Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has continued to strengthen its fast-growing Middle East offering with the hire of Partner Jonathan Burns.
Jonathan is a Saudi law expert and has been based full-time in the Kingdom since 2014, with a broad practice spanning corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters. He joins HFW in Riyadh.
HFW was one of the first international law firms to be licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice to practice in the Kingdom, and relocated to new offices at Tuwaiq Gate in June to accommodate the firm’s continued expansion in Riyadh. HFW recently announced the qualification of two Trainees based in Riyadh, marking the latest step in the firm’s ongoing growth across the Middle East.
Abdulrahman Al Ohaly, Riyadh Office Head, HFW:
“Jonathan’s extensive in-country experience, proven commitment to the Saudi market, and broad corporate and commercial expertise make him an excellent addition to our Riyadh team. He’s also played an active role in mentoring and developing Saudi lawyers, which is important to HFW as part of our plans for sustainable, long-term growth in the Kingdom.”
Jonathan advises on Saudi law across the full spectrum of legal and regulatory areas, including company incorporation and corporate structuring, financial securities and capital markets, employment, compliance and governance, government contracting and procurement, regulatory, and commercial agreements and operations.
He is US trained and qualified, and has particular experience advising US corporations and financial services companies on Saudi matters. He also acts for clients in several of HFW’s global core sectors.
Jonathan is author of “Introduction to Islamic Law: Principles of Civil, Criminal, and International Law under the Shari’a”.
Jonathan Burns, Partner, HFW:
“HFW has been a longstanding feature of the Middle East legal market, and as one of the first international law firms to be licensed in Saudi Arabia, is well-positioned to tap into the vast opportunities that exist in the Kingdom. I’ve heard really positive things from contacts at HFW about its collegial and supportive culture, and the firm’s global platform will be a great benefit to my clients.”
HFW has been in the Middle East since 2006 and now has 22 partners and 70 lawyers in total across its offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait City, and Riyadh, making it one of the largest and longest-standing practices of any international law firm in the region.
