Pillsbury strengthens Middle East presence

Pillsbury has announced the appointment of Amal Alotaibi, the former Senior Legal Advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA), as a partner in its Riyadh office. This strategic move aims to bolster the firm’s extensive international regulatory capabilities while enhancing its connections across the Middle East. With a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors, Alotaibi brings a unique blend of local expertise and global perspective to her new role.

During her tenure at MISA, Alotaibi was instrumental in shaping the legal, regulatory, and foreign investment frameworks aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Her experience includes advising on significant national initiatives such as the new investment law and foreign investment screening mechanisms. Additionally, she held positions at prestigious law firms like White & Case and STAT Law Firms, where she gained valuable experience in regulatory, transactional, and governance matters, serving both governmental and multinational entities.

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, ten years after launching its Vision 2030 programme, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil. With non-oil activities now contributing approximately 56 percent of the Kingdom's GDP, the increased emphasis on private sector investment creates substantial opportunities for legal expertise. Firm Chair and CEO David Dekker remarked that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made impressive progress towards its ambitious Vision 2030 goals, prompting even more private sector investment in the country from entities around the globe.” He underscored the importance of having experienced legal counsel to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape, which Alotaibi is well-equipped to provide.

At Pillsbury, Alotaibi’s practice will focus on advising private sector companies, sovereign entities, and financial institutions on a range of matters, including foreign investment regulatory screening, international trade, and public policy. Her role will significantly enhance the firm's capacity to assist clients in navigating complex, policy-sensitive transactions in the Saudi market. Khalid A. AlArfaj, the managing partner of Pillsbury AlArfaj, highlighted that “Amal’s arrival reflects Pillsbury’s strategic commitment to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East,” emphasising her ability to expertly navigate the region's distinctive legal landscape.

Pillsbury has developed a strong reputation for advising on landmark projects within Saudi Arabia, including energy and infrastructure transactions, and has played a pivotal role in major market entries for technology and hospitality brands. The firm's Riyadh operation also supports various corporate activities such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and initial public offerings, working closely with its global network on regulatory and litigation matters.

With a diverse team of practitioners, Pillsbury’s broader Middle East practice focuses on providing tailored services to clients engaged in sizeable energy projects and complex commercial transactions. As Alotaibi expressed, “Pillsbury’s ability to help clients navigate the impacts of technology, capital and government globally perfectly complement the needs of sovereign and corporate clients in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East.” Her arrival signifies a promising development for both the firm and its clients seeking to seize opportunities in a rapidly changing economic environment.