Chris Johnson

The Law Firm of Mohamed Al-Sharif, in association with Johnson & Pump, is a full-service international law firm based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with some 20 attorneys, legal trainees and other professionals, and 10 government relations representatives, paralegals, translators and support staff. Our attorneys have represented a broad range of local and international entities in the Kingdom since 1979 in a broad range of commercial activities, including leading industrial, defense, finance, engineering, pharmaceutical, consumer, information technology and construction contractors and suppliers.

We have handled a wide range of commercial, corporate and regulatory matters, construction and privatization projects, asset securitizations, disputes, liquidations and financings. Project teams typically include both Western and Arab legal professionals, combining Western-style service with local legal, claims, regulatory and practical expertise.

We have represented multinationals from all major markets in business startup, license acquisition and renewal, partner identification, due diligence, contract negotiation, guarantees, employment and government and private sector contracts. We have registered scores of new entities, including branches, limited liability companies, joint stock companies, technical and scientific offices, temporary commercial entities and professional service companies; and currently provide secretarial and legal services to 40+ foreign clients.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Our services cover the following areas of expertise:

Business Startup

Corporate Restructuring

Liquidation

Secretarial Services

Contracts

Mergers and Acquisitions

Partnerships and Joint Ventures

Construction and Engineering and Design

Finance

Intellectual Property

Employment

Regulatory Compliance

Real Estate

Claims, Litigation and Arbitration

Show more +

Mr. Johnson specializes in international and domestic transactions and claims, representing global firms in all aspects of international business.

He has been active in Saudi Arabia since 1978, and has maintained an office in Riyadh since 1984. He also served three years as Chairman and CEO of the humanitarian air service provider AirServ, and ten years as Chairman of the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority. He serves as Chairman of the Middle East Council of Chambers of Commerce and KKR Saudi Ltd., and has over the years served on numerous boards, including 2017-2019 as Chairman of the American Business Group of Riyadh.

He supports clients in understanding and shaping their business, political, legal, regulatory, and media environments, and in understanding and addressing the complex realm where government, politics, media, and business intersect.

Mr. Johnson graduated from Princeton University and New York University Law School, and is licensed to practice in New York and the District of Columbia. Mr. Johnson speaks English and French.

Show more +