Akin‘s disputes team focuses on high-value and complex arbitration, litigation and enforcement campaigns across a number of sectors, with work spanning banking, projects, JV and shareholder disputes. Graham Lovett is widely experienced in prominent commercial and construction cases and has advised on DIFC Court law reforming the DIAC Arbitration Court. He is joined by co-head Michael Stewart, a general commercial disputes practitioner praised for his ’dedication, understanding of the law, commercial savviness, and ability to communicate complex legal questions’. Hannah Braiding-Watson joined the firm from Jones Day in March 2025, and Shane Jury joined from Ashurst LLP in 2026. Ryan Whelan left the firm in July 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Akin's Dubai dispute team instructed me as counsel in relation to some DIFC proceedings and they were brilliant to work with. Unflappable, on top of everything, pro-active, responsive, pragmatic, analytical - the whole package.’
- ‘Michael Stewart is brilliant. He was leading on the matter I worked on with Akin and his insights and ideas made a real difference to the outcome of the case. He is also an absolute pleasure to work with.’
- ‘Graham Lovett is arguably the leading disputes practitioner in the Middle East. Graham enjoys a reputation for first class quality and has acted on the largest 'bet the bank' disputes in the region. He is a superb communicator and commands a room with his nature gravitas. In addition to Graham, Michael Stewart is a highly regarded rising star. Michael's technical ability is first class and he is rated by clients for his responsiveness and outside the box thinking.'
- ‘I'd highlight two qualities. First, hands-on command of the legal and factual detail. Properly taking charge of the process of preparing submissions. Second, sound judgment about case presentation, and what is going to be persuasive to the arbitral tribunal. The result is a reliable and high-quality product.’
- ‘Graham Lovett. Very attractive and reassuring presentation in oral hearings. Unflappable manner and a good team leader. Michael Stewart. Definitely one to watch. He drafts compelling and well-thought-through legal submissions. Pleasant, sensible and responsive.’
- ‘I have been particularly impressed with Graham Lovett and Michael Stewart. Graham Lovett, who heads the team, is a seasoned partner with decades' long experience in the UAE market. He is pragmatic, knowledgeable and extremely efficient. I have also worked with Michael Stewart on several disputes seated in the DIFC. I was impressed with his dedication, understanding of the law, commercial savviness, and ability to communicate complex legal questions in a way clients and co-counsel from other jurisdictions could understand. He is a rising star in the market. Graham and Michael make a formidable team.’
Key clients
- Agility Logistics
- Investcorp
- DIFC
Work highlights
Acting on behalf of Iraq Telecom, a subsidiary of Agility Logistics, in securing a judgment for US$75 million in the DIFC Court against the Defendant, Mr. Raymond Rahmeh, a Lebanese national, for breach of directors’ duties, and managing the global enforcement process.
Acting on behalf of Bahrain-headquartered Investcorp in a claim of misrepresentation brought in the Abu Dhabi Courts by a prominent Emirati investor. The case resulted in a change to Abu Dhabi law.
Acting for the DIFC in successfully defending a US$500 million claim in the DIFC Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal brought by Hexagon Holdings, a Cayman Islands company, relating to a failed joint venture to develop a plot of land in the DIFC.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Next generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Shane Jury
Practice head
Graham Lovett; Michael Stewart
Other key lawyers
Shane Jury; Hannah Braiding-Watson