Saudi Arabia Lures Big Law Firms to Lucrative New Legal Market

At least 30 multinational law firms have opened branches in Saudi Arabia in the past nine months or have applied for the right to do so, racing to establish a foothold in the oil-rich kingdom now allowing outside legal work.

Several had affiliations with Saudi-based firms since the early 2000s, but for the first time were allowed to create their own practices in the country without the constraints of a local partner. Others are entering the marketplace for the first time.

“What’s happening now dwarfs anything we’ve seen here in 25 years,” said Nabil Issa, managing partner of King & ...