Freshfields Promotes Ibrahim Attar and James Visick to Partner in Middle East
The global law firm, Freshfields has promoted two lawyers from its Middle East offices as part of its latest global promotion round, elevating James Visick (Abu Dhabi) and Ibrahim Attar (Riyadh) to the partnership, effective May 2026.
Both lawyers are part of the firm’s global transactions practice and will continue to play a key role in strengthening Freshfields’ capabilities across the region.
The promotions are part of a wider round of 47 new partners globally across Freshfields’ international network, as part of the firm’s broader initiative to expand global leadership with new partner appointments.
James Visick is an investment funds lawyer advising both sponsors and investors across a broad range of private investment fund structures. He regularly represents Gulf-based sovereign wealth funds on their global investment programmes, supporting complex cross-border fund formation and deployment strategies.
Ibrahim Attar focuses on IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and broader capital markets transactions. He advises clients on corporate, regulatory, securities, and antitrust matters, with a strong emphasis on listed company transactions and regulatory compliance across the Middle East.
Ibrahim Attar said,
“Honoured to be joining the partnership at Freshfields, and a huge congratulations to my fellow new partners. It is a real privilege to take this step at a firm I hold in such high regard, and I am deeply grateful to my colleagues, mentors and friends whose support, guidance and collaboration have shaped my journey. Freshfields is an exceptional firm, and I am proud to be part of a team that is so committed to excellence, collaboration and innovation. I look forward to this next chapter and to continuing to work with my outstanding colleagues and amazing clients on the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
Experience & Education – Ibrahim Attar
Ibrahim Attar is currently Counsel at Freshfields in Riyadh, where he has been with the firm for over a decade, progressing through Associate and Senior Associate roles before his promotion to Counsel in 2024. His practice spans capital markets, IPOs, M&A, regulatory advisory, and antitrust matters. He also has prior experience as a legal intern and consultant in Saudi Arabia and Canada, including work at McGill University legal bodies and Bassim A. Alim Law Associates in Jeddah. He holds a BCL/LLB in Law from McGill University and a Bachelor’s (Honours) in Political Science from Concordia University.
Conclusion
These promotions form part of Freshfields’ broader move to expand global leadership with 47 new partner appointments, reflecting the firm’s continued investment in strengthening its Middle East platform. The elevation of partners in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh reinforces its global transactions capabilities and supports clients on complex cross-border investment, capital markets, and sovereign wealth fund mandates.
Freshfields (formerly Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) is a leading global law firm and a member of the prestigious “Magic Circle” of elite British firms. With roots dating back nearly 300 years, the firm specialises in solving complex legal and strategic challenges for national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments
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