AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION FEBRUARY 2025 • VOL.1 • ISSUE 01 Marwan Elaraby on taking Gibson Dunn to new heights LME_Feb2025_00_Cover_13509690.indd 111/02/2025 09:55Untitled-5 124/10/2024 16:23February 2025 | 3 law-middleeast.com EDITOR’S LETTER Hello readers, Saudi Arabia is bursting with opportunity as the oil-rich kingdom reforms its rules to allow outside legal work. My recent visit confi rmed the breadth of opportunity and pace of development across global law fi rms. Gibson Dunn is one such fi rm going for growth in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, according to Marwan Elaraby, one of three regional managing partners at the fi rm, who features on the cover of our fi rst print issue. Elaraby charts Gibson Dunn’s incredible growth story —from a team of six to 62 in just over two years, with nearly half of the team based in Riyadh. It is the global fi rm’s single largest investment in its 135- year history, he reveals. Added to this is another perspective from Latham & Watkins Saudi Arabia practice chair and regional managing partner, Salman Al-Sudairi, who was instrumental in establishing the global fi rm’s regional presence. We also feature Zeyad Khoshaim, the entrepreneurial force behind homegrown fi rm Khoshaim & Associates (K&A), who broke away from a global fi rm to establish a local practice in the Kingdom. As Saudi Arabian laws evolve, we have insights and analysis from lawyers on developments impacting the Labour Law, Personal Data Protection Law, and sports laws in the wake of the Kingdom’s successful World Cup bid. What’s more, we have a dedicated section for the in-house community, starting with a series on what they want external legal counsel to know. Happy reading! Until next month, Aishah Hussain Editor, Law Middle East @lawmiddleeast linkedin.com/company/law-middle-east WHAT I HAVE LEARNT February 2025 marks one year since I left London with two suitcases, one holdall, and zero expectations. I thought I would recount a few things I have learnt since moving to Dubai... UAE, DIFC, ADGM The UAE is governed by federal laws based on civil law and Sharia principles. DIFC and ADGM are distinct free zones located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively, with common law systems based on English law and their own court systems Construction is big business Many construction projects are underway across the region so this sector is big business, and when things go wrong, so is dispute resolution. Some global fi rms’ regional offi ces are heavily focused on handling construction disputes +971 or +966 Checking the dialling codes listed on lawyer profi les on fi rm websites is a useful way to know who is on the ground and who is fl ying in and out Respect for local traditions Emirati culture is deeply rooted in Islamic traditions so it is important to be mindful of local customs and traditions, from the holy month of Ramadan to Friday prayers, as these can impact the workday for many LME_Feb2025_3_Editor Letter_13289138.indd 311/02/2025 12:41law-middleeast.com 4 | February 2025 CONTENTS 18 20 26 WHY GLOBAL FIRMS ARE HEADING TO SAUDI ARABIA Opportunities abound in the oil-rich kingdom as it looks to diversify its economy IN CONVERSATION WITH SAUDI ARABIA’S LEADING IPO LAWYER Latham & Watkins’ Salman Al-Sudairi on the evolution of Saudi Arabia and the fi rm’s regional practice GIBSON DUNN’S METEORIC RISE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Dubai partner in charge Marwan Elaraby discusses the fi rm’s strategy in the region and its vision ahead LME_Feb2025_4-5_Contents_13289143.indd 411/02/2025 11:23February 2025 | 5 law-middleeast.com 40 3442 ‘WE CHOOSE TO PLAY THE GAME IN HARD MODE’ K&A managing partner Zeyad Khoshaim on how he built a fi rm that defi ed the odds INSIDE THE MINDS OF MIDDLE EAST IN-HOUSE LAWYERS GCs and senior legal counsel shed insights on what they want law fi rms to know to better assist them A LOOK INTO THE DAILY LIVES OF LAWYERS A day in the life of Taylor Wessing Dubai managing partner and UK private wealth head Ronald Graham LME_Feb2025_4-5_Contents_13289143.indd 511/02/2025 11:23law-middleeast.com 6 | February 2025 PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Editor: Aishah Hussain Tel: +971 4 444 3132 email: aishah.hussain@itp.com Associate Project Editor: Beatriz Valero Tel: +971 4 444 3413 email: beatriz.valero@itp.com Commercial Editor: Angitha Pradeep Tel: +971 4 444 3278 email: angitha.pradeep@itp.com ART Art Director: Amjad Ayche Art Editor: Tofi q Memon ADVERTISING Group Publishing Director: Natasha Pendleton Tel: +971 4 444 3248 email: natasha.pendleton@itp.com Commercial Manager: Syed Rezavi Tel: +971 4 444 3662 email: syed.rezavi@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton email: eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events & Marketing Manager: Kate Galaktionova Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Event Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Administrative Assistant: Aronn Pureza Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga email: events@itp.com PRODUCTION Production Manager: Balasubramanian P DISTRIBUTION Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai ITP GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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QUANTUM REVOLUTION AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION How Google’s Willow chip will redefine computing forever RACING TO SECURITY E&’s Help AG: driving cybersecurity innovation at Formula 1 speeds AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION ROCKET INTO THE FUTURE How satellite internet is powering a new age of digital transformation AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION January 2025 / Vol. 3 issue 1 / an ITP Media Group Publication Tim Cook, Apple and the dawn of a new age of creativity ART MEETS ALGORITHM AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION BEST TECH OF 2024 The ultimate guide to the year’s must- have gadget s AD_ITP.net_5CoversLaunch_205x275_Approved.indd 130/01/2025 17:05 Untitled-5 131/01/2025 11:138 February 2025law-middleeast.com ONLINE Associate salaries in Riyadh are up to a fi fth higher than in Dubai, according to managing partners at international law fi rms. The law fi rm leaders said associates in Riyadh currently earn between 15% to 20% more than their counterparts in Dubai. Simmons & Simmons has evolved from a makeshift offi ce in a squash court to a futuristic hub in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)’s ICD Brookfi eld Place. Middle East head Muneer Khan refl ects on the fi rm’s progress in the region and its priorities as it enters a new decade. Shahab Ahmed has held legal leadership positions at Microsoft, Chewy, and Etihad Airways, as well as worked at unicorn start-ups. He shares his learnings on becoming a more eff ective general counsel, from understanding business priorities to building relationships. If you are thinking about moving to the UAE for work, there are a few things you need to know. Whether on secondment or looking to stay, Dubai associate Inshaal Ahmad shares seven things to be aware of before making the move, from tax to tradition to technology. WHAT IS TRENDING ONLINE law - middleeas t .co m Riyadh associate salaries higher than Dubai Simmons & Simmons marks 30 years in UAE 5 ways to become the GC every CEO wants 7 things to know before moving to the UAE WHAT OUR READERS THINK... From burnout to balance and the role of law fi rm health policies How the UAE is courting the international arbitration community “A fascinating topic for a fascinating profession”—Damien Walsh, AES Health “The UAE's proactive and strategic approach to modernise its arbitration landscape is undeniably impressive”—Tariq Sh eikh, Tatton & Sheikh LME_Feb2025_8-9_Web DPS_13502718.indd 811/02/2025 11:21February 2025 9law-middleeast.com ONLINE FUHDWLRQ XVHUBLG VHUYHU QSD[ Kirkland & Ellis was the fi rst international law fi rm to establish its Riyadh offi ce as its regional headquarters in October 2023. Under founding partner and Middle East practice head Kamran Bajwa’s leadership, the offi ce has grown to over 20 legal professionals, with core specialisms including corporate, capital markets, projects, and restructuring. Right now his focus is on making the Riyadh offi ce as successful as possible, he tells Law Middle East in an exclusive interview. KIRKLAND & ELLIS MIDDLE EAST HEAD: We aim to build the best culture and brand in KSA ONLINE February 2025 9law-middleeast.com LME_Feb2025_8-9_Web DPS_13502718.indd 911/02/2025 11:21Next >