Three years after opening its Dubai office, U.S. firm Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton has further expanded its reach in the Middle East after entering the Saudi Arabian market following an alliance with the Hani Qurashi Law Firm.

Kilpatrick Townsend, which also has offices in Dubai, Japan, Sweden, and Taiwan apart from seven U.S. states, said it was attracted to the kingdom by its “high levels of economic growth, especially in the construction and engineering industry.” The firm has been focused on its construction and engineering practices in the UAE where it added construction and real estate practitioner Scott Hutton in August.

The Hani Qurashi Law Firm founded in Jeddah in 2000 now has 15 local lawyers, and offices in Riyadh and Dammam. It is headed by Hani Qurashi who has been practicing law since 1992.

“We are excited about partnering with the prestigious Hani Qurashi Law Firm,” said Bill Dorris, chair of Kilpatrick Townsend, in a statement. “This agreement is the next step in expanding Kilpatrick Townsend’s growing Middle East practice, and will benefit clients of both firms by providing direct access to each other’s deep legal expertise.”

Foreign law firms in Saudi Arabia are required by law to operate in alliance with a local firm. Global firms currently in tie-ups with Saudi partners include Clifford Chance (Al-Jadaan & Partners), Baker & McKenzie (Legal Advisors) and Latham & Watkins (Mohammed Al-Sheikh). ALB

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