Stephenson Harwood Expands Marine Practice in Middle East 

Law firm Stephenson Harwood has bolstered its marine and international trade practice in the Middle East with the addition of two new partners, Mohamed El Hawawy (pictured right) and Khurram Ali (pictured left), along with a team of five fee earners. 

Eifion Morris, CEO of Stephenson Harwood, emphasized the firm’s distinctive position in the maritime sector, stating, “Stephenson Harwood stands apart from other law firms in the maritime space because of our unique market position. We have an enviable and rich maritime heritage, and while most other firms have experience weighted towards one area or the other, we have premier ship finance and maritime practices in one firm.” 

The arrival of El Hawawy and Ali marks a significant strengthening of the firm’s presence in the Middle East. According to Morris, this expansion has propelled Stephenson Harwood to become the largest specialist maritime, trade, and insurance team in the region. 

El Hawawy brings extensive experience in litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in the shipping, insurance, and aviation sectors. With expertise in both wet and dry shipping, El Hawawy is known for handling complex maritime disputes, including ship abandonment issues, vessel collisions, salvage operations, and contractual disputes. He joins Stephenson Harwood from Ince & Co Middle East, where he held the position of joint managing partner of the firm’s Dubai office. 

Ali specializes in dispute resolution with a focus on maritime, transportation, oil and gas, and international trade disputes, in addition to general commercial litigation. With over two decades of experience, Ali has advised a diverse range of clients, including shipowners, charterers, logistics companies, and governmental bodies. He also joins Stephenson Harwood from Ince & Co Middle East, bringing his expertise in the markets of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 

Rania Tadros, office managing partner of Stephenson Harwood’s Dubai office, praised the expertise of El Hawawy and Ali, stating, “Their knowledge and expertise complement the strength of our existing specialist team and mark another milestone in the development of our Middle East practice.” 

With the addition of Mohamed El Hawawy, Khurram Ali, and their team, Stephenson Harwood now boasts one of the largest specialists maritime, trade, and insurance dispute resolution teams in the Middle East, comprising six partners and 14 dedicated associates and advisers.