AL HARBI & ASSOCIATES

What AL HARBI & ASSOCIATES does

Al Harbi & Associates is a privately held boutique law firm headquartered in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, with a second office in Riyadh. Founded by Ahmed Al Harbi, the firm operates with 21 employees across 11 practice areas including domestic and international arbitration, commercial transactions and corporate law, Islamic finance, intellectual property, aviation, energy, construction, insurance, governmental services, funds and venture capital, and mergers and acquisitions. The firm's core differentiator is its combined expertise in Civil, Common, and Sharia'a law frameworks, enabling cross-border advisory across the MENA and GCC regions. The team includes attorneys educated at international institutions, with experience in proceedings under ICC, LCIA, DIAC, PCA, and SCCA arbitral rules, and a track record of high-value mandates such as a $1.9 billion debt settlement for Ahmad Hamad Al-Gosaibi & Bros in a $7.5 billion dispute.

The firm operates a professional services revenue model, generating fees on a quote-based, matter-by-matter basis without publicly disclosed pricing. Its go-to-market combines direct, relationship-based business development with strategic partnerships that extend its reach: Hajj & Kanaan Law Office (Beirut) for cross-border MENA coverage, Tribonian Law Advisors (Dubai/Beirut) for M&A and corporate finance, VALYOU for integrated construction law advisory, and KAUST ScaleX as exclusive legal advisor for accelerator startups. Customer segments span local Saudi enterprises, multinational organizations, startups under Vision 2030, and specialized verticals including construction, insurance, banking, and aviation. The firm serves enterprise clients such as Saudi Arabia's largest insurance entity and major contractors, alongside startup clients in the KAUST ScaleX portfolio.

The business is founder-led, with Amer Kanaan and Mohammed El Hajj serving as Managing Directors and Hassan Hammoud as Legal Advisor and Office Director. The firm has no public listing, no disclosed institutional investors, and no proprietary technology platform. Distribution is fully direct through its two Saudi offices and partnership channels, with marketing reliant on professional networking, a website, and thought leadership in the newsroom. Recent strategic activity (2024-2025) indicates an active expansion phase focused on deepening construction law specialization, building M&A capability, and capturing the Saudi startup ecosystem through the KAUST ScaleX program.

Name

AL HARBI & ASSOCIATES

Legal name

Al Harbi & Associates

Website

https://alharbilaw.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Al Harbi & Associates is a boutique Saudi Arabian law firm offering cross-border legal advisory across arbitration, M&A, Islamic finance, construction, and aviation, serving enterprise and startup clients throughout the MENA and GCC regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Legal Services (5411)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Litigation Support & Expert Witness Services (BPAHALAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Shariah-compliant Financing Products (Murabaha, Ijara, Tawarruq, Istisna, Salam) (FSABAGAH)

Keywords

• Boutique legal advisory
• International arbitration services
• Islamic finance law
• Construction law
• Mergers and acquisitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Al Khobar

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Legal Advisory Services: The firm generates revenue through professional legal fees for advisory services across multiple practice areas including domestic and international arbitration, commercial transactions, corporate law, Islamic finance, intellectual property, aviation, energy, construction, insurance law, governmental services, funds and venture capital, and mergers and acquisitions. Services are provided to domestic and multinational organizations, with fees structured based on transaction complexity, matter type, and client requirements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Al Harbi & Associates is a boutique law firm providing professional legal advisory services across 11 practice areas, including domestic and international arbitration, commercial transactions and corporate law, Islamic finance, intellectual property, aviation, energy, construction, insurance law, governmental services, funds and venture capital, and mergers and acquisitions. The firm combines Civil, Common, and Sharia'a law expertise to serve domestic and multinational organizations across Saudi Arabia and the MENA and GCC regions, with revenue earned through professional legal fees.

Product overview

Al Harbi & Associates is a boutique law firm offering comprehensive legal advisory services across 11 practice areas including Domestic and International Arbitration, Commercial Transactions and Corporate Law, Islamic Finance, Intellectual Property, Aviation, Energy, Construction, Insurance Law, Governmental Related Services, Funds and Venture Capitals, and Mergers and Acquisitions. The firm provides tailored legal solutions for domestic and multinational organizations throughout the MENA and GCC regions, with expertise in Civil and Common law as well as Sharia'a law.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Domestic and International Arbitration Legal representation and advisory services for local and international disputes under ICC, LCIA, DIAC, PCA, and SCCA auspices, covering debt, contract, construction, corporate, IP, investment, and aviation disputes. Target clients are enterprises facing complex cross-border or domestic disputes requiring formal arbitration representation.
• Commercial Transactions and Corporate Law Advisory on corporate structuring, M&A, securities, private equity, venture capital, real estate, estate planning, and international trade transactions for domestic and multinational organizations.
• Islamic Finance Sharia'a-compliant structuring for project finance, hedging, derivatives, swaps, capital markets, and fund structures including sukuk issuance for financial institutions and Sharia'a-compliant issuers.
• Intellectual Property Protection for trademarks, designs, copyrights, inventions, trade secrets, and IP litigation services for rights holders operating in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.
• Aviation Aircraft financing, leasing, sales, joint ventures, operation agreements, regulation, licensing, product liability, and aviation litigation for aviation companies and air transport providers.
• Energy Advisory on energy agreements, concessions, joint ventures, oil and gas contracts, regulatory compliance, and renewable energy projects for energy-sector clients.
• Construction Construction law advisory including FIDIC contracts, joint ventures, consortium agreements, claims, alternative dispute resolution, and litigation for major contractors, engineering firms, and project developers in Saudi Arabia.
• Insurance Law Legal representation for insurance entities in complex disputes, regulatory compliance, transactions, and strategic planning, including representation of Saudi Arabia's largest insurance entity in major disputes.
• Governmental Related Services Assistance navigating complex regulatory networks, legislation, and standards across various industries for clients interacting with Saudi government authorities.
• Funds and Venture Capitals Legal counsel for private equity and investment firms on CMA-regulated fund formation, asset investments, exit strategies, and startup support.
• Mergers and Acquisitions Specialized legal services for M&A transactions including deal structuring, due diligence, regulatory compliance, negotiation, and post-transaction integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.9 billion debt settlement secured for AHAB, ending $7.5 billion debt dispute

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• KAUST ScaleXflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025KAUST ScaleX is a premier acceleration platform driving innovation and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. Al Harbi & Associates serves as exclusive legal advisors for all startups shortlisted in the program, providing dedicated legal support for company formation, IP protection, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, and fundraising. This partnership aligns with Vision 2030 supporting Saudi Arabia's transformation into a tech and innovation hub.
• Tribonian Law Advisors (TLA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2025Collaboration announced April 28, 2025 bringing together two highly regarded legal teams with combined expertise in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Finance, Private Equity and Commercial laws. TLA has offices in Dubai and Beirut and was founded by partners from leading international law firms. This association enables delivery of seamless, high-quality legal services for complex transactions in KSA and across the region.
• VALYOUflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024VALYOU specializes in procurement, contracts, claims, and dispute resolution consultancy. The integrated approach combines legal and engineering expertise, allowing assessment of construction risks, contractual obligations, and dispute resolution strategies with precision. This partnership positions the firm as the 'Firm of Choice' for construction law matters, serving some of the largest contractors and construction companies in Saudi Arabia.
• Hajj & Kanaan Law Office and Legal ConsultancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeirut-based law firm collaboration that extends Al Harbi & Associates' regional capabilities and enables cross-border legal services across the MENA region. This partnership combines Civil and Common law expertise with local insight, allowing the firm to serve multinational organizations operating in multiple jurisdictions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners: ASAR is a leading Saudi law firm headquartered in Riyadh with strong corporate, banking, and dispute resolution practices. Comparable to AHA in being a Saudi-rooted firm serving enterprise and financial institution clients with deep local regulatory expertise.
• Al Tamimi & Company: Al Tamimi is the largest law firm in the Middle East with full-service coverage across Saudi Arabia, UAE, and broader MENA. It is the most directly comparable peer in terms of multi-disciplinary practice breadth (corporate, construction, Islamic finance, arbitration) serving Saudi enterprise clients.
• Hammad & Al-Mehdar Law Firm: A Dhahran-based Saudi law firm specializing in corporate, commercial, and arbitration matters with deep Eastern Province roots. Directly comparable in regional positioning, practice mix, and target client profile to Al Harbi & Associates.
• The Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed in association with Baker McKenzie: A Saudi-licensed firm affiliated with Baker McKenzie, providing full-service legal advisory in KSA including M&A, construction, and Islamic finance. Competes with AHA for similar Saudi enterprise mandates while leveraging a global brand.

Broad incumbents

• White & Case: Global law firm with a significant Riyadh presence and longstanding MENA practice covering construction, project finance, arbitration, and capital markets. A broader incumbent competing for high-end Saudi mandates that AHA targets.
• Latham & Watkins: Global law firm with active Saudi Arabia practice covering M&A, capital markets, project finance, and dispute resolution. A broader incumbent that competes for the same large cross-border mandates AHA pursues through its Tribonian collaboration.
• Dentons: World's largest law firm by headcount with substantial Middle East presence including Saudi Arabia. Competes across corporate, finance, construction, and dispute resolution practices with the brand scale that boutique firms like AHA lack.
• Hogan Lovells: Global law firm with a Middle East practice spanning corporate, energy, infrastructure, and Islamic finance. A broader incumbent competing for Saudi enterprise mandates where cross-border expertise and global brand matter.
• Clifford Chance: Magic Circle firm with established Riyadh office handling project finance, Islamic finance/sukuk, construction, and corporate transactions. Represents the global incumbent benchmark AHA competes against for premium Saudi advisory work.

Regional players

• Al Aidarous & Partners: A Dubai-headquartered GCC law firm with Saudi reach through affiliated offices. Comparable multi-disciplinary practice including corporate, banking, arbitration, and construction — competing for cross-border GCC mandates but anchored in UAE rather than KSA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/al-harbi-associates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AL HARBI & ASSOCIATES