Inside Saudi Arabia’s Legal Transformation: Expert Insights from Matteo Grassani

Inside Saudi Arabia’s Legal Transformation: Insights from Matteo Grassani, Group General Counsel at Zahid Group

Saudi Arabia’s legal sector is going through major change, driven by fast-paced economic growth and a wave of regulatory reforms. To understand what this means for legal professionals on the ground, Zain Nasir Legal Consultant at Robert Walters Middle East sat down with Matteo Grassani, Group General Counsel at Zahid Group.

In this discussion, Matteo shares how his team is adapting, what’s changing for in-house legal roles, and why developing local talent is more important than ever.

Legal Reform Driving Real Change

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 agenda has brought major changes to the legal framework, and Matteo has seen the effects first-hand.
“Law reflects the pace and direction of society,” he says.

As the economy has opened up, the legal system has evolved alongside it.

The introduction of a new Companies Law, the new foreign property ownership law, the Personal Data Protection Law, and reforms in foreign investment regulation are just a few examples. These changes have aligned Saudi Arabia more closely with international standards but also demanded agility from legal teams.

At Zahid Group, Matteo’s team has responded by developing new capabilities, and bringing in external support when needed. “We’re no longer working in a closed system, focused solely on domestic transactions.

With Vision 2030, both international investments and foreign investment in the Kingdom has accelerated, and more broadly, the entire GCC region is witnessing strong growth across several sectors such as AI, energy, heavy machinery, travel, real estate, and logistics. he notes.

"We operate in all these sectors with top international brands, and that shift requires a different mindset and skills from in-house legal teams."

It’s about being more strategic and business focused, without compromising on integrity.

The Evolving Role of In-House Counsel

For in-house lawyers, the role now extends well beyond interpreting regulations. It increasingly involves helping shape key business decisions.

“Being a business partner isn’t a bonus; it’s a strategic requirement, as well as an opportunity to influence the decision-making process,” Matteo explains. Legal teams at Zahid Group are engaged early in major decisions, collaborating closely with senior management and all internal stakeholders to shape solutions that are commercially sound and legally robust.

That shift in expectations also brings a greater emphasis on soft skills.

It’s often about emotional intelligence, collaboration, and problem solving.

"You need to take ego and emotion out of the room, focus on value drivers, and risk management. When you do that consistently, people see you as someone they can rely on to help navigate difficult situations.”

Legal Tech: A Must-Have Tool, Not a Replacement

Technology is undoubtedly changing how legal teams operate, but Matteo is clear that human judgment still leads the way.
Having overseen digital transformations at both Shell and Zahid Group, he sees technology as a valuable tool for improving efficiency, especially in areas like compliance and reporting.

The legal tech market is still a niche, and there’s no technology today that replaces what an experienced in-house legal team brings to the table.

“AI can help with routine tasks and we are collecting some interesting data analytics from our legal operations, but it can't yet replicate critical thinking, business judgment, or the understanding of complex context.”

Developing the Next Generation of Legal Talent

With legal talent in high demand, Matteo sees this as an ideal time for young lawyers to grow their careers in Saudi Arabia.

At Zahid Group, junior team members are given meaningful responsibilities early on and are encouraged to gain experience across different parts of the business.

Legal is a reflection of the business.

“The more exposure you have to how the business runs, the stronger and more versatile you become as a lawyer.”
Mentorship, early responsibility, and cross-sector experience are central to the team’s development strategy. “For example, we are building legal operations as part of a long-term strategy to protect shareholder value, invest in talent, and drive greater efficiency.

What Makes a Lawyer Stand Out?

When building his team, Matteo looks beyond technical legal skills. He places great value on integrity, curiosity, and a strong interest in business.

Legal skills are essential. However, you can teach legal skills, but you can’t teach is attitude.

“The lawyers who ask the right questions, stay curious, and genuinely want to understand the business are the ones who thrive. Integrity, of course, is a core value for us” Matteo explains.

For junior professionals aspiring to work in-house, his advice is straightforward. “Deliver high-quality work, meet deadlines and budgets, and learn from setbacks. Everyone gets things wrong at times. What matters is having a strong governance framework where people can make mistakes safely and learn from them.”

Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

In such a competitive market, keeping great talent requires more than compensation. Creating meaningful career paths is key.

If someone leaves for a better opportunity, I’m genuinely happy for them. But if they leave because they feel stuck, that’s a concern.

Zahid Group places a strong emphasis on professional development, providing mentorship and clear growth opportunities that help employees feel valued and engaged.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on his own career journey, Matteo offers a simple piece of advice. “Enjoy the ride because a career in law offers the chance to work on fantastic projects with incredibly talented people. Resilience matters more than you think. Speak your mind, stay grounded, and don’t let setbacks define your path.”

For legal professionals in Saudi Arabia, the message is clear. With change comes opportunity. Approach it with curiosity, integrity, and a willingness to evolve.