Qatar

Simmons & Simmons has expanded its dispute resolution practice in Qatar with the hire of a partner in Doha.

George Vlavianos is set to join the firm along with his team of four associates on August 1, 2019, the London-headquartered firm said in a statement this week.

The lawyer previously held the position of managing partner at Bennett Jones in Doha, where he was also head of arbitration for more than six years.

"George's arrival strengthens our dispute resolution practice globally," said Hans Hermann Aldenhoff, Simmons & Simmons' international practice group head. "He and his team will be able to support the work… the rest of the team in Qatar are doing for both international and local clients."

The appointment comes two months after it was reported that Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy will be closing its Qatar office later this year. It follows Clifford Chance and Herbert Smith Freehills, which both exited the country in 2017.

U.S. firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has not yet made a decision about whether it will formally launch in Qatar, despite first securing a licence to open there about two years ago.

Simmons' Vlavianos is known for his work on dispute resolution, with a focus on energy and construction disputes.

He has assisted national and international energy companies on a number of energy-related issues, and also has broad experience advising owners, contractors and subcontractors on contractual issues and construction disputes.

These typically concern large-scale civil and industrial projects in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

The move, according to Simmons & Simmons, is still subject to regulatory approval.