K&L Gates Enters Middle East with Opening of Dubai Office

New York and Dubai— Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has established its 33rd office worldwide with the opening of an office in Dubai, the firm’s first in the Middle East.  The launch, which follows K&L Gates international office openings in Singapore and Frankfurt earlier this year, includes the addition of partner Paul de Cordova to the firm’s corporate and projects practices, as well as the relocation of one of the firm’s senior dispute resolution partners, Neal R. Brendel, from the firm’s Pittsburgh office.

“The Gulf Region is, has been, and will continue to be of strategic importance to the global economy,” said K&L Gates Chairman and Global Managing Partner Peter J. Kalis.  “K&L Gates is delighted to launch our presence in the Region to serve our distinguished clients who are active in the United Arab Emirates and throughout the Middle East.”

With a formidable background in international arbitration and dispute resolution, Neal Brendel will be a co-founder of the firm’s Dubai office.  Brendel’s dispute resolution practice has included major matters in various international venues and subject areas.

Brendel stated:  “Dubai has demonstrated a commitment to become a leading venue for international dispute resolution.  The client community and the international arbitration bar have taken notice.  I am pleased to be able to participate in this development on behalf of K&L Gates’ clients.”

Paul de Cordova arrives at K&L Gates from Ashurst, where he worked in the firm’s London, Tokyo, and Dubai offices for the past 16 years, including establishing and managing the firm’s Dubai office and assisting in the opening of a second United Arab Emirates office.  An experienced corporate and projects lawyer, de Cordova has worked on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters during his more than 20 year career, including acquisitions and joint ventures; financial regulation; project development and finance transactions in the energy, water, and transportation sectors; general engineering and construction projects; real estate and real estate finance transactions; and government infrastructure projects.

“I am delighted to be joining K&L Gates, where my new colleagues have made me feel very welcome,” said de Cordova.  “I believe that the firm’s broad-based practice, client focus, and depth of resources will be attractive to businesses in the Middle East and allow us to stand apart from our competitors.  I look forward to working with Neal and others to make this latest firm initiative a success.”

Joining Brendel and de Cordova in Dubai is corporate associate Richard A. Dollimore, formerly of the firm’s London office.  Dollimore offers experience in both mergers and acquisitions and public company work, including numerous AIM admissions and fundraisings.

K&L Gates is a global law firm with lawyers in 33 offices located in North America, Europe and Asia, and represents numerous GLOBAL 500, FORTUNE 100, and FTSE 100 corporations, in addition to growth and middle market companies, entrepreneurs, capital market participants and public sector entities. For more information, visit www.klgates.com.

K&L Gates comprises multiple affiliated partnerships: a limited liability partnership with the full name K&L Gates LLP qualified in Delaware and maintaining offices throughout the U.S., in Berlin and Frankfurt, Germany, in Beijing (K&L Gates LLP Beijing Representative Office), in Dubai, U.A.E., in Shanghai (K&L Gates LLP Shanghai Representative Office), and in Singapore (K&L Gates LLP Singapore Representative Office); a limited liability partnership (also named K&L Gates LLP) incorporated in England and maintaining offices in London and Paris; a Taiwan general partnership (K&L Gates) maintaining an office in Taipei; and a Hong Kong general partnership (K&L Gates, Solicitors) maintaining an office in Hong Kong. K&L Gates maintains appropriate registrations in the jurisdictions in which its offices are located. A list of the partners in each entity is available for inspection at any K&L Gates office.

K&L Gates has offices in: Anchorage, Austin, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Dubai, Fort Worth, Frankfurt, Harrisburg, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Orange County, Palo Alto, Paris, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, Spokane/Coeur d’Alene, Taipei, and Washington, D.C.