Legal Advisors, Abdulaziz I. Al-Ajlan & Partners in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited, stands as a market leader in Saudi Arabia’s banking sector, garnering the attention of prominent domestic banks and businesses. Their remarkable expertise extends to project financing and Islamic finance, with a distinguished team led by Ian Siddell, boasting a wealth of twenty-seven years of experience in Islamic and project financing, with a keen focus on multi-sourced and export credit agency-supported financings. In addition, Basel Barakat, Delwar Hossain, and Fatima Alhasan, contribute to the firm’s esteemed reputation in the financial landscape.

Unlike many other international firms which work with Saudi Arabian firms as associations, AS&H Clifford Chance is a joint venture between the international firm and a Saudi partner. The practice is led by Yasser Al-Hussain, who is an expert in a wide range of transactions, including Islamic finance, project finance, and debt market transactions. Al-Hussain acts as lead on many of the firm’s largest clients, including the Saudi United Investment Company, and the Public Investment Fund. Recently relocated to Riyadh from Dubai, Ahmed Choudhry supports the practice on a variety of conventional and Islamic finance transactions.

The banking and finance division at Khoshaim & Associates enjoys a stellar reputation for its advice to a broad range of clients spanning financial services, energy, and construction sectors. Notably, international banks, specialist Islamic financiers, and government authorities and public sector entities also seek their counsel. Karim Wali is a distinguished figure, renowned for his expertise in financing large construction and real estate projects. Zeyad Khoshaim, recently nominated as a Member of the Court to Permanent Court of Arbitration, jointly leading the practice alongside Wali and Hamdan Van Den Brule. Key practitioner Paul Matrosov further bolsters the team’s capabilities.

King & Spalding excels in top-end and complex financing, funds, and restructuring. Leading the practice, Zaid Al-Farisi, having returned to Riyadh in 2022, boasts extensive expertise in banking, financing, and restructuring in Saudi Arabia. The team also relies on the acumen of key practitioners like Nabil Issa, managing partner of the Riyadh and UAE offices, Mohammed Alammar – who excels in cross-border acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital – and Michael Rainey, an expert in representing lenders and borrowers in both conventional and Shari’ah-compliant financings.

The Latham & Watkins LLC boasts an exceptional standing in the Saudi Arabian banking and finance arena. The practice excels in project finance, restructuring, and shariah-compliant financing, with a prominent focus on Islamic finance mandates. The firm has long relationships with some of the most prominent banks in Saudi Arabia, as well as development and real estate companies. Peter Norris, counsel, heads the practice - he focuses on banking finance and Islamic finance transactions, including sukuk structures. Salman Al-Sudairi is a highly sought-after expert, renowned for his counsel on restructuring as well as on Saudi Arabian regulatory and government advisory matters.

White & Case boasts extensive experience and prowess in Saudi Arabia’s banking and finance arena. Adam Pierson, based in Abu Dhabi, leads the team, advises Saudi Aramco on multiple complex projects. Ivan Paskal is a key figure in strategic transactions and infrastructure funds for energy companies, while Alec Johnson also excels in energy and green finance. Infrastructure clients turn to Din Eshanov for his expert advice on project and construction agreements; he is the firm's global relationship partner for NEOM. The team is further strengthened by Abu Dhabi-based Alexander Malahias and Antoine Cousin.

Alshahrani Almansour (in collaboration with DLA Piper) commands a prominent position in the banking and finance domain in Saudi Arabia. Fintech continues to be a focused area of growth for the team, from new fintech platforms to the protection of technology driven products. The firm has also seen strong growth in its restructuring and Islamic finance. The practice is led by Paul Latto  and James Iremonger. Latto excels at complex leveraged and acquisition finance mandates, as well as derivatives and capital markets.

Derayah LLPC – Saudilegal, an independent Saudi firm, stands as a trusted name renowned for its counsel on intricate cross-border project finance transactions. Ali Abedi leads the practice from Jeddah. Abedi is personally involved in the practice’s most significant matters, he brings formidable expertise to asset and project financing matters. Based in Riyadh, Abdulaziz Alsulmy supports Abedi in many of his matters.

The Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni has a strong banking practice with a history of advising on public-private partnerships. The practice is led by Emad Zahrani, Faisal Linjawy‘ and Foram Majmudar. Zahrani’s practice stands out for its focus on complex transactions involving facility arrangements extended by foreign institutions, while Linjawy has deep experience in Shariah-compliant finance structures.

Linklaters, recently granted a licence to practice law from a new office in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia by the Ministry of Justice, caters to a well-established clientele comprising governmental bodies, major corporations, and investment banks. Omar El Sayed has a prominent presence in syndicated loans and Islamic financings in the Gulf region. Matthew Keats stands out as another key practitioner; he has over twenty-five years of experience in advising on large scale project development and financing. Additionally, David Miles brings a wealth of experience in energy and infrastructure financings in the Middle East.

Norton Rose Fulbright has a stellar reputation for its adept handling of intricate cross-border financings. Team leader Robin Balmer, based in Riyadh and Dubai, specializes in asset, project, and property finance, as well as shariah-compliant transactions. In April 2023, Abdulkhaliq Elshayyal joined the Riyadh office as a partner in the banking and finance team. David Johnston, recently promoted to partner in 2022, focuses on major project finance transactions. Associate Hesa Al Saad is a notable junior lawyer within the firm.

Counting both regional and global financial institutions among its clients, Al Tamimi & Company advises on conventional and Islamic financings and fields in-depth knowledge of financial regulatory matters. Aviation finance is another particular area of expertise for the team. Practice co-head Rafiq Jaffer ‘stands out‘, advising high-profile clients, such as the Saudi Arabian British Bank. Jody Waugh, an expert in corporate and property development financing transactions, co-leads the group and advises an impressive list of regulators, banks, finance companies and investment banks. AgathI Trakkidi brings experience in syndicated loan transactions and bilateral facility agreements to the team.

The Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa in association with Dentons has a strong client base, notably including the Saudi National Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance. Umera Ali leads the practice, splitting her time between Dubai and Riyadh - she focuses on restructuring, Islamic finance, and debt capital market restructuring.