Kirkland & Ellis has hired funds lawyer Nabil Abou-Charaf from Morgan Lewis & Bockius to bolster the firm’s Middle East investment funds practice.

Abou-Charaf joins as a partner and will be based in the firm’s Riyadh office. His practice focuses on domestic and international transactions and arrangements, including fund formation and investments, M&A, co-investments, joint ventures and corporate governance matters.

Kamran Bawja, founding partner and general manager of the firm’s Riyadh office and regional headquarters, said: “Nabil is a rising star in the funds world, with solid experience advising private and institutional investors with their investments in private equity funds and other investment vehicles. He will be a great addition to our growing team and platform in Riyadh and key to our goal of establishing Kirkland’s leading investment funds practice in the Middle East.”

Abou-Charaf spent just under six years as an associate at Morgan Lewis in the UAE, having previously had spells at Squire Pattons Boggs and Hourani & Associates, as well as two years at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in New York. Prior to working in private practice, he spent two years as legal counsel at Citco Fund Services in London.

Erica Berthou, a partner in Kirkland’s investment funds practice, said: “We’re excited to expand our investment funds practice to the Middle East with the addition of an exceptionally talented lawyer like Nabil. As the largest, most active investment funds practice in the world, we proactively advise our clients on key considerations and, like the private equity community, we are investing in the continued opportunity in the Middle East.”

Kirkland first opened its Riyadh office in October 2023, choosing Saudi Arabia as the headquarters for its regional business. Following Abou-Charaf’s arrival, the firm now has 17 lawyers in Riyadh, including eight partners, according to its website.

Other US firms have been stepping up their presence in Saudi in recent months. In January, King & Spalding merged with local firm Al Fahad & Partners, adding 17 fee earners to the US firm’s Riyadh bench. And in December, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman announced plans to open in Riyadh through a link up with AlArfaj & Partners, which is run by former Pillsbury lawyer Khalid AlArfaj.