Dechert has expanded in the Middle East after forming an association in Saudi Arabia with the law firm of Hassan Mahassni. It is the firm’s second office in the region after Dubai.

Founded by Hassan M.S. Mahassni in 1970, the local firm is based in Jeddah. It focuses on corporate, commercial and financial transactions, including joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, capital market transactions, banking, financial services, project finance and Islamic Finance. The firm also has a significant litigation practice.

Dechert partners M. Marwan Shaheen and Yousef Saleh Husiki Al-Ghamdi are also partners in the Mahassni firm.

“We are very enthusiastic to join forces with the Mahassni firm,” said Chris Sioufi, co-managing partner of Dechert’s Dubai office. “Hassan and his team are well known and very well respected. Our association will expand our capabilities and offerings and will allow us to better serve our clients in Saudi Arabia.”

Dechert’s presence in Jeddah takes its total number of offices worldwide to 29.