International law firm Simmons & Simmons has announced that it will strengthen its Middle East practice by opening a new office in Riyadh.

Building on Simmons’s strong presence in the region, the move will create its first office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) – one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and the largest economy in the Middle East.

By establishing operations in Riyadh, Simmons will bolster its offering in the region across its chosen sectors – asset management and investment funds (AMIF), financial institutions (FI), healthcare and life sciences (HLS) and technology, media and telecommunications (TMT).

The move to Riyadh, which is subject to regulatory approval from national authorities, will involve new partner Amer Al Amr – a leading Saudi lawyer with over 20 years of experience operating in the KSA. Amer will head up the firm’s new Riyadh office and will be supported by a strong team comprising of disputes partner Niall Clancy, KSA nationals and international colleagues.

Commenting on the move, managing partner Jeremy Hoyland said: “This is a transformative move for Simmons’ practice in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is an engine for growth in the region and its economic ambitions are closely aligned with the firm’s sectors and our clients’ focus. We already have a strong record of working with leading clients on their KSA inbound and outbound business, which we will now be able to take to the next level. We look forward to working with new partner Amer Al Amr and building our presence in the region through our offer of premium work for premium clients.”

Muneer Khan, partner and Middle East Regional Head, commented: “This is a significant step forward for Simmons’ offering in the region. Saudi Arabia has long been a key market for our award-winning Middle East practice – establishing operations in Riyadh marks the next stage in its evolution.”

On the new office and his appointment, Amer Al Amr said: “It’s a privilege to be leading Simmons’ new office in Riyadh. This is a breakthrough moment for the firm and one that will strengthen its capabilities across the Middle East. I am confident that my team’s local expertise, combined with Simmons’ international reputation for excellence, will enable us to capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead.”