Freshfields has announced the launch of a standalone office in Saudi Arabia and a strategic alliance with the Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan (LFSH), its long-standing associated firm in the Kingdom.
The firms have held an association agreement since 2009 and will continue their relationship through the new alliance.
Led by partners Fares Al-Hejailan and Amani Khalifa, Freshfields said its new office is a continuation of its existing client service in the Kingdom and will complement its wider regional presence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain.
As part of the renewed relationship, LFSH will continue to partner with Freshfields and remain part of its Stronger Together network, which brings together more than 300 firms globally.
Last year, Freshfields was granted a licence by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice to establish an office in the Kingdom. This licence follows changes to the laws that govern how foreign law firms operate in the Kingdom.
Freshfields regional managing partner Sami Tannous said: “We are pleased to enter into an agreement to maintain our long-standing relationship with LFSH. Our Saudi Arabia and Middle East operations continue to be a core focus for the firm, with the Kingdom established as one of the most dynamic markets across the world, particularly in and around sustainable development projects—a growing priority for the region. We look forward to delivering ongoing market-leading service to our clients.”
Al-Hejailan said: “LFSH is proud to continue our long-standing relationship with the global firm Freshfields in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a relationship that has spanned nearly 16 years and a true testament of cooperation and collaboration within the legal industry in the Kingdom serving many regional and international clients legally and strategically.”
Freshfields has a 40-year history of serving clients across the Middle East, with more than 50 lawyers based in the region.
The firm’s regional expertise spans transactional areas including corporate, M&A, restructurings, and capital market regulations, and disputes relating to construction, commercial arbitration, and global investigations.
