An interview with Mohammad Manauar, Group Legal Counsel at Petromin Corporation in Saudi Arabia.
How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region?
The GC community in Saudi Arabia has grown a lot, especially with Vision 2030 driving legal and business reforms. Today, GCs are no longer just handling contracts – they’re key decision-makers shaping company strategy, compliance, and risk management. There is a growing demand for strategic legal leadership, with GCs playing a bigger role in corporate governance, compliance, and risk management.
For foreign-qualified lawyers, opportunities have expanded. While Saudisation is increasing, foreign-qualified professionals still play major roles in advisory, banking, construction, energy, and tech, thanks to their expertise in contracts, arbitration, and regulatory matters. Foreign-qualified lawyers still hold key roles in multinational companies (MNCs), law firms, and family businesses.
How has it changed since you first moved in-house?
The legal landscape is evolving fast, with new laws and regulations keeping GCs on their toes to stay updated on changes in corporate, labour, and investment laws. There’s also a stronger network now, with global legal summits and industry collaborations becoming the norm.
Overall, the role has shifted from being reactive to proactive, and the demand for experienced, business and tech savvy legal professionals is higher than ever.
Why is expanding your network important to you?
Expanding your network is key to career growth, staying updated, and building strategic opportunities – especially in Saudi Arabia’s evolving legal scene and Middle East region. Engaging with a diverse group of people allows for the exchange of ideas, insights, and experiences, which can lead to personal and professional growth.
For foreign-qualified lawyers, the right connections can lead to better job opportunities, industry insights, and collaborations. It’s also a great way to stay ahead of regulatory changes and business trends.
What kinds of connections or discussions would be most valuable to you?
GCs, senior counsels, regulators, business leaders, law firm leaders, and tech experts – people who can share real-world insights on legal strategy, compliance, and innovation.
At the end of the day, networking isn’t just about career moves – it’s about learning, sharing, and being part of a forward-thinking legal and business community. Ultimately, a strong network helps you grow, adapt, and make a bigger impact in your work and community.
What do you want to achieve by collaborating with other GCs and senior in-house lawyers?
For me, collaborating with other GCs and senior in-house lawyers is essential for professional growth and staying ahead in Saudi Arabia’s evolving legal and business landscape. As legal leaders, we face similar challenges – navigating complex regulations, managing risk, and aligning legal strategy with business goals – so sharing insights and experiences can be incredibly valuable.
Are there specific topics, challenges, or experiences you’d like to share or learn more about?
There are a few key areas I’d love to explore through these collaborations:
– Regulatory & compliance updates – Saudi Arabia’s legal framework is evolving rapidly, with major changes in areas like foreign investment laws, CMA and SAMA regulations, and data protection laws. Learning how other GCs approach compliance and risk mitigation would be insightful.
– Legal tech & innovation – many companies are now adopting AI-driven contract management, automation tools, and legal analytics. I’d love to discuss how GCs can use technology to improve efficiency and reduce legal bottlenecks.
– Balancing legal risk with business growth – a key challenge for in-house lawyers is finding the right balance between protecting the company from risk and enabling business expansion. Hearing from senior legal leaders about their approach to handling complex transactions, negotiations, and disputes would be incredibly valuable.
– Leadership & team development – as in-house legal teams grow, so do leadership challenges. Topics like building high-performing legal teams, developing young legal talent, and managing cross-functional collaboration are areas I’d love to explore with experienced GCs.
