Magic circle firm Clifford Chance is set to expand its Middle East offering with a third office in the region, to be launched as soon as its license approval is received.

 The new Qatar Financial Centre office will be led by Clifford Chance projects partner Richard Parris – who is currently stationed in the firm’s Dubai office – and supported by Greg Englefield, a partner who was previously seconded to local Qatar law firm, The Law Office of Gebran Majdalany between 2004 and 2006.

 Parris, a commercial projects lawyer specializing in the development aspects of energy and infrastructure projects, has been in the region for seven years. Englefield, currently a counsel in the Dubai office, had assisted in the development of the firm’s existing Qatari practice over the last six years.

 “It is clear to us that there is a great deal of dynamism in Qatar and across the region generally,” Clifford Chance managing partner David Childs said. The firm plans to service its Qatar-based clientele and said the opening of the office was a response to client request for a presence on the ground.

 The team will work closely with Saudi alliance firm Al-Jadaan and Partners and its two offices in the UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi.ALB

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