White & Case Reinforces Commitment to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with RHQ License

White & Case Reinforces Commitment to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with RHQ License

The Riyadh office comprises over 30 lawyers, including five partners, who are proficient in Saudi, English, and US laws

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

Waad Alkurini, the Executive Partner of the firm in Riyadh commented, “White & Case has been advising on Saudi matters since the 1950s. It is the only international law firm with a seven-decade track record of support for Saudi Arabia. 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, multi-jurisdictional, and local deals and disputes involving Saudi Arabia,” he added.

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

As part of its commitment to the region, the firm obtained a Regional Headquarters (RHQ) license from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia. Based in Riyadh, the RHQ 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.

The Riyadh office comprises a team of over 30 lawyers, including five partners, who are proficient in Saudi, English, and US law. Their expertise covers a spectrum of legal services, encompassing anti-trust 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.

Anwaar Alshammari, a recent addition to the Riyadh team and former senior adviser at the Ministry of Investment has expertise in 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. The 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, and government entities, highlight its integral role in the development and growth of Saudi Arabia.

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).