Professional Services in the Gulf: 2025 Law Firms

Global Law Firms Rush to Secure Licences in the Gulf – Over 10 Approvals Since Start of 2025

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The Gulf’s legal market is heating up - and Saudi Arabia and the UAE are at the centre of it. Since January 2025, more than 10 major international law firms have either applied for a licence to operate in Riyadh or received official approval to set up offices in the Kingdom, alone. This surge marks one of the fastest expansions of “Big Law” into a new market in recent history.

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Why Are Global Law Firms Racing to Set Up in the Gulf?

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Saudi (Riyadh) + the UAE (Abu Dhabi & Dubai) are becoming the world’s busiest deal zones and 2025 has seen over 10 international law firms either seek a licence to operate, or gain approval to set up offices in these countries. Here's why:

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Saudi & the UAE are maturing entry-points to operating in MENA

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Both of these countries are the first point of reference for corporates currently or wishing to operate in the Middle East, and Dubai and Riyadh have seen a boom in mid-market and enterprise-level company headquarters set-ups

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Saudi now grants full foreign-firm licences

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Having reversed its historic restrictions on foreign ownership interests, law firms are able to incentivise top professionals using the conventional LLP and partnership model without needing a silent Saudi partner. Additionally, free zones like Abu Dhabi Global Market offer 100% ownership and English-law courts, slashing entry barriers to operate in the region

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Gulf corporates and SWFs announced about $150B in M&A and IPOs in 2024

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The region's deal activity is on the up, experiencing year-on-year growth of 62%. This makes it a clear growth market for corporate & capital markets focused legal work

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Saudi's Vision 2030 + the UAE’s non-oil diversification push

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High volumes of government-orchestrated, giga-projects, green-energy build-outs and general infrastructure development continues to spur the need for associated infrastructure finance work

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Top partners can bill near London & New York rates

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With partner billing rates hitting $1K+/hr, this makes it a lucrative region for partners to develop business in, and for BD teams to commit resources to capture market share in

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The Saudi legal market – a new frontier‍

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‍Until recently, foreign law firms could only operate in Saudi Arabia through associations with local firms. The 2023 regulatory changes granting full foreign-firm licences have completely transformed market access, allowing firms to open fully-owned offices and operate under their own global brands. This has triggered a first-mover race, with global firms seeking early positioning in Riyadh’s emerging corporate, capital markets, and disputes landscape.

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Key practice areas expected to see continue demand include:

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Corporate/M&A – driven by multi-billion-dollar state-led investments and private sector consolidation

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Capital Markets & IPOs – with the Tadawul exchange seeing increased listings and foreign participation

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Project & Infrastructure Finance – linked to mega-projects like NEOM, The Line, and Red Sea Global

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Energy Transition & ESG – including green hydrogen, renewables, and sustainable finance mandates

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Who’s applied or launched so far?

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While exact licensing data is released selectively, industry sources confirm that more than 10 international law firms - including multiple members of the Am Law 50 and UK Magic/Silver Circle - have filed applications or been granted approval since January 2025.

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Several of these firms have:

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→ Already signed lease agreements for Riyadh offices

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→ Begun partner relocations from London, New York, and Dubai

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→ Announced strategic hires from top Saudi law practices

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What’s Next?

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As Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s diversification strategies accelerate, the Gulf is on track to become one of the most lucrative legal markets globally. For firms with strong corporate, capital markets, and project finance capabilities, the window for early market entry is now - before client relationships and mandates become locked up by competitors.

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In summary: 2025 may go down as the year that “Big Law” planted its flag in the Gulf - and Riyadh could soon rival Dubai as the region’s top legal hub.