Abbas Ahdal Sharif

About Abbas

Abbas is an associate in our global corporate practice and is an English qualified lawyer, based in Riyadh. His expertise encompasses a wide range of corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions (both private and public), strategic joint ventures, business reorganizations, restructuring, equity investments, capital issuance, and mainstream corporate advisory services.

Abbas’ experience includes working on both local and multi-jurisdictional deals, collaborating with multi-disciplinary cross-border teams across various industry sectors, including energy, construction, infrastructure, banking / financial institutions, aviation, commodities, and mining.  He is adept at executing transactions related to strategic asset and share acquisitions, as well as venture and growth capital investments.  This includes from conducting the required legal due diligence to drafting and assisting with the negotiation of the entire suite of transaction documentation.  Regularly working in close collaboration with HFW’s global network, Abbas is accustomed to advising on complex project structuring, antitrust regulations, governance matters, foreign investment, and other strategic transactions within Saudi Arabia. 

Having lived, studied, and worked in various countries, including Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK, and the UAE, has equipped him with a wealth of international perspective and cultural insight.  Abbas is proficient in four languages – English, Swahili, Somali and Arabic – which compliment his international practice, allowing him to navigate and engage in a variety of business and social settings, while also facilitating clear communication with clients from diverse backgrounds. 

Abbas is passionate about value creation, enhancing efficiency, and delivering exceptional legal services to clients by leveraging innovation, technology, and teamwork with diverse stakeholders.

Recent work includes:

• Advising a national gas company on the disposal of a 20% interest (US$140.1 million) to investors, including structuring the deal, carrying due diligence and reporting and preparing heads of terms and the sale documents.
• Advising on the restructuring of seven (7) companies of a major Saudi construction and industrial group, into a holding company and the execution of a private placement for a value of SAR600 million (US$160 million).
• Advising a provider of rail services and equipment on its role in a US$6.4 billion metro project in Saudi Arabia.
• Advising an international contractor on procurement and joint-venture arrangement in respect of a major Saudi airport project.
• Acting for a regional fund on its proposed USD $45 million capital investment in an African based mining company, including working with local lawyers on company and corporate governance matters.
• Utilising various technologies including AI program in due diligence, transaction eBibling, contract review and document automation software to achieve business efficiency, meet clients’ legal needs and generate cost savings.