The CMS network has opened an office in Tehran, becoming the first international firm to set up a presence in Iran in the wake of thawing of relations between the country and the West.

Partners Jürgen Frodermann and Shaghayegh Smousavi of CMS Hasche Sigle, the network’s member firm in Germany, will lead the team in Iran advising multinationals, SMEs and domestic clients on Iranian law.

Banking and finance expert Frodermann advises on corporate, M&A, joint ventures and reorganizations and private equity matters. Meanwhile German-Iranian partner Smousavi advises national and international clients on energy law, with a special focus on regulatory issues, legal proceedings and transactions.

In anticipation of sanctions against Iran being lifted, CMS set up a task force to explore opportunities and establish connections in the country. Providing legal advice in Iran “will enable us to provide local support for our clients and investors on projects in Iran. It is also another milestone for our firm in the development of innovative and cross-border legal services” said Hubertus Kolster, CMS Germany’s managing partner, in a statement.

In the Middle East, CMS member firms operate in Oman, Dubai and Turkey.