SAUDI ARABIA – New milestone for Clifford Chance in Saudi

the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry approved the set up of a mixed Saudi and foreign partnership between Clifford Chance and Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm.

This deal makes it the first international firm to establish a partnership in Saudia Arabia.

It will fully integrate the corporate, finance and capital markets of Al-Jadaan with Clifford Chance, while the Saudi firm’s litigation practice will operate as a niche boutique. The new partnership will be operational from January 1, 2014. Partners, associates and business staff will transfer to the international firm.

Based in Riyadh and operating under the Clifford Chance name, the partnership will include both Saudi and foreign lawyers making it the first firm of its kind in the country. Mohammed Al-Jadaan will remain managing partner of Al-Jadaan and will act as a special adviser to Clifford Chance in Saudi Arabia, consulting on innovation in the region’s market transactions.

Commenting on the venture, CC’s Middle East managing partner Graham Lovett, said, ‘The decision to establish our own entity in this was very much a response to the growing Saudi-specific demands of our global and local clients, who have already reacted well to our increased investment in Saudi Arabia.’

Clifford Chance has in the past two years launched offices in Doha, Casablanca and Istanbul as it continues to serve clients across the Middle East and North Africa.