ALMaghthawi and Partners

AlMaghthawi & Partners (AP Legal)

AlMaghthawi & Partners is a professional law firm based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, operating under the brand "AP Legal." Since its establishment in 2015, the firm has built permanent mechanisms to deal with clients and has followed global practices and methodologies to deliver its services with commitment, quality, and excellence across all commercial legal sectors.

The firm has worked consistently to raise quality standards in the provision of legal services and advice, setting its own vision around building a culture that focuses on the sustainability of client relationships, steadily developing the quality of its services rather than focusing on temporary transactions. AP Legal always seeks client satisfaction and adopts a method of immediate response to client needs.

AP Legal provides its services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, as its team is familiar with global laws and its expertise covers several laws across multiple jurisdictions. In recent years, financial markets around the world have undergone tremendous change, and in order to respond to dynamic market developments, the firm places industries at the heart of its strategy to better understand the commercial dynamics that affect its clients' businesses, allowing it to deliver truly commercial legal solutions.

Practice Areas:
Antitrust/Competition, Banking and Finance, Corporate and M&A, Capital Markets, IPOs, Commercial Contracts, Construction & Projects, Commercial Litigation & Arbitration, Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity, Employment, Compensation & Benefits, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Financing & Financial Restructuring, Intellectual Property, International Arbitration, Restructuring and Insolvency, and Governance.

Sectors Served:
Energy, Mining & Infrastructure, Maritime & Shipping, Hotels, Hospitality & Tourism, Industrials, Manufacturing & Transportation, Private Equity, Health Care, Automotive, Environment & Climate Change, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, Consumer & Retail, Real Estate & Construction, Venture Capital, FinTech, and Sports.

StartRight Initiative:
AlMaghthawi & Partners is pleased to introduce its innovative legal product, StartRight, in Riyadh, Jeddah, Istanbul, and the MENA region. StartRight offers legal services tailored for high-growth and tech startups, serving as a gateway to market expansion and investment in the Saudi market. As a leading corporate legal services platform exclusively designed for startups, StartRight provides customized solutions in financing, compliance, and corporate matters, with tailored packages ensuring the right level of support at every stage of a startup's journey — from legal documentation to regulatory compliance and intellectual property protection.

Key Achievements:

IPO & Capital Markets: In 2024, the firm successfully advised on the IPO of a prominent construction company and is currently managing IPO processes for two additional companies. The firm provides comprehensive legal support to companies in obtaining regulatory licenses across key sectors, including engagement with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the Capital Market Authority (CMA), the Insurance Authority, and the Real Estate General Authority — covering advanced and emerging frameworks such as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) licenses, real estate tokenization and debt crowdfunding licenses, factoring licenses, and Managing General Agent (MGA) licenses.

Corporate Governance & M&A: The firm has a proven track record in designing and implementing corporate governance frameworks, including IPO readiness, internal restructuring, and governance structuring for listed and non-listed entities, including complex family-owned businesses. It has advised on high-profile M&A transactions with deal values exceeding SAR 250 million.

Business Entities & Startups: The firm provides ongoing legal support to more than 150 entities across various sectors, including local and international companies and non-profit organizations. Its team has established over 100 business entities within Saudi Arabia and supported the setup of numerous startups and Regional Headquarters (RHQs). Through the StartRight initiative, the firm has supported startups in obtaining licenses from SAMA and the CMA, and has played a strategic role in securing investments exceeding SAR 300 million for startups, advising on venture capital structuring, Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), and Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFE notes). The Corporate team has also led major transformation and restructuring projects for entities with capital exceeding SAR 150 million.

Intellectual Property: The firm secured licensing rights for over 80 artworks from leading international museums and renowned artists as part of a major publication project under the Aramco Ithra initiative. It manages a portfolio of over 50 trademarks, ensuring comprehensive brand protection across multiple jurisdictions, and is engaged in a significant cross-border IP project spanning China and GCC countries.

Contracting & Business Transactions: The firm is recognized for its expertise in contract drafting, review, and negotiation, having handled hundreds of agreements and closed numerous transactions locally and internationally. It has also automated a substantial portion of its contract lifecycle processes to enhance accuracy, consistency, and turnaround time.

Litigation & Arbitration: The firm's disputes team has secured favorable judgments and settlements exceeding SAR 500 million across commercial, labor, and international matters in jurisdictions including Saudi Arabia, China, the UK, UAE, Bahrain, Sweden, Turkey, and Yemen. The team has extensive experience handling complex disputes, including anti-dumping cases, intellectual property matters, shareholder disputes, and bankruptcy proceedings, and has successfully resolved hundreds of cases through strategic negotiation and dispute resolution.

Awards & Recognition:
The firm's commitment to excellence has been consistently recognized through prestigious industry accolades. In 2026, AP Legal was shortlisted for three LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards: Law Firm of the Year, AI Legal Innovator of the Year, and Intellectual Property Team of the Year. In 2025, the firm was shortlisted for The Oath – Middle East Legal Awards, Law Firm of the Year. In 2024, AP Legal received two further shortlist recognitions at the LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards: The Advocate's Award and Case of the Year Award. Earlier recognitions include Global Law Experts (National Expert & Recommended Firm), International Advisory Experts Awards Winner (2019, 2020), the LexisNexis Practical Guidance Authors Award — Winner (Saudi Arabia), and LPM Special Recognition (2023).

Website: www.a-partners.legal
Email: [email protected]