Eversheds Sutherland adds third King & Spalding partner, marking its 31st lateral hire
Eversheds Sutherland has announced the arrival of banking and finance partner Zaid Al-Farisi to its Riyadh office, marking the third senior appointment from King & Spalding in recent months.
Al-Farisi, who headed King & Spalding’s Saudi banking and finance practice, is the 31st lateral partner hire to join Eversheds Sutherland in the last 12 months as part of its ambitious ongoing growth strategy and commitment to strengthening its market-leading capabilities. His arrival also follows hot on the heels of the appointments of colleagues, partners Mike Rainey and Asal Saghari from King & Spalding.
An Iraqi, U.S. and English-qualified banking and restructuring partner, Al-Farisi has been advising clients in Saudi Arabia for almost three decades and brings unparalleled experience to complex financial and restructuring transactions.
Al-Farisi’s primary focus is on Shari’ah-compliant and conventional financings, advising lenders, borrowers, and sponsors across the full spectrum of transactions in the Kingdom, and on restructurings and bankruptcy procedures, representing both debtors and creditors in challenging situations.
Consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in Saudi banking and finance by legal industry directories Chambers Global, Legal 500, and IFLR1000, Al-Farisi is praised as a “go-to” legal adviser, with deep market knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and forward-thinking advice.
Tawfiq Tabba, managing partner, Middle East, Eversheds Sutherland, said, “Zaid’s appointment reflects our commitment to investing in capabilities that matter most to clients. The Middle East continues to evolve rapidly, and with these developments come increasingly complex and sophisticated client needs. By bringing in experienced lawyers of Zaid’s calibre, we’re not only anticipating those challenges but ensuring we deliver the depth of expertise and strategic insight our clients have come to expect. This appointment reinforces our focus on growth, innovation, and client service excellence as we expand our offering across key sectors.”
Zeid Hannina, partner and head of corporate Finance, Middle East, Eversheds Sutherland, said,“Welcoming Zaid marks a significant step in building a powerhouse transactional team in Saudi Arabia and across the wider region. In a Middle East landscape defined by rapid economic diversification and accelerating cross-border investments, his expertise further strengthens our ability to guide clients through complex regional and international financing transactions with confidence and added value. Zaid’s addition underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering best-in-class service to our clients – particularly in the Kingdom and throughout the region.”
Mohammed AlDhabaan, chairman of Mohammed AlDhabaan & Partners Eversheds Sutherland, said, “Zaid’s experience and technical excellence adds real depth to our ability to support clients as the Middle East undergoes notable economic shifts. His arrival strengthens our capacity to deliver innovative, market-leading solutions that help clients capitalise on growth opportunities and navigate complex financing and restructuring challenges with confidence.”
Zaid Al-Farisi, partner, Eversheds Sutherland, said, “Joining Eversheds Sutherland at this pivotal moment is very exciting. The firm’s strong presence domestically and globally, as well as its reputation in target markets, make it a great platform from which to help clients navigate opportunities and challenges with confidence, and to deliver tailored advice and service excellence.”
In addition to these latest appointments, Steve Jennings, M&A partner, will further strengthen the firm’s Riyadh corporate presence by working closely with the four-strong Associate team on the ground, whilst continuing to lead high-profile cross-border mandates across the GCC. With 13 years’ experience in the region, Jennings combines deep cultural insight with a well-established client network, reinforcing the firm’s capability in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Since joining Eversheds Sutherland’s Dubai office nearly five years ago, Jennings has advised on numerous Saudi transactions and is already a trusted adviser to leading businesses in the Kingdom. His expertise will further enhance the firm’s capability in Saudi Arabia, whilst maintaining seamless collaboration across the UAE and the wider Middle East.
