Saudi Arabia > Legal market overview
Foreign firms continue to require a local alliance in order to operate in Saudi Arabia. The subsequent scramble to obtain credible domestic partners to attract instructions in the oil-rich state dictates that such relationships are formed, and dissolved, quite frequently.
Following Latham & Watkins LLP’s entry into the market via an association with White & Case LLP’s former partner in 2010 – which saw it become known locally as Law Office of Mohammed A. Al-Sheikh in association with Latham & Watkins LLP. White & Case LLP has regrouped, choosing to align with former Gide Loyrette Nouel LLP partner Dr Waleed N. Al-Nuwaiser to establish Dr. Waleed N. Al-Nuwaiser in association with White & Case LLP.
US firms continue to be drawn to the Saudi market, and in early 2011 Texas-headquartered Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. established The Law Office of Looaye M. Al-Akkas in Association with Vinson & Elkins.
DLA Piper Saudi Arabia’s association with local partner Dr Alaa Naji was dissolved in September 2010 and the firm is now working with Dr Eyad Reda.
In May 2011, Eversheds LLP’s tie-up with regional legal network KSLG saw the Riyadh launch of Dhabaan & Partners (in association with Eversheds KSLG). Another new tie-up is Jones Day In Association with Alsulaim Alawaji & Partners Law Firm.
Notably, Abdulaziz Al-Assaf in association with Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP is absent from the tables this year following the UK firm’s decision to end the relationship in 2010. Trowers & Hamlins LLP pulled out of Jeddah but retains its Riyadh platform, operating as Feras Al Shawaf Law Firm in Association with Trowers & Hamlins.