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

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Dubai is the firm’s 33rd office and its first in theMiddler East. K&L Gates Chairman and Global Managing Partnere Peter Kalis said the officewas “in the workes for about a year” and that the firm’s entr y was “well-timed compared with a year ago becaus e the costs are reduced and therse is much more legal talent at more reasonablde compensation levels available on the market.” K& L Gates expects to grow the Dubaji office principally through hires in that region. “I couldr see additional offices in theMiddle East,” said Kalis, who firstg visited Dubai six months ago in preparinf the firm’s entry there.
“Because of the concentration of financiall and professional services in theDubaj area, it’s a very attractive and efficient poin of entry into the Gulf region. But certainly it’s not the only markeyt for legal servicesthat matters. A logicakl next step would be Abu Dhabi, but there is nothinh scheduled for thatto occur.” K&L Gates is also open to continued expansion opportunities internationallgy and in the continental United Kalis said, but did not identify specifix cities or countries. Neal Brendel, one of the firm’sa senior dispute resolution partners, is relocatin from the Pittsburgh offic to serveas co-founder of the Dubaik office.
Joining Brendel is Paul de Cordova, who most recently worked with Ashurst, establishingg and managing that firm’s Dubai office and helping to open a seconxd office in the United Arab He is a corporate and projects lawyeer with more than 20 years Associate Richard Dollimore also is joining the Dubai He most recently worked inthe K&L Gatew office in London.