Allen & Overy (A&O) has hired Simmons & Simmons' Middle East financial markets head as a partner in its Qatar office.

Doha-based Samer Eido will head A&O's local banking and finance practice when he joins the firm at a start date still to be agreed.

Eido, who has headed Simmons' Middle East financial markets practice since last year, having made partner in 2008, will become the third partner in A&O's Doha office, which opened in 2010 with the relocation of City real estate partner Robert Porter.

The office, which also has six associates, focuses on high-end corporate and finance work with the majority of the work coming from the oil and gas sector and local infrastructure projects.

Eido has previously advised banks including HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Morgan Stanley and Alkhaliji Commercial Bank. His practice covers both conventional and Islamic finance with a focus on corporate lending, trade finance, real estate and real estate finance, debt restructuring and refinancing. He also advises on capital markets transactions.

Porter said Eido's hire comes as Qatar becomes an increasingly important market for law firms both because of its status as the largest liquid natural gas producer in the world and also ahead of the 2022 Football World Cup, which is due to be held in Qatar.

He said: "Samer is one of the most highly-respected lawyers in Qatar and the hire is strategic not just because it boosts the office's banking and finance capability but also because of the local law angle. The office is very busy as we have now been present in the country for around 18 months and we are making headway with a number of significant clients."

A&O has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar and an associated office in Riyadh. Simmons said it has yet to appoint a replacement in the Middle East financial markets head role.