King & Spalding has merged with Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz H. Al Fahad & Partners Lawyers (Al Fahad & Partners), in a tie-up that significantly bolsters its presence in the Kingdom.
Law Middle East exclusively revealed in November that King & Spalding was in talks to merge with Al Fahad & Partners, a local firm with a 40-year history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The combined firm will operate as King & Spalding Al Fahad with 26 lawyers including seven partners in Riyadh.
King & Spalding Al Fahad will focus on the strengths of both legacy firms covering key practices such as corporate, finance, energy, and real estate, in addition to Islamic finance, funds, construction, projects, M&A and dispute resolution.
Four new partners—Abdulaziz H. Al Fahad, Fahad N. Alarfaj, Ibrahim Alkhudair, and English-qualified lawyer Phil Loynes—will combine with King & Spalding’s Riyadh partners, Haifa Bahaian (who joined the firm last year from Saudi Venture Capital), Zaid Al-Farisi, and Martin Hunt.
Alarfaj has become office managing partner in Riyadh, while Al Fahad serves as chairman of the Saudi Arabia practice.
The office will be located at Al Fahad & Partners’ current premises in Prestige Center Building No. 4 Takhasusi Street until a combined space is found.
“Our Middle East practice has a rich history in the region, and Al Fahad & Partners is one of Saudi Arabia’s most respected firms—and one we’ve worked alongside on many matters over the years,” said Robert Hays, chairman of King & Spalding. “Our clients have told us that the combination of King & Spalding’s international experience and global footprint and Al Fahad & Partners’ deep Saudi experience creates a differentiated offering for them in the Kingdom.”
“As Saudi Arabia looks increasingly towards international investments, the requirement for integrated local and international legal skills is a must for any law firm wanting to succeed in the region,” said Al Fahad, founder of Al Fahad & Partners. “Joining forces with King & Spalding is a perfect fit for us and our clients as we look ahead to a new era for Saudi Arabia.”
King & Spalding first entered Saudi Arabia through an affiliation in 2007. In 2023, it received a licence from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice to operate independently in the Kingdom.
Over the years the firm has provided counsel on a number of significant mandates in Saudi Arabia, including advising NEOM on a $8.4 billion world-first green hydrogen and green ammonia mega-project and Azmeel Contracting on its $2 billion restructuring.
