A&O boosts Riyadh with hire from Saudi associate firm

Readers' comments (12)

• Bday | 4-Aug-2010 5:17 pm

  More spin from a magic circle firm. Next headline will be "camel makes partner in Riyadh"

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• AAA | 5-Aug-2010 3:13 am

  How very witty. You must be a lawyer. Don't give up your day job.

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• Cutting Edge | 5-Aug-2010 5:17 pm

  Oh! I see A&O has lost its sense of humour. They were having a good old laugh at their competitor's misfortunes as highlighted in the Tim Plews thread a while ago. But now the tables are turned.
  If I had ten riyals for every time I had heard the phrase taking the relationship to a new level I could buy a new Tahoe. The reality is that the Saudis are constantly taking relationships to new levels but they are lower levels. Good luck with the camel Bday, but perhaps it will jump ship soon and become White & Case's new local partner.

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• Anonymous | 5-Aug-2010 9:53 pm

  Having spent many years in the Gulf it never ceases to amaze me when I see these announcements. Has anyone ever worked successfully with a Saudi or UAE lawyer on staff? Its not their fault, the educational system is so flawed that its beyond repair. Hiring KSA and UAE lawyers is just a form of indirect taxation and just accepted as a cost of doing business in the country- you dont get anything for your money, buts its nice lip service. Just keep them busy with the simple stuff and talk a good game

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• Anonymous | 6-Aug-2010 2:58 pm

  Well, tell me Mr. Anonymous, you brilliant product of the perfect [insert Western nationality] educational system, being as you are so much smarter than all these "camels," what exactly would make A&O hire a Saudi partner who is not their local sponsor or affiliate? Can't wait for what kind of bitter rationalization you'll come up with.
  
  I think the indirect taxation is having to hire racist, bigoted dimwits like the commentors above and pay them exorbitant salaries simply because of their nationalities.

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• Ben | 11-Aug-2010 3:44 pm

  "If I had ten riyals for every time I had heard the phrase taking the relationship to a new level I could buy a new Tahoe."
  Ah ah, good one.
  If the guy made partner at A&O instead of staying withni Abdulaziz Al Gasim, chances are he's probably very good (or very connected, or both).

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• Bday | 17-Aug-2010 10:12 am

  Since I am blocked from posting in Riyadh I have come to Dammam to do it instead.
  I completely agree with Anonymous 6 August 2010 2:58. Please do sack all of us bigoted, dimwit racist expats working as lawyers in Saudi. Downside is that the locals will have to get off their backsides and actually turn up at the office for once. And work. Did I forget work?

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• Huseyin Gok | 27-Sep-2010 10:42 pm

  Becoming a partner in a niche Global Magic Circle law firm in Allen & Overy LLP, first of all, requires a loyalty and honesty in all sense as trainee or partner!
  Second of all, we are living in a modern westernized society that, requires highly competitive challenging skills to be brought on the table in order to be selected candidate!
  We are all aware as civilians that, their is, no mercy in life within boardrooms of offices of City Law Firms neither Banks.
  Having a piece of paper outlining a classification of a 1st class honors or 2.1 was in the heyday's of recession.
  For those reasons law students and Graduates has to feel the tears of their passion before having an acceptance in firms as Allen & Overy LLP.............

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• Anonymous | 28-Sep-2010 11:54 am

  The clever money is on A&O terminating their JV with Abdulaziz Al Gasim in the very near future?

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• Scep Tick | 28-Sep-2010 12:41 pm

  How many women partners there?

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• Cutting Edge | 4-Oct-2010 9:12 am

  Ah Huseyin Gok
  
  Truly the Magic Circle are to be worshipped.
  
  I bask in your adulation even though I am a dimwit, racist expat.

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• Robert K. | 31-Aug-2012 10:38 am

  I have actually worked with Zeyad on several occasions. On the whole, he has been the soul of courtesy and professionalism. I think he's a pretty good lawyer.
  
  BTW - I am a lawyer working in the KSA for another International firm.

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