‘Knowledgeable, attentive to details, and diligent’, Latham & Watkins LLC has acted on some of the most prominent mandates in the projects and energy sector, with clients including Saudi Aramco and various PIF subsidiaries. The practice has a strong focus on project finance, acting for a range of lenders on major developments including megaprojects, power plants, and civil and social infrastructure. The team is also active on M&A and joint ventures in the energy, data, and digital infrastructure sectors. Team head Derek Mckinley has experience in the financing and privatization of energy and infrastructure assets, co-head Marc Makary specialises in the utilities sector, and Elaf Al-Wohaibi has assisted on cross-border energy transactions and regulatory matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team have the capabilities to address our legal concerns and they were timely responsive.’
- ‘They are knowledgeable, attentive to details, and diligent.'
- ‘Latham & Watkins team combines international standards with local knowledge, particularly from having a big presence in Saudi Arabia. The law firm understands the market well, which facilitates discussions internally and negotiations with counterparties.'
- ‘Derek McKinley is always available in any transaction, he listens and understands issues well, and he is exceptional reaching common ground between all parties.’
Key clients
- Al-Ula Development Company
- Amara Power Company
- Apollo Global Management
- 4 Flow Property
- 5 Greenbrier Companies
- Hassana Investment Company
- I Squared Capital
- King Salman Park Foundation
- Kingdom Holding Company
- National Center for Privatization & PPPs
- Osool Integrated Real Estate Company
- Riyadh Holding Company
Work highlights
Advising Saudi Arabia Railways, the national railway company of Saudi Arabia, on the tender for the lead design consultancy services contract for the Saudi Landbridge Railway Network, one of the largest railway projects ever undertaken in the Middle East (comprising more than 1,500 kms of new track) and one of the biggest globally.
Advising Saudi Aramco on the development of a 9 million MTCO2 /annum CCS project in Saudi Arabia with Linde, SABIC, and Air Products. This is the largest CCS project of its kind outside of the US and a very significant project for the energy industry in the middle east and globally.
Advising Al-Ula Development Company on its joint venture with KUN Investment Holding to develop and finance the Aman Hegra in Al-Ula. The Aman Hegra project will include an expansive Aman resort, with 42 hotel and villa keys and 30 branded private residences available for purchase. This groundbreaking development marks an important moment in Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality landscape, aligning with the Kingdom’s vision 2030.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Elaf Al-Wohaibi
Practice head
Derek McKinley; Marc Makary
Other key lawyers
Elaf Al-Wohaibi