Top 20 UK firm Simmons & Simmons is set to expand in Saudi Arabia through the opening of a new office in the country’s capital, Riyadh, by alliance firm Hammad & Al-Mehdar.
The firms have worked together on a number of mandates since May 2011 and two-partner Hammad & Al-Mehdar, has now established a presence in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, the main financial and administrative centre of the Kingdom. The official opening is set to take place in October once all regulatory approval has been granted. The new office will join up with Simmons & Simmons’ three Middle Eastern offices in Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Hammad & Al-Mehdar, which counts France’s biggest commercial bank BNP Paribas among its clients, is one of the leading Islamic finance firms in the Middle East, working closely with Shariah scholars to develop Shariah compliant structures and solutions. The firm also has an office in Dubai.
Andrew Wingfield, partner and head of Simmons & Simmons in the Middle East, said: ‘The development of this new office in Riyadh was naturally the next step in building on our alliance in the Kingdom as many of the firm’s clients already have operations in Riyadh. This will therefore be a welcome addition to our offering in the Middle East through our alliance law firm, Hammad & Al-Mehdar, providing yet further growth for both firms across our key sectors in energy & infrastructure, financial institutions, asset management and investment funds, life sciences and technology media and telecommunications.’
Dr Adli Hammad, managing partner and founding partner of Hammad & Al-Mehdar, added: ‘We are pleased to be opening the second of our offices in Saudi Arabia. This expansion in Riyadh builds upon the relationships that have been developed – particularly over the last 3 years – and will add many more benefits in supporting our clients and their businesses in what is undoubtedly the main financial centre of Saudi Arabia.’
Tom.moore@legalease.co.uk
