US firm McGuireWoods signs Saudi cooperation deal

The cooperation agreement is the Virginia-headquartered firm’s third such arrangement worldwide. McGuireWoods also works in partnership with KGA Avocats in France and Tel Aviv firm Shenhav Konforti Shavit & Co. It has its own offices in Brussels and London, but is otherwise wholly US-based.

Managing partner Tom Cabaniss said the two firms had worked together for some time, adding that client demand had led to the tie-up.

“We work with a number of multinational companies and they have interests in all parts of the world,” he said.

Badr Alarishi is based in Jeddah and offers full-service advice. In a statement the firm said: “This is in line with our vision and growth strategy, and will be exclusively for the benefit of our current and future clients in the region.”

The news follows a number of recent developments in the Saudi Arabian market involving international law firms, including the launch of a mixed domestic and international practice by Clifford Chance (6 March 2013), and the signing of a new sponsor deal for Allen & Overy (18 December 2012) after Linklaters sealed a deal with its rival’s former ally (14 December 2012).