Global law firm Ashurst announces the appointment of project finance lawyer Nezar Al Abbas as partner in the projects & energy transition team, based in Riyadh, building on the firm’s rapidly expanding Saudi Arabia offering.    

With over 15 years in the Middle East, Nezar advises on project finance and a range of other finance transactions. He has advised on a variety of major project and construction finance transactions, advising both borrowers and lenders. In addition, Nezar has a wide-ranging finance capability across syndicated lending and structured finance, including Islamic finance products. 

Commenting, David Charlier, Middle East managing partner and co-head, projects & energy transition (EMEA), said: “Saudi Arabia is experiencing exceptional momentum in energy and infrastructure investment across both the public and private sectors, underpinned by Vision 2030. Nezar’s arrival will build on our well-established Saudi projects and project finance practice and position us to continue to deliver large-scale projects across the Kingdom.”  

“The Saudi legal market continues to expand rapidly, amid an evolving regulatory landscape and increasing demand for sophisticated financing and advisory services,” Faisal Baassiri, managing partner of Ashurst's Saudi offices, added. “Nezar's deep understanding of the Saudi market, coupled with his strong track record advising financial institutions, will further build on our Saudi finance capability and enhance our ability to meet clients' needs in this dynamic environment.” 

Nezar Al Abbas said: “The Ashurst Middle East platform has gone from strength-to-strength in the past few years, particularly in Riyadh where it has seen an exciting growth trajectory. I look forward to partnering with the well-respected team to deliver on transactions that advance our clients’ strategic objectives in the Kingdom.”  

Ashurst continues to build out its KSA offering, with recent strategic additions including finance regulatory partner Raheel Butt and the relocations of Martyn Rogers, a senior banking partner with over 30 years experience, and Tammam Kaissi, an Arabic speaking disputes partner. Ashurst’s Middle East team has more than doubled to over 20 partners in under two years.  

For further media information/interview opportunities please contact:

Aarsha Patel
E:varsha.patel@ashurst.com

Ashurst is a leading global law firm with over 500 partners and a further 1,900 plus lawyers working across 11 different time zones. The firm's in-depth understanding of its clients and commitment to providing exceptional standards of service has seen it become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments on all areas of commercial law.

Ashurst has 32 offices in 19 countries and offers the reach and insight of a global firm, combined with the knowledge and understanding of local markets. As a global team, Ashurst has a reputation for successfully managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes and projects and delivering integrated solutions that provide strategic value for clients.

The firm's people are its greatest asset and bring together global teams of experts across legal, risk consulting and NewLaw to deliver end-to-end solutions and provide the incisive advice clients need. Our focus is on getting to the heart of clients' commercial goals and on striving to go beyond matters of the law to deliver practical, holistic solutions.

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Ashurst Risk Advisory is law firm Ashurst’s consultancy business. Launched in Australia in 2020, expanded into the UK in 2022 and into Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2024 and then into Asia in 2025, the 100 strong team of highly experienced, specialist risk consultants, provide integrated and holistic solutions to clients navigating the complexities of conducting businesses globally.

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