Rustum Shah > Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP pulls together a strong offering in the projects space, drawing on the contentious expertise of team head Rania Tadros, the extensive financing capabilities of co-lead Rustum Shah, and transactional prowess of partner Diwakar Agarwal. Acting for domestic and international clients alike, the team bring their experience to bear on a range of  strategically significant cross-border ventures, particularly in the renewables and agricultural space, where the embedded technological expertise of the group is greatly valued. Managing associate Toufic Safie and associate Murtaza Hussain continue to be highly active. Former practice lead Nijoe Joseph left the firm in November 2023 to join Milavous Group.

Active on the borrower and lender side of a wide array of transactions including project finance, acquisition finance and refinancing and restructuring Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP demonstrates notable sector experience in real estate, energy, shipping and aviation. The team are regularly called upon by major regional banks to advise on complex, cross border transactions in areas such as the Caribbean, central and southern America, Asia and Europe, and demonstrate a strong competence across Islamic financing, boasting a portfolio of novel transactions in this space. Rustum Shah joined the practice from Hogan Lovells (United Arab Emirates) LLP in February 2022, seamlessly taking the mantle of team head and leading a wealth of mandates that involve high-value restructurings and acquisition financings. Philip Clarke handles financial services regulatory issues. Associates Chinar Zaidi and Murtaza Hussain are active across the full range of client instructions.