The alliance formally ended today (30 June) bringing an end to the two-and-a-half-year tie up, which was understood to have come to an end after differences between the two firms.
It is unclear which direction DLA Piper will now take in the region, but in order to maintain a presence in
A joint statement from the firm said: “After two and a half years' affiliation, The Law Office of Abdulaziz Al-Fahad and DLA Piper have mutually agreed to end their working relationship and will pursue their legal practices independently with effect from 30 June, 2008.”
“As for DLA Piper's plans for
It is expected that the firm will maintain its presence in the region with another local tie-up.
Last month Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer announced it was setting up an association with local
The Saudi Arabian firm will be jointly managed by Al-Hejailan and former City finance chief Bob Charlton, who transferred to
Freshfields has been working with Al-Hejailan and his father, Sheikh Salah Al-Hejailan, in the region for around five years but the formal alliance with the firm means that it will be able to second lawyers and partners to the region.