McGrigors taking Scots legal world into Qatar
Law firm McGrigors has opened its first international office in Qatar as it seeks to take advantage of the Middle Eastern country's lucrative energy and infrastructure markets.
The office marks a significant shift in strategy for the Scots law firm, which has until now concentrated on growing its presence south of the Border. Although it has offices in Northern Ireland and the Falkland Islands, the Qatar office is the first outside UK territory.
However, sources close to the firm said it is unlikely to mark the start of a major international expansion and the Qatar move will allow it to build on the Middle Eastern work it already carries out from its UK offices.
James Elwen, a London-based partner in the Mcgrigors energy and infrastructure practice, has relocated to Doha to run the Qatari operation.
Richard Masters, managing partner of McGrigors, said the Middle East already accounted for a "significant" percentage of turnover in 2009-10 and he believes there are opportunities to expand its client base in the region.
Masters said: "We already have a very significant and loyal client base in Qatar and are opening an office in the QFC in Doha principally to service existing demand.
"However, the requirement for sophisticated legal services from extremely significant clients in the region seems likely to increase in the future, and we believe that our focus on the energy, infrastructure and professional and financial services sectors make this a strategically good fit. We put together what we think is a very strong business case to that effect and are pleased to have received our licence to open."
James Elwen, head of the Qatar office, said: "The State of Qatar is ambitious, with a clear vision for its future. We are confident that we can make a valuable contribution towards meeting its aspirations. For some time we have been committed to the Qatari market and are pleased to have the opportunity to demonstrate that in a very tangible way through this new office."
A spokesman for the firm said it wasn't concerned about the current troubles in the Middle East and North Africa as Qatar has remained immune from the troubles seen in countries such as Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.
Over the past three years, McGrigors has sought to reposition itself as more of a UK legal practice than a Scottish firm. It has identified several key areas, which it believes, will allow it to gain market share south of the Border - and now also in the Middle East. These include energy, infrastructure and professional and financial services.
In 2009 McGrigors acquired Belfast-based L'Estrange and Brett, it has also recently doubled the size of its Manchester office and has recruited several partners to bolster its energy team in Aberdeen.
However, the firm also last year cut 40 roles across its UK offices.
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