar Ray yis, 140km west of Madinah. The plant is to operate using reverse osmosis seawater desalination technology. Once built, the plant will have a daily drinking water capacity of 450,000m3.

Capital Markets:The capital markets department provides ongoing advice to international and Saudi Arabian blue chip clients, with a focus on high-profile transactions. The firm has been the legal counsel to the National Commercial Bank in connec-tion with several sukuk, one of which was the first Tier 1 sukuk to be issued by a Saudi Arabian bank.

The firm’s work highlights include advising: ■ Mobile Telecommunications Company Saudi Arabia

(“Zain”) on its US$ 1.9 billion Saudi initial public offering which was oversubscribed at 283% with more than 8.53 million Saudis subscribing for shares by investing more than SAR 17.83 billion. ■ The Royal & Sun Alliance affiliate Al Alamiya Insurance

Co. in connection with the initial public offering of 30% of its share capital as part of its licensing and incorpora-tion pursuant to the Control of Cooperative Insurance Companies Regulation of 2003. ■ Ettihad Etisalat, on the initial public offering of 20% of

its share capital under the new Capital Market Regulation, which was 51 times oversubscribed at a value of US$ 13.6 billion. ■ The National Commercial Bank on the initial public

offering of a US$ 1.35 billion Tier II sukuk issuance. Acting as local counsel to NCB, the firm advised on the prospectus and all the Sukuk documents and transaction documents. ■ The National Commercial Bank on the early redemption

of its SAR 5 billion Tier 2 Sukuk. The sukuk were offered through private placement on the 25th of February 2014, for an amount of SAR 5 billion, qualifying as Tier 2 subordi-nated debt in accordance with the Basel III framework. ■ International Company for Water and Power Projects on

the debut bond for ACWA Power, which was issued in US dollars and listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. The bond is secured by cash flows and certain other securities from eight operating power generation and/or water desalination plants located in Saudi Arabia.

Corporate & Commercial:Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co. has represented purchasers in domestic and cross-border transactions in different industries, including the banking, engineering, media, oil services and transport sectors.The firm’s work highlights include:

■ Advising Hoffman La-Roche AG on the restructuring of its Saudi Arabian distribution operations, which included the licensing and setting up of a wholly foreign-owned trading company in Saudi Arabia, assisting in the transfer of its local workforce, and advising on regulatory matters, compliance and other issues required for the successful operation of the new business. ■ Advising Alcoa in connection with its joint venture

with Ma’aden for the development of a fully integrated aluminum complex. The value of the transaction was US$ 10.8 billion.

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PRACTICE AREAS Banking & FinanceCapital MarketsCorporate & CommercialDispute ResolutionProjects & Energy

OFFICES

SAUDI ARABIAJEDDAH: PO Box 6387, 21442 Tel: +966 12 650 4475 Fax: +966 12 657 2007 Email: secretariat@saudilegal.com

RIYADH: PO Box 36553, 11393 Tel: +966 11 4169735 Fax: +966 11 4169735 Email: secretariat.riyadh@saudilegal.com

2528

Saudi Arabia Leading Law Firms www.chambers.comSAUDI ARABIA www.chambersandpartners.com

KHOSHAIM & ASSOCIATESwww.khoshaim.com tel: +966 11 461 8700 fax: +966 11 461 8799

Managing Partner: Zeyad S. KhoshaimNumber of partners: 4 Number of lawyers: 35+Languages: Arabic, English, French, Russian, Spanish

Firm Overview: K&A is a full-service Saudi Arabian law firm with local depth and international reach. K&A delivers first class, efficient and integrated legal services. K&A’s principal goals are to provide the highest quality of legal services to its corporate clients to become an instrumental part in their success, and to elevate the practice of law in Saudi Arabia by recruiting, retaining and advancing the brightest legal talent. K&A includes a team of veteran Saudi Arabian and internationally qualified lawyers who assist on a wide range of practice areas, including dispute resolution, arbitration and litigation, expert opinions, equity and debt capital markets, including IPOs, rights issues and sukuk, corporate and M&A, in addition to private and public mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, foreign direct investment, anti-trust, and complex corporate restructurings, tax, financings and projects, Islamic finance transactions, PPP, and bankruptcy.

Main Areas of Practice: Corporate & Regulatory 2 Partners; 11 fee earners based in Saudi Arabia

■ Landmark transaction: we acted on the largest merger in Saudi Arabia (between SAMBA and NCB). The transaction was extremely challenging due to the complexity of the corporate structure of the two banks, the competition filings that had to be done, and the accelerated timetable for its execution. ■ K&A advised on the largest M&A transaction in KSA

history. K&A advised the Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) in relation to the acquisition by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) of 70% of its shares from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a landmark transaction worth USD 69.1 billion. ■ K&A advised Saudi International Petrochemical

Company (SIPCHEM), a major listed petrochemical company, on its business merger with Sahara Petrochemi-cal Company (SAHARA), the Kingdom’s first transaction of this kind. ■ K&A advised Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi

Aramco), as a purchaser, on its acquisition of Ta’shelat Marketing Company (the entity owning and operating the chain of Sahel and Sahel Mart fuel and service stations) and Sahel Transportation Company (a fuel transportation company) ■ K&A advised AMC Theaters on the establishment of a

joint venture with PIF company, SEVEN, to become the first cinema chain in Saudi Arabia.

Key Clients: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), Saudi International Petrochemical Company (SIPCHEM), Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemicals Company, Tatweer Buildings Company, American Multi-Cinema, Inc. (AMC Theatres), ACWA Power Contact: Zeyad KhoshaimTel: +966 11 461 8700 Email: bd@khoshaim.com

Projects & Finance2 Partner, 10 fee earners based in Saudi Arabia

■ Financing for the Red Sea Gate Terminal in connection with expansion at the Jeddah Islamic Port under a 30-year concession agreement with Saudi Arabian Ports Authority, acting for Banque Saudi Fransi and Al Rajhi Bank. ■ Advised the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) on a

syndicated Murabaha facility agreement with a number of local banks for a total value of SAR 9 billion for seven years. ■ Advised on the Ijara lease financing for the Saudi

National Company of Aviation (SNCA), in relation to 8 (Diamond Aircraft) aircraft. Financing is in relation to one of the first batch of aircraft that SNCA is acquiring, as it grows its fleet. ■ Advised the King Fahd Causeway Authority in its

selection and contracting of a consortium to assist the King Fahd Causeway Authority in connection with the

construction and development of second causeway con-necting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain. ■ Advised Tatweer Construction Company in connection

with the first public private partnership in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This project relates to the construction and operation by a private sector investor of 60 schools in Mecca and Jeddah. ■ Advised on financing for Saudi Kayan Petrochemical

CompanyKey Clients: Banque Saud Fransi, Riyad Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, The Saudi British Bank, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electric-ity Company, Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Arab National Bank, Samba Financial Group, Tamweel AlOulaContact: Zeyad Khoshaim Tel: +966 11 461 8700 Email: bd@khoshaim.com Capital Markets2 Partners, 8 fee earners based in Saudi Arabia

■ Landmark deal: Samba Financial Group on its mega merger with the National Commercial Bank to create Saudi Arabia’s largest bank. ■ Advised NatWest Markets N.V., the Royal Bank of

Scotland Group plc, NLFI, and Banco Santander, S.A. in connection with the merger between SABB and Alawwal. ■ Advised Saudi Aramco in connection with its landmark

IPO on all matters involving compliance and CMA regulatory issues. We advised on matters involving applicability of listing and offering rules, prospectus liability, conflict of interest, related party transactions, and disclosure. ■ Advised Sipchem, a major listed petrochemical

company, on its business merger with Sahara, the Kingdom’s first transaction of this kind. The transaction was structured as a total share swap. ■ Advised HSBC Saudi Arabia as manager and

Sukukholders’ Agent in relation to the issuance of SAR 1,000,000,000 SUKUK DUE 2026 by Savola Group company under its SAR 5,300,000,000 SUKUK Issuance Programme ■ Advised SAMBA Financial Group on their first estab-

lishment of its USD 5,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme, and its offers of USD 1,000,000,000 2.75 Per cent. notes due 2024 and USD 500,000,000 2.900 Per Cent. ■ Advised HSBC as the dealer in relation to the

establishment of the U.S $5,000,000,000 Trust Certificate Issuance Programme and then HSBC, JP Morgan Securities, Standard Chartered, Samba Capital & Investment Management, First Abu Dhabi Bank and KFH Capital Investment on the first offer thereunder of USD1,250,000,000 Sukuk Due 2029. ■ Advised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented

by the Ministry of Finance in relation to its of-fer U.S.$1,250,000,000 2.500 Per Cent. Notes Due 2027, U.S.$1,000,000,000 2.750 Per Cent. Notes Due 2032, And U.S.$2,750,000,000 3.750 Per Cent. Notes Due 2055 under its Global Medium-Term Note Programme.

■ Advised the Riyad Bank in relation to the establishment of its U.S.$3,000,000,000 Trust Certificate Issuance Programme and the first offer thereunder of USD 1,500,000,000 fixed rate reset tier 2 certificates due 2030 thereunder. ■ Advised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented

by the Ministry of Finance in relation to its offer of U.S.$2,500,000,000 2.969 Per Cent. Trust Certificates Due 2029 under The Trust Certificate Issuance Programme.

Key Clients: NatWEest Markets NV (formerly RBS), Saudi Aramco, SIPCHEM, SABIC, HSBC Saudi Arabia, Natwest Markets, Ministry of Finance, HSBC Saudi Arabia, SAMBA Financial Group, Riyad Bank Contact: Zeyad Khoshaim Tel: +966 11 461 8700 Email: bd@khoshaim.com

Dispute Resolution2 Partners, 6 fee earners based in Saudi Arabia

■ K&A successfully defended a client before the Administrative Supreme Court against a case brought by a Saudi listed company, Saudi Arabia Refineries Co. (SARCO), in relation to the liquidation of a closed joint stock company. ■ K&A successfully prosecuted and enforced a foreign

arbitration award in the enforcement courts of Saudi Arabia against Abdullah Bugshan and Brothers Company and its partners. ■ K&A successfully acted for the General Organization

for Social Insurance (GOSI) at the Committee for the Resolution of Securities Disputes respect of a securities dispute involving general assemblies in a listed company Mouwasat Medical Services Co

Key Clients: Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemi-cal Co. (SATORP), Renault Truck S.A.S, Total Marketing Services S.A., Volvo Truck Corporation, Aramco Lubricants and Retail Company, Zahid Tractor and Heavy Machinery Co. Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank, Etihad Etisalat Company Saudi Arabia (Mobily), Sumitomo Corporation, The Gen-eral Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) Contact: Zeyad Khoshaim Tel: +966 11 461 8700Email: bd@khoshaim.com

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OFFICES

SAUDI ARABIARIYADH: 17th Floor, Tower B, Olaya Towers, Olaya District 11321 Tel: +966 11 461 8700 Fax: +966 11 461 8799

2529

www.chambers.com Leading Law Firms Saudi ArabiaSaudi arabia www.chambersandpartners.com

Law firm of HaSSan maHaSSniwww.mahassni.com.sa tel: +966 12 665 4353 fax: + 966 12 669 2996

Number of partners and lawyers in Saudi Arabia: 15Languages: Arabic, English, French, Hindi

Firm Overview: The Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni is one of the premier law firms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The practice of the Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni is structured around teams of highly qualified lawyers. Founded by Hassan M S Mahassni in 1970, the Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni has a large local and international practice focused on corporate, commercial and financial transactions, including joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, capital market transactions, banking, financial services, project finance and Islamic finance. The firm also has a significant litigation practice before courts and other adjudicatory authorities throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The firm has been consistently recognised locally and internationally as a leading firm and has helped shape the commercial landscape of Saudi Arabia, where it has formed various leading national companies including Saudi Cable Company, United Sugar Company (Savola), Alujain Corporation and Arabian Mining and Manufacturing Company. The firm has built a for-midable team of commercial lawyers around Mr. Mahassni, both in the transactional as well as litigation departments, whose calibre has not gone unnoticed in national and international publications.

The firm’s outstanding presence in the market is further solidified by its diverse team of young professionals who are well-versed in the intricate working of the growing Saudi economy and fast-changing regulatory environment and as well as by its deeply experienced practitioners whose knowledge in Shariah is unmatched in the Saudi market.

Main Areas of Practice:

Project & Infrastructure: The Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni works on significant na-tional level projects like the SR 45 billion Jeddah Metro Project, the $3.85 billion King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jed-dah, several Red Sea Water Desalinization Projects, Qurayyah Power Project, Capital Markets Authority Tower, the SR 62 billion Makkah Metro Project and several multi-billion dollar Saudi Aramco energy projects and Saudi Arabian mining company projects.

Project Finance: The Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni has extensive experience in project financings in Saudi Arabia. Among its notable recent project financing representations, the firm has acted as counsel for the transport stations in Makkah, King Abdullah Security Buildings Project, Phase 3 banking facilities, Kudai towers fi-nancing arrangements, SAR. 27 billion King Abdulaziz Inter-national Airport development banking facilities and is acting for the Saudi Aramco power cogeneration projects at Abqaiq, Hawiyah and Ras Tanura - as well as acting for the lenders in relation to a large-scale Desalination Plant Project.

Banking & Finance:The Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni acts as transaction counsel to various lenders and borrowers in connection with loan and syndicated loan facilities and other financing transactions. The firm also has extensive experience in the structuring, develop-ment, documentation and negotiation of Islamic finance transactions. It recently advised numerous high-profile Islamic finance transactions including the continued involvement in almost all high-profile banking and finance transactions in the Western part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has taken part in all major Airport projects in this region including the USD 3.85 billion King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and acted for the sponsors in relation to the award-winning project financing arrangement for SAR. 5 billion Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport pro-ject in Medinah, Saudi Arabia’s second build-transfer-operate airport project.

The firm also recently acted as local counsel for the US$ 1 billion -940 MW Kirikkale Power Project, 120 MW Khalladi Wind Farm Project and the World Bank funded US$ 820 mil-lion- 350 MW Noor Solar Power Projects.

Corporate & Commercial:The Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni has one of the oldest corporate and commercial practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The firm advises on all corporate and commercial matters including, without limitation, joint ventures and foreign investment, licensing and formation of Saudi Arabian companies, domestic and cross-border acquisitions, corporate liquidations and commercial contracts.

The firm is the favourite of some of the biggest and well known business conglomerate in the western region and is highly valued for its agency and franchising expertise amongst oth-ers. The firm recently advised one of the largest East Asian shipbuilders in a multi-million joint venture project as well as one of the top ten largest shipping agents on setting up its Saudi Arabian entity in addition to various corporate restructuring transactions in the region.

M&A & Private Equity:The M&A team delivers efficient and sophisticated advice on structuring transactions, and negotiating all aspects of the acquisition or its financing, liaising with regulators and procur-ing the necessary consents to close the transaction. The firm is building substantial experience representing the portfolio companies of its private equity clients in a variety of transac-tions, including add-on acquisitions, initial public offerings, recapitalisations, dispositions, spin-offs, and institutional and bank financings.

Capital Markets: The lawyers provide comprehensive regulatory advice to clients from Europe, US and the Middle East region for establishment and offerings of investment funds and private placement regimes in Saudi Arabia. The firm is also advising several internationally well-known fund managers and institutional foreign investors on the newly introduced capital markets regulations in relation to foreign capital investment, financial service activities and fund raising in Saudi Arabia.

Dispute Resolution: With over forty years of experience in the courts of a state merely eighty years old, the Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni has come to be relied on as one of the oldest and most well-estab-lished Saudi Arabian law firms, with a highly respected dispute resolution department. The firm has represented litigants in matters before all of Saudi Arabia’s courts and tribunals, in-cluding the Board of Grievances, both in administrative cases involving the Saudi Arabian government and in commercial cases between private sector litigants and is currently working on several multimillion dollar commercial agency claims. The firm is also well regarded for its local arbitration practice, International Institutional Arbitrations and for expert opinions for foreign jurisdiction courts. The legal market knows well that the lawyers from the firm have acted as litigators and arbitrators, on very complex deals, whose value is often in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

International Work: The Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni has a wide range of in-ternational clients who are investing or doing business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or elsewhere in the region, including multinational engineering and construction companies, phar-maceuticals companies, producers of consumer and industrial products, hotel management companies, airlines, commercial banks, Islamic financial institutions, investment banks, insurance companies, exporters, onshore and offshore drilling companies, shipping companies, hospital management com-panies, mining companies, electronics manufacturers, defence contractors, communications, publishing and entertainment companies and project developers.

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PrActIce AreAsAgency & FranchiseAviationBanking & FinanceCapital MarketsCorporate & CommercialConstruction & EngineeringDispute Resolution & ArbitrationEnergy & InfrastructureInvestment FundsEnvironmentGovernment ContractsM&A & Private EquityTechnology & TelecomRegulatory & Compliance

OFFIcesSaudi arabiaJeddah: Al-Nakheel Center, 3rd Floor, Medinah Road, PO Box 2256, 21451 Tel: +966 12 665 4353 Fax: + 966 12 669 2996 Email: info@mahasni.com.sa

Riyadh: Office 25, 2nd Floor, Al Riyadh Olaya Centre, Olaya Street Tel: 966 11 450 0093 Email: riyadh@mahassni.com.sa

2530

Saudi Arabia Leading Law Firms www.chambers.comSAUDI ARABIA www.chambersandpartners.com

STAT LAW FIRMwww.statlawksa.com tel: +966 11 272 0003 fax: +966 11 237 0005

Managing Partner: Yazeed AltoaimiNumber of partners: 5 Number of lawyers: 21Languages: Arabic, English, French, Slovac

Firm Overview: With five partners, one counsel and over a dozen associates, STAT has one of the largest teams on-the-ground in Saudi Arabia, offering Saudi and international clients a dedicated and experienced team of Saudi, English and New York qualified lawyers. The firm’s lawyers have all been trained at large international law firms in Saudi Arabia, the USA, Europe and other countries in the Middle East, and most lawyers are dual educated. STAT ranked the best law firm in Saudi Arabia pursuant to 2017 IFLR Middle East Awards and emeafinance Middle East Banking Awards 2017

Main Areas of Practice:

Capital Markets4 partners and additional 6 fee earners based in Riyadh:

■ Current representation of Theeb Rent a Car Company in connection with its IPO on the Saudi Stock Exchange. ■ Representation of Saudi Fransi Capital, ANB Invest,

Al-Rajhi Capital, Aljazira Capital, Riyad Capital and Alinma Investment on SAR 4.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) rights issue of Mobile Telecommunication Company Saudi Arabia (ZAIN KSA). ■ Representation of Alkhorayef Water & Power Technolo-

gies in connection with its SAR 540 million IPO on the Saudi Stock Exchange. ■ Representation of Alistithmar Capital for Financial

Securities and Brokerage Company (Alistithmar Capital) in connection with (i) the establishment Kaden Investment Fund, a private real estate investment fund and (ii) the acquisition by the fund of SAR 2 billion income-generating real estate properties in the Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ■ Representation of Saudi Fransi Capital, in its capacity

as fund manager of Taleem REIT, in connection with the fund’s acquisition of SAR 92 million real estate income generating education property in the Kingdom. ■ Representation of Nusaned Fund, a joint fund of SABIC

Investment and Local Content Development Co. and Saudi Venture Capital Investment Co. (SVCIC), managed by Albilad Capital.

Key Clients: BlackRock, NBK WM, SEDCO Capital, Saudi Fransi Capital, Alistithmar Capital, Albilad Capital, Alpha Capital, Theeb Rent a Car Company, Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies, Contact Name: ECM: Robert VydraTel: +966 55 001 5326 Email: rvydra@statlawksa.comInvestment Funds: Mishari AlabbadTel: +966 11 272 0003 Email: malabbad@statlawksa.com

Banking & Finance2 partners and additional 6fee earners based in Riyadh:

■ Representation of SEDCO Capital and Saudi Economic and Development Company for Real Estate Funds in relation to a secured SAR 1,050,000,000 murabaha facility made available to it by Al Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation for real estate acquisition purposes. ■ Representation of the National Commercial Bank

(NCB) in relation to a SAR 300,000,000 Shariah-compli-ant facility in connection with real estate investments by a conglomerate based in Jeddah, KSA. ■ Representation of Alistithmar Capital, in its capacity as

fund manager, in relation to a secured SAR 800,000,000 Shariah compliant facility made available to it by Saudi Investment Bank to finance the acquisition of certain real estate assets.

Key Clients: Alistithmar Capital, JP Morgan, Bank Albilad, SEDCO Capital, National Commercial Bank, Saudi Real Estate Refinancing CompanyContact Name: Faris AlamoudiTel: +966 11 272 0003 Email: falamoudi@statlawksa.comContact Name: Zeyad AlsalloumTel: +966 11 272 0003 Email: zalsalloum@statlawksa.com

Corporate/M&A3 partners and additional 7 fee earners based in Riyadh:

■ Representation of the selling shareholders in connec-tion the SAR 98 million sale of their entire interest in Academic City Schools to a Saudi Arabian private equity fund. ■ Representation of Industrialization and Energy Services

Company (TAQA) in connection with the acquisition of equity stake in several companies. ■ Representation of Awqaf Investment Company in its

joint venture with Dur Hospitality to develop a SAR 250 Million hotel in Medina.

Key Clients: Industrialization and Energy Services Com-pany (TAQA), Awqaf Investment Company, Riyadh Inter-national Catering Company, Riyadh Airports Company.Contact Name: Yazeed AltoaimiTel: +966 11 272 0003 Email: yaltoaimi@statlawksa.comContact Name: Robert VydraTel: +966 55 001 5326 Email: rvydra@statlawksa.comContact Name: Mishari AlabbadTel: +966 11 272 0003 Email: malabbad@statlawksa.com

Regulatory1 partner and additional 4 fee earners based in Riyadh:

■ Drafting new business licenses law and advising a government entity on business licenses reforms. ■ Advising a government entity on its transformation

plan. ■ Advising a government entity on its set-up and internal

policies.Contact Name: Yazeed AltoaimiTel: +966 11 272 0003 Email: yaltoaimi@statlawksa.com

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PRACTICE AREASCapital MarketsBanking & FinanceCorporate/M&ARegulatory

OFFICES

SAUDI ARABIARIYADH: Sky Towers, Northern Tower,2nd Floor, King Fahad Road,Olaya,Riyadh Tel: +966 11 272 0003 Fax: +966 11 237 0005 Email: info@statlawksa.com