Mohammed A Al-Sheikh, the head of White & Case’s Riyadh office and the sponsor for the firm to operate in Saudi Arabia, has resigned from the firm to join Latham & Watkins.
Al-Sheikh’s resignation is among a number of other departures at the firm. In the Middle East the firm has lost Villers Terblanche and Nick Collins in Abu Dhabi, and projects partner Christopher Langdon in Riyadh; in London, it has lost Glen Ireland and Craig Nethercott; and in New York, it has lost Christopher Cross and Clement Fondufe. All these lawyers have defected to Latham & Watkins. Last month, Abu Dhabi-based partner Sami Al Louzi left for Vinson & Elkins.
While a spokesman from White & Case confirmed the departures, it is unknown whether the firm is now looking for a new Saudi sponsor. Currently, four Riyadh-based associates are listed on the firm’s website.
White & Case this week posted a firm-wide 11% revenue decline for the 2009 financial year. Revenues totalled US$1.3bn, compared to the US$1.46bn in 2008.
For Latham & Watkins, the appointment of Al-Sheikh would effectively hand the firm a presence in Riyadh.
Al-Sheikh’s departure is not the first time a Saudi sponsor has left an international firm. Last year, Saudi lawyer Abdul Aziz Al Bosaily left DLA Piper to join Clyde & Co.
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