The Legal 500

Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm in co-operation with Clifford Chance LLP is ‘usually involved in major transactions in Saudi Arabia’, and enjoys an excellent reputation for its ability to structure complex local transactions, often working hand-in-hand with the international offices of the Clifford Chance network. The firm advised key client HSBC on issuance of SAR5bn sukuk certificates by Saudi Electricity Company; the issue involved an unusual structuring of intangible assets in the pool of assets underlying the sukuk structures. Other clients include Merrill Lynch, UBS, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs. Abdulaziz Al-Abduljabbar heads a team which includes Mohammed Al-Jadaan.

Legal Advisors in association with Baker & McKenzie ‘benefits from strong links with its Bahrain and London office’, and the experience of a number of partners who have been based on the ground in Riyadh for decades. The firm is perceived as ‘strong on the company side work’ (as opposed to financial institutions work). The firm advised Ma’aden, the Saudi mineral resources company, on its $2.46bn IPO of shares on the Saudi Stock Market; the deal was one of the largest Middle Eastern equity transactions in 2008. Other clients include Mitsubishi Corporation and SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation). ‘They are normally very busy, but once they are onboard a transaction, they are very good to work with’, comment clients. John Xefos is recommended.

Much of Law Office of Mohammed A Al Sheikh (in assoc with White & Case LLP)’s finance work in the last 12 months involved cross-over with the firm’s general expertise in complex projects work. Examples include advising ABC Islamic Bank, Arab National Bank, Standard Bank, Unicorn Investment Bank and WestLB as joint lead managers and underwriters in connection with a $600m Sukuk issuance by Dar Al-Arkan Real Estate Development Company. Based on an Ijara structure, the bond was the first Sukuk bond issued in the international capital markets by a Saudi corporate. Mohammed Al-Sheikh is recommended. Christopher Langdon is ‘proactive and can be relied on to take charge of a task in its entirety’ for capital markets and securitisation transactions.

The Alliance of Abbas F. Ghazzawi & Co. and Hammad, Al-Mehdar & Co. is typically active in advising corporates and issuers. The firm recently advised Jubail Chemical Industries Company Limited in connection with construction of a $80m chemical plant in Saudi Arabia. Ali Abedi ‘doesn’t try to impress unnecessarily with his brilliance, but gets to the point, focusing on the important elements of transactions’, say clients.

Abdulaziz AlGasim Law Firm in association with Allen & Overy LLP has been building up its numbers on the ground in Saudi Arabia under ‘experienced’ office head Julian Johansen through a serious of lateral hires at junior and senior associate level in the last 12 months to consolidate on its entry into the market in 2007. In the capital markets, the firm advised JPMorgan and Samba Financial Group in relation to the IPO of Ma’aden, the mining company.

Law Offices of Dr Mujahid M. Al-Sawwaf advised key client Goldman Sachs on a number of banking transactions. Other clients include HSBC, Standard Chartered, Sumitomo and Saudi Fransi Bank. David Wells is recommended.

Much of Law Office of Hassan Mahassni’s financing work crosses over with the firm’s expertise in project financing, for clients such as Samba Financial Group and Saudi Binladin Group. Basel Barakat is the key contact.

Finance work at Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed in association with Baker Botts L.L.P. often sits well with the firm’s focus on project financing. Clients appreciate a ‘very reliable and accessible team which is committed to transactions, with any issues or questions raised addressed immediately’. Clients include Riyad Bank and Samba Financial Group. Special Counsel Babul Parikh is recommended.

Abdulaziz Al-Assaf in association with Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP’s financing often ties in closely with the firm’s project financing work. Examples include advising The Saudi British Bank, HSBC and SABB Securities on a $1.86bn refinancing. Julian Johansen is well known.

Al Sulaim & Al Awaji International Law Firm acts for clients such as Carlyle Group, National Commercial Bank and Saudi American Bank.

Al Tamimi & Company works closely with its Dubai head office in advising on loan facilities, real estate financing and private placements. Nicholas Diacos has many years’ experience of financing transactions.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer working in association with the Law Firm of Fares Al-Hejailan advised a major sovereign wealth fund on its SAR50m acquisition of an investment fund in Saudi Arabia. Other clients include Morgan Stanley, Arcapita and Beltone Financial Group. Bob Charlton (previously head of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s London finance practice) relocated to Riyadh in 2008. The team is recommended for ‘promptness and ability to research at short notice’.

Fulbright & Jaworski LLP In Association with Mohammed Al-Ghambi Law Firm advises on a range of Islamic and Sharia compliant real estate financing, often working closely with lawyers in the firm’s New York office. Other work includes acting for sukuk holders in connection with the restructuring of the East Cameron Oil and Gas Sukuk. John Lonsberg is recommended.

Khalid A Al-Thebity Law Firm in affiliation with Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP acts for clients such as Ace Arabia and Al-Rajhi Bank on banking and securities work. The team works closely with its international offices in London, the US and Dubai (which opened in early 2008). Khalid A Al-Thebity is recommended.

King & Spalding in association with the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar has been quietly but steadily building a reputation for its work in Saudi Arabia since it established an office in 2007. Michael Dunphy heads a team with a particular focus on private equity and funds work; examples include representing Abraaj Capital and Carlyle MENA Partners on structuring investments in Saudi Arabia. Jadwa Investment Company is also a key client.

The Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan advises clients such as ICICI, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Royal Bank of Scotland and Credit Suisse on their activities in Saudi Arabia. Salah Al-Hejailan is recommended.

The Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa- In Association with Denton Wilde Sapte established a presence in Riyadh in mid-2007, and has been building up a respectable book of business since then, often ‘working closely with its well-established office in Dubai’. The firm recently advised Standard Chartered on a number of transactions. Amgad Husein is recommended.