K&L Gates opens Dubai office - Jacksonville Business Journal:

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Dubai is the firm’s 33rd office and its first in theMiddlw East. K&L Gates Chairman and Global Managinvg Partner Peter Kalis said the officewas “imn the works for about a year” and that the firm’xs entry was “well-timed compared with a year ago becausde the costs are reduced and thered is much more legal talent at more reasonabl e compensation levels available on the K&L Gates expects to grow the Dubaii office principally through hirexs in that region. “o could see additional offices in theMiddle East,” said Kalis, who firsr visited Dubai six months ago in preparingg the firm’s entry there.
“Because of the concentration of financiakl and professional services in theDubai area, it’sw a very attractive and efficient poing of entry into the Gulf region. But certainly it’s not the only markety for legal servicesthat matters. A logical next step would be Abu but there is nothing scheduled for thatto occur.” K&L Gates is also “always” open to continued expansion opportunities internationallyg and in the continental United States, Kalis said, but did not identify specific cities or countries. Neal one of the firm’s seniore dispute resolution partners, is relocatinf from the Pittsburgh officwe to serveas co-founder of the Dubaji office.
Joining Brendel is Paul de Cordova, who most recentl worked with Ashurst, establishing and managing that firm’ Dubai office and helping to open a seconde office in the UnitedArab Emirates. He is a corporate and projectsa lawyer with more than 20years experience. Associatw Richard Dollimore also is joininfg theDubai office. He most recently workecd in the K&L Gates office in London.