Squire Patton Boggs has chosen legacy Patton Boggs’ Saudi associate firm Khalid Al-Thebity as its local representative, leaving legacy Squire Sanders’ affiliate to pursue independence.
Riyadh-headquartered Al-Enezee was the affiliate of legacy Squire Sanders before the merger with Patton Boggs in June this year (27 May 2014).
The firm confirmed today (19 August) that Al-Enezee has been dropped in favour of Al-Thebity. It is understood that Al-Enezee will continue operating as an independent Saudi practice.
Khalid Al-Thebity has been appointed managing partner of Squire Patton Boggs’ Riyadh office. His practice includes corporate, commercial and financial law, as well as real estate and Saudi-specific litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on assisting clients in the energy, construction and real estate industries. The firm will continue with the same headcount of four lawyers and one managing partner.
Squire Patton Boggs has approximately 25 lawyers based in the Middle East, providing legal and policy advice to governments, government-owned corporations, investment institutions and private business clients throughout the region.
Legacy Squire Sanders was present in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years. The firm signed its first cooperation agreement with local firm Abdulaziz Al-Assaf 12 years ago, although the alliance broke down and Abdulaziz Al-Assaf went on to form an alliance with legacy Norton Rose (10 December 2007). Squire Sanders tied up with El-Khoury & Partners’ Middle East and North Africa (Mena) practice two years ago (10 October 2012).
Legacy Patton Boggs took on Middle East lawyers from dissolving Dewey & LeBoeuf to establish its first Saudi Arabia association in 2012 (14 June 2012).