K&L Gates has launched in the Middle East with an office in Dubai, bolstered with the appointment of Ashurst's former Dubai managing partner.

The new office will be the firm's 33rd and follows the recent opening in Singapore.  It will be headed by Pittsburgh-based dispute resolution partner Neal Brendel and supported by former Ashurst Dubai managing partner Paul de Cordova, the man credited for spearheading Ashurst's openings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The office will advise on construction, corporate and disputes matters and work alongside the Islamic finance group in other offices. Brendel and de Cordova will be assisted by secondees from other offices, the most recent of which was London corporate associate Richard Dollimore.

Despite a slowdown in work and a higher market s inconcentration of firms in Dubai, Dubai, the firm remains persistent and expects work to pick up soon. "The Gulf region is, has been, and will continue to be of strategic importance to the global economy," said the firm's chairman, Peter Kalis.

De Cordova added that the firm's broader range of services will set it apart from competitors. “We accept that it’s a competitive market but we’re confident that our fresh attitude, no nonsense style of working, business focus and depth of resources will be attractive to clients,” he said. “We already have a number of active deals and the enquiries are flowing in.”

On his move from Ashurst, De Cordova wished well his former firm, and now competitor. “I enjoyed setting up the Ashurst offices here and couldn't resist the opportunity offered by K&L Gates. They are a perfect fit for me and I have a fantastic team of new colleagues who are immensely supportive.  I have every expectation that Ashurst will continue its good run in the region and I wish my former colleagues every success.”