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Khalid A. Al-Thebity
Of Counsel
Khalid A. Al-Thebity is the managing partner in Riyadh. He practices in the area of corporate, commercial, financial law matters and real estate, as well as on Saudi litigation and arbitration cases. Khalid has been representing the government of Saudi Arabia on several international law matters since 1996.
Khalid has advised major insurance companies with respect to Saudi regulatory matters. He led the team that assisted four major insurance companies to be incorporated in Saudi and to be listed on the stock exchange, Tadawul.
Khalid has a broad transactional practice, which is devoted primarily to the energy and real estate industry, with an emphasis on project development and finance matters. His general commercial practice includes the representation of a broad range of clients, including primarily energy and real estate, in general corporate and company matters. Khalid has been the lead real estate counsel in some of the Saudi transactions. He has broad experience in all aspects of real estate and construction practice. In addition to the work he has done for the Saudi Arabian Capital Market Authorities, Khalid advised clients on establishment of real estate funds.
- The lead Saudi lawyer in advising the government of Saudi Arabia in connection with the “Gas Initiative” to open its natural gas industry to private investors.
- The lead Saudi lawyer in advising Eastern Petrochemical Company (SHARQ), a SABIC affiliate, on a US$3.7 billion expansion project.
- Represented Dabbagh Group in SR451 million acquisition of the entire shares in Saudi Arabian Lubricating 011 Company (Petrolube) (which was owned by Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and Mobil Investments SA).
- Advised various clients on the undertaking of real estate investments in Saudi Arabia.
- Represented several foreign companies in connection with establishing joint ventures in Saudi and purchasing interests in joint ventures.
- Led the team that advised the consortium formed by Kingdom Holding and Telefonica in connection with their bid for the second GSM license in Saudi Arabia.
- Assisted the government of Saudi Arabia in connection with compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements and obligations.
- Represented the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) on the drafting of privacy and data protection legislation.
- Represented the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in connection with the modernization of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s system of securities regulation and its admission to the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
- Represented the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) regarding banking secrecy regulation.
- Represented the government of Saudi Arabia in connection with the establishment of a regulatory system for the electricity and water sectors.
- Represented the government of Saudi Arabia with respect to establishment of a new regime of taxation.
- Represented the government of Saudi Arabia with respect to the establishment of legal framework for international charities.
- Represented the government of Saudi Arabia with respect to drafting of implementing regulations and rules for nonprofit technical and vocational training programs.
- Represented a Saudi company in a multinational joint venture in the negotiations with the Ministry of Education for the selection as the primary consultant and project manager for the reform of the primary and secondary school system. This is known as the King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Public Education Development Project (Tatweer Project).
- Assisted a client on regulatory matters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pertaining to submissions to be made to the MCIT in relation to interconnection issues with other operators and the application of asymmetrical tariffs between the operators.
- Assisted a client in connection with the rules of the CMA.
- Assisted a client in setting up an investment bank in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in obtaining the required licenses from the CMA.
- Represented an entity under incorporation in connection with obtaining its CMA license and structuring and establishing a brokerage house.
- Assisted a client in connection with the establishment of a joint venture asset management firm including the firm’s application to the CMA for a securities business license.
- Represented a client in the formation of an equity fund in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that will be licensed by the CMA.
- Assisted a client in a SAMA investigation.
- Represented a Saudi telecommunications company regarding proposed changes to telecommunications legislation, such as the provision of extensive legal analysis and recommendations in connection with a public consultation document issued by Communications & Information Technology Commission. This document concerned merger and acquisitions, bankruptcy of telecommunications companies, accounting procedures, and tariff regulations.
- Represented a certain multinational tobacco company client, as defendant’s counsel, in a civil action commenced by Ministry of Health before the Board of Grievances. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center has purported to join as a plaintiff.
- Assisted several Saudi agencies in drafting laws and regulations. In addition, Khalid’s views and comments have been sought by many agencies on draft laws and regulations.
Education
- Harvard Law School, LL.M., 1996
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, LL.M., 1994
- Umm Al-Qura University, LL.B., 1989
- Recommended in The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2016 in commercial, corporate and M&A, Saudi Arabia
- Recommended in The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2016 in dispute resolution, Saudi Arabia
- Recommended in The Legal 500 EMEA 2016 Edition
- Recommended in The Legal 500 EMEA 2015 Edition
- Valedictorian, Umm Al-Qura University, 1989
- First Saudi lawyer to serve as a representative of the Saudi government before the International Court of Justice
- Speaker, 14th Annual Utility M&A Symposium on “Power Sector Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia,” New York, 2011, attended by members of management, including partners, presidents, directors and CEOs.
- Speaker, US-Saudi Business Council 4th Plenary Meeting on “Enhancing Bilateral Trade and Investment Links,” Washington DC, attended by ministers, ambassadors and CEOs.