| Catherine McGregor |
By Catherine McGregorLondon
Chambers and Partners have been publishing legal directories, which rank and rate the world’s leading lawyers, for more than 20 years. We have been researching the Qatari legal market since 1999 and identifying the leading lawyers and law firms through interviews with thousands of lawyers and their clients. Our reputation is based on the independence and objectivity of our research. The New York Times described Chambers USA as “the gold standard” in legal research. We rely on market feedback from clients and lawyers to assess which lawyers and law firms are ranked as among the top percent of leaders in their field.Qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.The practice areas we cover in each chapter of Chambers Global 2011 are determined by what clients tell us would be most useful to them. To this end, our researchers identify the major trends affecting the business communities of every area in the Middle Eastern region. This in-depth knowledge informs our rankings.In our rankings we measure:* The work that firms and lawyers have undertaken over the past 12 months* Feedback from clients in the market* Feedback from other market sources such as barristers, other lawyers, investment bankers etc.Chambers and Gulf Times
We are very excited to be profiling our Qatari research in this special feature with Gulf Times. We hope that this collaboration will be valuable in highlighting the developments and the wealth of talent in the Qatari legal market. Generally the Qatari market has been less affected than other areas of the Middle East. This has sparked an interest in the region from international firms looking to relocate and capitalise on this. Going forward this looks to be the major trend for the coming year.
* Catherine McGregor is managing editor, Chambers and Partners.
Band 1Al Tamimi & Company in association with Advocate Mohammed Al-Marri
Al Tamimi is an exemplary firm with coverage across the Gulf region. It maintains a strong work record and an impressive client base composed of leading financial institutions. In Doha, the commercial team offers services based on Qatari law in areas including business start-ups, finance, construction, energy and shipping. Recent highlights include acting for Al Mal Bank in connection with several corporate and regulatory issues, and for Doha Bank on its establishment of Qatari equity funds valued at up to USD1 billion each. Qatar managing partner Ahmad Anani left the firm to join Latham & Watkins this year; the “commercial and easy-going” Stefan Jury was acting head for the latter half of 2010. The firm recently appointed Jay Fontin to head the office in 2011.
Hassan A Al-Khater Law Offices
| Hassan Al-Khater |
Latham & Watkins LLP
Sources report that this highly respected firm regularly takes on big-ticket work and is an increasingly significant player in the region. The team is recognised for its expertise in project finance, Islamic finance and capital markets, and represented the State of Qatar in connection with the largest-ever bond offering by a Middle East issuer at USD7 billion. Its other major clients include the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Holdings. Craig Stoehr is counsel in Latham’s corporate group in Doha. “He stands out from the pack,” one peer notes. “His work is of a totally different quality and he’s excellent at forming important relationships in the market.” The hiring of Ahmad Anani from Al Tamimi and Andrew Macklin from White & Case this year boosts the team’s capacity on the ground. Anani is a heavyweight in this market and in the words of one client: “He’s well above the standard – absolutely first class.” Macklin is noted for his experience in domestic and international M&A, joint ventures and private equity transactions.
Simmons & Simmons
| S Andrew Wingfield |
Band 2Arab Law Bureau
| Ala’a Fathi Hamad |
Clyde & Co LLP
Clyde & Co is an active participant in the Middle Eastern markets and is a strong contender on multi-jurisdictional projects. Sources point to project and real estate finance as a particular area of strength, and the lawyers have been deeply involved in the development of the Qatar Financial Centre. Other regional specialisms include foreign direct investment, shipping and transportation, insolvency and restructuring; sources also point to the group’s strength in dispute resolution. The well-known David Salt specialises in energy projects and corporate finance, and is regarded as one of the “real quality people in Qatar.” Andrew Watson left the firm to join Singapore’s Wong Partnership in January 2010 as head of its Middle East practice.
Eversheds LLP
This seven-member team maintains its solid reputation in this jurisdiction, supported by the firm’s Abu Dhabi partners and its affiliates in Jeddah and Riyadh. The firm stands out for the strength of its international connections and its focus on joint ventures, restructuring and project finance deals. Its clients include Islamic and conventional banks, and state entities such as the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), Qatar National Bank and Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Company, which it recently assisted in a joint venture real estate development project in Doha. Christopher Jobson directs the firm’s Middle East operations from Doha. He also frequently works out of the Abu Dhabi office, and is recognised for his expertise in shipping and maritime law. He is assisted by Amjad Hussain, who runs the banking and finance group in Qatar, and real estate and infrastructure specialist Richard Birks, who joined the Doha office from London in February 2010.
Law Offices of Gebran Majdalany
| Gebran Majdalany |
Patton Boggs LLP
This full-service office is reputed for the quality of its local and international service. It is particularly active in the construction and transportation sectors, representing clients such as Qatari Diar, which partners recently advised in connection with an integrated railway project. They also continue to work in conjunction with the firm’s DC corporate team as lead outside counsel to the New Doha International Airport. “Every time we worked with them they were impeccable,” one source says. “Their work is consistent, professional and transparent.” The experienced Sonia Barber runs the firm’s hospitality practice group and frequently handles contentious cases. She has been advising clients on the development of a range of six star brands.
SNR Denton & Co
The merger of Denton Wilde Sapte, a long-established player in Qatar, with US-based Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal has increased this firm’s multinational reach and allowed it to pursue new opportunities in the corporate arena. The new SNR Denton continues to offer specialised commercial expertise in the energy, telecommunications and finance sectors and has broadened its scope to include real estate and disputes. Managing partner Leigh Hall receives solid reviews and maintains a strong profile in this jurisdiction. “He delivers a sensible and useful service,” sources comment.
Band 3Allen & Overy
Allen & Overy opened its Doha office in April 2010, enhancing its capacity to address the corporate needs of its clients in the region. While it is still assembling its core group and developing relationships on the ground, the firm is fast establishing itself as a contender in this market. The team, previously based overseas, receives praise from both clients and peers. Robert Porter manages the Doha office, having previously practised with A&O in London. Chris Thornes heads the corporate practice and spent 18 months in Dubai before joining the team in Qatar.
Badri and Salim El Meouchi
This Lebanese firm is actively developing its profile in the QFC, concentrating on M&A transactions in the banking and real estate sectors. It also specialises in finance and hospitality, and is involved on behalf of a leading GCC developer in its acquisition of shares in a major global hotel chain. The firm is also promoting its environmental and renewable energies practice, which covers project finance and carbon trading. Managing partner Chadia El Meouchi is a well-known name at this firm and works closely with Lilia Sabbagh on most of the firm’s key matters. The pair are currently advising an international consultancy firm in a bid concerning the inception of a regional intergovernmental food security agency.
Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners
This nine-member team advises clients on contentious and non-contentious commercial matters, largely focused on the construction industry. The group is actively expanding its practice and taking on new work in the finance sector, including its recent involvement in a merger involving a major financial institution in Qatar. Other highlights include assisting a client with respect to a USD85 million merger of two of the state’s largest logistics companies, in conjunction with the firm’s litigation department. Founding partner and department head Sultan Al-Abdulla (see p.1936) is highly reputed among market sources, who praise his management of the team.
White & Case LLP
This group remains active, despite having suffered the departure of leading partner Andrew Macklin in early 2010. It continues to be supported by the firm’s London and Dubai practices, and recently represented Alaqaria in its consolidation with Barwa Real Estate, the first transaction of its kind in the state. Other notable clients include the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) and Hassad Food. Kenneth Ellis is the firm’s resident partner in Doha. He joined the Middle East team in early 2010 and was formerly the head of the firm’s Asian securities practice.
Other Notable Practitioners
William Cattan, formerly of Dewey & LeBoeuf, is now a member of Institution Quraysh for Law and Policy (iQ), a transnational legal consulting firm with bases in Doha, Jeddah and London. “He is an excellent lawyer with a sharp mind,” sources say. Chris Tingley of the Law Office of Sayel Daher is also rated for his strong background in Qatari law. Trained in England, he is the longest-serving international lawyer in this jurisdiction.
CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL LAWYERS BASED ABROAD
Band 1Allen & Overy LLP
This firm is recognised for its heavy involvement in Qatar, and although it opened an office in Doha this year, it continues to handle a significant amount of the work from its international offices. Dubai partner and corporate team leader Andrew Schoorlemmer has worked on major corporate matters, including a cross-border sale in the energy sector. The firm also continues to advise Qatar National Hotels with respect to various acquisitions and expansion initiatives out of the Dubai office. Partners Robert Porter and Chris Thornes, and senior partner Katherine Price are on the ground in Qatar as of early 2010.
Clifford Chance LLP
This firm continues to see a steady stream of work in the Middle East and maintains its commitment to its practice in Qatar. It specialises in outbound investment and real estate project finance, including Islamic financed projects, and is recognised for its ongoing work for Qatar Telecom. Greg Englefield remains the firm’s primary point of contact.
Linklaters
Linklaters remains a firm of choice for referral work from local firms, and has been involved in a number of high-profile deals in Qatar this year; it advised Barwa Real Estate in connection with the country’s first public takeover. Sources point to the firm’s strong contacts and regard the team as a leading competitor in this area. Scott Campbell is one of the firm’s main contacts in Dubai, and he handled the Barwa mandate.
Norton Rose LLP
With offices in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Dubai and an affiliate in Riyadh, Norton Rose undoubtedly has a strong Middle-Eastern footprint. It runs its transactions in Qatar via Dubai and London, and earns praise for its strengths in the banking sector, particularly for its work in Islamic finance. Its extensive client list includes global financial institutions, national oil companies, and local corporates such as Qatar Shipping and Qatari Diar. Campbell Steedman manages the firm’s regional corporate finance practice from Dubai, while London-based Erol Huseyin is an energy projects partner with considerable experience in Doha.
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Sources acknowledge Shearman’s active presence in this market and it remains an unyielding contender in terms of project development, including real estate financing, M&A and Islamic finance transactions in the state of Qatar. The partners are praised for their role as adviser to DolphinEnergy with respect to the refinancing of its cross-border Middle East oil and gas pipeline project. London-based Nick Buckworth is the global head of the firm’s project development and finance group and co-head of its Middle East and North Africa initiative, with Ian Nisse in Abu Dhabi. Philip Dundas, also in Abu Dhabi, and Tim Pick in London are other leading names in Shearman’s Qatar practice.
Band 2Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
This firm is devoted to its Qatari practice and appears frequently on big-ticket transactions. It focuses on international investment and private and public M&A. Work highlights include advising on a major cross-border construction project and a significant merger of two sizeable Qatari companies. Bertrand Pellet, who recently moved to Dubai to lead the firm’s MENA corporate practice, is a key contact for Qatar work, as is London-based Bruce Embley.
Hogan Lovells (Middle East) LLP
This firm is regarded for its Dubai-based Islamic finance practice, which covers sukuk, securitisations, project finance and structured finance among other areas of expertise. Its recent work includes representing Barwa in obtaining a USD1.5 billion murabaha facility. Rahail Ali is the firm’s global head of Islamic finance and a top name in the region.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
Skadden is a top choice for debt capital markets work and is an established representative of underwriters in high-profile bond financing matters. Its clients include Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, Barclays Capital and Qatar National Bank, which the firm advised on a sovereign bond offering. Harold Moore leads Skadden’s project finance practice; based in New York, he is the primary partner handling transactions in Qatar.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Band 1Hassan A Al-Khater Law Offices
This local favourite has a long history of providing top- notch legal services in Qatar, and holds its place amongst the leading dispute resolution practices for another year. This team enjoys an exemplary reputation and is frequently instructed by international firms in important cases. Commentators appreciate the fact that the firm “has a very good understanding of Qatari law and is able to tackle complex issues.” Much of the practice’s reputation is attributed to Hassan Al-Khater. He is an experienced litigator who earns the respect of market sources due to his “solid advice and deep knowledge of the local laws.” Says one commentator: “He is the number-one player.”
Law Offices of Gebran Majdalany
This traditional firm is a household name in the area of dispute resolution. The team has extensive experience and is highly reputed for its excellent knowledge of local and international law. During the past year it has seen an increase in litigation and arbitration mandates, more specifically in the area of construction and employment. Work highlights include acting on a construction-related ICC arbitration. Senior partner Gebran Majdalany is the most notable figure due to his “comprehensive knowledge, long- standing experience in Qatar, accuracy and reliability.” He is described as “a very impressive person and excellent practitioner.”
Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners
This firm met with a considerable amount of enthusiastic feedback this year. Its dispute resolution practice has grown in prestige thanks to the strength and depth of its team and its enormous experience in dealing with local courts. The firm offers a good balance between litigation and transactional work, and is particularly commended for its “impressive labour expertise.” Sultan M Al-Abdulla is the lead individual for dispute resolution matters; his wealth of experience brings significant added value for clients.
Band 2Arab Law Bureau
This local firm stands out from many others in this area thanks to its excellent blend of corporate and dispute resolution resources. The team has a strong following and is frequently instructed by international firms to act as local counsel. Ala’a Fathi Hamad is undoubtedly the leading litigator, receiving praise for his “practical approach and good knowledge of the region.” He has been particularly active handling construction disputes. One observer says: “He has the understanding and expertise that we need and is always available.”
Khalid Al Attiya Legal Consultant & Attorney
This compact but esteemed firm has an admirable litigation practice led by Khalid Al Attiya. The seven-partner team has undertaken an impressive array of work recently. It handles a large number of international cases and maintains an impressive list of long-standing foreign and domestic clients.
Other Notable Practitioners
| Khawar Qureshi |