Quinn Emanuel Granted License to Operate in Saudi Arabia
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has been granted a license to practice law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This follows the firm’s association in 2022 with local firm Alrubayyi & Attorneys. The firm will operate in the Kingdom through a Saudi professional company, as announced in a recent statement.
The move comes in the wake of new regulations making it mandatory for international law firms to obtain a license from the Ministry of Justice to continue advising clients in Saudi Arabia. This legal framework aims to foster investment in Saudi legal talent and promote the growth of local legal expertise.
The Riyadh office of Quinn Emanuel is led by Saudi litigator Nasser Alrubayyi (pictured center), who also co-chairs the firm’s Middle East and North Africa practice. Alrubayyi expressed his excitement about the formal award of the license, viewing it as a milestone in their commitment to becoming the leading litigation law firm in the KSA and the wider Middle East region.
The firm’s team in Riyadh, comprising two partners and eight lawyers, is currently handling numerous large cases, including complex arbitrations and high-stakes construction disputes.
John Quinn, the founder of Quinn Emanuel, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment in diversifying its economy and promoting international investment. He affirmed the firm’s commitment to the KSA and mentioned the recent launch of offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as a direct response to local and international client demand.
With the addition of the Riyadh office, Quinn Emanuel now has four offices in the Middle East, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, underscoring its intent to build a powerful litigation presence across the region.
