Kamran Bajwa is the founder of Kirkland’s Riyadh office and leads the Firm’s Middle East practice. Kamran has extensive experience across various areas of corporate law including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, investment funds, corporate finance, real estate, joint ventures and securities regulations on behalf of private equity sponsors, corporations, family offices, and individuals. He also handles highly complex international legal matters on a regular basis with a focus on matters relating to the Middle East and emerging markets.
Prior to rejoining Kirkland in 2011, Kamran spent eight years as a corporate lawyer and business advisor in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Cairo, Egypt. His experience during this time included serving as the Chief Legal Officer for the leading investment bank in the MENA region, where he established the first in-house legal department and led several major new product launches, investment fund formations and corporate acquisitions.
Kamran has been recognized repeatedly for his global legal work. In October 2014, Kamran received the Legal Excellence Award from the IL Diversity Council. In 2012, he was selected to the “Emerging Leaders Program” by the Chicago Council of Global Affairs, a two-year program that recognizes young leaders taking steps to help Chicago compete in the global market. In 2008, Kamran was selected as a finalist for a prestigious global legal award (ILO) in recognition of his work.
In addition to his law firm and in-house experience, Kamran has served as an advisor to major international NGOs in the U.S., Europe, and Middle East and is fluent in several languages.
Prior to law school, Kamran completed private studies in the Arabic language and Islamic Law at the Al Azhar seminary in Cairo, Egypt.
