Zayd Alathari is a Partner in BCLP's Corporate and Finance Transactions department, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With more than 25 years of experience across international private practice, senior in-house leadership and public-sector innovation, he advises clients on intellectual property (IP), technology transactions, licensing, commercialization, strategic partnerships and innovation governance across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the wider GCC.

Zayd brings a distinctive combination of international legal expertise and firsthand experience leading IP, technology and innovation initiatives within major organizations in the region. Having worked extensively from within these organizations, he understands the business objectives, organizational structures, decision-making processes and operational challenges that shape clients' legal and commercial needs. His approach combines strategic legal advice with practical business insight, helping clients develop, protect, commercialize and implement technologies and build sustainable internal capabilities.

His practice encompasses the full technology and innovation lifecycle, from research and development, IP strategy and portfolio management through technology acquisition, licensing, commercialization, joint ventures and strategic collaborations. He also advises on developing and implementing IP governance frameworks, technology management systems, innovation programs and commercialization strategies, helping organizations align their legal and technology capabilities with broader business objectives.

Before joining BCLP, Zayd served as a Senior Expert with the Saudi Water Authority (SWA), supporting the development of research and innovation governance, intellectual property and commercialization frameworks, strategic partnerships and institutional capabilities. His work contributed to initiatives aimed at advancing technology development, commercialization and innovation within Saudi Arabia's water sector.

Previously, Zayd spent more than eight years at SABIC, one of the world's leading diversified chemical companies, holding senior intellectual property leadership positions. Working closely with business, legal, research and technology teams, he supported IP strategy, technology development, portfolio management, licensing, strategic transactions and commercialization initiatives. This experience provided him with an extensive understanding of how large industrial organizations develop, manage and deploy technology and intellectual property to support their commercial and operational objectives.

Zayd also spent more than four years as a Partner and Head of Intellectual Property for the Middle East and North Africa at Norton Rose Fulbright. In this role, he advised multinational and regional clients on intellectual property strategy, technology transactions, licensing, commercialization, strategic partnerships and the development of internal IP and technology capabilities. His work included helping organizations establish, strengthen and operationalize the legal, governance and management frameworks necessary to support innovation and technology-driven growth

Beyond his corporate and private practice experience, Zayd has been actively involved in advancing intellectual property, research, innovation and technology commercialization regionally and internationally. Since 2014, he has worked closely with the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), delivering IP workshops and serving as a member of its Research and Innovation Committee, supporting the development of innovation and IP capabilities across the GCC's petrochemical and chemical industries.

Internationally, Zayd has served as an expert and mentor for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), supporting technology-driven companies and innovators in developing IP strategies, protecting their innovations and pursuing commercialization and international growth opportunities.

Zayd has also contributed to developing local talent and institutional capabilities in Saudi Arabia in support of local content development and the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives. His initiatives have included establishing programs enabling Saudi professionals to pursue Juris Doctor (JD) degrees, alongside apprenticeship, training and professional development programs aimed at strengthening local legal, IP and technology expertise.

Zayd works closely with BCLP colleagues across the firm's Middle East, US and international offices to provide clients with integrated legal and commercial support, combining global capabilities with a deep understanding of regional business environments.