The Legal 500

Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm in co-operation with Clifford Chance LLP’s projects team shows ‘intelligence, sophistication and dedication’, and is widely regarded as ‘a clear leader in the market’. The firm advised the financiers on the financing of phase II of the construction of a $10.8bn integrated aluminium production complex and related infrastructure, sponsored by Saudi Arabian Mining Company and Alcoa Inc.

Legal Advisors in association with Baker & McKenzie has a comprehensive projects practice, which is ‘at par, if not better, than the other top law firms in the country’. The firm advised Saudi Arabian Mining Company and Alcoa Inc on a $3.6bn bauxite mine as well as the alumina refinery projects in Saudi Arabia. The deeply knowledgeable Julie Alexander is recommended.

Dr. Waleed N. Al-Nuwaiser in association with White & Case LLP advises Saudi Aramco and other major clients in some of the country’s most complex projects, matters with an aggregate value of more than $50bn. These include the Sadara, PetroRabigh and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Medinah Airport) projects. Waleed Al-Nuwaiser is the key figure.

Zeyad S. Khoshaim Law Firm in association with Allen & Overy LLP advised the sponsor of the Qurayyah IPP project in Saudi Arabia. The team also worked on the Jubail refinery and petrochemicals project, and advised on Islamic finance pertaining to the Medinah Airport PPP. Julian Johansen heads the practice.

Basel Barakat heads the projects and energy team at Law Office of Hassan Mahassni, which acted for a syndicate of lenders on the $2.8bn Qurayyah IPP and advised the sponsors on the $1.2bn project financing arrangements for the Medinah Airport PPP.

Ali Abedi heads Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co.’s projects and energy practice regularly acts for Dow Chemicals Company as well as Sadara Chemical Company, Dow’s multibillion-dollar joint venture with Saudi Aramco.

King & Spalding in affiliation with the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar is praised for its project finance expertise, and its ‘excellent service and responsiveness’. The firm represents Sadara Chemical Company on various aspects of the Sadara development, which is the largest petrochemicals facility ever to be built in a single phase. Practice head Leroy Levy has ‘extraordinary knowledge and a practical approach’.

The Law Office of Looaye M. Al-Akkas in Association with Vinson & Elkins advised Sinopec on its joint venture with Saudi Aramco to acquire a 37.5% equity interest in Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company. The firm has also been very active in the energy, mining and transport sectors. Ahmed el-Gaili and Looaye Al-Akkas are the key partners.

Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed in association with Baker Botts L.L.P. is advising Saudi Electricity Company on all aspects of its Independent Power Project (IPP) Program to finance up to five IPPs, including the $2.8bn Qurayyah IPP.

Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in association with Latham & Watkins LLP is recommended for its ‘availability and fast responsiveness’, as well as its ‘technical expertise and knowledge’. The team advised a syndicate of banks on the $1.4bn financing of a new oil-fired 2,800MW power plant in Rabigh; and Tihama Power Generation Company on the $359m financing of its site expansion.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in association with the Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan’s banking and finance expertise means that the office is frequently instructed to advise clients on project financings.

Law Offices of Dr Mujahid M. Al-Sawwaf is well known for its energy and mining practice, including related litigation work.