Hogan Lovells expands Middle East team with partner team hire
Hogan Lovells has further strengthened its corporate & finance practice in the Middle East with the hire of M&A partners Simon Rahimzada and Vasi Papadopoulos, who join the firm’s Dubai office on June 1, 2026. They join from Ashurst, where Rahimzada headed the Middle East corporate M&A and private equity practice.
James Doyle, global corporate & finance practice group leader, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Simon and Vasi to the firm. Their arrival reflects our ambition to build a market leading presence in the Middle East to support clients on their most complex mandates both regionally and internationally, as we reinforce our position as a global elite firm in the markets in which we operate.”
Rahimzada is a Chambers ranked and Legal 500 recognised corporate lawyer, recognised as one of the leading legal experts in the Middle East advising on complex and high-value cross-border public and private M&A , private equity transactions, equity capital markets, and international joint ventures. With a long-established presence in the Middle East spanning almost 20 years, Simon advises regional and international corporates, private equity sponsors and asset managers across a wide range of sectors, including Energy, Fintech, Infrastructure, Education, F&B, and Healthcare.
Papadopoulos, recently recognised as a rising star at last month’s Chambers Middle East Awards 2026, is a Chambers ranked corporate lawyer who advises international and regional corporates, financial institutions, private equity firms, and family offices on a broad range of transactions, with a focus on cross-border and domestic M&A and joint ventures. Having been in the region for over 10 years, she brings a strong understanding of the local legal and regulatory landscape. She works across a number of sectors, including Technology, Education, Energy, F&B, Financial Services, and e-commerce.
Georgy Kalashnikov, head of the Middle East, added, “At a time when clients are navigating an evolving global environment, our continued commitment and investment in exceptional talent in the region underlines our ambition for the future and our long-term confidence in the Middle East as a key growth hub. Simon and Vasi’s experience and relationships complement and build upon our strong track record in the region.”
Rahimzada and Papadopoulos commented, “We are delighted to be joining Hogan Lovells and to be working with the team across the Middle East at such an exciting time in the firm’s development. With the upcoming merger with Cadwalader and continuous strategic hires in the Middle East, we look forward to being part of such a dynamic and ambitious platform and introducing their team of international experts to regional clients. The Middle East continues to present compelling opportunities for clients and is an exciting and constantly evolving market; as a combined firm, Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader are well placed to reinforce themselves as an integral part of the region’s legal landscape. We look forward to actively contributing to the continued growth and success of the firm in the region.”
