White & Case has become the ninth international firm to enter Qatar after opening an office in Doha, citing improving economic conditions and deal flow in the region as reasons behind the move.
The office-which received approval on 9 July from the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) and is located in the Al Fardan Office Tower-will supplement the firm's two other regional offices, in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.
The firm is looking to build up critical mass on the ground by transferring lawyers from other offices. Among them is London-based corporate partner Andrew Macklin, who will head the new office.
The move comes as Qatar lures more interest from legal industries abroad keen on new growth markets. In June, the UK Law Society's international division led a trade mission to Doha to secure its legal industry potential market share. The QFCA is also designed to rival Dubai's equivalent, the Dubai International Financial Centre to promote an inflow of investment.
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