Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has continued to develop its Middle East practice by entering into an association with Mohammed Al Khiliwi in Saudi Arabia.

New partner

Mohammed will become a partner in the firm, pending registration with the SRA. The firm added 24 new partners in 2018, following lateral hires in Abu Dhabi, Brussels, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, London and Rio de Janeiro. The association is part of a sustained push by HFW to strengthen its Middle East practice along its six global industry groups: aerospace, commodities, construction, energy and resources, insurance, and shipping. The firm recently opened an office in Abu Dhabi – the eighth new market it has launched in since 2016, and has made a series of senior partner hires in the region.

Dispute resolution opportunity

HFW has been in the Middle East since 2006 and now has more than 60 lawyers – including 28 Arabic speakers – across offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait City and Riyadh, making it one of the largest practices of any international law firm in the region. Richard Crump, global senior partner at HFW, said ‘this is another significant step in the continued development of our Middle East practice. The region is a priority for each of our global industry groups and is fast becoming a major centre for international dispute resolution, which is a key part of our practice globally. Our Middle East practice has more than doubled over the past three years and we have ambitious plans for further growth across our core sectors and services.’