Stephenson Harwood has hired a partner to head its general commercial litigation and international arbitration practice in the Middle East.
John Lewis joins the firm’s Dubai office from Charles Russell Speechlys, where he spent just over a year. Prior to this, he completed a 17-year stint at Clyde & Co in Dubai, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Lewis has experience in complex domestic, regional and international commercial litigation and arbitration matters. He advises clients—from sectors including real estate, healthcare, and financial services—on a wide variety of disputes before civil and common law courts, and international arbitration tribunals within the Middle East.
Alongside this, Lewis has developed a specialist practice within the regulatory, audit, advisory and consulting sectors, primarily focusing on professional indemnity defence-related instructions, according to a statement from the firm.
“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 of 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.”
Earlier this month the firm announced the arrival of seven lawyers, including two partners, in the Middle East marine and international trade team based in Dubai.
