White & Case LLP > Doha, Qatar > Firm Profile
White & Case LLP Offices

Alfardan Office Tower, 7th Floor, P.O. Box 22027
West Bay, Doha
Qatar
White & Case LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Qatar > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
White & Case LLP has been a key fixture in the Qatari market for over 25 years. Its corporate team has extensive experience of handling large cross-border M&A for Qatari and regional clients. Also notable is that the practice is complemented by the firm’s strengths in ancillary disciplines, such as banking and finance, debt and equity capital markets, and real estate and construction. The practice in Doha is led by Charbel Abou Charaf, who has over 14 years of experience handling matters in the local market.Practice head(s):
Charbel Abou Charaf
Testimonials
‘In dealing with the White & Case team, we had the benefit of getting a wide spectrum of partners across the firm with extensive expertise in the various products, services and regulations we need to address.’
Key clients
Qatar Investment Authority
Qatar Petroleum
Qatari Diar
United Arab Chemical Carriers Limited
Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy
Barwa Real Estate
Katara Hospitality
Amwal LLC
Qatar Free Zone Authority
Work highlights
- Advised United Arab Chemical Carriers Limited (UACC), the Dubai-headquartered international shipping company, on entering into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by United Overseas Group Ltd (UOG), a company controlled by Peter Georgiopoulos and Leonidas Vrondissis. Qatari shareholders of UACC included Qatar Holding LLC (largest shareholder), Milaha (Qatar Navigation) and Qatar Insurance Company.
- Advised the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) on its $200m acquisition of a ten percent stake in Borsa İstanbul A.Ş., the primary stock exchange operator in Turkey, from the Turkey Wealth Fund (TWF), the sovereign wealth fund of the Republic of Turkey.
- Advised the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) on its cornerstone investment in the Hut Group, as part of the Hut Group’s initial public offering and standard listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Qatar > Projects, real estate and construction Tier 1
White & Case LLP is widely-hailed as leading name for high-profile construction projects in Qatar, where it acts for the government or for developers. It has a longstanding reputation handling the development and financing aspects of projects, and in addition, is also sought after for advice on construction disputes. Anne Wicks (née Lowe), who is a key name in the project development and finance practice, is prominent in large international projects, particularly those involving the oil and gas, LNG, petrochemical and electricity sectors. Another key individual in Doha is Payvand Vahdat, who handles construction-related disputes for contractor clients. Counsel Verena Gross specialises in international construction and commercial arbitrations. The team in Doha also works with Michael Turrini in Dubai and Philip StopfordPractice head(s):
Philip Stopford; Michael Turrini; Payvand Vahdat; Anne Wicks (née Lowe)
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘W&C’s team is exceptional all around. We’ve worked with their industry team, as well as their finance and arbitration teams. All of which have provided exceptional service.’
‘Philip Stopford is the relationship partner. He is always engaged, available and willing to offer support whenever we need it. He has been a true friend and an ally to our organization. Sets the standard in relationship management.’
‘Anne Marie Wicks has also provided support to us on finance and corporate matters. She is dedicated, professional and takes complex commercial issues in her stride. A pleasure to work with.’
‘Very strong knowledge of Qatar market for projects, especially in Philip Stopford’s team, with Anne-Marie Wicks being a bright spot on the ground in the Middle East with lots of experience.’
‘Anne-Marie Wicks has a good grasp of the local circumstances in Qatar and the broader Gulf, and also has strong projects experience.’
Key clients
Qatar Petroleum
Qatargas Operating Company
Qatar Aluminium Limited (Qatalum)
Qatar Investment Authority
Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy
Qatari Diar
Work highlights
- Advised Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, onits acquisition of a significant stake in Oryx Midstream Services (Oryx), the largest privately held midstream crude operator in the Permian Basin, from an affiliate of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners (Stonepeak).
- Providing ongoing advice to Qatalum, a joint venture of Qatar Petroleum and Norsk Hydro, in connection with the financing and operations of its 585,000 MTPA aluminium project in the Mesaieed Industrial City in Qatar.
- Advised Qatar Petroleum as issuer on its $12.5bn multi-tranche bond offering.
Qatar > Dispute resolution Tier 2
White & Case LLP is notably strong in acting for the Qatari government and developers in construction disputes, including FIDIC matters and cases arising from large infrastructure projects. The firm is also highlighted for its excellent arbitration offering. Michael Turrini in Dubai has over 16 years of experience in large construction disputes and arbitrations. The practice in Doha is led by Payvand Vahdat. Counsel Verena Gross is also a name to note.Practice head(s):
Payvand Vahdat
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘White and Case Doha has an excellent arbitration practice which can draw upon extensive partner expertise in Dubai and London.’
‘Verena Gross (Counsel) is highly meticulous in her approach to tasks and advice. Payvand Vahdat (Partner) is very engaging and is highly approachable.’
‘A rock solid team with strong construction sector knowledge and experience. It works on some of the largest and most complex and high value disputes. Able to mobilise large teams.’
White & Case LLP > Firm Profile
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Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Verena Groß | Counsel | View Profile |
![]() | Payvand Vahdat | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Anne Wicks (née Lowe) | Partner | View Profile |
Legal Briefings
Trends in German commercial litigation
Climate change, data protection and cybersecurity litigation, as well as collective redress, are major trends and will have significant impact on key industries in Germany.
Comparative Guides
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Germany: Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters
Published: August 2022
Authors: Markus Langen Dominik Stier Kristof Waldenberger
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters laws and regulations that may occur in Germany.
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Mexico: Banking & Finance
Published: March 2022
Authors: Carlos Mainero Andrés Mosqueira Wilbert Luna Arellanes Viridiana Alanis
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Banking & Finance laws and regulations that may occur in Mexico.
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Mexico: Securitisation
Published: February 2022
Authors: Juan Antonio Martín Vicente Corta Simon Micha
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Securitisation laws and regulations that may occur in Mexico.
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United States: Merger Control
Published: October 2022
Authors: Anna Kertesz Tamer Nagy Heather P. Greenfield Gabriela Baca
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Merger Control laws and regulations that may occur in United States.
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Mexico: International Arbitration
Published: November 2022
Authors: Rodrigo Zamora Isaac Granados Banda Ana Sofía Guerrero Balderas
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to International Arbitration laws and regulations that may occur in Mexico.
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France: Restructuring & Insolvency
Published: June 2022
Authors: Saam Golshani Alexis A. Hojabr Alice Leonard Amélie Jungbluth Ophélie Clain
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Restructuring & Insolvency laws and regulations that may occur in France.
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Mexico: Renewable Energy
Published: May 2022
Authors: Francisco de Rosenzweig José Daniel Franco
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Renewable Energy laws and regulations that may occur in Mexico.
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United States: Environment
Published: February 2023
Authors: Seth Kerschner Taylor Pullins Sam McCombs
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Environment laws and regulations that may occur in United States.
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EU: Merger Control
Published: February 2023
Authors: Axel Schulz
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Merger Control laws and regulations that may occur in EU.
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Projects, real estate and construction
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution