Hadef’s new partners

Hadef & Partners announced two partner appointments in its Dubai office.  Tim Watkins (Corporate) and Melissa Quai Currie (Dispute Resolution) have been promoted, effective from January 1, 2015.

Watkins has an extensive range of corporate and commercial experience including cross border acquisitions and related experience in real estate, employment and projects.

Having been in the UAE for over 11 years, Watkins has an expert knowledge of the region developed through working with a number of leading multi-national organisations. He is known for his strong understanding of both the legal framework and the commercial realities within which companies in the region must operate. Watkins has consequently worked on some of the UAE’s largest high profile projects, such as the establishment of Abu Dhabi’s national airline, Etihad Airways.

Currie is experienced in emerging markets disputes. She has specialised in complex, often cross-border, arbitration and litigation. She has worked in London, Moscow, Perth and Dubai on many multi-jurisdictional disputes. Currie has acted for major international corporations and banks in commercial, corporate, real estate, finance and energy & resources (including commodity pricing) disputes. Her international arbitration experience includes representing clients in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations. She has represented clients in arbitrations under the LCIA, ICC, DIAC, SCC and UNCITRAL Rules.