Senior Vice-President for Legal, Chief Legal Consultant and Board Secretary, SEDCO Holding

Dr. Zaid Mahayni specializes in commercial law and dispute resolution, with a focus on the Saudi Arabian and Middle Eastern market. After qualifying as a lawyer in Quebec 2002, Zaid spent 10 years in private practice with the Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni, in collaboration with White & Case and other international firms. As a practitioner, Zaid has been praised by clients for his “professionalism and concise responses”, “cross border capability”, and “unparalleled local knowledge and client commitment” (Legal 500, 2011-2015). He has also been recognized as a ‘rising star’ (IFLR 1000, 2015). Subsequently, Zaid took up an in-house position within Saudi Economic and Development Holding Co, first as vice head of legal and, since February 2017, as head. His contributions in that role have so far earned him various accolades and awards, including the ‘General Counsel of the Year (Large Team)’ award in 2018 and inclusion in the Legal500 GC Powerlist in the Middle East. Zaid also dedicates much of his spare time to writing and teaching. He is a prolific author on Saudi law and practice.