Mr Ron Nobbs > Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP leverages the full scale of its Middle East practice to competently advise clients on energy and infrastructure projects, covering M&A, finance, project development, and disputes. The practice is co-led by Rustum Shah and Ron Nobbs, with the former focused on project finance for financial institutions and the latter highly regarded for his track record in construction and engineering disputes. In addition, Diwakar Agarwal regularly acts on M&A in the technology, healthcare and energy sectors. Toufic Safie continues to be active on social infrastructure mandates, while Murtaza Hussain is instrumental to the firm’s cross-border project financings. Iwan Walters joined the firm in March 2025.

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. Ryan Whelan joined the firm from Akin in July 2025.

Stephenson Harwood boasts an ‘outstanding and extremely bright’ bench of experienced lawyers led by engineering specialist Ron Nobbs and procurement expert Paul Thwaite. The team regularly acts for purchases and suppliers, handles FIDIC-related claims, and works on subcontractor claims in the real estate sector. Charlotte Heywood is another key name in the team, assisting with defect and payment claims, delay and disruption in the public infrastructure sector, and assisting with retail and commercial developments. Building Safety Act in commercial real estate and TCC claims are other key strengths of the team.