RIYADH — Addleshaw Goddard has obtained a Foreign Law Firm License from the Saudi Ministry of Justice, following its 2023 announcement to establish an office in Riyadh. This new office joins the firm's existing Middle Eastern locations in Dubai, Qatar, and Oman.

On Jan. 17, 2024, in Riyadh, the firm celebrated its launch at a prestigious event attended by over 300 clients and contacts in the historic district of At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Riyadh office is now fully operational with a strong team of five esteemed partners.

The team includes Christian Both, a recent arrival from Clifford Chance, and three KSA-based lateral hires: Ibrahim Siddiki, previously leading the KSA corporate M&A practice at Bracewell in Dubai; Homam Khoshaim, an M&A specialist formerly with Latham & Watkins; and Amar Meher, a Banking & Finance partner also formerly with Latham & Watkins. Projects & Infrastructure partner Alex Sarac has relocated from AG's Dubai office to complete the partner group.

Additionally, the office launches with seven other fee-earners, forming a 14-member team. This team offers expertise in corporate M&A, banking and finance, and infrastructure, with broad sector experience in energy, oil and gas, renewables, infrastructure, transport, technology, hospitality, manufacturing, and consumer goods, aligning closely with KSA Vision 2030.

AG aims to offer full-service capabilities in KSA and support a wide range of inbound and outbound matters regionally and across its global network of 18 offices. The firm has seen significant growth in the Middle East over the last decade, with revenue doubling during this period. The opening of the Riyadh office is pivotal for achieving a 40% income growth over the next five years, sustaining the firm's upward momentum in the region. The business currently boasts 24 partners and nearly 60 other fee-earners based full-time in the Middle East.

Andrew Johnston, Addleshaw Goddard Head of Middle East and Asia (and upcoming global Managing Partner from May 1, 2024), commented, "Establishing an office in Riyadh responds to client demand and is crucial for our Middle East expansion. It's a key part of our regional growth strategy for the coming years. This move enables us to attract top talent and better serve our current and future clients. The positive market reaction, the clients we've already secured, and the deals we're involved in since announcing our KSA launch, underscore the strength and reputation of our team in the Saudi market." — SG