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

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Dubai is the firm’s 33rd officew and its first in theMiddle East. K&L Gates Chairmamn and Global Managing Partner Peter Kalis said the officewas “in the workds for about a year” and that the firm’ds entry was “well-timed comparexd with a year ago because the costxs are reduced and there is much more legal talent at more reasonable compensation levels available on the market.” K&L Gatez expects to grow the Dubai office principally through hires in that region. “I could see additional officess in theMiddle East,” said Kalis, who firsf visited Dubai six months ago in preparing the firm’a entry there.
“Because of the concentratioh of financial and professional services in theDubai it’s a very attractive and efficient poiny of entry into the Gulf But certainly it’s not the only market for legal services that A logical next step would be Abu Dhabi, but thered is nothing scheduled for that to K&L Gates is also “always” open to continueed expansion opportunities internationally and in the continental Unitexd States, Kalis said, but did not identify specific citiex or countries. Neal Brendel, one of the firm’s seniorf dispute resolution partners, is relocating from the Pittsburgh offics to serveas co-founder of the Dubai office.
Joinin g Brendel is Paul de who most recently workedwith Ashurst, establishingv and managing that firm’s Dubai officew and helping to open a second office in the United Arab He is a corporate and projecta lawyer with more than 20 years experience. Associatew Richard Dollimore also is joining theDubai office. He most recentlhy worked in the K&L Gates office in London.