Dewey & LeBoeuf has furthered its Middle Eastern expansion plans by securing two Patton Boggs lawyers for its new Doha office, scheduled to open next year.

Partner William Cattan and senior associate Joanna Addison will relocate once the office is operating. Until then, Cattan will be based in Dewey & LeBoeuf's New York office, while Addison will be at the firm's London office.

Both lawyers were based in Qatar before the move. They have been highly active in the region's LPG industry, working as legal advisors in Qatar Petroleum's legal department.

They will work with partner Ken Freeling who will be supervising the development of the office from Qatar.

"We're blending top-level hires with strategic relocation of home-grown talent in these key regions," said firm chairman Steven Davis. "Our clients who operate in the region will benefit greatly from our 'on-the-ground' presence in the MENA region's key commercial locations."