Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has strengthened its Dubai office with the arrival of Rania Tadros as the new office managing partner. Tadros is a leading marine and international trade (MIT) lawyer and will join the firm's global MIT practice.

"Accelerating the growth of our international offices is a key focus for the firm and Rania's arrival is a significant milestone in the development of our practice in the Middle East," said Eifion Morris, CEO, Stephenson Harwood. "Not only does she bring the legal acumen that our clients expect, her experience and knowledge of the region will be incredibly valuable as we continue to grow our Dubai office. She has a mandate from me to grow our presence in the region, particularly in the areas of corporate, private wealth and litigation.

"From a personal point of view, I'm really looking forward to welcoming Rania into the global leadership team and benefitting from her years of leadership experience. The next few years, as we work together on our significant ambitions in the Middle East, will be exciting."

Tadros is a shipping, offshore and trade lawyer, who has more than 20 years’ experience in shipping and offshore energy disputes, as well as providing commercial support to companies in the shipping and offshore sectors. She also specialises in issues that arise in construction contracts – and has advised on numerous related disputes – as well as being involved in local debt collection and bankruptcy work. Tadros will join the firm from Ince, where she was the Dubai office managing partner for more than seven years.

"This is a big coup for the MIT practice," said Alex Davis, the MIT global practice group leader, Stephenson Harwood. "For some time now, we've focused on the development of our global business sectors, and Dubai is a vital hub. Strengthening our practice in the UAE, with a lawyer of Rania's calibre, is a hugely important development.

"She is one of the finest marine and international trade lawyers in the region with particular expertise in the energy and offshore industry, which aligns perfectly with our existing strength in this sector. Her arrival is a real step forward for the MIT team and our global ambitions."

The Stephenson Harwood marine and international trade practice offers services to clients in the shipping, insurance, offshore and commodity sectors. Clients include many of the world's largest shipowners, shipyards, major ship finance banks, marine insurers and IG P&I clubs, energy services companies, oil and gas companies and commodities traders.

In 2021, the firm launched its new five-year strategy, which included a focus on accelerating the growth of its international offices. Earlier this year, Rustum Shah, one of the leading financial lawyers in the region with more than 20 years of experience, joined in Dubai to lead the firm's Islamic finance practice. Shah will work closely with finance partners from across the firm to develop and grow Stephenson Harwood's Islamic finance practice.