Rania Tadros > Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP continues to develop ‘its young and energetic team’ which has a ‘strong understanding of the local market and needs of businesses operating in the Middle East.’ The shipping practice is equally adept across contentious, non-contentious and transactional work, with a specialist strength in wet shipping matters that include major pollution incidents, fires, explosions and collisions. Rania Tadros is ‘well versed with international shipping practice and law’, while Saif Almobideen, who was promoted to partner in May 2023, is a ‘go-to lawyer’ for shipping and commercial disputes in the region. ‘Savvy and skilled operator’ Mark Lakin primarily focuses on complex shipping and commodities disputes; Menelaus Kouzoupis joined the Dubai office from London in April 2023. Mohamed El Hawawy was a new arrival in March 2024.

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.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP fields a sizeable team of experienced partners on the ground in Dubai that provide an ‘effective and efficient service’. Clients include international and domestic corporates, state-owned entities, and governmental institutions, and it is particularly strong in financial services, energy and tech disputes. Practice head Rania Tadros is well regarded for complex and high-value cases, especially for maritime and construction clients, and Mark Lakin specialises in sensitive cases with fraud and sanctions elements, with clients praising him for his ‘excellent knowledge of the market and considerable experience of shipping and commodities disputes’. Saif Almobideen lends expertise to a number of cross-border cases, and is another key maritime advisor. Managing associate Magda Kofluk provides additional support. Mohamed El Hawawy, Khurram Ali, Mehtab Kassam and Mahmoud El Sayed joined the firm in March 2024 from Ince & Co. John Lewis was a new arrival in March 2024 from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP; he heads the firm’s Middle East general commercial litigation and international arbitration practice. Nick Sharratt left the firm.