Latham & Watkins Boosts Riyadh Team With Addition Of M&A Expert Leen Zaza

Latham & Watkins Boosts Riyadh Team With Addition Of M&A Expert Leen Zaza

Latham & Watkins has strengthened its Middle East practice by hiring M&A Partner Leen Zaza from Khoshaim & Associates (K&A), a leading independent law firm in Saudi Arabia. Zaza joins Latham's Riyadh office as a Partner in the M&A and private equity department.

Zaza brings extensive experience in private M&A, joint ventures, divestments, corporate governance, and advisory matters, covering sectors such as energy and infrastructure, shipping, industrials, healthcare, and life sciences. She also provides strategic counsel to boards and senior executives on corporate regulatory issues.

Zaza will be part of a 20-lawyer team at Latham’s Riyadh office, led by Salman Al-Sudairi, who chairs the firm’s Saudi Arabia practice and serves as the office Managing Partner for the Middle East and North Africa. Al-Sudairi welcomed Zaza, noting her broad practice in sectors central to Saudi Arabia’s growth plans.

Zaza began her career at K&A in 2012 as an associate after studying law in the UK and became a partner in 2020, the same year K&A and Allen & Overy ended their longstanding cooperation agreement.

Her move to Latham follows the firm's efforts to solidify its presence in Saudi Arabia. In March last year, Latham was among the first three international law firms to be awarded a license to practice in the kingdom, alongside Clifford Chance and Herbert Smith Freehills. This license strengthened the firm’s relationship with Al-Sudairi, whose practice was previously allied with Latham.

In February this year, Latham deepened its commitment to the region by obtaining a license to establish a regional headquarters in the kingdom. A month later, the firm promoted Marc Makary and Derek McKinley to partners in its Riyadh office, focusing on project development and finance.

Meanwhile, K&A has also been expanding its partner ranks. In July, the firm promoted disputes specialist Abdullah Alajlan to the partnership, following the hires of corporate partners Christian Both and Omar Iqbal from Addleshaw Goddard and Baker Botts, respectively, in June.