Karim is the managing partner heading the Fintech, Corporate M&A and TMT practices. Karim has been ranked as a leading fintech lawyer and one of the technology transactions that he led was awarded the IFN Deal of the Year in 2020. Prior to joining AX Law, he headed the Saudi practice and the Middle East TMT practice at CMS and worked at Clyde & Co where he established CorpTech practice. He also led the MEA Legal Team for Enterprise and Public Sector at Cisco Systems and Cisco Capital during which he was awarded the Asia-Mena In-house Counsel of the Year in 2017 based on his contribution to the KSA Country Digital Transformation Acceleration Program.

Karim has led on large scale technology transactions in UAE and KSA and is generally regarded as one of the preferred lawyers for technology transactions in UAE and Saudi Arabia. He regularly advises clients in challenging regulatory frameworks on complex corporate and commercial matters. One of his key clients is STC Bank, Saudi’s biggest digital wallet provider and first fintech unicorn, whom he has acted as sole legal counsel since its incorporation in 2018 on all legal aspects, including the development of terms and conditions of its products, procurement contracts, general day-to-day legal support and its joint venture with Western Union.

He is currently advising STC Bank on completing its conversion into one of Saudi Arabia’s first digital banks along with its expansion plan that involves joint ventures, and potentially, acquisitions.

Karim has a proven track record and is always sought by companies looking for a hands-on lawyer who can understand the business needs and innovate to get the deal through.

In addition, Karim is currently a ranked lawyer in Chambers’ Fintech Legal for the 4th year running.