Blackthorn & Co
Senior Counsel for the Boardroom and the Courtroom
The Firm
Blackthorn & Co pairs the judgment of senior disputes and corporate counsel with hands-on experience of business operations and boardroom leadership. We are built for the matters that decide outcomes, the contested, the contentious, and the distressed, the critical and complex contracts and transactions, and the strategically pivotal. We serve corporate and private clients, from sovereign and government entities, banks and financial institutions, and family offices and principals to real estate and construction sponsors, advising their boards and C‑suites on company-defining matters with senior judgment from the first hour
The Culture
See matters for their true size, not larger and not smaller
Know that closing the deal matters more than winning the argument
Turn legal judgment into decisions the business can act on
Weigh risk instead of hiding behind it, so caution never costs the opportunity
Do not confuse effort with results. Results are measured in business outcomes
Never litigate on principle!
Coverage & Network
Regional depth across the GCC and the wider Middle East
International reach across key markets, wherever the matter travels
Delivered through a growing network of partners across key markets
One command center. One culture. Select independent boutique law firm partners and practitioners
We also work alongside other law firms as co-counsel, adding specialist depth and in-house business judgment on contentious, distressed, and cross-border matters, and support your leadership in structuring, negotiating and closing deals
We strengthen your bench with the hands-on business expertise you need, providing strategic legal, corporate, compliance, and governance leadership on business-defining matters, tailored for leadership at the highest level
"We measure advice by the result it secures, not the effort it took"
How We Engage
Expert counsel on the terms a matter needs
A modern engagement model, scaled to exactly the depth a matter requires. We engage directly, or alongside your counsel or in-house team
Lead Counsel
Full-spectrum representation on disputes, transactions, compliance and regulatory matters, from strategy through resolution
Co-Counsel
Senior support alongside your existing legal team, bringing specialist depth on the issues that need it most
Senior Advisor
A single senior voice on a critical decision, a board matter, or a high‑stakes negotiation, without the overhead
In-House Counsel Support
Embedded or on-call senior counsel for in-house teams that need additional capacity or specialist expertise
Board & Governance Counsel
Independent counsel to boards, audit committees, and senior management on governance, risk and conduct matters
Project & Transaction Counsel
Dedicated senior counsel for the life of a transaction, project, or dispute, from inception to close
Practice Areas
A unique breadth of senior capability right by your side
Full-spectrum counsel across disputes, transactions, and the boardroom
Disputes and Arbitration
- ●Complex commercial and shareholder litigation
- ●International and regional arbitration (LCIA, ICC, SIAC, DIAC, SCCA)
- ●Energy, construction and natural-resources disputes
- ●Banking and finance disputes
- ●Joint-venture and post-M&A disputes
- ●Enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards
Construction, Projects and Claims
- ●Giga-projects and major programs
- ●EPC, turnkey and subcontract packages
- ●Delay, disruption and extension-of-time claims
- ●Payment, suspension and termination disputes
- ●Contractor default, step-in and project takeover
- ●Construction arbitration and dispute boards
Restructuring and Special Situations
- ●Debt restructuring, workouts and recapitalizations
- ●Creditor and debtor representation
- ●Standstills, moratoria and schemes
- ●Enforcement defense and security enforcement
- ●Distressed M&A and special situations
- ●Asset tracing and recovery
Investigations, White Collar and Compliance
- ●Internal and regulatory investigations
- ●White-collar and fraud defense
- ●Anti-corruption (FCPA, UK Bribery Act, and related frameworks)
- ●Economic sanctions and trade controls (OFAC, EU, UN)
- ●Whistleblower and conduct matters
- ●Third-party and partner-risk management
Corporate, Commercial and Transactions
- ●M&A, investments and private capital
- ●Joint ventures, partnerships and strategic alliances
- ●Franchise, licensing and distribution
- ●Development and joint-development structures
- ●Shareholder and group reorganizations
- ●Family-office and holding structures
Board and Strategic Advisory
- ●Board and C-suite counsel on company-defining matters
- ●Big-ticket regulatory and policy calls
- ●Growth, investment and market entry
- ●Governance, controls and succession under stress
- ●Crisis, reputation and stakeholder management
- ●Shareholder engagement and activist preparedness
International Compliance, Governance and Regulatory
- ●Compliance programs and governance frameworks
- ●Regulatory reviews and risk assessments
- ●OFAC, DOT and EAR compliance
- ●Sanctions and international trade regulations
- ●Enforcement defense, settlement and monitorship support
- ●Board and management training
Yazid Tamimi is a board-level legal executive, arbitrator, and counsel with over 25 years of leadership across the GCC, Europe, Africa, and Asia, advising CEOs, boards, shareholders, and investors at the nexus of law, capital, and high‑stakes business decisions. He has counseled clients across the Middle East and the GCC on their most complex and high-value transactions and disputes, on the matters that shape the future of the enterprises behind them
He began his international career at the US law firm Bryan Cave LLP. Most recently he was Chief Legal Officer of Diriyah Company, leading legal, governance, and disputes strategy for a multi-billion-SAR giga-project portfolio. As Group Chief Legal Officer of Binladin International Holding Group he was the legal architect of one of the world's largest and most complex debt restructurings, and at Majid Al Futtaim he led complex disposals, franchise and partnership deals, and governance across international jurisdictions. As General Counsel, Middle East and Africa at Weatherford International, he built the team recognized by Legal 500 as the best in-house legal team in MENA
He has held over 50 board and officer roles as director, chairman, and president, including at Binladin, Al Marasem, Enova, Precision Drilling Services Saudi Arabia, and BFG Investments
Yazid's work spans litigation and arbitration, transactions, M&A, joint ventures, restructuring and special situations, governance, compliance, and investigations. He is an international disputes practitioner clients turn to when the result is decisive, having directed proceedings before the LCIA, ICC, SIAC & SCCA and national courts. Portfolios exceeding USD 5 billion. He is an admitted arbitrator at the DIAC and the SCCA and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), and currently sits on several SCCA cases
Recognized on the Legal 500 GC Powerlist in 2022, 2024, and 2025, he is admitted to the Jordanian Bar and is a Professional Affiliate of the Saudi Bar Association
Education
Professional Doctorate in Law (European International University) · two LL.M. degrees (Michigan State University; Institute of Arab Research and Studies) · Diploma in International Arbitration (CIArb) · LL.B. (University of Jordan)
Network
We deliver through a growing network of partners: local depth where a matter sits, international reach where it travels. We are building toward full coverage in every market that matters to our clients. Details regarding our expanded network and regional bench are currently forthcoming, pending the finalization of customary regulatory approvals and professional licensing in these respective jurisdictions.
One senior point of contact, wherever the matter travels
One command center. One culture. Select independent boutique law firm partners and practitioners
Network
We deliver through a growing network of partners: local depth where a matter sits, international reach where it travels. We are building toward full coverage in every market that matters to our clients. Details regarding our expanded network and regional bench are currently forthcoming, pending the finalization of customary regulatory approvals and professional licensing in these respective jurisdictions.
One senior point of contact, wherever the matter travels
One command center. One culture. Select independent boutique law firm partners and practitioners
Disputes & Arbitration
LCIA, ICC, SIAC, SCCA, portfolios exceeding USD 5 billion
Corporate & Commercial
Contracts, franchise, partnership and corporate structuring
Strategic Transactions & Alliances
M&A, joint ventures, disposals and cross-border partnerships
Insolvency & Special Situations
Workouts, debt restructuring, creditor arrangements and enforcement defence
Governance & Compliance
Anti-bribery, sanctions, OFAC, internal and regulatory investigations
Board & Committees
Law, governance and strategy with over 50 board and officer roles as director, chairman, and president
Sector Experience
Sectors and capabilities, from the operator's chair
Real Estate and Hospitality
Joint development and development agreements. Private capital and development finance. BOT and leasing. Community and tenant regulation. Commercial and retail leasing. Hotel O&M and licensing
Construction and Giga Projects
Giga projects and super packages. EPC, PM, engineering, subcontracting and supply chain contracts and regulations. Infrastructure projects. Claims, disputes and arbitration
Retail, Fashion and Luxury
Brand and marketing partnerships. Franchise, licensing and distribution. Retail and concession leasing. Brand protection, IP and anti-counterfeiting. Sponsorship and endorsement
Oil, Gas and Energy
Oilfield services and drilling. Services and supply contracts. Energy projects and joint ventures. Sanctions and trade compliance. Disputes and arbitration
Telecom and Infrastructure
Licensing and interconnection. Capacity and infrastructure agreements. Network and submarine-cable projects. Technology and data. Regulatory matters
Banking, Finance and Special Situations
Banking, finance and consumer finance. Regulatory and licensing. Lending and project finance. Workouts and creditor arrangements. Restructuring and insolvency. Distressed finance and divestment
Entertainment and Leisure
Content, media and rights agreements. Venues, events and experiences. Sponsorship and licensing. Leisure and hospitality operations
Investment, Corporate & Commercial
FDI structuring. Private equity. Joint ventures and M&A. Shareholder disputes. Distribution, manufacturing and agency agreements. IP and licensing. Challenging market entry
We sat in the operator's chair. We advise from the inside, with senior commercial judgment, not theory
Representative Engagements
A track record on the matters that decide outcomes
Led by the firm's senior bench, as counsel and in senior in-house roles
Branded Mixed-Use Development and Fund Structure
A multibillion SAR branded mixed-use development under a leading international hospitality marque, anchored by a flagship hotel and a collection of ultra-luxury residential villas. The mandate comprised the structuring, negotiation, and documentation of a bespoke joint development and private capital arrangement, including a purpose-built real estate fund vehicle, a layered capital stack, and the hotel management and branded-residence framework, calibrated for long-term value creation.
Landmark Debt Restructuring
One of the world's largest and most complex debt restructurings, comprising the negotiation and documentation of the restructuring across sovereign and commercial creditors, more than 50 banks, and thousands of trade creditors.
Cross-Border Investigations and Global Compliance
A U.S.-listed multinational's response to U.S. SEC, OFAC, and DOJ investigations, encompassing the conduct of the internal investigation, the negotiation of the resulting Deferred Prosecution Agreement, and the implementation of the subsequent independent compliance monitorships.
Major EPC Delay Arbitration
A USD 528 million LCIA arbitration arising out of delay and disruption on a major EPC program, encompassing the preparation and conduct of the proceedings, the quantum and delay analysis, the management of expert evidence, and the tribunal strategy across the merits and quantum phases.
Emergency SCCA Arbitration
An emergency arbitration before the SCCA, comprising the preparation and conduct of an urgent application for interim relief, securing an injunction suspending the construction works and restraining the marketing and advertising of the development. This stands as the first suspension of works granted by injunction in an SCCA emergency arbitration.
Insights
Perspectives on law, business, and the decisions that matter
Commentary, analysis, and thought leadership from the firm's senior bench, on the legal, commercial, and strategic questions that shape outcomes in the GCC and beyond
Insights and publications coming soon
The firm's insights, commentary, and publications will appear here. Topics will span dispute resolution, corporate transactions, debt restructuring, regulatory developments, and the evolving role of senior counsel in the GCC and beyond
Contact
Engage the firm
Directly, or alongside your counsel or in-house team
Send an inquiry
General Inquiries
[email protected]Yazid J. Tamimi, Founder & Managing Partner
[email protected]Address
Business Center, SPC Free Zone
United Arab Emirates
Blackthorn & Co network comprises independent, licensed national law firm partners and practitioners.
© 2026 Blackthorn and Co Legal Consultants FZE LLC · Business Center, SPC Free Zone, United Arab Emirates