Watson Reynolds advised on the appointment of Abdullah Alzamil to Greenberg Traurig in Riyadh, one of the Kingdom’s most prominent public policy hires to date.
Greenberg Traurig Deepens Public Policy Capability in Saudi Arabia
Greenberg Traurig Khalid Al-Thebity Law Firm has further strengthened its Public Policy and Regulatory bench in Riyadh, welcoming prominent Saudi lawyer Abdullah Alzamil as Shareholder, alongside Of Counsel Dr. Ammar Bin Maged. The move marks another strategic step in the firm’s growth across the Kingdom and reinforces its alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Watson Reynolds advised on the appointment, supporting Greenberg Traurig in identifying a market-leading figure capable of anchoring a practice of regional significance.
Alzamil joins the firm with a formidable track record across government law, public policy, and regulatory reform. Over more than a decade, he has played a central role in shaping the Kingdom’s legislative and regulatory frameworks, leading on major institutional reforms, PPP initiatives, and infrastructure programmes.
As the only Saudi attorney licensed in Saudi Arabia, New York, and England & Wales, he brings a rare combination of international fluency and domestic authority.
Dr. Ammar Bin Maged adds complementary expertise, advising government entities and regulators on legislative frameworks, digital transformation, and governance models. Together with Dr. Yazid Almasoud, who joined the firm earlier this year, the team positions Greenberg Traurig as a front-runner in public policy and regulatory matters across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
A Strategic Mandate
Richard Rosenbaum, Greenberg Traurig’s Executive Chairman, noted that the hires demonstrate the firm’s commitment to strategic regional growth and its support of Vision 2030.
The appointments expand the firm’s capabilities across government, policy, and regulatory affairs, while deepening its connection to ministries, regulators, and key Saudi stakeholders.
For Greenberg Traurig, the move signals an acceleration of its regional agenda: combining international reach with deep local capability, and creating a Riyadh practice that is both globally connected and domestically embedded.
Watson Reynolds’ Role
Watson Reynolds worked closely with Greenberg Traurig’s leadership to identify, engage, and secure a candidate of Abdullah Alzamil’s calibre, a lawyer trusted by ministries and regulators, equally comfortable in policy rooms and boardrooms.
The mandate required a deep understanding of the regional legal landscape, as well as the firm’s global priorities.
Gregory Wall, Founder and Managing Director of Watson Reynolds, commented:
“Our role was to help Greenberg Traurig attract a figure who could build a market-leading public policy platform in the Kingdom, someone with real local influence and international fluency. Abdullah’s appointment reflects not just individual excellence but a step-change in how global firms are structuring their Riyadh offices. This is a move that sets a benchmark.”
The Wider Significance
Saudi Arabia’s legal market is evolving rapidly, driven by regulatory reform and the institutional demands of Vision 2030. Firms that succeed in this environment combine strong local partnerships with subject-matter depth and credible engagement with the main government stakeholders.
Abdullah Alzamil’s arrival gives Greenberg Traurig a distinctive advantage, combining legislative experience, international perspective and genuine policy influence.