Bird & Bird is opening its first office in Saudi Arabia, joining a wave of international firms entering the country.
The new office will focus on technology, IP, and corporate matters, as the firm positions itself for a surge in AI and infrastructure deals across the country.
Bird & Bird is the latest international law firm to set up shop in Saudi Arabia, announcing the launch of a new office in Riyadh to tap into the country’s booming tech sector.
The new base - Bird & Bird’s first in Saudi and third in the Middle East after Abu Dhabi and Dubai - will be led by head of Middle East Anders Nilsson and staffed by a team of local associates and three resident partners: corporate specialist Raya Alkhatib, tech and data expert Nick O’Connell and long-time Bird & Bird partner Simon Shooter.
The firm says the new outpost will initially focus on technology, IP, corporate and transactional work - a natural fit for a firm that's built its brand around advising tech and digital economy clients.
Bigger picture
The Riyadh move is the latest in a steady stream of international firms planting flags in the Kingdom, as legal work tied to Saudi’s Vision 2030 programme kicks into gear. Pinsent Masons opened its doors in March, while BCLP got there a month earlier, opening bases in both Riyadh and Al-Khobar.
The draw is the government-led push to turn Saudi into a hub for tech, infrastructure and energy - with AI infrastructure now firmly at the centre. Data centres and "AI zones" are high on the agenda, and firms are lining up to advise on the wave of deals expected to follow.
Earlier in May, the White House said it had secured a $600 billion commitment from Saudi as part of a broader $2 trillion regional trade push, with most of it tech-focused.
What they said
Corporate partner Alkhatib, former GC at American Express Saudi Arabia, said: "Saudi Arabia's dynamic business landscape offers exciting opportunities for both local and international clients seeking strategic corporate guidance in the Kingdom."
O’Connell, who's been based in Riyadh for most of the last seven years and is considered one of Saudi's leading tech lawyers, added: "The Kingdom’s strong focus on technology and innovation aligns perfectly with that of Bird & Bird as a leading technology firm."
CEO Christian Bartsch said the Riyadh launch marks another milestone in the firm’s five-year growth plan, which also included opening a Tokyo office last year.
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