Senior Associate Corporate Transactions & Advisory

The role

We advise many of the world's leading companies on public and private M&A, disposals, demergers, joint ventures, restructurings and [high value commercial contracts] with a particular focus on complex, cross-border transactions. Our team works closely with antitrust specialists on merger control matters and collaborates with experts across finance, capital markets, litigation, tax, pensions, employment and real estate to deliver integrated advice. We combine international deal execution skills with deep local market knowledge and sector-focused expertise. Our practice also covers corporate governance, regulatory compliance, intellectual property and technology advisory, providing clients with comprehensive support across all aspects of corporate activity.

Key attractions

AS&H Clifford Chance is the current holder of the prestigious IFLR Saudi Arabian Law Firm of the Year, and the team has won the award for all but one of the past fourteen years since the inception of this award.  The team was also ranked first by Merger market, both in terms of M&A deal value and deal volume in Saudi Arabia for 2018 and 2019.

You will work on leading deals for top tier clients. The range, calibre and international scope of the deal flow is unique.

Recent deal highlights include advising:

• Americana Restaurants PLC in relation to the first-ever concurrent dual IPO and listing on UAE and KSA’s stock exchanges
• Saudi Tadawul Group Company on its SAR 3.78 billion landmark IPO and SAR 12.6 billion listing on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul)
• The National Petrochemical Company (Petrochem) on its merger with Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG) by way of a share exchange transaction
• Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB) on the “First of its Kind” transaction for the sale of treasury shares (through a rights issue mechanism) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• the Public Investment Fund on its secondary public offering of 100,200,000 shares in STC, with an offering size of SAR 12 billion; a first of its kind in the market
• the Public Investment Fund on the US$ 69.1 billion disposal of a 70% stake in SABIC to Saudi Arabian Oil Company, the largest M&A ever in the region
• the largest banking merger between NCB and SAMBA Financial Group
• the first statutory banking merger between SABB and Al-Awwal Bank
• Saudi Electricity Company on the conversion of its financial government liabilities into a SAR 167.92 billion (approx. USD 45 billion) Shari'a compliant subordinated financial equity-like instrument with a redemption option, considered the world's largest Shari’a compliant transaction ever to be executed the first Rule 144A IPO for Arabian Centres in Saudi Arabia
• The sophisticated internal training programme offered is unmatched in the region and includes local monthly courses run by The Academy with the opportunity to attend training programmes across the Clifford Chance network of offices.
• The team is proud of their reputation for being a very informal, supportive, and meritocratic group.

You will feel part of a well organised and structured team which forms a supportive environment in which you can learn and flourish.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and oversee complex corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.
• You will be given the chance to handle a variety of work, including public and private M&A, and ECM transactions across the Middle East.
• Provide high-level strategic legal advice to clients on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of sophisticated corporate documents and agreements.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop junior associates and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Collaborate with other practice areas within the firm to provide comprehensive and integrated legal solutions.
• Maintain and enhance client relationships, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
• Stay abreast of legal developments and industry trends to provide proactive and forward-thinking advice to clients.

Your  experience

• Qualified lawyer with 7-8 years of post-qualification experience in corporate law, preferably within a top-tier international law firm.
• Proven track record of acting or leading on M&A and ECM transactions.
• Experience in, or exposure to, advising on Saudi Law aspects of international cross-border transactions would be advantageous.
• Extensive experience in managing and executing complex corporate transactions.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Proactive, with a strong sense of initiative and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in Arabic is advantageous.
• You should also have a genuine and demonstrable interest in, or affinity for, the Middle East.
• In all cases, candidates should have first class legal ability coupled with a practical commercial approach; excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills; and enjoy being part of a friendly outgoing team. You must also have exceptional results throughout your academic history.

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.