A&O Strengthens Saudi Arabia Footprint with Riyadh Office Launch 

Allen & Overy (A&O) has inaugurated its Riyadh office, signalling a significant step in its regional growth strategy. Obtaining the necessary license from the Saudi Ministry of Justice, A&O aims to establish a robust presence in Riyadh to cater to the evolving legal landscape of the Kingdom. 

Heading the new office are esteemed partners Hosam Ibn Ghaith (pictured left) and Haris Meyer Hanif (pictured right), both bringing extensive experience and specialized expertise to A&O’s Riyadh venture. With a deep understanding of Saudi corporate law, capital markets, and Islamic finance, Ghaith’s background as General Counsel at Hassana Investment Company equips him with unique insights into the intricacies of the local market. His nearly two decades of practice in advising on complex transactions across various sectors further solidify his role as a trusted legal advisor. 

Haris Meyer Hanif, known for his proficiency in finance and restructuring, brings over a decade of experience garnered from leading law firms in the region. Having served as Head of Finance in MENA at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Hanif’s expertise extends to leveraged and acquisition financings, as well as private capital transactions. His return to A&O underscores the firm’s commitment to assembling a team of top-tier legal professionals dedicated to delivering exceptional client service. 

Joining Ghaith and Hanif are Dr. Sultan Almasoud and Mohsin Suleman from Shearman & Sterling, bolstering A&O’s Riyadh team with their wealth of experience and industry knowledge. Dr. Almasoud, who has spearheaded Shearman’s presence in the Kingdom for nearly a decade, brings invaluable insights into the nuances of the local legal landscape. Mohsin Suleman’s expertise complements the team’s capabilities, further strengthening A&O’s position in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic legal market. 

Khalid Garousha, regional managing partner for the Middle East and Turkey and interim global managing partner at A&O, commented: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our office in Riyadh as we look forward to supporting the Kingdom further on its ambitious diversification programme as part of Vision 2030. A&O has had a strong presence in the Middle East since 1978, including a long history of advising clients in the Kingdom, and as A&O Shearman we look forward to continuing to combine the best of global and local to offer our domestic and international clients a full-service offering, bringing a breadth and depth of resource that we believe is unmatched. We are delighted to have established an independent office in the Kingdom and we look forward to the opportunities ahead.” 

Wim Dejonghe, senior partner, added: “Our office in Riyadh is a natural extension of our long-standing presence and reputation in the Middle East. This strategic investment reflects our confidence in the growth potential and opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we are proud to partner with Hosam Ibn Ghaith and Haris Meyer Hanif, both leading lawyers who are well-known to many of our key clients in the region, and soon with Dr. Sultan Almasoud and his team. We look forward to offering our clients the benefit of our combined expertise, experience and innovation.”