Addleshaw Goddard (AG) has achieved a significant milestone by securing a coveted Foreign Law Firm Licence from the Saudi Ministry of Justice. The achievement follows AG’s declaration in 2023 about its strategic plan to establish an office in Riyadh, marking its fourth presence in the Middle East alongside Dubai, Qatar, and Oman.
The inauguration of the Riyadh office was celebrated amidst grandeur, hosting over 300 clients and contacts in the historical district of At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Now fully operational, the Riyadh office boasts five esteemed partners, including the recent addition of Christian Both from Clifford Chance, solidifying AG’s commitment to the Saudi market.
Strategic Lateral Hires and Expertise
AG has strategically appointed three other lateral hires based in Saudi Arabia, showcasing a seamless collaboration between KSA and Dubai. Ibrahim Siddiki, formerly with Bracewell in Dubai, leads the KSA corporate M&A practice. Homam Khoshaim, an M&A expert formerly at Latham & Watkins, and Banking & Finance partner Amar Meher, previously with Latham & Watkins, bring their expertise to the AG team. Alex Sarac, a Projects & Infrastructure partner, has also relocated from AG’s Dubai office to enhance the partner group in Riyadh.
The Riyadh team comprises seven additional fee-earners, forming a robust 14-member unit specializing in corporate M&A, banking and finance, and infrastructure. Their diverse sector expertise covers energy, oil and gas, renewables, infrastructure, transport, technology, hospitality, manufacturing, and consumer goods—aligned with KSA Vision 2030.
AG’s Vision and Growth Trajectory
AG aspires to offer clients a comprehensive on-the-ground service, supporting inbound and outbound matters across the region and the firm’s global network of 18 offices.
The Middle East has witnessed AG’s substantial growth over the last decade, with a doubling of revenue. The Riyadh office marks a crucial step toward achieving a targeted 40% income growth over the next five years, sustaining AG’s upward trajectory in the region. Currently, the firm has 24 partners and nearly 60 other full-time fee-earners in the Middle East.
Andrew Johnston, Head of Middle East and Asia at Addleshaw Goddard, expressed enthusiasm about the Riyadh office, stating, “Establishing an office in Riyadh has been done as a direct response to existing client demand. It is an essential next step for our business in the Middle East and will form a central plank of our growth trajectory in the region in the coming years.” Johnston, who has been elected global Managing Partner effective May 1, 2024, highlighted the positive market reaction and the quality of the team as key factors contributing to AG’s success in the Saudi market.
