Simmons & Simmons is to launch a satellite office in Qatar with the relocation of property partner Charles Pollock in September.

The branch, initially staffed with Pollock as the only partner, will be the firm's 19th international base and will work closely with Simmons' other Middle East practice in Abu Dhabi.

Janet Gaymer, Simmons' senior partner, told Legal Week Global: "We have been active in Qatar for some time and have close relations with the Qatar Government and we see this as the next stage in developing the practice."

Simmons' is the second UK firm to target Qatar in recent months following national giant Eversheds' alliance with corporate and commercial firm Al-Jufairi which was secured in February.

"We will work primarily on Qatar-based work and have worked over a broad range of practices in the region, including corporate, financial markets, property and education," Gaymer added.

The news comes following another mass defection for Simmons' Italian practice, with 13 lawyers defecting for independent boutique Morano & Associati this week.

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