Lovells' associated firm in Saudi Arabia opens in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia is the largest market in the Middle East and commands a key role in the worldwide economy. The firm's move into the market forms part of its successful Middle East strategy. Lovells opened an office in Dubai in May 2007 and since then the practice has grown significantly to include a diverse client base, many Saudi based. Lovells' establishment of associated offices in both Jeddah and Riyadh provides a strong competitive platform to service Saudi clients and develop new working relationships.

Speaking today, Lovells' regional managing partner for Asia and the Middle East, Crispin Rapinet, said, "A presence in both Riyadh and Jeddah gives us a very competitive position in the Saudi market. Jeddah has historically been the commercial centre - many of Saudi's largest corporations are headquartered there - and Riyadh the capital and banking hub. As one of the few international firms to have offices in both, we are significantly well-placed to take advantage of the key economic activity in both Eastern and Western Saudi Arabia."

Lovells operates in Saudi Arabia in association with the local firm AYALA. It is headed by Montasir Al-Mohammed, a Saudi-qualified lawyer, who for more than a decade was head of legal services at Andersen Legal and Ernst & Young in Saudi Arabia. Lovells' lawyer Mustafa Kamal is based in the Jeddah office and Imran Mufti in the Riyadh office.

AYALA's managing partner Montasir Al-Mohammed, said today, "We are very pleased to be expanding our presence in Saudi Arabia by opening an office in Jeddah. This will add depth to our presence in a key economic zone of the Kingdom and is part of our continuing commitment to provide our clients with high quality legal services throughout the Kingdom."

From 1 May 2010, Lovells LLP and Hogan & Hartson LLP will combine to form Hogan Lovells. The combination is subject to the firms obtaining the necessary regulatory clearances. Hogan Lovells will be an international legal practice represented in all the major legal markets of the world and is expected to comprise Hogan Lovells US LLP, Hogan Lovells International LLP, a Swiss Verein, and their affiliated businesses. In the Middle East Hogan Lovells will have offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and associated offices in Jeddah and Riyadh.