The Legal 500

Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm in co-operation with Clifford Chance LLP’s projects offering is one of the most comprehensive in the region, covering project finance and construction for arrangers, sponsors and developers. Overseen by Mohamed Hamra-Krouha, Abdulaziz Al-abduljabbar and Mohammed Al-Jadaan, the team advised the mandated lead arrangers on the SAR4.75bn financing of medium and high-rise towers in the King Abdullah financial district in Riyadh.

Legal Advisors in association with Baker & McKenzie attracts many of the country’s leading project finance mandates, and highlights in 2010 included advising Saudi Arabian Mining Company on the multi-tranche project financing of an aluminium smelter and rolling mill. It also advised Samba Financial Group and Arab National Bank as lenders on various matters. The experienced Ian Siddell, George Sayen and Julie Alexander are recommended.

Abdulaziz AlGasim Law Firm in association with Allen & Overy LLP works in tandem with Allen & Overy LLP’s UAE practice to provide broad regional project finance coverage. The team, led by Riyadh-based Julian Johansen, advises on sharia-compliant funding for major projects such as the 1,200MW Rabigh power plant project.

Michael O’Reilly at Feras Al Shawaf Law Firm in Association with Trowers & Hamlins continued to advise Knowledge Economic City Developers Company LLC on procurement relating to a 25-year district cooling concession. He and Adrian Creed also advised the sponsors on the $2bn Shuqaiq privately funded water and power project.

Law Office of Hassan Mahassni continued to play a key role on major infrastructure and energy transactions in the region, acting for clients including Saudi Binladin Group, Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Group. The well-respected Basel Barakat heads the team, which advised ACWA Power Projects and Korea Electric Power Corporation on the $2.5bn Rabigh independent power project.

Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co. often acts as local counsel to international law firms. It worked alongside Shearman & Sterling LLP advising Alcoa on its joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company on a fully integrated aluminium complex. Ali Abedi is the firm’s primary project finance lawyer.

King & Spalding in affiliation with the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar made a significant move with the lateral hire of project finance lawyer Leroy Levy, formerly practice head at Feras Al Shawaf Law Firm in Association with Trowers & Hamlins. Levy, who splits time between Riyadh and Dubai, joins Nabil Issa’s team, which advised the King Fahad Medical City on a project to build a cancer treatment facility.

Islamic finance and metals and mining are key components of Law Office Mohammed A Al Sheikh in association with Latham & Watkins LLP’s projects practice in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed Al Sheikh advised the lead arrangers on a SAR7bn sukuk issuance by Saudi Electricity Company, while Craig Nethercott advised the lenders on financing a 1,730MW gas-fired independent power project.

Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed in association with Baker Botts L.L.P. has established a good reputation among local clients such as Saudi Electricity Company and Samba. Riyadh-based Babul Parikh also advised an international client on a joint venture with a Saudi partner to build and operate a petrochemicals plant.

Law Offices of Dr Mujahid M. Al-Sawwaf is particularly well known for its mining sector expertise, while the group has also been advising on a large ethane cracker project. Clients include Sumitomo Chemical and Manafa International.

Khalid A Al-Thebity Law Firm in affiliation with Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP advised Dabbagh Group on a joint venture with an Indian construction company in 2010. Managing partner Khalid Al-Thebity is an expert on project development and financing.

The Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan in association with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s project finance practice represents public and private sector clients. It advised GDF Suez-Tractebel on its bid for the Riyadh PP11 independent power plant, and advised the Ministry of Water and Electricity on water and wastewater PPP projects at Jeddah.