DLA Piper has a small operation in Oman according to the market but as the firm devotes itself to one client, resources are not such a burning issue. The firm's 15-year relationship with the government is its principle focus and with the amount of activity generated by the state it would be hard for the firm to make room for others....
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DLA Piper has a small operation in Oman according to the market but as the firm devotes itself to one client, resources are not such a burning issue. The firm's 15-year relationship with the government is its principle focus and with the amount of activity generated by the state it would be hard for the firm to make room for others. However with several government ministries dissolved and no decision made on who will be responsible for government projects, lawyers remark that the firm may soon be in need of a new client.
But if client's references are anything to go by, the firm will have no trouble generating new deals with the firm receiving solid feedback: "They are a high quality law firm. They work for the government and they have gone through a very stringent vetting process," says one.
Managing partner Bruce Mullins takes the lead on all the firm's work for that state and has been active on a series of dry dock and port developments.
The ongoing extensive $14 billion Sohar Port and free zone development, an equal joint venture between the firm's key client and the Port of Rotterdam has kept the firm busy. The firm have been involved in the project since it's inception in 2001, but in the last 12 months have advised on the project financing for a $200 million iron ore bulk jetty in 2010 and for dry bulk and aggregates jetty in 2011. The success of the project also necessitated the establishment of the Sohar Free Zone in 2010 and the firm acted on the project financing for the relevant infrastructure.
The firm is also advising on the development of Oman's second major industrial port development, a collaboration between the Omani government and the Port of Antwerp, of which phase one covering 2,000 hectares is currently under construction.
In an interrelated matter Mullins is also advising on establishing country's first national shipping line.
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