Corporate/Commercial | Global

Clifford Chance operates in the Kingdom via a joint venture with its former association partner (AS&H) which maintains a top-tier corporate practice with a considerable bench of respected lawyers. It is known for its deep knowledge of the fast-evolving Saudi market and its impressive track record of roles on numerous high-profile transactions. The team is often seen on very high-value M&A transactions and major joint venture agreements, with significant experience advising on cross-border mandates. Its clients include investment funds, international banks and major energy companies.

Baker McKenzie has a considerable track record in Saudi, representing clients in a host of M&A transactions. Its well-established presence and extensive experience in the Kingdom make it a go-to law firm both for cross-border and purely domestic matters. The team adeptly advises on the establishment of new entities, as well as corporate restructuring and regulatory compliance matters, often acting for clients from the financial services, pharma and tech sectors.

Clyde & Co has a prominent corporate team in Saudi Arabia that is frequently engaged to assist with the Saudi elements of regional and global M&A transactions, including group restructurings. The firm has further expertise in franchising legislation and distribution agreements. Its recent mandates include a number of matters in the pharmaceutical, hospitality and education sectors.

Latham & Watkins acts for international clients in the petrochemicals, retail and pharmaceutical industries on their entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The team advises on a range of acquisitions and joint venture structures. Lawyers in the team have further experience assisting local clients with M&A matters.

Freshfields has a highly experienced group of lawyers in Saudi Arabia. Working in association with the Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan, the firm is able to advise on a wide range of M&A, joint venture and commercial restructuring matters. The team frequently acts on private equity investments in the healthcare and TMT sectors. Clients benefit from its very close working relationship with the Dubai office of its international affiliate.

White & Case is well noted in the Saudi market for its lawyers' vast experience acting on behalf of government entities and major regional companies. The firm regularly provides advice on high-profile M&A and real estate transactions. Its lawyers also adeptly advise on joint venture agreements and privatisations.

A&O Shearman fields a compact, high-quality team with a wealth of transactional experience in the Kingdom. Its lawyers are able to provide clients with strong advice on corporate structuring and joint ventures as well as private equity investments and divestments. The team has deep expertise in a host of transactional mandates, and is regularly to be seen acting for clients from the natural resources and financial services industries. 

Hammad & Al-Mehdar Law Firm is a respected independent practice which maintains a strong foothold in the venture capital space within the Kingdom. The team also advises on commercial contracts and market expansion, and is increasingly highlighted for its experience concerning Saudi competition law. Its lawyers provide services from the firm's headquarters in Jeddah as well as offices in Riyadh and Al Khobar.

The Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed (in association with Baker Botts) fields an astute corporate and commercial team noted for its impressive capabilities in Saudi Arabia. The firm's extensive experience includes assisting multinationals with Saudi market entry issues, as well as advising on M&A. Its Riyadh-based lawyers regularly act for clients on corporate structuring issues, as well as a variety of commercial contract mandates and joint venture agreements.

Linklaters has an experienced team of lawyers in Riyadh which is capable of advising international and local companies on a wide array of M&A matters. The team frequently represents investment funds and clients from the technology industry. It is often sought out to assist foreign multinationals with their entry into the Saudi market through a franchise agreement or the establishment of a joint venture.

Ashurst offers an experienced group of lawyers advising on a range of governance and commercial contract mandates, as well as acting on M&A transactions. It regularly assists with the formation of joint ventures, and is also active in company structuring matters and privatisation mandates. The firm's Saudi operations encompass offices in both Riyadh and Jeddah.

BLK Partners has experience advising on the full gamut of corporate and commercial issues in Saudi Arabia, covering mergers, joint venture agreements, acquisitions and divestments. The firm acts for a client base hailing from a range of sectors and it offers a significant understanding of corporate governance and structuring matters.

Dentons operates a full-service practice in Saudi Arabia covering a wide array of commercial and corporate matters. This includes contract negotiations and corporate governance mandates, with its strengths further extending to M&A transactions and joint venture agreements. The department regularly handles mandates on behalf of clients from the energy, real estate and transportation sectors.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher receives strong praise from sources in the Saudi market, having opened in Riyadh at the end of 2023. The corporate group has a strong reputation for representing public bodies and their affiliated companies in joint ventures and M&A mandates. The team in Saudi Arabia has a range of notable experience acting on deals in the agriculture, retail and energy industries.

Addleshaw Goddard is a recent entrant to the Saudi market but has quickly established itself as a strong adviser for transactional work. The Riyadh-based corporate team assists clients with a wide range of corporate matters in the Kingdom, acting on the acquisition and sale of assets, and frequently advising shareholders.

Al Akeel and Partners acts for clients across the healthcare, luxury goods and construction industries on a variety of incorporation and entity formation matters. It also assists clients with obtaining regional headquarters licences from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment. Other areas of strength include advising defence sector clients on contracting matters.

Mahassni & Co is a well-established law firm with a long history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its current generation of partners receives high praise from clients and international counsel. Its lawyers assist with corporate governance and restructuring issues as well as commercial agreements. The team acts on matters in the pharmaceutical, energy and financial services sectors and also offers experience assisting public companies.

Omar Al Rasheed Law Firm acts for investors and corporate clients on investments into Saudi Arabia. The firm has experience advising on matters taking place in the construction, technology and waste management industries. Further areas of work include representing clients in the negotiation of franchise agreements.

Squire Patton Boggs assists telecommunications, tourism and technology clients with a range of corporate matters in Saudi Arabia. The team acts on a wide range of cross-border M&A mandates, as well as development and licensing agreements. Lawyers in the firm additionally act for public sector clients.