John Lewis > Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile
Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP Offices

LEVEL 13
BURJ DAMAN BUILDING
DIFC, P.O. BOX 482017
United Arab Emirates
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John Lewis

Position
Head of general commercial litigation and international arbitration for the Middle East
Personal
John is the head of dispute resolution and international arbitration for the Middle East, with over fifteen years’ experience practicing in the region. He specialises in handling regional and international commercial litigation and arbitration disputes spanning various industries and sectors.
With a solid track record, John consistently obtains successful outcomes for his clients. He skillfully guides them through the dispute resolution process in both common and civil law jurisdictions, providing advice that takes into account the practical aspects of operating in and out of the region.
John’s technical expertise, coupled with his ability in assisting clients across various commercial disputes is acknowledged in prominent global legal directories. He is recognised as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ in the Legal 500 2024 Guide for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation, and he is also ranked among leading individuals for Dispute Resolution in the Chambers and Partners Global 2024 Guide. He was also featured in the Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist Middle East (2022 and 2023), where clients describe him as a “a top-notch practitioner with a strong commercial litigation practice.”
John’s extensive experience and reputation in managing high-profile professional negligence defence-related cases throughout the region have earned him recognition as the first UAE-based lawyer recommended as a ‘Global Leader’ for professional negligence disputes by Whos’ Who Legal’s Global Guide. Furthermore, he is listed as a ‘Leader’ for arbitration and commercial litigation within this guide.
Lawyer Rankings
United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation
(Next Generation Partners)Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP strengthened its disputes offering with the 2024 hires of John Lewis, formerly of Charles Russell Speechlys, who now leads the team, and Mohamed ElHawawy and Khurram Ali, who both joined from Ince & Co. Additionally, construction specialist Ron Nobbs relocated from the firm’s London office in October 2024. These additions add to an already deep team of advisors well-positioned to act on the full range of disputes, often multi-jurisdictional. Lewis has longstanding experience in professional negligence claims, and Rania Tadros is sought out for supply chain and shareholder issues. A specialist in the shipping sector, Mark Lakin is valued by clients for his expertise in fraud disputes. Philip Clarke brings further capabilities in contentious regulatory matters, internal investigations and cross-border enforcement proceedings to the fore, while Saif Almobideen’s practice focuses on civil law matters. Magda Kofluk adds support on construction disputes.
United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Financial services regulation
Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP is a notable player in the UAE financial services market, providing guidance on business establishment, expansion, licensing, and compliance. The firm also maintains a prominent fintech practice, advising start-ups and established industry players on online payment services, digital assets, and blockchain matters. Team lead Philip Clarke offers a well-rounded contentious and non-contentious practice backed by strong regulatory expertise. The addition of John Lewis from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in March 2024 further enhances the firm’s capabilities in disputes and investigations.
Lawyer Rankings
- Next Generation Partners United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation
- Banking and finance: Financial services regulation United Arab Emirates
- Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation United Arab Emirates