Reed Smith opens Riyadh office after Saudi approval, extending its Middle East reach
Reed Smith has officially opened an office in Riyadh after obtaining its licence to operate in Saudi Arabia from the country’s Ministry of Justice. The launch represents the firm’s third base in the Middle East, adding to its long-standing offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and expanding its global footprint to 34 locations.
The move follows sweeping changes to Saudi Arabia’s code of law practice, implemented in early 2023, which allowed international law firms to apply directly for a Ministry of Justice licence. Previously, foreign firms were required to operate in the Kingdom only through associations with local practices. The reform has triggered a wave of new office openings by major global law firms seeking to establish a permanent presence in the region.
Reed Smith, which first entered the Middle East market in 1978, said the Riyadh expansion was a “strategic step” to strengthen its client offering across the Gulf. The new office launches with a team of three lawyers joining from Mahassni & Co., a well-regarded Saudi firm.
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Gregor Pryor, Reed Smith’s Europe and Middle East managing partner, has been seconded from London to head the new Riyadh office. His role includes leading integration efforts with the firm’s regional and global networks. The firm said Pryor’s appointment demonstrates its commitment to ensuring a “seamless and deeply collaborative approach” to client service in Saudi Arabia.
Casey Ryan, Reed Smith’s global managing partner, said the Riyadh opening reinforces the firm’s long-standing investment in the Middle East. “For more than 45 years, we have proudly partnered with clients across the region, and we are committed to further strengthening our presence in this dynamic and rapidly evolving market,” she said.
Ryan added that relocating a senior member of the firm’s leadership team to Riyadh reflects its focus on long-term growth and proximity to clients. “The relocation of one of our senior management team members to work in the Kingdom and build our capability underscores our commitment to be a leading force in this fast-growing legal market.”
The Riyadh office adds momentum to Reed Smith’s ongoing global expansion programme. Earlier in 2025, the firm launched new offices in Atlanta and Denver, continuing a strategy focused on regional diversification and client demand. To date, Reed Smith has added more than 125 new lawyers this year alone, bringing its Middle East headcount to over 25 lawyers, including seven partners.
The Kingdom’s rapidly modernising business landscape and increasing emphasis on international investment have attracted significant attention from global firms. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan has opened new opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors—areas where Reed Smith maintains a strong global reputation.
Industry observers said the firm’s decision aligns with broader trends among elite law firms consolidating their presence in Saudi Arabia. Several US and UK-based practices, including Latham & Watkins, Clifford Chance, and Herbert Smith Freehills, have also secured Saudi licences or expanded operations in the region since the regulatory changes took effect.
Reed Smith’s Riyadh team will focus on corporate transactions, dispute resolution, regulatory advisory, and projects work, offering both Saudi and international legal expertise. The firm stated that it aims to serve multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government entities operating within the Kingdom.
With more than 1,800 lawyers globally, Reed Smith ranks among the world’s largest international law firms, maintaining a strong presence across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Its entry into Riyadh strengthens its access to one of the fastest-growing legal and commercial markets in the world.
As the Saudi legal sector continues to open up, Reed Smith’s move is expected to intensify competition among international players positioning for market share. The firm said the Riyadh opening “marks an exciting new chapter” in its regional growth strategy and demonstrates confidence in the Kingdom’s evolving legal environment.