Clifford Chance has received regulatory approval to set up a mixed partnership in Saudi Arabia comprising foreign and Saudi lawyers, becoming the first foreign law firm in the kingdom to do so.
The tie-up is with Al-Jadaan & Partners, Clifford Chance’s long-standing partner in Saudi Arabia, and under the terms of the arrangement, current Al-Jadaan partners Abdulaziz Al-Abduljabbar and Khalid Al-Abdulkareem will join the Magic Circle firm. Al-Jadaan managing partner Mohammed Al-Jadaan will act as special adviser to Clifford Chance, with the arrangement commencing operations Jan. 1 next year.
"The decision to establish our own entity in this way is very much a response to the growing Saudi-specific demands of our global and local clients, who have already responded positively to our increased investment in Saudi Arabia,” said Graham Lovett, Clifford Chance Middle East regional managing partner, in a statement.
Clifford Chance also has MENA offices in Doha, Casablanca and Istanbul.
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