A go-to firm for high-profile international corporates doing business in Qatar, Al Tamimi & Company In Association with Adv. Mohammed Al Marri‘s corporate team emphasises ‘interdepartmental cohesion‘ within its large team of experienced practitioners who are experienced advising on the range of corporate and commercial matters. The team’s deep roots in the local market make it well-placed to support clients in joint ventures between Qatari and global partners, and provide local law expertise on major financial transactions. Co-heading the team are Ahmed Jaafir and Frank Lucente. Jaafir boasts notable experience in transactional analysis mergers and acquisitions, with a client base including blue-chip multinationals, while Lucente leverages experience across Australia, Asia and the Middle East to advise high-profile financial services clients.

The well-established corporate and commercial team from Dentons in Doha combines international expertise with longstanding experience of the Qatari market. Safwan Moubaydeen and Zaher Nammour co-lead the team from Jordan and Qatar respectively: Moubaydeen is particular noted for his work advising financers on large-scale infrastructure projects, while Nammour’s practice runs the gamut of corporate matters including joint ventures, restructuring, public offerings and regulatory. A distinct area of sector strength for the team is the aviation industry, with clients including major aircraft leasing companies, airports and airlines. Multi-lingual capabilities are a hallmark of the team, with fluency across Arabic, English and French.

Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters for clients ranging from international corporates to domestic and international law firms – with particular strength advising on Qatari law elements of international transactions. This expertise extends to cross-border tax matters, and providing complex corporate structuring advice. Salman Mahmood leads the team, with experience in debt restructuring, syndicated finance, and infrastructure matters including advice on special economic zones. A ‘go-to firm in Qatar’, the team is praised for its ability to ‘quickly get to the essence of the issues which need to be addressed and then to suggest common-sense solutions’. Michael Earley is also a name to note.

Lee Keane, who is noted as the ‘ideal partner to work with as a foreign investor in Qatar’, leads the corporate group at Clyde & Co LLP in Doha. Keane advises on transactional work; investment and emerging market strategies, including local establishment; and complex joint venture agreements. The team is praised for its ‘measured and practical approach‘, specialising in the interplay between international law and Qatari law matters with sector expertise across tech, hospitality, healthcare, infrastructure and energy and resources. Elias Matni joined the team in July 2023.

Praised for its ‘specialized expertise, client-centric approach’ and ‘collaborative culture‘, the corporate commercial team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP works with clients ranging from government entities to high-profile corporates. Its work includes all aspects of multi-jurisdictional M&A, equity capital markets and funds matters. Qatar managing partner Dani Kabbani has particular experience regarding project and finance agreements for construction and oil and gas companies, while Samer Sarkis, whose knowledge of the area is described as ‘nothing short of incredible’, is lauded for his expertise advising banks and financial institutions.

The ‘full function specialist team‘ at K&L Gates boasts a specialism in handling high-value, strategic transactions, including those which are cross-border in nature. Amjad Hussain, team head, is praised for his ‘highly effective’ ability to get ‘major deals across the line’. ‘Legal powerhouse’ Jaime Oon is both English and Malaysian qualified; and Joelle Salame is experienced in a range of large-scale multijurisdictional restructuring projects. The team’s sector expertise includes equity capital markets, M&A matters, asset management, and global defence.

Charbel Abou Charaf who also works from the firm's London office, heads the corporate and M&A offering from White & Case LLP Doha; Charaf is an experienced practitioner with particular expertise regarding local and outbound M&A and equity capital markets matters. High-profile M&A transactions are an area of strength for the team, with additional experience in Islamic finance, real estate & construction, and restructuring. The team collaborates with international colleagues across the wider MENA region as well as the US and Europe. Elias Choueifati is also recommended for his in-depth knowledge of the commercial and legal landscape in Qatar.

Al-Ansari & Associates‘ corporate and commercial team leverages its ‘deep knowledge of Qatar laws and the local market’ to support its domestic and international clients alike in their transactional and disputes matters. Salman Al-Ansari co-heads the team and is an industry specialist with experience working with multinational tech and communications companies in regards to acquisitions, disputes, and Qatari operations broadly. Rafi Sajian and Sonia Barber co-head the team alongside Al-Ansari, who is experienced in the Lebanese and Australian markets respectively.

The corporate, transactional, finance and international advisory-focused group at Badri and Salim El Meouchi LLP is valued for its ‘excellent understanding of the Qatar legal framework’, along with its wider regional expertise. Carine Farran in Lebanon co-heads the team with 'highly experienced' corporate specialist Chadia El Meouchi, who works between Lebanon and Qatar: the former a member of the Quebec Bar with extensive commercial transactional experience.

Charbel Maakaron heads the corporate team at Crowell & Moring LLP; Maakaron is a particular expert in cross-border transactions in both Europe and the U.S. for Qatari clients. The ‘pragmatic, efficient and knowledgeable‘ team boasts substantial knowledge of local laws and practices, handling a range of mandates across the investment, advanced tech, infrastructure and transport sectors. Expertise spans commercial contracts, corporate structuring, and joint ventures, with notable strength in the luxury sector.

The corporate and commercial team at DLA Piper in Doha supports the business operations of both local and international clients in conjunction with its network of teams globally. Will Seivewright, Dubai-based head of corporate Middle East for the firm, co-leads the team with Brenda Hill, who specialises in providing advice for foreign clients entering the Qatar market, and Doha-New York partner Dr. Ehab Elsonbaty. Areas of strength for the team include advising on investment, establishment and operational issues for foreign firms doing business in Qatar.

Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm stands out for the ‘exceptional depth and breadth‘ of its commercial and corporate offering, which advises a range of multinational corporations, government entities, financial entities and high-net-worth individuals. Recommended for ‘excellent performance’, founding partner Essa Mohammed Al Sulaiti co-leads the team with Ricardo Cid, head of the international division cross-qualified in Portugal, and Egyptian-qualified Ahmed Al Sharif.

Sharq Law Firm‘s ‘very professional team’ runs the full gamut of corporate work, from regulatory compliance advice to mergers and acquisitions. The ‘excellent’ Marwa Ali Bamatraf leads the team, working with clients both international and domestic including government entities, with notable experience in the establishment and conversion of companies. Founder and managing partner Rashid Al Saad Al Kuwari brings his substantial litigation and arbitration experience to large-scale commercial transactions, including cross-border projects.