Ashurst Appoints Former White & Case Partner Nezar Al Abbas In Saudi Arabia Ahead Of Perkins Coie Merger
Nezar Al Abbas joins Ashurst as partner in Projects & Energy Transition, strengthening Saudi Arabia practice.
Ashurst Appoints Former White & Case Partner Nezar Al Abbas in Saudi Arabia Ahead of Perkins Coie Merger
The global law firm Ashurst has strengthened its team in Saudi Arabia ahead of its planned merger with Perkins Coie by appointing Nezar Al Abbas as a partner in the projects and energy transition team, based in Riyadh. Al Abbas was formerly a local partner at White & Case.
With over 15 years of experience in the Middle East, he advises clients on project finance and a broad spectrum of financing transactions, including Islamic finance.
David Charlier, Middle East Managing Partner and Co-Head of the Projects and Energy Transition Team for EMEA, said,
“Saudi Arabia is experiencing exceptional momentum in energy and infrastructure investment across both the public and private sectors, underpinned by Vision 2030. Nezar’s arrival will build on our well-established Saudi projects and project finance practice and position us to continue to deliver large-scale projects across the Kingdom.”
Faisal Baassiri, Managing Partner of Ashurst’s Saudi offices, added,
“The Saudi legal market continues to expand rapidly amid an evolving regulatory landscape and increasing demand for sophisticated financing and advisory services. Nezar’s deep understanding of the Saudi market, coupled with his strong track record advising financial institutions, will further build on our Saudi finance capability and enhance our ability to meet clients’ needs in this dynamic environment.”
Ashurst secured a license to operate in Saudi Arabia in November 2023, following a ten-year alliance with Faisal Adnan Baassiri Law Firm. Recent strategic additions include finance regulatory partner Raheel Butt and the relocations of Martyn Rogers, a banking partner, and Tammam Kaissi, a disputes partner. The firm’s merger with Perkins Coie, announced in November 2025, is expected to create a combined entity with annual revenue of approximately $2.7 billion and is slated to complete later this year.
Conclusion
The appointment of Nezar Al Abbas reinforces Ashurst’s strategic focus on projects, energy transition, and large-scale financing transactions in Saudi Arabia. His extensive experience and in-depth market knowledge will be instrumental in supporting clients amid the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving regulatory and investment landscape.
Ashurst is a leading multinational law firm headquartered in London, founded in 1822. It is currently in a period of significant global expansion, most notably through its pending merger with US-based firm Perkins Coie.
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