Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Services

Barnes & Thornburg advises U.S. and international companies, investors, and individuals on their most significant legal matters across the Middle East and North Africa, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Iraq, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco. Our clients include multinational corporations, defense and aerospace contractors, financial institutions, technology companies, healthcare and life sciences organizations, and manufacturers with operations, supply chains, or regulatory exposure across the region. From our U.S. platform, we deliver coordinated, multidisciplinary counsel that pairs deep practice capabilities in litigation, regulatory, corporate, trade, and compliance matters with the cultural fluency and regional insight each jurisdiction demands.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

We represent clients in international litigation, arbitration, and enforcement actions, including commercial contract disputes, joint venture disagreements, and sovereign and quasi-sovereign matters.

White Collar, Compliance, and Investigations

We advise companies on government investigations, regulatory enforcement, internal investigations, FCPA compliance, and anti-money laundering matters.

International Trade and Sanctions

We counsel clients on export controls, OFAC sanctions compliance, CFIUS and foreign investment reviews, customs matters, and trade policy.

Corporate and Transactional

We structure and execute mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and foreign direct investments for companies operating in the region.

Intellectual Property

We protect and enforce brands, patents, and proprietary technologies, including portfolio management, licensing, and anti-counterfeiting strategies.

Employment and Global Mobility

We advise multinational employers on workforce management, immigration, and human capital issues.

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity

New data protection laws are taking effect across the region, from Saudi Arabia’s PDPL and the UAE’s Federal Data Protection Law to emerging frameworks in Egypt, Oman, Jordan, and Kuwait. We advise on cross-border data transfers, breach notification, privacy program design, cybersecurity risk management, and compliance with both local requirements and extraterritorial regimes such as the GDPR.

Energy and Infrastructure

We advise on energy transactions, project development, and investments in oil and gas, renewables, power generation, and large-scale infrastructure tied to programs such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Our team helps structure project agreements, manage regulatory approvals, and resolve construction and development disputes.

ESG and Sustainability

Mandatory sustainability reporting is now in effect for listed companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and companies with European supply chain exposure face the EU’s CSDDD and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. We help clients develop compliance strategies, structure sustainable finance transactions, and meet evolving disclosure obligations.

Technology and Artificial Intelligence

We advise technology companies and investors on licensing, regulatory compliance, technology transactions, strategic partnerships, and IP protection, including the legal implications of deploying AI and emerging technologies in jurisdictions with developing regulatory frameworks.

Real Estate

We advise developers, investors, lenders, and corporate occupiers on real estate transactions, project finance, and regulatory requirements associated with property development and ownership.

Government Affairs and Policy

We help clients engage effectively with U.S. government officials and agencies on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters that affect business in the MENA region.

Tax

We advise on U.S. and international tax planning for companies and individuals with interests in the MENA region, including structuring investments, repatriation strategies, transfer pricing, and compliance with U.S. tax obligations arising from foreign operations.

Bridging U.S. and MENA Markets

For U.S. companies entering or expanding into the Middle East and North Africa, we provide the legal counsel, market insight, and business acumen needed to establish operations, manage risk, and capitalize on growth. For companies, investors, and individuals based in the MENA region, we help navigate the complexities of doing business in the United States, including regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, investment structuring, and government relations.

Our team includes multilingual, multicultural attorneys with deep professional and personal ties to the region, bringing the linguistic capability, cultural sensitivity, and local knowledge that effective representation demands. Our attorneys serve clients in industries including defense and aerospace, financial services, technology, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, higher education, and hospitality.

Why Barnes & Thornburg

Barnes & Thornburg is one of the 100 largest law firms in the country, with more than 900 legal professionals across 26 U.S. offices. Through our affiliation with TerraLex, a network of nearly 150 independent law firms in nearly 100 countries, we coordinate local counsel in virtually every MENA jurisdiction for seamless coverage across borders.

Our International Trade and White Collar practices have each been named Law360 Practice Groups of the Year. The firm is consistently recognized in Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500, The Best Lawyers in America, and by BTI Consulting Group as a litigation leader based on surveys of in-house counsel.

Clients note that “Barnes & Thornburg is highly collaborative and communicates clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders,” and that “the team is personable, has strong expertise and approaches issues with common sense.”

Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Services