White & Case > Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia > Firm Profile

White & Case > The Legal 500 Rankings

Saudi Arabia > Banking and finance Tier 1

White & Case boasts extensive experience and prowess in Saudi Arabia’s banking and finance arena. Adam Pierson, based in Abu Dhabi, leads the team, advises Saudi Aramco on multiple complex projects. Ivan Paskal is a key figure in strategic transactions and infrastructure funds for energy companies, while Alec Johnson also excels in energy and green finance. Infrastructure clients turn to Din Eshanov for his expert advice on project and construction agreements; he is the firm's global relationship partner for NEOM. The team is further strengthened by Abu Dhabi-based Alexander Malahias and Antoine Cousin.

Saudi Arabia > Capital markets Tier 1

The ‘solution driven and very approachable’ capital markets team at White & Case often acts for high level issuers, arrangers, and managers in structuring and executing capital markets transactions. The practice is led by Sami Al-Louzi and Debashis Dey, both of whom are based in Dubai. Al-Louzi is well-versed in advising on IPOs on the Saudi Stock Exchange. Dey specialises in Islamic finance in the capital markets, and often works on establishing large Islamic finance issuance programmes. In October 2023, Ibrahim Soumrany left the practice to join Gibson Dunn.

Saudi Arabia > Projects and energy Tier 1

White & Case has a strong historical position within the Saudi Arabian project and energy market, notably advising the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Aramco, NEOM and many other state agencies. Backed by the bench strength of partners in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and London, Alec Johnson and Waad Alkurini anchor the firm’s office in Riyadh. Johnson specialises in advising sponsors, lenders and procurers on a variety of projects, with a focus on energy infrastructure, while Alkurini brings experience to advising financial institutions and borrowers on financing transactions based on both conventional and Shari’ah structures, including restructuring and syndicated financing.

Saudi Arabia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

White & Case has a strong presence in both Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, including offices in Egypt, Oman, Qatar, and UAE. This allows the firm to assist clients with complex, multi-jurisdictional challenges, including outbound investment to the Middle East or inbound investment to Saudi Arabia. The firm acts for private and national clients, notably, Saudi Aramco and the Public Investment Fund. Leading the practice are Sami Al-Louzi, who advises clients on cross-border M&A and privatisations; Marcus Booth, who assists large financial institutions including funds and banks with M&A transactions globally; and Sonia Abdul-Rahman, who has extensive experience of the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors.

Saudi Arabia > Real estate and construction Tier 2

The team at White & Case specialises in advising on large-scale project development work for the Saudi Arabian government. Michael Turrini heads the practice from Dubai. In March 2023, Karim Mariey relocated from the firm's London office and divides his time between Riyadh and Dubai.

United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A

A team that approaches challenging deals with 'rigor, thought, and creativity', White & Case LLP handles several of the most significant transactions in the region, including major healthcare disposals., landmark energy acquisitions, and a range of premium equity investments by domestic and international funds. Abdulwahid Alulama is highly adept at complex cross-border transactions, active across sectors including energy, real estate and financial services, and Steven Worthington stands out for his knowledge and understanding of an array of jurisdictions. Marcus Booth is often engaged with top-end private equity entities for all forms of corporate and commercial work and Sami Al-Louzi lends extensive financing and capital markets knowledge to a number of transactions. Sonia Abdul-Rahman is the go-to in the group for traditional and renewable energy work and Fraser Galloway is reputed for his wide sector activity.

United Arab Emirates > Oil, gas and natural resources

White & Case LLP ‘possesses deep expertise and ability, combined with an extremely high level of service’. Active on mandates across the region, with particular attention on the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the team is able to cover the gamut of projects work, including premium M&A and financings, capital markets transactions and complex litigation. The group has also seen a significant volume of big-ticket mandates pertaining to hydrogen ventures, overseeing the financing and construction of greenfield facilities. The team is jointly led by several experienced practitioners, with Antoine Cousin, Ivan Paskal and Adam Pierson standing out due to their extensive activity across a number of projects. Pierson and Cousin are among the preeminent company advisors to Saudi Aramco, where they have been engaged with the industry giant’s power, water and utilities enterprises, whereas Paskal has spearheaded a wide assortment of matters that include NEOM projects and pre-IPO restructurings. Alexander Malahias is a financing expert and retains close connections to major regional financial institutions, while Din Eshanov, who relocated to Abu Dhabi in 2023, brings further expertise in project development.

United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance)

Frequently instructed by international financial institutions, premium sponsors, and governments institutions for project financing expertise, White & Case LLP work on an array of blockbuster developments, spanning conventional and renewable energy ventures, social and transport infrastructure builds, and utility developments. Instututional relationships across the region gives the firm access to NEOM projects in Saudi Arabia, railway and passenger station extensions in Abu Dhabi, and novel financing arrangements in the MENA region. The practice is jointly chaired by a number of lawyers, including Adam Pierson, who is regularly sought out by oil and gas giants for his asset expertise and transactional capabilities. Yasser K. Riad is renowned for his far-reaching cross-border project financing practice, possessing comprehensive understanding of various assets, while Antoine Cousin is noted for his expertise in the power, water and utilities sectors. Alexander Malahias stands out for his work in tourism infrastructure projects, working with sovereign wealth funds on joint ventures and financing transactions, while Ivan Paskal is chiefly engaged on energy-related matters. Din Eshanov - who relocated to Abu Dhabi from Riyadh in 2023 - is a key figure for NEOM-related work.