Akin receives MOJ license to open office in Riyadh

Akin announced that it has secured a license from the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the final approval required for the firm to launch in Riyadh. The office is set to open later this summer, driving critical expansion in a key market for the firm’s global growth strategy. Akin’s presence in Riyadh brings to the Kingdom the firm’s strengths across its regulatory, corporate finance, corporate M&A, energy and infrastructure practices along with a roster of accomplished advisors with deep local experience and insights.

Corporate partner Alexander Malahias will relocate from Abu Dhabi to lead the office, where he’ll be joined by project finance partner Jennifer Riddle, who is also relocating from Abu Dhabi. Together, Malahias and Riddle bring a formidable track record of advising government entities, sponsors, financial institutions, and corporates on large-scale projects across the region.

“Opening in Riyadh will mark an important step for Akin,” said Akin co-chair Abid Qureshi. “Our goal is to continue to build a global platform that anticipates our clients’ needs and positions us where they need us most. Saudi Arabia is central to the transformation currently underway across the region, and our presence in Riyadh reinforces our commitment to supporting clients in the markets shaping the future.”

“With our license in place and a deeply experienced team on the ground, we will be perfectly positioned to advise clients in this dynamic market,” said Akin’s partner-in-charge of international markets, Sebastian Rice. “The Kingdom’s economic transformation aligns with our strengths in energy, infrastructure, and corporate finance.”

“The Riyadh office is a natural next step in the growth of our presence in the Middle East,” said Malahias. “We are bringing together an exceptional group of partners who know the complexities of this market. Our clients across the region—particularly those focused on large-scale development and energy transition—will benefit from the seamless support our team is uniquely equipped to provide.”