Interview with: Mr. Ali Saihati, Deputy Managing Director

Mr. Ali Saihati, Deputy Managing Director at Houses of Expertise Law Firm, reflects on the firm’s evolving role as a strategic legal partner, with a particular focus on financial restructuring, complex disputes, and proactive legal advisory in Saudi Arabia.

 

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate your firm from your competitors?

At Houses of Expertise, we view legal services not as a reactive function, but as a strategic layer of protection and value preservation. Engagement with a reputable law firm should, by its nature, reduce risk, enhance decision-making, and safeguard long-term interests.

Our strength lies in financial restructuring and integrated legal support, where legal, financial, and strategic considerations intersect. We approach matters with a commercial mindset, ensuring that legal solutions are aligned with the client’s broader objectives.

We have been involved in a range of sophisticated and high-value mandates, including disputes and advisory work for listed companies, government-related entities, as well as institutions such as banks, insurance companies, and universities. This exposure has shaped our ability to handle sensitive and complex matters with a measured and disciplined approach.

 

2) Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

We expect continued growth in financial restructuring, insolvency advisory, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance.

This is driven by a combination of evolving regulatory frameworks, increased financial discipline across sectors, and a growing awareness among clients of the importance of early legal involvement.

There is a noticeable shift towards seeking structured, forward-looking advice rather than engaging legal services only at the point of dispute. This shift naturally supports practices that combine strategic legal and financial insight.

 

3) What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

One of the key developments within the firm has been the move towards a more integrated and proactive service model.

We have aligned our teams to work across disciplines, allowing us to engage with clients earlier and provide advice that is both legally sound and commercially practical. This has improved responsiveness, consistency, and overall client experience.

We have also placed greater emphasis on internal governance and quality control to ensure that our work maintains a consistent standard across all engagements.

 

4) Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Technology has become an important enabler in how we deliver our services.

We are incorporating legal technology and AI-assisted tools to enhance efficiency, improve internal processes, and provide clients with clearer visibility over their matters.

That said, we remain mindful that technology is only effective when combined with sound judgment and experience. Our focus is on using these tools to support—not replace—the professional insight that clients ultimately rely on.

 

5) Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

In a recent engagement involving a financially distressed entity, we were brought in at a stage where the client was facing both legal exposure and operational pressure.

By adopting a structured restructuring approach, we worked on assessing liabilities, addressing key contractual obligations, and protecting core assets. The process was managed in a way that balanced legal considerations with business continuity.

The outcome was not only the containment of legal risk, but the preservation of value. The client was able to move forward on a more stable footing.

 

6) Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Clients today are increasingly looking for advisors who offer clarity, consistency, and sound judgment—particularly in complex or uncertain environments.

Over the next three years, we see the firm continuing to strengthen its position in financial restructuring and complex advisory work, while maintaining a steady and disciplined approach to growth.

Our objective is not only to deliver high-quality legal work, but to be a reliable point of reference for clients when navigating risk, making critical decisions, and planning for the future.