Clyde & Co welcomes Elias Matni as Partner in Doha Office 

Global law firm Clyde & Co continues to bolster its corporate practice in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region with the appointment of Elias Matni (pictured) as a partner. Based in the firm’s Doha office, Matni brings over 15 years of expertise in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, capital markets, corporate restructuring, and corporate governance matters. 

Matni is well-regarded for his in-depth knowledge of the Qatari market and has extensive experience advising local institutional, government, semi-government bodies, and private sector clients. He joins Clyde & Co’s Global Corporate & Advisory practice from K&L Gates, where he had spent time in Doha after nearly a decade at Simmons & Simmons. 

The addition of Matni reflects Clyde & Co’s strategic expansion of its corporate practice in both the global and MEA markets. With a presence in the Middle East for over 30 years and 59 partners across 4 offices, Clyde & Co is a well-established firm in the region. 

Naji Hawayek, partner and head of Clyde & Co’s corporate practice in the Middle East, comments: “We are delighted to have Elias on board. His appointment highlights our continued commitment to growing our on-the-ground corporate capabilities across the region, including Qatar. His deep industry experience and understanding of the country’s dynamic market will be of great value to our international and domestic clients.” 

Elias Matni comments: “Clyde & Co’s strategy to expand its corporate offering in Qatar and the region is very much aligned with my own ambitions. The Qatar team is very prominent in the market, and I look forward to contributing to the growth of the existing corporate, employment, commercial litigation and construction services complimenting my practice.” 

In the last 18 months, Clyde & Co has bolstered its now 28-strong MEA corporate partner group with the hire of Alan Wood, Nora Al Muhamad and Darren Harris in Dubai; Mohammed Almarzouki and Anas Alswailem in Riyadh; Mohamed Barakat, Mostafa Elsakaa and Sameh Dahroug in Cairo following the opening of an associated office; Amalia Lui in Dar es Salaam; Gasant Orrie in Cape Town and the promotion to partner of Roshanak Bassiri Gharb in Dubai. 

The firm’s global Corporate & Advisory practice provides comprehensive support to clients in various industries, including education, healthcare, hospitality, technology, marine, transport, energy, construction, commodities, and insurance. Their expertise spans mature and emerging markets, making Clyde & Co a sought-after legal partner for corporate transactions, commercial, employment, finance, and IP and technology matters.