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Catherine Martinez

Counsel
Counsel
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VCard
VCard

Areas of Focus

Overview

Catherine is a New York qualified lawyer in the firm’s Doha office. She has extensive international experience in banking, finance, and capital markets. Catherine represents corporations, financial institutions, and government entities in complex financial matters. Additionally, she routinely acts for international corporations that have a presence in the Middle East, Turkey, and Europe.

Catherine’s focus in financial services is on advising clients on secured lending, Islamic finance, EMTN issuances, FinTech, investment funds and other financial products. Having in-depth knowledge of the Qatari legal market, Catherine is proficient at handling complex matters and providing clients with comprehensive legal support.

Catherine previously worked in London as a senior associate in the U.S. capital markets team at a leading Magic Circle law firm. In 2018, Catherine relocated to Doha and worked at Commercial Bank as a transactional lawyer within the bank’s in-house corporate legal team. At Commercial Bank, Catherine primarily managed cross-border transactions and advised on general corporate matters and issues of corporate governance.

Career & Education

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    • University of Notre Dame, B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, political science and chinese, 2009
    • Duke University School of Law, J.D./L.L.M., 2012
    • University of Notre Dame, B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, political science and chinese, 2009
    • Duke University School of Law, J.D./L.L.M., 2012

    • New York
    • New York

    • Chairperson of Board of Governors, Doha English Speaking School
    • American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar: Board Member
    • Chairperson of Board of Governors, Doha English Speaking School
    • American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar: Board Member

Catherine's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 09.03.24

Qatar Financial Centre: Digital Assets Framework

On 1 September 2024, the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (“QFCA”) and the QFC Regulatory Authority (“QFCRA”) enacted the Digital Assets Framework, a comprehensive regulatory framework that governs the creation and tokenization of digital assets in Qatar.  ...

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Representative Matters

  • Advised a leading bank on its first international U.S. $500 million perpetual non-call five-year Additional Tier 1 bond issuance.
  • Advised a leading bank in the update of its $5 billion euro-medium term note program and its Regulation S issuances and private placements under the program.
  • Represented underwriting banks in multiple capital markets transactions of a sovereign, including SEC-registered and Sukuk structured offerings, valued in excess of U.S. $15 billion.

Catherine's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 09.03.24

Qatar Financial Centre: Digital Assets Framework

On 1 September 2024, the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (“QFCA”) and the QFC Regulatory Authority (“QFCRA”) enacted the Digital Assets Framework, a comprehensive regulatory framework that governs the creation and tokenization of digital assets in Qatar.  ...

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Recognition

  • LexisNexis Middle East Women in Law Awards: Private Practice Lawyer of the Year, 2025
  • LexisNexis Middle East Qatar Business Law Forum: Banking & Finance Team of the Year, 2025

Catherine's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 09.03.24

Qatar Financial Centre: Digital Assets Framework

On 1 September 2024, the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (“QFCA”) and the QFC Regulatory Authority (“QFCRA”) enacted the Digital Assets Framework, a comprehensive regulatory framework that governs the creation and tokenization of digital assets in Qatar.  ...

View All Insights

Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 09.03.24

Qatar Financial Centre: Digital Assets Framework

Press Coverage | 03.11.24

Panel Discussion Centered On Empowering Women In Law In Celebration Of International Women’s Day

Publication | 10.25.23

Qatar Central Bank (QCB) issues Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) requirements I 10.25.23 Co-Authors: Michael T. Palmer, Catherine Martinez and Lama Bakroun Lexology

Publication | 07.18.23

Doing Business In... 2023 Global Practice Guide
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Practices

Industries

Catherine's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 09.03.24

Qatar Financial Centre: Digital Assets Framework

On 1 September 2024, the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (“QFCA”) and the QFC Regulatory Authority (“QFCRA”) enacted the Digital Assets Framework, a comprehensive regulatory framework that governs the creation and tokenization of digital assets in Qatar.  ...

View All Insights