Clyde & Co. is set to launch in Libya next month, making it the first international law firm to open in the country.
The insurance firm will launch in Tripoli on Aug. 1 with the hire of Libyan Investment Authority GC Albudery Shariha to head the office.
Shariha will be joined by four associates, with the office set to advise on both local and international law.
Abu Dhabi project finance partner Adrian Creed will also spend some of his time in the office. Creed joined Clydes in January this year from Trowers & Hamlins.
Clydes board member Ben Knowles, who has been heading up the launch, said: "For a long time it has been prohibited for international law firms to open in Libya, but with the change in regime we saw an opportunity to take advantage of the situation and launch an office.
"With its substantial oil reserves there are considerable investment opportunities into the country, as well as a host of work in the energy and infrastructure markets. In light of the Arab Spring there is also a lot of litigation that needs to be dealt with in terms of disrupted contracts. We will launch the office with five lawyers on the ground, but expect to be around 10 by the end of the first year."
Clydes will also open multilingual Libya desks in London, Abu Dhabi and Dubai to support the new base due to some clients having issues entering the country.
The news comes after Clydes announced plans to launch in Sydney and Perth earlier this month, with the hire of an eight-strong team from Linklaters ally Allens.
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