Gowling WLG (UK) LLP and Saudi Arabian law firm AlGhazzawi & Partners (GP) have entered into a cooperation agreement.

Gowling WLG (UK) LLP and Saudi Arabian law firm AlGhazzawi & Partners (GP) have entered into a cooperation agreement.

GP is a renowned full-service law firm carrying strong regional and international credentials, which it has developed during its five decades of practice. The firm was founded in 1968 by Dr. Talal Amin Al-Ghazzawi, the current Chairman, and is spread across offices in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam.

The cooperation agreement will enable Gowling WLG clients in need of legal advice in Saudi Arabia - or those seeking to enter the Saudi Arabian market - to access GP's broad suite of legal services. In turn, the agreement will also allow GP to support its domestic clients looking to expand beyond Saudi Arabia's borders and to benefit from Gowling WLG's international platform.

The two firms will work together across sectors and services including: government advisory, intellectual property, technology media and telecoms (TMT), corporate and mergers and acquisitions, energy and infrastructure, project development and finance, construction disputes and international arbitration.

Jonathan Brufal, Partner and UK Head of International Projects, and Tim Casben, Managing Partner in Dubai, are leading Gowling WLG's relationship with GP. They will receive support in Canada from partner Ruba El-Sayegh, who co-leads the firm's Arab States Country Desk with Tim. As part of the cooperation agreement, Gowling WLG will also be recruiting a team to be based in Riyadh.

Jonathan said: "Our firm has considerable experience and strength in the Middle East and establishing a presence in Saudi Arabia is a natural step in our expansion strategy. The agreement with GP will further bolster our expertise in the region and support clients to take full advantage of a wide range of commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia. We look forward to building a strong alliance with GP for the benefit of both parties and our respective clients."

Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Belal T. Ghazzawi, Senior Managing Partner at GP, added: "The Saudi economy is witnessing a transformative evolution, with the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy central to the growth of what is already the largest economy in the Middle East. This agreement demonstrates our commitment to forging a strong relationship with Gowling WLG, and a platform for our clients to navigate the global marketplace with confidence alongside one of the world's leading law firms with an impressive international presence."

Gowling WLG has offices in 19 cities across nine countries, including, the UK, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and China.