Dhabaan and Partners and Eversheds Sutherland welcomes Partner and new head of M&A, Saudi Arabia

Underlining the strategic importance of the firm’s M&A practice in the ME and globally

Dhabaan and Partners and Eversheds Sutherland have welcomed corporate Partner Walid Salib as its Head of M&A, Saudi Arabia.

Walid, a seasoned corporate lawyer, joins from global law firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer where he was head of its Mergers and Acquisitions practice in Saudi Arabia.

Walid has significant experience advising on a range of areas including public and private M&A, joint ventures, co-investments, and corporate structuring matters across various sectors including healthcare, education, logistics, infrastructure and F&B. He has also successfully executed transactions in the oil and gas and pharmaceutical sectors.

Walid’s client portfolio includes sovereign wealth funds, private equity houses, family offices and leading multinational companies. He is fluent in Arabic and English and has extensive knowledge of the Saudi market and local law.

His appointment underlines the strategic importance of Eversheds Sutherland’s M&A practice in the region and globally. A significant portion of the firm’s current and pipeline M&A activity in the region has a Saudi Arabia nexus and Walid will be instrumental in supporting activity and developing opportunities for clients in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East.

Nadim Kayyali, Partner and Regional Head of the Company Commercial practice in the Middle East, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“Walid’s hire is a great win for us as he is a highly regarded and knowledgeable operator in that market. Walid has existing professional relationships and personal friendships at the firm so joining our team in Riyadh as a Partner and Head of M&A for Saudi is a natural fit for us.”

Mohammed Al Dhabaan, Founding Partner Dhabaan & Partners, in Association with Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“We are delighted to have Walid join our team. He has extensive knowledge of the Saudi market as well as in depth expertise of advising on mergers and acquisitions in the Kingdom.  He will be a real asset to our existing team of over 40 lawyers in Riyadh and will further enable us to provide the best of local and international advice to our clients.”

Zeid Hanania, Partner and Head of M&A, Middle East, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“I’m thrilled to welcome Walid to both the team and the firm and to have the opportunity to work with him once again. The impressive repertoire of in-depth knowledge and experience he brings will enhance both our existing local and global M&A capabilities, and reinforce the level of service and legal technical excellence we’re able to provide to our clients in the Saudi market and the wider region.”

Walid Salib, Partner and Head of M&A, Saudi Arabia, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me, particularly given the marked reputation Eversheds Sutherland’s M&A team continues to build both within the region and globally. I’m looking forward to applying my skills and experience and working closely with Zeid and others, as part of an integrated regional and international M&A capability, to meet the increasingly complex needs of our clients.”