Morgan Lewis has announced the launch of a new office in Riyadh as part of its ongoing expansion in the Middle East, strengthening its on-the-ground presence in Saudi Arabia and advancing its support for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic transformation agenda.
The new office opens with a full team of six senior lawyers, including M&A and capital markets partners Dr Sultan Almasoud and Sanjarbek Abdukhalilov, who join from A&O Shearman, and dispute resolution specialist Saeed Alqahtani, formerly of Al Tamimi & Company.
Dr Almasoud will serve as Managing Partner of the Riyadh office and lead the firm’s Saudi practice.
The Riyadh team will be supported by preeminent Morgan Lewis lawyers including finance partner Sourabh Bhattacharya and Saudi veteran practitioners Sara K. Aranjo, leader of the firm’s dispute resolution and international arbitration practice across the Middle East and Africa regions, and Ayman A. Khaleq, who co-leads the Middle East practice.
Together, they will advise clients across key sectors such as energy, digital infrastructure, aviation, investment funds and emerging technologies.
“Saudi Arabia has long been a vital part of our global practice, and our physical presence in Riyadh reflects a deepened investment in the country, its people and its future,” said Jami McKeon, Chair of Morgan Lewis.
“With Dr Sultan, Sanjarbek and Saeed joining our established team, we are reinforcing our commitment to clients in Saudi Arabia and beyond, in full alignment with Vision 2030.”
Managing Partner Steven Wall said the opening represents a significant extension of the firm’s work in the Kingdom. “Our Riyadh office strengthens our ability to provide locally attuned, globally informed legal solutions and enhances relationships with Saudi and international clients,” he said.
With more than 40 years advising clients in the Middle East and over a decade of regional presence, Morgan Lewis becomes one of the few global firms with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.
The new Riyadh base will focus on cross-border transactions, financings and disputes for sovereign wealth funds, state-owned entities, asset managers, family offices and multinational corporations, reflecting the firm’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s evolving legal and regulatory landscape.
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