International law firm Bird & Bird will open an office in Riyadh to support both local and international clients in key industry sectors and practices in which the firm operates. At the start the office will focus on supporting its clients’ needs in technology and intellectual property law, as well as providing transactional and general corporate advice. 

The office will be led by Anders Nilsson as head of region for the Middle East and will have three resident expert partners – Raya Alkhatib, Nick O’Connell and Simon Shooter – supported by a team of Saudi associate lawyers. 

O’Connell is a tech and data expert, supporting the firm’s clients on their business needs across the Middle East. O’Connell has been based in Riyadh for most of the last seven years and has experience in building and managing a successful technology, media and telecommunications practice in the Kingdom. With extensive experience in the broader region, he regularly advises international and local clients on diverse matters, ranging from transactional contracting work through to regulatory advisory on technology, cloud, data, media and telecoms issues. 

“The Kingdom’s strong focus on technology and innovation aligns perfectly with that of Bird & Bird as a leading technology firm,” O’Connell said. 

Shooter is a commercial and technology partner and founder of the firm’s cybersecurity practice. He has been a partner with Bird & Bird for more than 17 years. Before joining the Riyadh office, he worked in the firm’s London and Dubai offices. His experience of the Kingdom stretches back to the 1990s when he was an external lawyer to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London; he has been engaged in legal matters across the Gulf ever since. Shooter has a diverse client base ranging from hospitals and international investment banks to automotive manufacturers and airlines. A constant feature of his work is helping businesses rise to the challenge of technological change. 

“With one of the world’s 20 largest economies and its Vision 2030 strategy driving a diversified and thriving economy, we are excited for this next step in the firm’s regional expansion,” Shooter said.  

Alkhatib is a corporate partner, advising international and local clients on matters including general corporate advice, formation of companies, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offering transactions, rights issue and real estate investment funds. 

“This new office opening continues on the momentum the firm has built following the launch of our new five-year strategy, including the launch of our Tokyo office last year,” said Christian Bartsch, CEO of Bird & Bird. “We have a strong presence across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Our Middle East team has gained a well-deserved reputation across the region, and this new base will allow us to expand our support to clients.” 

Nilsson says: “We are committed to assisting both our local and international clients in this rapidly-evolving market, advising businesses and public bodies within key areas such as technology and digital transformation, IP and brand commercialization, media and sports, as well as aviation and automotive.”