Saif Almobideen > Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP works widely across maritime disputes, corporate advisory, and maritime asset finance, with particular expertise handling complex, high-value cases in the Middle East and internationally. The firm has a speciality in contentious matters including conventional litigation and international arbitration concerning both dry and wet shipping issues. Rania Tadros leads the global maritime and offshore practice, while Mohamed El Hawawy heads the shipping and insurance practice for the Middle East, bringing extensive litigation experience in marine insurance and transportation disputes. Other key figures include Khurram Ali, noted for his experience in the KSA, and Mark Lakin, who is described as ‘knowledgeable and approachable’. Saif Almobideen continues to act on some the most high-profile civil law litigation, crisis management and marine insurance matters to occur in the region and Menelaus Kouzoupis also acts on many leading super-yachts and sanctions related matters. Chinar Zaidi and Paul Katsouris also come recommended.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP strengthened its disputes offering with the 2024 hires of John Lewis, formerly of Charles Russell Speechlys, who now leads the team, and Mohamed ElHawawy and Khurram Ali, who both joined from Ince & Co. Additionally, construction specialist Ron Nobbs relocated from the firm’s London office in October 2024. These additions add to an already deep team of advisors well-positioned to act on the full range of disputes,  often multi-jurisdictional. Lewis has longstanding experience in professional negligence claims, and Rania Tadros is sought out for supply chain and shareholder issues. A specialist in the shipping sector, Mark Lakin is valued by clients for his expertise in fraud disputes. Philip Clarke brings further capabilities in contentious regulatory matters, internal investigations and cross-border enforcement proceedings to the fore, while Saif Almobideen’s practice focuses on civil law matters. Magda Kofluk adds support on construction disputes.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP provides specialist insurance advice, including alternative risk transfer, to a diverse roster of insurers and brokers, and also offers captive insurance and reinsurance solutions. The team’s expertise ranges from product liability, injury, professional indemnity, business interruption and specialty risks. The team also houses an active marine insurance practice, as well as advising insurance companies on M&A transactions. Mohamed El Hawawy joined the team as head of insurance in March 2024, bringing a strong background representing insurers in a range of disputes, as well as advising on the drafting and review of policy. Saif Almobideen focuses his practice on marine insurance and his expertise covers matters such as collisions, grounding and cargo claims. Mahmoud El Sayed regularly litigates in coverage disputes, leveraging his broad knowledge of policy issues.