LEADING global law firm Hogan Lovells has entered into an association with Riyadh-based ZS&R law firm. The firms will work together to provide cohesive, integrated legal advice to their national and international clients, offering a first-class service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The association is effective from Wednesday (June 27).

Riyadh-based ZS&R law firm was founded in 2017 by Dr. Najem Alzaid, Saad Alrashed and Turki Alsheikh. The three founding partners have diverse backgrounds with international legal experience, multilingual capabilities, and are experienced in advising on national and cross-border transactions. With a full-service offering and an in-depth knowledge of the regulatory requirements of doing business in Saudi Arabia, ZS&R law firm advise clients across a range of industries. They cover our key practice areas including projects, dispute resolution, banking and finance, capital markets and corporate and M&A. Under the terms of the agreement, ZS&R law firm will operate in association with Hogan Lovells and the two firms will work together on client matters while remaining separate legal entities.

"Saudi Arabia is a strategic market for our clients," explained Miguel Zaldivar, incoming Regional Chief Executive for the Asia Pacific Middle East region. "Partnering with ZS&R law firm is part of our commitment to providing clients with a full-service solution to their commercial and legal needs. We have had a relationship with the three founding partners of ZS&R law firm for some time, and we have viewed what they have achieved professionally with reverence. Together, they have created a truly outstanding legal practice in Riyadh, with a service offering which strongly aligns to the needs our clients."

Dr. Najem Alzaid, one of the founding partners of ZS&R law firm, said "this is an exciting time to be in Saudi Arabia. We will witness the public offering of Saudi Aramco and other privatizations, the fruition of key strategic plans such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program, and we expect a new wave of foreign investment. We are pleased to work alongside Hogan Lovells supporting clients investing in the Kingdom as well as help our Saudi clients achieve their international ambitions."

Steve Immelt, CEO of Hogan Lovells, added: "The association with ZS&r law firm is an important milestone which allows us to expand our ability to help clients in an important jurisdiction. Together with ZS&R we can provide clients with deep sector experience and knowledge in the Kingdom and across the wider Middle East. Most importantly, ZS&R's client service ethos, and the principles by which they conduct business, align with our approach to the market.” — SG