January 2026 | 3 law-middleeast.com EDITOR’S LETTER Hello readers, A New Year brings renewed momentum—an opportunity to reset and build what comes next. In Saudi Arabia, that sense of forward motion is visible in steel and concrete as entire cities rise from the ground and focus shifts from planning and ambition to delivery and execution. Against this backdrop, our January 2026 cover story turns to construction and the role lawyers play in some of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. In this issue, we speak with James Clark, partner and head of construction at Kirkland & Ellis, who is leading a global practice from Riyadh at a moment when the city has become the centre of complex project delivery. As Clark puts it, “If you want to be the best construction practice in the world at the moment, you have to be in Saudi Arabia.” Clark’s own career, which spans Australia, Asia, Europe, the US, and the Middle East, refl ects the global nature of today’s construction mandates and their cross- border considerations. Yet his message is clear: success in Saudi Arabia requires an understanding of the Kingdom on its own terms. Local rules and emerging regulatory frameworks mean that assumptions imported from other markets do not apply. This issue also comes at a pivotal moment for the sector. Our fi rst event of the year focuses on construction, bringing industry professionals together to unpack the most pressing issues and emerging trends across the region. It will off er timely insight into how one of the Middle East’s most critical practice areas is evolving, and why the foundations being laid today will shape the market for years to come. Until next month, Aishah Hussain Editor, Law Middle East @lawmiddleeast linkedin.com/company/law-middle-east Key industry trends to watch in 2026: Merger mania Two major law fi rm mergers are expected to complete later this year. Whilst the impact on the Middle East practices is likely to be limited as only the UK arms of the fi rms have offi ces in the region—the mergers will reshape global rankings. As UK fi rms continue to look across the Atlantic to build scale, further merger announcements could follow in the New Year. Saudi Arabia: scale & consolidation Consolidation is also becoming more pronounced in Saudi Arabia as several global law fi rms secure operational licences and expand their presence in the Kingdom. An informal hierarchy is emerging where elite fi rms are those with the best relationships and behind the biggest deals. Law fi rms must ensure sustainable growth and diff erentiate their off erings, with a key focus on the sectors most in demand, such as technology and intellectual property, or risk losing market share. Deal fl ow: M&A & IPO momentum M&A activity is expected to remain strong, driven by international players seeking to enter the regional market or consolidate their positions. An increase in IPO activity is also anticipated in 2026, supported by a cash-rich market. AI governance The region’s ambition to position itself as an AI hub is accelerating investment in AI and data infrastructure, alongside an evolving regulatory framework. Further reforms are expected to address issues such as data sovereignty, while businesses also face an increase in AI-enabled cyber threats and regulatory scrutiny—making governance, compliance, and risk management critical in the year ahead. LME_Jan2026_3_Editors letter_13813572.indd 3LME_Jan2026_3_Editors letter_13813572.indd 308/01/2026 10:4508/01/2026 10:45law-middleeast.com 4 | January 2026 24 20 26 34 UAE’S NEW COMPANIES LAW: WHAT’S CHANGING? The reforms strengthen investor protections and make it easier for companies to move between onshore and free zone jurisdictions, writes Hogan Lovells partner Imtiaz Shah HOW TO LAUNCH A LEGAL CAREER IN THE MIDDLE EAST Lawyers from Freshfi elds, Linklaters, and Sidley Austin share an unfi ltered look on what it takes to succeed at a global law fi rm, at Law Middle East’s fi rst-ever careers event in Dubai BUILDING A GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE IN RIYADH Kirkland & Ellis partner and global construction head James Clark explains why local expertise, project management, and 360-degree vision matter for Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion developments WHY CONSTRUCTION ARBITRATION COULD BE SPEEDING UP White & Case lawyers examine how this practice area may become more effi cient, driven in part by AI and expedited procedures 20 34 2426 LME_Jan2026_4-5_Contents_13812070.indd 4LME_Jan2026_4-5_Contents_13812070.indd 409/01/2026 11:0509/01/2026 11:05January 2026 | 5 law-middleeast.com 42 36 46 50 THE PROBLEM WITH JUDGING LAWYERS BY OUTCOMES In a profession shaped by uncertainty, lawyers are often judged by outcomes they cannot control, but their true value lies in diligence, integrity, and trust, writes Salik legal chief Anwar El Khatib AL TAMIMI’S STRATEGY IN SAUDI ARABIA’S FAST-MOVING LEGAL MARKET As Al Tamimi & Company marks ten years in Jeddah, partner and Jeddah offi ce head Ahmed Basrawi discusses the fi rm’s growth and the opportunities shaping the Kingdom’s fast-moving legal market WHY EXPERIENCE MATTERS IN A MARKET LIKE DUBAI Qualifi cation is just the starting point for NQ lawyers from the UK, comments Barnes Law managing partner Yulia Barnes AI AND CYBERSECURITY TRENDS IN SAUDI ARABIA Bird & Bird Riyadh partners Nick O’Connell and Simon Shooter consider what businesses should watch out for in the year ahead 36 4650 42 LME_Jan2026_4-5_Contents_13812070.indd 5LME_Jan2026_4-5_Contents_13812070.indd 509/01/2026 11:0509/01/2026 11:05law-middleeast.com 6 | January 2026 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 Group Editor: Thomas Mackie Editor: Aishah Hussain Tel: +971 4 444 3132 email: aishah.hussain@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 Senior Commercial Manager: David Bentley Tel: +971 4 444 3552 email: david.bentley@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton email: eleanor.ashton@itp.com Senior Events Manager: Kate Galaktionova Events Manager: Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Events Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Senior Production & Distribution Manager: Balasubramanian P Production Manager: Anand Sundaram 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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LME_Jan2026_06_Flannel_13806051.indd 6LME_Jan2026_06_Flannel_13806051.indd 608/01/2026 10:5008/01/2026 10:508 January 2026law-middleeast.com ONLINE Khalid Al-Thebity is at the helm of one of the most ambitious regional expansions undertaken by an international law fi rm and refl ects on what it takes to build a practice in this transformative era. “Sustainable growth is a team eff ort, not a solo journey,” he says. This is a complete list of the winners and highly commended fi rms and individuals at the inaugural Law Middle East Awards 2025. Awards were presented across 25 categories for private practice and in-house legal teams, along with Editor’s Choice and Grand Prix awards. Gowling WLG, Morgan Lewis, and Stephenson Harwood have launched in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom continues to attract international investment. The UAE has also seen new launches: Mishcon de Reya has opened two offi ces, whilst Skadden has moved to larger premises in the capital. The DIFC Courts has appointed four new female judges in the Small Claims Tribunal. Sarah Bassuni, Nour Al Marabta, Leena Ouali, and Alia Al Shamsi offi cially swore the professional oath before His Excellency Justice Ali Al Madhani, deputy chief justice of the DIFC Courts. WHAT IS TRENDING ONLINE la w - middle eas t .com Lifetime of leadership Winners list: Law Middle East Awards 2025 Global law firms gain foothold in region DIFC Courts appoints four new female judges WHAT OUR READERS THINK... Another UK law fi rm expands to UAECourageous leadership: a strategic diff erentiator "Spencer West's move underscores how international fi rms continue to view the region as a hub for cross-border transactional work." "Indeed, in my case having had the opportunity of owning a business was the catalyst for changing my risk tolerance." LME_Jan2026_08-09_Online_13806075.indd 8LME_Jan2026_08-09_Online_13806075.indd 808/01/2026 10:5208/01/2026 10:52January 2026 9law-middleeast.com ONLINE From his core leadership principles to what keeps him awake at night, in this short video interview, Kamran Bajwa, the managing partner and founder of Kirkland & Ellis’ Middle East practice and Riyadh offi ce, shares three qualities that make a Kirkland lawyer, the value of humility, and why, for him, leadership is guided by one belief: “A leader is a servant of the people.” Bajwa, our October 2025 cover star, also refl ects on balance and boundaries in a high-pressure career: “I work really hard to have a shut off point, an arm’s length distance to the absolute craziness that happens in our daily work lives,” he tells Law Middle East. MEET THE MANAGING PARTNER: KAMRAN BAJWA FROM KIRKLAND & ELLIS In this short video interview, he shares what three qualities make a Kirkland lawyer, the value of humility, and his core leadership principles LME_Jan2026_08-09_Online_13806075.indd 9LME_Jan2026_08-09_Online_13806075.indd 908/01/2026 10:5208/01/2026 10:52Next >