Local and Global: How the Middle East Legal Market Is Changing
The legal market in the Middle East is shifting quickly. Two major trends are happening at the same time:
• Saudi Arabia is focusing on localisation, building its own base of qualified Saudi lawyers.
• The UAE is seeing continued international expansion, with global firms opening offices and hiring both common law-qualified associates and Arabic-speaking professionals.
Both trends are reshaping the way legal work is delivered across the region.
Saudi Arabia: A Focus on Local Lawyers
Saudi Arabia’s legal market is expanding in line with the country’s Vision 2030 goals. The government’s focus on diversification and infrastructure is creating steady demand for skilled Saudi nationals.
Law firms are responding by hiring and developing Saudi-qualified associates, especially those with commercial law and cross-border experience. Local lawyers who can combine Sharia knowledge with an understanding of international deal structures remain in short supply.
Projects such as NEOM, Diriyah Gate, and The Line continue to generate high levels of legal work in construction, energy, and finance. Both regional and international firms are investing in local capability to meet client demand. The result is a market where national lawyers are central to long-term growth.
The UAE: International Expansion and Diverse Hiring Needs
In the UAE, the story is different. Global firms are investing heavily in new offices and teams. Skadden and Paul Hastings have both entered the market in 2025, Pinsent Masons is expanding its Abu Dhabi office, and Kirkland & Ellis is set to open a new office in Jeddah, KSA, in 2026.
This activity is driving demand not only for common law-qualified associates but also for lawyers with Arabic-speaking or working proficiency, particularly in corporate, finance, or projects practice areas. Firms are competing for professionals who can operate in a regional hub that connects global capital to Gulf-based projects.
The UAE remains attractive for its business environment, stable regulatory framework, and regional accessibility. For many international firms, it continues to serve as a base for wider Middle East operations.
Regional Firms: Still in Demand
Regional firms remain key players in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia. They continue to hire experienced associates, particularly those who understand local legal systems and can manage client relationships across Arabic- and English-language jurisdictions.
These firms often offer broader exposure and faster progression for mid-level lawyers. Their ability to combine local insight with commercial capability keeps them competitive, even as global firms expand.
A Market Redefined by Balance
The Middle East’s legal market is developing in two directions at once. Saudi Arabia’s localisation strategy is building a sustainable legal workforce from within, while the UAE’s international growth is bringing new expertise, and bilingual talent, into the region.
For law firms, the challenge is balance: developing strong local teams while maintaining international standards and client service. For clients, this dual evolution means more choice: access to local knowledge alongside global experience.
Both markets are becoming more sophisticated, more selective, and more competitive.
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss opportunities in the Middle East, please contact Jack Douglas-Smith via email at jack.douglas-smith@wearebuchanan.com