Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP advises leading regional businesses, multinationals, and government entities on multi-jurisdictional transactions spanning the financial services, energy, infrastructure, technology, and healthcare sectors. The practice is jointly led by three partners: Diwakar Agarwal who advises on M&A, venture capital, and capital markets transactions and maintains strong ties with the Indian market; cross-border M&A specialist Melissa Forbes-Miranda; and Toufic Safie, who is particularly active across the technology, financial services, healthcare, and energy sectors. Suditi Surana is also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘They have a long standing knowledge of the business environment which translates into anticipating the clients requirements and providing commercial solutions backed up by solid legal advice.'
- ‘The team we worked with was excellent — the entire process was streamlined across all team members, from onboarding to billing.’
- ‘Melissa Forbes-Miranda was highly knowledgeable about regional regulations and provided valuable guidance on UAE laws. She managed the counterparty effectively, consistently advocating for our best interests while ensuring the other party remained satisfied’
- ‘Their legal expertise is matched by a highly pragmatic approach, and they consistently provide clear, business-oriented advice even under tight deadlines.’
- ‘Stephenson Harwood was recommended to us by our lawyers in Ireland. The advice and professional services received go above and beyond. Nothing was ever too much, the team answered all our questions and guided us through a myriad of uncertainties.’
- ‘Toufic Safie is professional, patient and understanding. I would recommend Toufic to anyone looking to set up a company and the associated documentation in the UAE.'
Key clients
- Augmentum Fintech PLC
- Muller and Phipps Group Holdings Limited
- KFin Technologies Limited
- Concord Enviro Systems Ltd
- Al Dahra Holding LLC
- KEC International Limited
- Capillary Technologies India Limited
- Fusion CX Private Limited
- Foodlink F&B Holdings (India) Limited
- Amagi Media Labs Private Ltd
Work highlights
Advised Augmentum Fintech on its investment into Pemo. This investment by Augmentum has taken place alongside Abu Dhabi-based Shorooq Partners, and join existing investors Cherry Ventures, Speedinvest and Fintech Collective. A proportion of the funding will be used to help Pemo drive growth into new markets in the GCC, including Saudi Arabia.
Advised Al Dahra Holding LLC on the divestment of its stake in a UAE-based joint venture with Pure Harvest Smart Farms, centred around a landmark 11-hectare climate-controlled greenhouse in Al Ain. The transaction forms part of Al Dahra’s strategic repositioning in the agri-food sector.
Advised KFin Technologies, a listed Indian fund services provider, on the UAE aspects of its US$34.7 million acquisition of a 51% stake in Ascent Fund Services, a Singapore-based full-suite global fund administrator.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Diwakar Agarwal; Melissa Forbes-Miranda; Toufic Safie
Other key lawyers
Suditi Surana