Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) has expanded its reach in the Middle East after forging alliances with local law firms in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Kuwait.

In Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, HFW has teamed up with Riyadh-based Khulaif Al-Enezee Law Office and Beirut’s El-Khoury & Partners respectively. Partners Ziad El-Khoury and Hadi Melki in Beirut, alongside Khulaif Al-Enezee and Wissam Hachem in Riyadh, will lead a team of 15 lawyers. All four partners were formerly part of the legacy Squire Sanders’ Middle East practice, and departed soon after the firm merged to form Squire Patton Boggs in 2014.

In Kuwait, HFW has allied with Rula Dajani Law Office, headed by the firm's Middle East managing partner Rula Dajani Abuljebain. Corporate and commercial law specialist Abuljebain will share her time between Dubai and Kuwait offices.

In Abu Dhabi, HFW operates through an association with Salem Al Maddfa Advocates and Legal Consultants. The firm also has an office in Dubai.

"We recognise the importance of the Middle East region to world trade and as such, it has become an increasingly important part of our growth strategy," said Richard Crump, HFW's senior partner in a statement.

Following the new alliances in the Middle East, HFW now has 13 partners in the region.

Last year, HFW entered into a formal law alliance with local firm AsiaLegal in Singapore.