Washington DC's Patton Boggs is to be the first US law firm to open an office in Qatar after this week winning a license from the local government to practise in the jurisdiction.

The firm will launch the branch, its first outside of the US, in Doha on 1 October, citing long-standing work for the Qatari government as a prime drive behind the move.

Washington DC-based partner Susan Bastressis to relocate to Qatar to head up the office. Her practice focuses on real estate and construction as well as some dispute resolution.

The firm is also aiming to offer Qatari law student internships.

Patton Boggs becomes the fourth foreign firm this year to branch into the Qatar market following similar ventures by a number of UK firms.

In May, Simmons & Simmons announced property partner Charles Pollock was to open a satellite arm for the City firm and in February, Eversheds and Trowers & Hamlins forged alliances with Qatar-based firms Al-Jufairi and Hassan al-Khater Law Offices respectively.

The Qatar office is the second international move this year for the 400-lawyer Patton Boggs, which last month secured its first European coverage with an exclusive referral alliance with French firm De Gaulle Fluerance & Associes.

Managing partner Stuart Pape told Legal Week Global: "We get a lot of work from outside the US, and this is a good way of developing our international practice."

Click on 'e-mail news' at legalweekglobal.net to be alerted to breaking news stories.