Baker & McKenzie has opened its fifth office in the MENA region and its 69th globally after opening in Doha this week.

According to the firm, the office will target banking & finance, energy & infrastructure, corporate, real estate & hospitality, construction and dispute resolution work for domestic and international clients based in Qatar.

“The establishment of a Qatar office is an important and logical step for us,” Baker & McKenzie chairman of the executive committee Eduardo Leite said.

Baker & McKenzie has been active in the MENA region since mid-1970s and hopes to further expand its presence with the new office. The firm had most recently launched an office in Abu Dhabi in 2009, after establishing offices in Bahrain (1998), Cairo (1985) and Riyadh (1980).

In January 2011, Clifford Chance launched its third Middle East office in Qatar, transferring Dubai-based projects partner Richard Parris to head its operations. Allen & Overy launched in the Emirate in early 2010 with Robert Porter and Chris Thornes at the helm of its operations.ALB

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• Doha: Tougher rules for international law firms on the horizon (28 Oct 2010)