MAK is a Saudi law office that has been providing bilingual multi-jurisdictional, quality and dependable
legal services in KSA since 2004. Since inception MAK prides itself as being one of the few law offices in
KSA with international experiences and calibres, our team of lawyers offers bilingual legal services in
English and Arabic. Our strength lies in our experience and knowledge of Saudi and International law,
which enables us to offer the best legal solutions to our clients.
MAK is a leading Saudi Law firm specializing in all corporate and commercial law matters, including
association of Saudi, foreign and mixed companies in KSA, joint ventures, acquisitions, foreign
investment law matters, initial public share offerings, methanol and energy projects, employment law
issues and Islamic Finance and Banking matters.
MAK is a full-service office and is proud that for the past six consecutive years (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,
2019 and 2020), the renowned directory “The Legal 500: Europe, Middle East and Asia,” has
distinguished and recommended MAK among the strongest legal services providers in KSA in key
practice areas, recognizing the office’s professional reputation and achievements. In particular, MAK is
listed as a Leading Firm in KSA in Legal 500 in the following categories: Commercial, Corporate, M&A;
Real Estate & Construction and Banking and Finance.
Specifically, MAK is recognized as one of the most specialized and experienced law firms in KSA and the
Middle East with respects to intellectual property matters, franchise, distributorship, agencies and
license agreements.
The manging partner of MAK, Mr. Sharif Akkad, has over 19 years of experience and is considered a
leading lawyer in KSA and the Middle East, with respect to franchise, agencies, distributorship,
intellectual property and license agreements and related matters.
To date, Mr. Akkad has advised and worked on more than (400) franchise, distributorship, agency and
license agreements, including the following well-known brands: McDonald's, Subway International,
Calvin Klein, D&G, Guess, Fossil, Esprit, Rebook, Second Cup, Ikea, Levis, Cartier, Applebee’s, Outback
Steakhouse, Mugg & Bean, Bonia, International, Reply, Max Mara, Stefanel, French Connection, Kika,
Barnies, Ebel Watches, Sleep High, Go Sport, Tom Tailor, Vans Co. Ltd., Arabian Oud, Tony Roma’s
Restaurant and Wing Zone.
Given his experience, Mr. Akkad is a regular speaker at the Saudi Chambers of Commerce & Industry in
KSA, and has appeared in more than (100) local and international seminars and events speaking on
franchising, including seminars in Bahrain, UAE, Egypt and UK.
Mr. Akkad regularly writes on litigation and dispute settlement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, M&A,
Saudi commercial and franchising law in international and local journals and in the print media.
Notably, Mr. Akkad been engaged by the Saudi Minister of Commerce to contribute to the new Saudi
Franchise Law. Further, MAK has worked on the Standard Franchise Model Agreements to be available
on the website of the Ministry of Commerce.
Moreover, among another (13) lawyers worldwide, Mr. Akkad was the only Arabic lawyer that
contributes to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s publication (WIPO) titled, ‘In Good
Company, Managing Intellectual Property Issues in Franchising’, due to his vast knowledge and
experience in this area.
MAK was awarded the law firm of the year (2019) in Saudi in franchising legal matters from Legal 500,
which is one of the best recognized international bodies to assess law firms worldwide.