White & Case Cements Commitment to KSA with Direct Presence

Global law firm White & Case is operating directly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the grant of a Foreign Law Licence by the country’s Ministry of Justice in line with new regulations for foreign law firms operating in the Kingdom. 

“White & Case has been advising on Saudi matters since the 1950s and is the only international law firm with a seven-decade track record of support for Saudi Arabia,” said Waad Alkurini (pictured), White & Case Office Executive Partner in Riyadh. “Establishing a direct presence in Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in our Firm’s enduring relationship with the Kingdom. Our lawyers in Riyadh, the wider Middle East and throughout our global network will continue to advise leading international and domestic clients on their most important, complex, multijurisdictional and local deals and disputes involving Saudi Arabia.” 

The Riyadh office boasts a team of over 30 lawyers, including five partners, proficient in Saudi, English, and US law. Their expertise covers a spectrum of legal services, encompassing antitrust and competition law, banking and finance (including Islamic finance), capital markets, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, disputes, foreign investment, and project development and finance. The team provides comprehensive international and local law advice to leading international and domestic corporates, financial institutions, government entities, and government-related enterprises. 

This strategic move to establish a direct presence in Saudi Arabia underscores White & Case’s commitment to its enduring relationship with the Kingdom. The law firm has played a pivotal role in advising on many of the most innovative, complex, and high-stakes transactions and disputes involving Saudi Arabia. 

As part of its commitment to the region, White & Case has obtained a Regional Headquarters (RHQ) license from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia. The RHQ, to be based in Riyadh, will serve as a hub for providing strategic support and managing the firm’s broader activities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. 

Anwaar Alshammari (pictured), a recent addition to the Riyadh team and former Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, brings a wealth of experience to the Global Project Development and Finance Practice. With a keen focus on hands-on, partner-led services, White & Case aims to continue delivering pragmatic, commercial solutions to its clients, helping them achieve their key Saudi-related business goals. 

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in Riyadh, White & Case is set to move into a state-of-the-art new office located in the Tadawul Tower, the centerpiece of the King Abdullah Financial District. This tower will also host the Saudi Stock Exchange and various major banks and financial institutions. The firm’s deep-rooted relationships with major public and private companies, as well as government entities, highlight its integral role in the development and growth of Saudi Arabia over the years. 

White & Case has been active in the Middle East for around 70 years, with an on-the-ground presence since 1989. It currently has six offices in the region: Egypt (Cairo), Oman (Muscat), Qatar (Doha), Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) and the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi; Dubai).