CMS is to partner with Feras Al Shawaf, a Saudi Arabian law firm based in Riyadh in an exclusive agreement for international business, with Feras Al Shawaf handling domestic work. In addition to referral work, the two firms will seek opportunities for working together in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian firm will add to CMS’s existing presence in Algeria, Iran, Morocco, Oman, Turkey and the UAE, with associated offices in Iraq and Lebanon. In Dubai, the team will be relocating to a new office in Burj Daman in the DIFC in September 2017. 

Connecting key business locations

With the expansion into Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Middle East, CMS is now connecting key business locations across the region. The firm introduced a similar strategy in Latin America. In January 2017, three Latin American firms from Chile, Colombia and Peru joined the firm, adding to CMS’s existing presence in Brazil and Mexico. Duncan Weston, CMS executive partner for global development, said: 'MENA is a dynamic growth region that is gaining importance for our clients and Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the region. Our Middle East offices, particularly the Dubai office, have been working with Feras Al Shawaf for some time. Now as associated firms, CMS and Feras Al Shawaf will intensify this relationship, setting up an integrated team to ensure that a full and efficient service is provided at the right level.' 

Vision 2030

Feras Al Shawaf, senior partner at Feras Al Shawaf said: 'CMS and Feras Al Shawaf have agreed to an exclusive association to seek and build on work opportunities in Saudi Arabia. With clients undertaking transformational projects as part of Vision 2030, Al Shawaf and CMS will bring their expertise together to better service those clients’ needs. Together with CMS, we can now offer our local and regional clients access to more than 4,500 lawyers worldwide who can support them with their business.' Feras Al Shawaf focuses on areas including corporate,  commercial,  intellectual property, telecommunications, litigation, arbitration, labour,  banking and finance, private equity/investment,  projects and finance, commercial agencies and franchises.  CMS has 72 offices in 41 countries and more than 1000 partners and 7500 total staff.