John Lewis joins Stephenson Harwood as partner

Stephenson Harwood LLP has strengthened its dispute resolution practice in the Middle East with the arrival of partner John Lewis, who joins the firm in Dubai.

Lewis has practiced in the Middle East for more than 15 years, and has extensive experience in complex domestic, regional and international commercial litigation and arbitration matters. He advises clients – from sectors including real estate, healthcare, financial services – on a wide variety of disputes before civil/common law courts and international arbitration tribunals within the Middle East. He is regularly instructed on some of the most high-profile disputes within the region. As well as general commercial litigation and arbitration matters, Lewis has developed a specialist practice within the regulatory, audit, advisory and consulting sectors, primarily focusing on professional indemnity defence related instructions. He joins the firm from Charles Russell Speechlys.

“The firm is expanding strategically and our commitment to litigation – which makes up half of our business – makes us an attractive firm for top litigators,” said Eifion Morris, chief executive, Stephenson Harwood. “We have attracted significant lateral partners over the last three years, and John’s arrival in Dubai adds major depth to our client offering for disputes across the Middle East.”

“Alongside our market leading marine and construction litigation practices, the commercial disputes team comprises English and Arabic speaking lawyers with direct on-the-ground experience of litigation in civil and common law jurisdictions, as well as international arbitration,” said Rania Tadros, Dubai office managing partner. “John’s reputation within the market reflects his position as one of the strongest general commercial disputes lawyers in the Middle East, and his experience will strengthen our practice.”

Having advised clients in the Middle East for many years, Stephenson Harwood launched its Dubai office in 2012. The Dubai team acts for a wide range of listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, and provides advice in the areas of banking and finance, commercial disputes, construction, corporate / commercial and M&A, employment, fraud and asset recovery, financial services regulatory, infrastructure, insurance, international arbitration, Islamic finance, marine and international trade, private wealth, projects, and sanctions.