PROFESSIONAL

OVERVIEW

ONE 2 ONE LEGAL, LLP / RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA  2013-Present

Managing Partner

One 2 One Legal LLP, recognised as the best boutique law firm in Saudi Arabia provides “magic circle,” “white shoe” firm quality on a local market price dynamic specifically on client relationship demand. As Managing Partner, Siraj Al Islam has been awarded the best lawyer in Saudi Arabia.

  • Leads and manages the work of a group of Saudi lawyers, ensuring client demands are met.
  • Advises government, sponsors, and lenders on complex transport, waste, and water projects (Riyadh Bus Project, ISTP Dammam, ISTP Jeddah).
  • Regularly leads complex M&A and investment fund transactions, involving structuring, drafting and negotiating share purchase and shareholder agreements, prospectuses and all other related documents.
  • Routinely structures, leads and manages cross-border JV agreements as well as franchise, agency and distribution agreements.
  • Leads and manages multi-jurisdictional litigation involving complex legal and regulatory issues.

*****Awarded best lawyer in Saudi Arabia *****
*****Awarded best boutique law firm in Saudi Arabia*****

DEWEY & LEBOEUF, LLP (SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS) – RIYADH, SAUDI Arabia  2011-2013

Senior Associate – Islamic Banking & Project Finance

Recruited on a fast track partnership and served as firm’s global expert on Islamic banking and finance transaction.  Served as principal strategic legal advisor for one of the world’s largest business/risk consultancy organisations.

  • Handled all Islamic finance matters for the firm with 90% of billable time spent on developing personal clients as opposed to existing firm clientele.
  • Advised on strategic risk and legal structuring for a new energy holding management company being established to penetrate and dominate the renewable energy sector.
  • Guided a MENA-centric investment bank on a Shariah compliant purchase of an offshore oil rig.
  • Advised a consortium of the Qurayyah Independent Power Project 1 on building a facility to generate approximately 1800 MW of electricity.
  • Counselled a consortium on Al Kharj and Sudair concession contract for construction, management, operation, and maintenance of potable water, industrial, irrigation, sanitary, and industrial water drainage facilities.
  • Created documents for a novel Murabaha facility provided to a trading company by its founding shareholders.
  • Consulted an investor on bank and finance documents in relations to the acquisition of a hospital group.
  • Delivered sound counsel to a leading automotive distributor in regard to existing financial obligations.
  • Advised on and drafted an amendment agreement for wastewater services in the central region of Saudi Arabia.
  • Counselled one of the largest Saudi conglomerates on strategic corporate and financial matters.
  • Drafted Shariah compliance documentation for a real estate fund.

BAKER BOTTS, LLP – RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA  2009-2011

Associate – Global Projects, Islamic Banking & Project Finance

As principal lawyer drafted and guided multiple complex transactions, managed other associates and client relations.

  • Structured and corrected erroneous Shariah documents drafted by opposing counsel.
  • Restructured a major Saudi construction contractor’s financial obligation.
  • Managed the restructuring and refinancing of a major petrochemical project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, comprising of term loan, refinancing, revolving and standby facilities with US Dollars and Riyal tranches.
  • Led restructuring and refinancing related to a petrochemical company’s project costs overrun requirements.
  • Reviewed finance/project documents and legal opinions related to SEC’s Riyadh PP11 independent power project.
  • Oversaw structuring and drafting BOT/BOO based full encompassing project documents for demilitarisation facility.
  • Structured a major company’s mobile personalisation services to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

CLIFFORD CHANCE, LLP – RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA  2007-2009

Associate, Islamic Banking & Project Finance

Drafted and advised on innovative transactions and legal issues for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

  • Advised on auto-based securitisations with initial warehouse facility followed by Shariah compliant Sukuk issuance.
  • Completed Ijara-based Islamic finance documentation for a $195M development of an ethylene amines complex.
  • Counselled on a multijurisdictional term loan facility valued at $325M and term loan facility worth $300M.
  • Managed revolving and term loans with a letter of credit facility of $135M.
  • Created Murabaha contracts and agreements on behalf of Islamic banks.
  • Delivered on/offshore security documents, promissory notes, and power of attorneys.
  • Guided sales, purchases, and leasebacks of assets for a hospital group.

EVERSHEDS, LLP – LEEDS, YORKSHIRE  2007

Solicitor – Project Finance & Infrastructure Group

Worked as Lead Project Lawyer on the MWDA assignment, one of the UK’s largest PFI projects in the waste sector.  Developed documents that are now being used company wide as initial drafts for future projects.

ISS UK LIMITED – Woking, Surrey           2000-2007

General Counsel (2004-2007)

Senior Manager at ISS & Trainee Solicitor at Blake Morgan (2002-2004)

Legal Advisor (2001-2004)/Group Debt Controller (2000-2001)

Appointed as the first legal counsel for ISS, the world’s best and largest outsourcing company with over 525,000 employees; established a new legal department and created manuals/processes for providing legal services to the ISS UK group of companies. Promoted rapidly through a series of increasingly responsible, mission-critical legal/ business risk leadership positions. Advance based on legal and regulatory compliance expertise in combination with strong performance in team leadership and project management.

BUSINESS CONTRIBUTIONS

  • Oversaw merger and integration for 70 companies into relevant sector specific businesses.
  • Assumed control of all property management (legal and operational) and reduced property portfolio 60%.
  • Saved company more than £1.3M as a result of innovative policy improvements.
  • Provided risk assessments on equity and non-equity-based transactions for company directors and evaluated the significance of refinancing a PFI project.
  • Oversaw representative transactions for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) PFI with Land Securities Trillium (LST), STEPS (Strategic Transfer of Estate to the Private Sector, a PFI initiative with HMRC), London Underground PPP, Sheffield City Council PFI, and Walsgrave PFI Hospital, Coventry.

LEGAL CONTRIBUTIONS

  • Managed legal activities for 70 companies in relation to corporate governance, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance to UK and European Union standards for competition and data protection.
  • Reviewed and advised on PFI project agreements, security documents, and collateral/interfacing agreements.
  • Drafted, negotiated, and advised on commercial agreements pertaining to facility management, general outsourcing, software development, IT, and payroll.
  • Advised on insolvency mattes, director’s liability, indemnities, and process of placing company in liquidation.
  • Counselled on shares issues such as increasing and decreasing share capital, division and consolidation of shares, and shares redistribution; also provided advice on executive, board, and shareholders powers.

 

BLAKE MORGAN ASSIGNMENT

  • While maintaining all regular duties and responsibilities, also served as Trainee Solicitor to Blake Morgan on secondment; worked with corporate, real estate, and litigation departments during this time.
  • Handled joint venture agreements, prepared sales and purchase agreements for acquisitions and divestures, advised on financial assistance and white wash procedures, and carried out commercial matters for ISS.
  • Managed and negotiated commercial leases for landlord and tenants, licenses, rent review memos, renewals, assignments, surrenders, dilapidations, acquisitions/disposals of property, and exemptions.
  • Prepared particulars of claim for debt, breach of contract, and restrictive covenant in employment contracts and negotiated settlements where appropriate.

 

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

MA
Advanced Legal Practice

LLB
Law Society Qualifying Law Degree

Solicitor of the Senior Court of England & Wales

Solicitor at Law Society of England &  Wales