Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP leads on complex disputes for international clients in financial services, project construction and development, and technology sectors. Praised for his ‘attention to detail’ and ‘profound knowledge of the courts and applicable law’, John Lewis leads on commercial litigation and international arbitration, supported by complex fraud case specialist Mark Lakin and Saif Almobideen, who focuses on shipping and high-net-worth matters. Additionally, the firm’s capabilities have grown considerably in recent years, with Ryan Whelan, Ron Nobbs, James Baldwin, and Hadeel Hussein each bringing major strength in commercial and construction disputes to the practice from prominent global and regional firms.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The Stephenson Harwood team is excellent, particularly Ryan Whelan. They have recruited a few heavyweight partners and I expect them to make a serious impact moving forward.’
- ‘Mazin El Amin and Mark Lakin stand out for their strategic approach, responsiveness, and clear, solution-oriented advice. Unlike competitors, they combine deep expertise with practical insight and a client-focused mindset. I particularly value their collaboration, reliability, and ability to deliver results efficiently.’
- ‘Ron Nobbs is absolutely fantastic – extremely bright, and outstanding lawyer, immensely experienced and a superb strategist who is brilliant with clients and a real pleasure to work with. Ryan Whelan is immensely impressive - very bright, very commercial, and extremely easy to get on with.'
- ‘John Lewis is among the very few international lawyers with such outstanding experience in both litigation and arbitration within the UAE and the wider Middle East. Without exaggeration, his attention to detail, profound knowledge of the courts and applicable laws, combined with his creative yet pragmatic approach and robust legal background, make him the foremost international lawyer who comes to mind when legal services for contentious matters are sought in the region. His associate Sharif Jamoos have also been a great person to work with.'
- ‘Overall, Saif Almobideen is a top-tier specialist in maritime/insurance dispute resolution in the Middle East, particularly for high-stakes cross-border matters. What makes his practice unique is the combination of local civil law court strength, international arbitration & foreign law application, ability to set legal precedents, responsiveness in crisis / urgent matters, and his bilingual/local-international blend. He is the only partner I have worked with who remains personally involved throughout the entire process, rather than delegating the matter to juniors after the initial instructions. He manages every aspect of the case from start to finish.’
- Magda Kofluk is an outstanding disputes lawyer bringing a difference to any project she is involved.'
Key clients
- ICICI Bank Limited
- Samsung SDS Europe ME & Africa
- T I S A General Trading LLC
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
John Lewis
Other key lawyers
Mark Lakin; Saif Almobideen; Ryan Whelan; Ron Nobbs; James Baldwin; Hadeel Hussein; Mazin El Amin; Emily Kemp; Caroline Hibberd; Khurram Ali