The original query seems to have been cut off or mistyped (“Pany meets deceased medico’s fWhat we know about Shane Devon Tamura…”), but your follow-up query clearly asks for information on “Kirkland’s Saudi Strategy: An Inside Look with Partner Kamran Bajwa.” Based on the provided web and X post results, I’ll focus on delivering a concise yet comprehensive overview of Kirkland & Ellis’s strategy in Saudi Arabia, as outlined by Kamran Bajwa, the founding partner and head of the firm’s Middle East practice. I’ll avoid speculative details, stick to the sourced information, and address the firm’s approach, Bajwa’s role, and key developments. Since the original query mentioned Shane Devon Tamura and a shooting, which appears unrelated to this topic, I’ll assume that was a separate or erroneous input unless you clarify otherwise.
Kirkland & Ellis’s Saudi Strategy: An Inside Look with Partner Kamran Bajwa
Overview of Kirkland’s Entry into Saudi Arabia
Kirkland & Ellis, the world’s largest international law firm by revenue, with 3,500 lawyers across the U.S., UK, Europe, and Asia, opened its Riyadh office in October 2023, marking its 20th global office and establishing it as the firm’s Middle East regional headquarters. This move was facilitated by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice granting Kirkland a Foreign Law License, following reforms to the Kingdom’s legal licensing model that allow foreign firms to operate directly rather than through local associations. The decision aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and attract global investment, creating significant opportunities for international law firms.
Kamran Bajwa’s Role and Expertise
Kamran Bajwa, a seasoned corporate partner with over 20 years of experience in complex international legal matters, leads the Riyadh office and Kirkland’s Middle East practice, a role he has held since 2011. Bajwa’s background includes:
- Experience in the Middle East: Eight years living in Dubai, UAE, and Cairo, Egypt, where he served as Chief Legal Officer for EFG-Hermes, the leading investment bank in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. He established its first in-house legal department and led major product launches, investment fund formations, and corporate acquisitions.
- Corporate Law Expertise: Bajwa specializes in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, investment funds, corporate finance, real estate, joint ventures, securities regulations, and Islamic finance. He has advised on over 50 major transactions worth more than $12 billion, including a $1 billion cross-border acquisition of a U.S. home developer and a $530 million New York hotel acquisition for a Qatar-based hospitality company.
- Cultural and Linguistic Fluency: Fluent in Arabic and Punjabi, Bajwa studied Islamic Law at Al Azhar seminary in Cairo and has worked with political and social leaders across the Middle East, enhancing his ability to navigate the region’s legal and cultural landscape.
- Vision for Riyadh: Bajwa emphasizes building a top-tier law firm culture in Saudi Arabia, focusing on high-quality legal talent to serve clients in a dynamic, fast-paced market. He sees Saudi Arabia as a hub for long-term economic success, driven by its growing role in the global economy and Vision 2030 initiatives.
Strategic Goals and Operations in Saudi Arabia
Kirkland’s Riyadh office was launched to capitalize on Saudi Arabia’s rapid economic growth and modernization, positioning the firm to serve both international clients investing in the Kingdom and domestic Saudi clients expanding globally. Key aspects of the strategy include:
- Client-Centric Growth: The Riyadh office supports a rapidly growing roster of clients, driven by Saudi Arabia’s maturing market and increasing demand for sophisticated legal services in corporate, M&A, capital markets, debt finance, and restructuring. As of July 2025, the office has approximately 20 attorneys, including eight partners, with plans for organic growth based on client needs rather than a fixed headcount.
- Key Hires and Local Talent: The office launched with prominent Saudi lawyers Noor Al-Fawzan (formerly of Latham & Watkins) and Manal Al-Musharaf (formerly of White & Case), both recognized as leading women in the Saudi legal profession. Al-Fawzan focuses on M&A and joint ventures, while Al-Musharaf specializes in capital markets transactions. In February 2025, Kirkland added Nabil Abou-Charaf from Morgan Lewis to bolster its investment funds practice. These hires reflect a commitment to integrating top Saudi talent and building a robust local presence.
- Support for Vision 2030: Kirkland aims to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification by advising on high-profile deals and supporting the development of the local legal sector, including training for in-house counsel. The firm’s work includes advising on petrochemical asset purchases, healthcare technology acquisitions, and infrastructure projects, aligning with the Kingdom’s focus on non-oil sectors.
- Regional Headquarters Program: Kirkland was the first international law firm to establish its Middle East headquarters in Riyadh under Saudi Arabia’s Regional Headquarters (RHQ) program, which incentivizes global firms to base operations in the Kingdom for access to government contracts. This strategic move enhances Kirkland’s ability to serve clients across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Client Response and Market Opportunities
Bajwa notes enthusiastic client response to Kirkland’s Riyadh presence, driven by Saudi Arabia’s status as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The Kingdom’s transformation, fueled by robust government spending and foreign direct investment, has created opportunities in infrastructure, private equity, and corporate transactions. Kirkland’s global leadership in M&A (ranked #1 by deal count in 2022 with 796 deals) and private equity positions it to handle complex, cross-border deals, such as advising U.S. private equity sponsors and Middle East sovereign wealth funds on investments in the U.S., Europe, and China.
Challenges and Approach
Bajwa acknowledges that operating in Saudi Arabia involves navigating a rapidly changing market, where regulatory and business transformations can slow certain processes. Kirkland’s approach is entrepreneurial yet measured, focusing on assembling high-caliber teams to deliver creative, business-minded solutions for clients. The firm also aims to foster a strong law firm culture in Riyadh, emphasizing collaboration and excellence to attract top talent and build a lasting brand in the Kingdom.
Recognition and Impact
Kirkland’s Riyadh office has been recognized for its rapid growth and impact, earning the “Breakthrough Firm of the Year” at the 2025 Chambers and Partners Middle East Awards and rankings in Legal 500 for Commercial, Corporate, and M&A. Bajwa’s leadership has been highlighted in outlets like Law.com and Construction Week Middle East, underscoring his role in shaping the region’s legal landscape.
Connection to Original Query
The original query’s mention of “Pany meets deceased medico’s family” and Shane Devon Tamura appears unrelated to Kirkland’s Saudi strategy or Kamran Bajwa. If “Pany” refers to a person, event, or typo (e.g., possibly “partner” or another term), or if you meant to connect this to a specific legal case involving Kirkland, please clarify. For now, I’ve focused solely on the Saudi strategy as requested in the follow-up query.
Sources
- Kirkland & Ellis website and press releases
- Law.com articles on Kirkland’s Riyadh office
- Law Middle East and Global Legal Post
- LinkedIn and other professional profiles
- X posts from @lawdotcomINTL
Next Steps
If you’d like more details on specific aspects of Kirkland’s Saudi strategy (e.g., particular deals, Vision 2030 alignment, or Bajwa’s background), or if you want to clarify the reference to “Pany” or Shane Devon Tamura, let me know, and I can dig deeper or pivot accordingly. I can also check for real-time updates on X or the web if you need the latest insights.