Karim Wali Verified Lawyer

Experience

Karim Wali is a Partner at Khoshaim & Associates (K&A) in the Finance and Projects practice. He brings a blend of regional expertise in Saudi Arabia and international exposure from prior practice in London, providing his clients with a global perspective alongside deep local insight. This cross-border experience informs his approach to complex financing arrangements and multi-jurisdictional transactions. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali)) In his advisory capacity, Wali counsels financial institutions, investors, and corporates on a broad spectrum of Islamic and conventional finance transactions. His work includes syndicated facilities, ESG-linked financings, complex restructurings, debt reschedulings, and turnaround transactions. This range reflects his ability to navigate both traditional financing structures and innovative financing mechanisms in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic market. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali)) Wali is described as being deeply involved at the intersection of finance, technology, and regulation. He regularly counsels banks and FinTech companies on cybersecurity, data protection, digital banking, and AI-related compliance, underscoring his engagement with regulatory and technology-driven considerations that increasingly shape project and corporate finance. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali)) Regarding professional qualifications, Wali is admitted as a Solicitor in England & Wales, having qualified in the London office of Allen & Overy LLP in 2003. He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This combination of English training and a Saudi-based practice informs his capability to handle cross-border financings and regulatory regimes. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali)) Wali is fluent in Arabic and English, a linguistic capacity that supports his work on multi-jurisdictional matters and his engagement with diverse client teams across the region. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali)) His career at K&A is complemented by public material highlighting the firm’s finance and projects focus and his role within it. Public sources describe him as a key figure in K&A’s project financing and debt-related work, including his leadership on complex financing instructions and cross-border deals that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives. ([legal500.fr](https://www.legal500.fr/rankings/ranking/c-saudi-arabia/banking-and-finance/16680-khoshaim-associates?utm_source=openai)) In addition to client-facing responsibilities, Wali has been publicly associated with high-profile project financings led by K&A, including publicized engagements around significant energy and infrastructure transactions in the region. This reflects his standing as a senior figure capable of guiding large teams through complex multi-party financings. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/blog/k-a-awarded-project-finance-deal-of-the-year))

Specialty

Karim Wali’s core practice centers on Project Finance, where he acts for lenders and borrowers on a range of financing structures for energy, infrastructure, and technology-driven projects. The K&A profile and independent legal market references position him as a leading adviser in project-related financing matters in Saudi Arabia. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali)) His practice also encompasses Islamic Finance, leveraged and acquisition finance, real estate finance, and Islamic project finance, reflecting a broad portfolio within the financing space. The Legal 500’s coverage of K&A highlights Wali as a go-to advisor for project-related financing and notes the firm’s strength in both conventional and Islamic financing structures. ([legal500.fr](https://www.legal500.fr/rankings/ranking/c-saudi-arabia/banking-and-finance/16680-khoshaim-associates?utm_source=openai)) Beyond pure financing, Wali’s work intersects with FinTech and regulatory considerations, including digital banking, data protection, and AI-related compliance. The firm’s emphasis on FinTech and technology-driven regulatory matters aligns with his stated focus on technology-enabled financing and associated compliance issues. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali)) Wali’s practice is supported by a broad, multi-disciplinary team at K&A and aligns with the firm’s broader project finance and banking capabilities. Legal market commentary recognizes Wali as a leading practitioner within the Saudi banking and finance landscape, highlighting his continued prominence in the field. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/blog/k-a-ranked-tier-1-across-key-legal-500-rankings?utm_source=openai))

Education

Karim Wali earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He is admitted as a Solicitor in England & Wales, having qualified in 2003 in the London office of Allen & Overy LLP. This background provides him with a strong foundation in common law principles applied to cross-border finance work, complemented by his experience in the Saudi market. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali))

Achievements and Recognition

• IFLR Middle East Law Awards 2023 — Project Finance Deal of the Year for the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project, with Karim Wali leading K&A’s project finance team. ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/blog/k-a-awarded-project-finance-deal-of-the-year))
• Chambers Global — Band 1 ranking in Banking & Finance for Karim Wali (as of 2024, per K&A’s publication noting individual rankings). ([khoshaim.com](https://www.khoshaim.com/blog/k-a-ranked-as-band-1-disputes-firm-by-chambers-global?utm_source=openai))
• Legal 500 — Recognized as a leading individual for project finance; the firm’s 2024 ranking highlights Wali’s prominence in project-related financing, with continued acknowledgment in 2025 rankings showing ongoing leadership in the field. ([legal500.fr](https://www.legal500.fr/rankings/ranking/c-saudi-arabia/projects-and-energy/16680-khoshaim-associates?utm_source=openai))