Philip Clarke > Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP is a notable player in the UAE financial services market, providing guidance on business establishment, expansion, licensing, and compliance. The firm also maintains a prominent fintech practice, advising start-ups and established industry players on online payment services, digital assets, and blockchain matters. Team lead Philip Clarke offers a well-rounded contentious and non-contentious practice backed by strong regulatory expertise. The addition of John Lewis from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in March 2024 further enhances the firm’s capabilities in disputes and investigations.

A key port of call for banking, energy, and hospitality clients, Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP is informed in employment contracts, investigations, and litigation. Kiersten Lucas is praised as an ‘expert in her field’, while Emily Aryeetey is a ‘fantastic counselor and advisor.’ Philip Clarke is skilled at whistleblowing matters, Emily Daly handles harassment cases, and Laura Anderson is often engaged in immigration matters.

The multidisciplinary TMT practice at Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP is reputed for its data protection, digital asset regulation, and fintech expertise. Well regarded in the technology sector, practice head Melissa Forbes-Miranda is skilled at software licensing and development work. Philip Clarke and Sandeep Dhama are often engaged in virtual asset matters, while Diwakar Agarwal is another key team member for corporate and commercial transactions.

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.