The Legal 500

Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm in co-operation with Clifford Chance LLP is equally strong on both sponsor and lender side work. The firm recently represented SABIC and Saudi Kayan on a petrochemical complex. The project financing includes the largest Islamic Ijara facility ever provided in a project financing. Mohammed Al-Jadaan has ‘extensive experience of advising on commercial matters in the context of large scale infrastructure projects’.

‘Active on the sponsor side’, Legal Advisors in association with Baker & McKenzie advised Saudi Arabian Mining (Ma’aden) in connection with a major phosphate mine project. George Sayen leads a team which ‘works closely with colleagues in Bahrain and London’.

The Alliance of Abbas F. Ghazzawi & Co. and Hammad, Al-Mehdar & Co. is particularly strong on sponsor side work. The firm advised Marafiq, the utilities company, in connection with the $3.4bn development, financing and construction of a 2,750 MW IWPP (Independent Water and Power Production) project in Jubail. Ali Abedi is ‘very strong on project finance’.

Feras Al Shawaf Law Firm in Association with Trowers & Hamlins is ‘best known for its sponsor side work’, though the firm recently acted for Riyad Bank on SAR350m phospate project financing involving complex Islamic financing issues. Leroy Levy spends time in the firm’s offices in Dubai and Riyadh.

Law Office of Hassan Mahassni advised several Saudi Arabian lenders such as Saudi Binladin Group, Banque Saudi Fransi and Arab Banking Corporation in connection with major projects. Basel Barakat is recommended.

Law Office of Mohammed A Al Sheikh (in assoc with White & Case LLP) acted for the Jordani government on an airport development. Saudi Aramco is a key client. Mohammed Al-Sheikh is ‘well regarded’.

Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed in association with Baker Botts L.L.P. is ‘particularly active in energy and oil and gas work’, often on the sponsor side, as well as for Saudi Arabian and Middle Eastern financiers. Recent work includes representing Saudi and GCC lenders in relation to $643m facility to Arabian BEMCO Contracting for a power plant. Special Counsel Babul Parikh is recommended.

Law Offices of Dr Mujahid M. Al-Sawwaf advised Sumitomo on the $9bn Rabigh petrochemical complex. GE is also a key client. The firm ‘enjoys excellent non-exclusive relationships with international firms’ such as Herbert Smith LLP and Allen & Overy LLP for projects work. David Wells is well known.

Abdulaziz AlGasim Law Firm in association with Allen & Overy LLP undertook work for Al Rajhi Bank and National Petrochemical Industrial Company. Julian Johansen is ‘one of the most experienced foreign lawyers in the country’; he ‘speaks fluent Arabic and has a good understanding of Saudi Arabian culture’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer working in association with the Law Firm of Fares Al-Hejailan ‘works closely with its offices in Dubai, Bahrain and London in advising on heavyweight projects’. Clients include Emaar, which the firm advised on a port and industrial developments. Bob Charlton (previously head of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s London finance practice) leads the team.

Khalid A Al-Thebity Law Firm in affiliation with Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP acted for SHARQ, a joint venture between SABIC and the Saudi Petrochemical Development Company (a Japanese consortium led by Mitsubishi Corporation) on a $3.7bn petrochemical project. Khalid A Al-Thebity is recommended.

King & Spalding in association with the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar has a special focus on projects in the petrochemicals industry, including representing lenders on the $1.2bn Al-Waha Petrochemical Project in Jubail, and acting for Ma’aden on the development of a soda and ethyl dichloride production facility. Michael Dunphy leads a team which also acts for clients such as ACWA Power and Gulf Farabi Petrochemical Company.

The Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan is active in advising sponsors and Middle Eastern financiers in relation to projects in the electricity and oil and gas industries. Salah Al-Hejailan heads the team.