King & Spalding, a leading international law firm, has announced the opening of its office in Abu Dhabi.

One of the largest and fastest growing US firms in the Middle East, it has 19 lawyers in its offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh.

Angus N McFadden, a counsel in the firm's construction and projects practice, will reside in Abu Dhabi. McFadden has significant experience handling major construction matters in the region, the firm said.

It said the firm plans to add at least one partner and several senior and other lawyers to the Abu Dhabi office in the near future.

"Abu Dhabi represents our third office in the Middle East, our 13th worldwide location and the eighth new office we opened since January 2007," said King & Spalding chairman Robert D Hays Jr. "Our lawyers have been handling matters throughout the Middle East region for more than 20 years and demand for our legal services in this region is increasing rapidly. We are confident the firm's strategic focus in Abu Dhabi on Islamic finance, energy, private equity, real estate and international arbitration will well serve the needs of our clients."

Manager of King & Spalding's offices in the Middle East and head of the firm's energy practice Philip R Weems said: "Abu Dhabi's importance to the region - especially its impressive growth and plans to achieve economic diversification - made this the logical next step for the firm. Having an office in the capital of the UAE enhances our ability to continue providing superior service to our clients in Abu Dhabi and throughout the region. Our investment in an Abu Dhabi office is a reflection of our current active practice in Abu Dhabi and requests by some of our largest clients in the region."

Its corporate practice group provides a complete range of services to global clients in multiple jurisdictions. - TradeArabia News Service