CMS appoints new head of corporate in Saudi Arabia

Following the launch of its Riyadh office last year, international law firm CMS has strengthened its presence in the region with the appointment of corporate partner Rizwan Osman as head of corporate in Saudi Arabia. Rizwan joins the firm from an international law firm in Riyadh and will be based in Riyadh.

Osman is a Solicitor qualified in England & Wales and is also a member of the Saudi Bar Association. With over 18 years of experience, nine of which have been in Saudi Arabia, Osman has significant experience in advising on complex cross-border transactions across a broad range of sectors, including the advertising and media, education, healthcare, oil and gas, mining, trade, transport and logistic sectors. Osman specialises in all aspects of corporate, commercial and competition law matters including incorporating legal entities, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, commercial agency, distribution and franchising, commercial contracts as well as corporate restructurings and liquidations.

Adrian Bell, CMS partner and Joint Managing Director for the Middle East and Asia said, “We’re delighted to welcome Rizwan to the firm. Deepening our offering in Saudi Arabia is an integral part of our Middle East strategy and Rizwan brings significant experience in corporate transactions and structuring. As Saudi’s Vision 2030 gathers momentum, we are well positioned to navigate the evolving landscape and support our clients as they invest in and expand their operations in the country. Rizwan’s experience and deep local knowledge adds significant weight to our offering, ensuring that we can effectively meet the needs of clients in the region.”

Rizwan Osman commented, “It is an exciting time to join CMS as it expands its platform in Saudi Arabia. With its strong sector focus, particularly in key areas such as energy and infrastructure, real estate, life sciences and financial services, CMS is well placed to serve the needs of clients in the region and take on new opportunities aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. Joining a firm with proven expertise in these sectors and a strong international reputation will greatly benefit my practice and clients.”

CMS opened its Riyadh office in October 2023 following the granting of its Foreign Law Firm Licence by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, and appointed leading disputes partner Mohammed Aldowish as the Managing Partner of CMS in Riyadh. The Riyadh team is focused on building strong relationships with corporate clients, high-net-worth individuals, and government entities, reflecting its deep understanding of Saudi Arabian law and regional dynamics. Rizwan’s appointment swiftly follows the arrival of energy and infrastructure partner Keith Bullen (in May) and disputes partner James Abbott (in January). Both partners boast extensive experience in Saudi Arabia.