Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Insurance

Led by Jasmin Fichte and Ravi Jawani, Fichte & Co. has vast experience in cargo and medical insurance, product liability, subrogated recoveries as well as insurance fraud.  
Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP is now active in this space following the arrivals of Mohamed El Hawawy and Mahmoud El Sayed in March 2024.

Firms in the Spotlight Insurance

ADG Legal

ADG Legal logo

ADG Legal, established in 2017 following the merger of Mohammed Al Dahbashi Advocates and Kingsgove Partners, is now a renowned full-service law firm headquartered in Dubai, UAE, with offices in Abu Dhabi, Egypt, and London.

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ADG Legal

ADG Legal logo

ADG Legal, established in 2017 following the merger of Mohammed Al Dahbashi Advocates and Kingsgove Partners, is now a renowned full-service law firm headquartered in Dubai, UAE, with offices in Abu Dhabi, Egypt, and London.

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Fichte & Co.

Fichte & Co. logo

Fichte & Co is a renowned law firm specializing in insurance law comprising a team of experienced lawyers dedicated to providing business-focused advice in the local market and across multiple jurisdictions. The firm has earned a stellar reputation and is highly sought after by a global clientele, including both domestic and foreign insurance companies. Their …

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Insurance in United Arab Emirates

Clyde & Co LLP

With offices across Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Doha, and Riyadh, Clyde & Co LLP is well-regarded for its broad trade credit recovery offering. The team, praised as ‘market leaders in terms of presence and knowledge in the market’, is also experienced before the DIFC Courts. Wayne Jones and Alfred Thornton specialise in re-insurance matters, while Mark Beswetherick is lauded for his ‘excellent knowledge of financial lines matters’. Peter Hodgins’s practice encompasses corporate and regulatory insurance, Michael Morris handles subrogated recoveries, and Roshanak Bassiri-Gharb is knowledgeable of capital markets, finance, and M&A.

Practice head(s):

Wayne Jones; Mark Beswetherick


Other key lawyers:

Alfred Thornton; Peter Hodgins; Michael Morris; Roshanak Bassiri-Gharb; Michael Ducker; Emily MacDonald


Testimonials

‘A good mix of people with good subject knowledge and capabilities. The team has a global prescence.’

‘The team’s strength is its regional coverage and strong local knowledge. The UAE corporate team is very pragmatic and knows what is expected to get filings with local authorities done.’

‘The team is diverse and there is a strong collaboration with our internal legal teams, other offices, as well as our second counsel working on the same project.’

Key clients

St James’ Place PLC


Ohio Farmers Insurance Company


Walaa Cooperative Insurance Company


Royal & Sun Alliance (Middle East) B.S.C.(c)


National and General Life Insurance Company SAOG


Orient Insurance Company PJSC


Orient UNB Takaful PJSC


Abu Dhabi National Takaful Company PJSC


Islamic Arab Insurance Company PSC (Salama)


Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A.


Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)


Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Company


Al Ain Ahlia Insurance Company


Dubai Insurance Company (DIC)


RSA Insurance Group Ltd and Intact Financial Corporation


BMS Group


Work highlights


  • Representing Al Buhaira National Insurance Company in a re/insurance case in the DIFC Courts.
  • Advising RSA Insurance Group Ltd and National Life & General Insurance Company SAOG on the merger of the insurance business operations in the UAE.
  • Representing Dubai Insurance Company (DIC) in multiple Dubai court proceedings against claims by policyholders arising from the collapse of Phoenix Commodities DMCC.

HFW

At the forefront of contentious aviation insurance matters, HFW is a key contact for a breadth of banks, government entities, as well as wealth funds. Sam Wakerley leads the practice and is seen by clients as ‘one of the go-to people for insurance matters’, while John Barlow is knowledgeable of claims arising from cyber liability programmes. Subrogated recovery specialist Justin Whelan is ‘a very sharp and well-practiced lawyer’, while Salma Achour Khouaja is adept in professional liability insurance. Thomas Neighbour is well informed of construction, energy, and financial lines risks.

Practice head(s):

Sam Wakerley


Other key lawyers:

John Barlow; Justin Whelan; Salma Achour Khouaja; Thomas Neighbour; Luke Garrett


Testimonials

‘The team has good communicators. The team is excellent, skilled, and experienced. HFW delivered excellent results.’

‘The team is skilled, experienced, and exceptional. The team has a positive attitude and is committed to delivering for clients.’

‘HFW Dubai has a strong and well-regarded insurance team that provides high quality advice to policyholder clients. The team is known as one of the market leaders when it comes to insurance disputes and that gives credibility.’

Key clients

Emirates Insurance Company


Qatar Reinsurance Company Limited


Westford Limited


Westford Trade Services DMCC


The Commonwealth Trade Bank plc (CTB)


Sukoon


Bank GPB International SA


White Oak


Work highlights


  • Advising the CTB on a claim brought in the DIFC under a trade finance policy.

Kennedys

Commended as ‘an experienced team with significant regional presence’, Kennedys is principally focused on commercial insurance mandates. Regarded as ‘an insurance leader in the region’, practice head Peter Ellingham often advises international insurers and reinsurers on alleged fraud and theft, business interpretation, and property damage. Litigator Rishi Sengupta is another key team member, while Mehdi Seadon has over a decade of experience in commercial arbitration. Daniel Bunoza is experienced in coverage disputes as well as policy design and interpretation, while Harriet Edwards is adept at advising insurers on coverage, defence, and subrogated claims.

Practice head(s):

Peter Ellingham


Other key lawyers:

Rishi Sengupta; Mehdi Seadon; Daniel Bunoza; Harriet Edwards; Kelsey Evans


Testimonials

‘An experienced team with significant regional presence across multiple sectors within insurance.’

‘An amazing and professional team, which is very attentive and helpful. I highly recommend any company to work with them.’

‘Extremely responsive and solution providers. A very dependable firm.’

Key clients

AIG


Al Ain Ahlia


Allianz


Argo


Chubb


Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Limited


Gulf Insurance Group


KFH Takaful


National General Insurance


Orient Insurance PJSC


RSA


Sukoon Insurance


The New India Assurance Company Limited (Dubai Branch)


Zurich Insurance Company


Work highlights


  • Acting for the professional indemnity insurers and reinsurers of a UAE Design company, as one of the defendants in ongoing subrogation proceedings brought by the insurers Address Downton Hotel which was damaged by a fire in 2015.
  • Representing Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Limited; XL Insurance Company; Swiss Re International; Starr International (Europe); and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE in a $60m claim by the owner of a private jet (a Gulfstream G650) before the ADGM Courts.

Al Tamimi & Company

Drawing on vast transactional expertise, Al Tamimi & Company is well informed on sizeable insurance-banked commercial disputes. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ team is also involved in various business interruption claims following Covid-19 on behalf of retail conglomerates. Yazan Al Saoudi is experienced in representing maritime and warehouse operators in passenger and cargo claims, while Anand Singh is proficient in the regulatory side of insurance matters. Sakher Alaqaileh advises clients on marine debts and insurance liability.

Practice head(s):

Anand Singh; Yazan Al Saoudi


Other key lawyers:

Sakher Alaqaileh


Testimonials

‘The team is quite dynamic and has provided our company with a great service. The team has followed up and assisted us with our requests in a timely manner and with a very professional service.’

‘The team is very knowledgeable in the area where we required services and have been giving us excellent advice to submit a very well structured application.’

‘Tamimi is very proficient & understands business requirements very well. The team is technologically driven, and I found the lawyers to be very qualified in the subject matter with timely responses.’

Key clients

Viva Insurance Brokers


TATA AIA India


Work highlights


  • Advised a litigation funder based in the UK on a dispute involving the collapse of a modified MR 8000 mobile land rig.
  • Assisted Osman Reuter Holding with acquiring 100% shares of Viva Brokers.
  • Advised Tata AIA on the setting up of a representative office in the UAE.

BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP

Lauded by clients for its ‘genuine experience and expertise in non-contentious insurance matters’, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP is also experienced before various local and international arbitrations. Simon Isgar leads the practice and his niche strength is in international private medical insurance. Adam Tigher specialises in medical and professional negligence, as well as property damage claims, while Amany Ahmed has a strong track record in insurance litigation.

Practice head(s):

Simon Isgar


Other key lawyers:

Adam Tigher; Amany Ahmed


Testimonials

‘Speed and execution. BSA’s matter turnaround time is impressive.’

‘BSA offer genuine experience and expertise in the context of non-contentious insurance matters. The team had capability and experience in health insurance related matters following Simon Isgar’s roles in-house and advising the sector.’

‘Simon Isgar has a wealth of experience in the insurance sector and adds real value for non-contentious and regulatory matters. He is very conscientious and always available to discuss matters. Simon works hard to deliver results for his clients.’

‘Simon Isgar has been exceptional for us. His grasp of reinsurance law and market dynamics has made a big difference in our business. He provides comprehensive advice covering all angles.’

Work highlights


DWF Middle East LLP

A ‘very responsive and extremely client focused’ practice, DWF Middle East LLP is active across the construction, infrastructure, and transportation sectors. Brian Boahene represents clients in disputes pertaining to shipping and international trade contracts, while Victoria Clucas handles reinsurance coverage matters. Alex Kelsall acts for construction, energy, and property insurers in the UK and Middle East, David Abbott leads the global risks practice, and both Adam Pryor and Bill Evans are key members of the team.

Practice head(s):

David Abbott; Brian Boahene; Victoria Clucas; Bill Evans; Adam Pryor


Other key lawyers:

Alex Kelsall


Testimonials

‘A brilliant team.’

‘The team is making strides to be different and more accommodating in the Middle East market. Commercial and communicative.’

‘Very responsive and extremely client focused. The advice is detailed and informative.’

Work highlights


Norton Rose Fulbright

Cyber incident response, financial lines claims, and medical malpractice remain key components of the practice at Norton Rose Fulbright. Shabnam Karim is proficient in D&O insurance and professional lability coverage matters, while the ‘knowledgeable and extremely responsiveAdjou Ait Ben Idir is adept in regulatory matters. They co-lead the team, which also includes Rebecca Neville, an experienced figure in business interruption and financial lines claims, and Ivana Cicic, who is skilled at healthcare malpractice claims.

Practice head(s):

Shabnam Karim; Adjou Ait Ben Idir


Other key lawyers:

Rebecca Neville; Ivana Cicic


Testimonials

‘The team has good expertise and are willing and ready to assist us on M&A transactions.’

‘We see Adjou Ait Ben Idir as an industry leader and our go-to lawyer for the region. She is very knowledgeable and extremely responsive to our requests.’

Key clients

AXA-XL


American International Group (AIG)


Munich Re


Beazley Group


Euclid


Marsh


GCIC


Liberty


Berkshire Hathaway


Chubb


Work highlights


Pinsent Masons LLP

Pinsent Masons LLP's UAE-based employment practice is well versed in corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters. Team head Tom Bicknell ‘offers high quality advice that is pragmatic’, and is involved in acquisitions, divestments, and joint venture arrangements. Barkha Doshi is proficient in compliance, insurtech, and restructurings, and ‘is very diligent and willing to go the extra mile to support clients’.

Practice head(s):

Tom Bicknell


Other key lawyers:

Barkha Doshi


Testimonials

‘PM offer one of the few specialist non-contentious insurance teams in the region with genuine knowledge of the regulatory system.’

‘The team is able to provide high quality advice based upon practical experience. In my experience, Pinsent Masons has proven to be very pragmatic and willing to go the extra mile to get the deal done.’

‘Tom Bicknell is an excellent lawyer. He is very personable and hands on. He offers high quality advice that is pragmatic and based on a deep understanding of the regulatory regime in the UAE.’

Key clients

Coface Credit Insurance Middle East


Coface Re SA


AU Group


Lockton MENA DIFC


ITA (Middle East) Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Coface Credit Insurance Middle East on the wholesale restructuring of its local partnership relationships with its regionally licensed insurer partners.
  • Advising AU Group on all aspects of its auditing requirements.
  • Advising Lockton MENA DIFC on all matters pertaining to its legal and regulatory position.