Ashurst Perkins Coie has announced the addition of Mushri Alsahli as a local partner to its Projects, Energy, Environment & Resources practice, based in the firm’s Riyadh office. The move represents a further strengthening of the firm’s capabilities in Saudi Arabia and shows its strategic focus on the Kingdom’s rapidly developing legal setting.
Alsahli brings a breadth of advisory experience that spans a wide array of government bodies and state‑owned enterprises. His work has consistently centered on handling the detailed regulatory frameworks that govern project development and privatization within the Kingdom. By guiding clients through the nuances of Saudi law, he has helped to align ambitious infrastructure initiatives with the statutory requirements that shape them.
His involvement with the founding team of the National Center for Privatization & PPP has positioned him at the core of the country’s privatization agenda. Through that role, he contributed to the design and execution of landmark transactions that have become reference points for subsequent deals. The precedents set by those transactions continue to influence the structure of public‑private partnerships and the broader privatization programme across Saudi Arabia.
Prior to joining the private sector, Alsahli served as a legal advisor at the Bureau of Experts within the Council of Ministers. In that capacity he participated in the drafting of a range of laws, regulations, and strategic initiatives that form the backbone of the Kingdom’s legal architecture. His contributions to legislative development have provided a solid foundation for the regulatory reforms that are currently reshaping the business environment.
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David Charlier, partner and head of the Middle East & Africa region at Ashurst Perkins Coie, highlighted the significance of the appointment, noting that it not only expands the firm’s bench in the Kingdom but also enhances its regional Projects, Energy, Environment & Resources offering. He emphasized that Alsahli’s depth of knowledge will enable the firm to steer clients through the complex legislative and regulatory dimensions of high‑profile projects that are critical to the region’s growth.
Faisal Baassiri, managing partner of the firm’s Saudi offices, reinforced the strategic intent behind the hire, describing it as a clear affirmation of Ashurst Perkins Coie’s long‑term commitment to the Saudi market. He pointed out that having a professional with first‑hand experience of the Kingdom’s privatization and regulatory framework is a distinct advantage for clients seeking to handle an increasingly sophisticated legal terrain.
Martyn Rogers, office managing partner for Riyadh, observed that the Saudi legal market is evolving at a rapid pace, with regulatory reforms continually redefining the operating environment for businesses. He remarked that Alsahli’s insider perspective on the legislative framework will be a valuable resource as the firm expands its service portfolio and deepens its regional expertise.
Speaking about his new role, Mushri Alsahli expressed enthusiasm for the firm’s regional platform, citing the caliber of the growing team across Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East. He indicated that the environment at Ashurst Perkins Coie provides a strong foundation for further development of his practice, and he looks forward to collaborating with colleagues on transformative projects that are shaping the future of the region.
