Big Four firm EY has expanded its legal offering in the Middle East with the launch of a new 10-strong team in Saudi Arabia.
Assembled over the past period through external hiring and internal transfers, the team – which is based out of Riyadh – will provide clients across the country with legal advisory and support services.
“EY aims to build a comprehensive one-stop-shop of multidisciplinary professional services in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region,” said Fahad Al-Toaimi, Managing Partner of EY in Saudi Arabia. “Adding legal know-how is essential market for our plans in the region.”
The newly formed team offers a broad range of corporate and commercial law advisory services, supporting corporate transactional work, mergers & acquisitions, regulatory advice, company establishment, foreign direct investment, family offices and government-owned entities.
Globally, EY has over 3,400 legal professionals across more than 90 jurisdictions serving clients. EYLaw first launched in the region in Dubai in 2019, with Saudi Arabia the firm’s second location.
Leading the Riyadh-based team is Reema Aref, who has been appointed from within EY’s ranks. She spent the past four years in corporate and tax law for EY in Riyadh and more than a decade as a legalinvestigator in Saudi Aramco as well as a tax and customs specialist in the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.
“EY Law provides companies with a one-stop-shop to help them to anticipate and navigate the increasingly complex legal environments of both the local and global economy. As I lead the development of this incredibly exciting newly formed legal practice, I look forward to consulting with local, regional and international EY clients across a broad range of legal matters.”
Chris Sioufi, a Dubai-based partner (and an ex-Dechert partner) who leads EY Law across MENA, said: “I look forward to working closely with Reema and our Saudi based team as she sets out to build a truly world-class legal practice in one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing markets.”
In 2021, rival PwC entered Saudi Arabia’s legal scene through a partnership with Dr. Qaisar H Metawea Law Firm, a local boutique. Fellow Big Four firm Deloitte has a small team in Saudi Arabia, KPMG has yet to enter the market.
Sourced from Consultancy.me