El Khoury law firm merges MENA business with Squire Sanders

Cooperation covers regional and global markets

Global legal practice Squire Sanders announced that it has expanded its Middle East practice through its merger with El-Khoury & Partners Legal Counsel (the Lebanese based law firm) in the MENA Region.

El-Khoury & Partners formerly operated in the MENA Region through its offices in Beirut and in Riyadh where it had an association with Al-Enezee Legal Counsel and operated under the appellation of EK Partners & Al-Enezee.

As a result of this merger, Khulaif Al-Enezee continues to be Squire Sanders’ local partner in Saudi Arabia while Ziad Ghassan El-Khoury joins as a global partner. Wissam Hachem and Hadi Melki also join as Squire Sanders’ partners.

The Riyadh office will continue to represent businesses and government entities as well as multinational companies through an expanded team of 15 lawyers led by Kevin Connor and Ziad El-Khoury alongside Khulaif Al-Enezee, Wissam Hachem, and Hadi Melki. Squire Sanders will also continue its association with El-Khoury & Partners in Lebanon where it will cooperate with the Lebanese firm’s independent Beirut office.

Ziad El Khoury said: “We have merged with Squire Sanders based on a regional strategy.” He said the firm is looking to tap other markets in the MENA region, whether directly or through acquisitions and mergers. EKP has been working with Squire Sanders for almost ten years under an association relationship.

According to El Khoury, the deal is a major accomplishment not only for EKP: “The deal goes beyond the involved parties and is an accomplishment for the Beirut Bar Association as it proves that local lawyers are capable of going international if presented with the opportunity.”

He said the deal will bring many benefits to EKP: “The firm will benefit from Squire Sanders’ global network, as well as its knowhow and expertise.”