Addleshaw Goddard installs five partners to kickstart Saudi expansion

Addleshaw Goddard has announced plans to launch a new office in Saudi Arabia. While the firm waits for regulatory approval, the British law firm has meanwhile lined up a five-strong partner team to kickstart the Riyadh operation.

“As the biggest economy in the region, Saudi Arabia is a key part of our plans for the future,” said Andrew Johnston, who leads Addleshaw Goddard across Middle East and Asia.

Currently operating with offices in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, the fresh Riyadh office will become the firm’s 4th in the region, and 17th worldwide.

Set to launch anytime in the coming weeks, the Riyadh team will be spearheaded by Johnston himself, flanked by fellow partners Amar Meher, Homam Khoshaim, Ibrahim Siddiki, and Alexander Sarac. The trio of Meher, Khoshaim, and Siddiki all have been pinched externally, while existing company member Sarac has relocated from the firm’s Dubai office.

“Establishing a Saudi office is a direct response to existing client demand and a decisive next step for our business in the Middle East, allowing us to better serve existing and future clients. Our new partners are highly impressive and a great fit for our business. We are delighted they have chosen to commit to Addleshaw Goddard as we strive to deliver more impact for our clients throughout the region,” said Johnston.

The Middle East boss added that the firm’s expansion into Saudi Arabia marks a key pillar of Addleshaw Goddard’s ambitious growth plans in the region. “We aim to grow revenue by at least 60% in the next five years. Saudi Arabia is an important market for us to be in as we strive to achieve our strategic ambitions in the Middle East.”

The five-strong partner team will be supported by eight lawyers and paralegals. “Our 13-strong launching team will offer expertise in corporate, banking and finance and infrastructure assignments and has broad sector expertise in energy, oil & gas, renewables, infrastructure, transport, technology, hospitality, manufacturing and consumer goods,” explained Johnston.

The news in Saudi comes hot on the heels of Addleshaw Goddard opening new offices in Dublin, Luxembourg, Frankfurt and Munich. The London-headquartered business has around 1,600 professionals worldwide.

In related news, EY earlier this year launched its legal division (EY Law) in the Saudi market, in the footsteps of fellow Big Four firms Deloitte and PwC (through a partnership). KPMG does not have a legal footprint in the market.