Hogan Lovells loses partner in Dubai to British law firm Stephenson Harwood

(Reuters) – London-based Stephenson Harwood announced on Tuesday it has hired partner Rustum Shah in Dubai from Hogan Lovells to run its Islamic finance practice.

Shah has more than 20 years of experience advising banks, corporations and governments on financial transactions, the firm said, including 15 years at Hogan Lovells.

Sharon White, managing partner of Stephenson Harwood’s Dubai office, said in a statement that Shah’s arrival demonstrates the firm’s commitment to the Middle East and its Islamic finance practice.

Islamic finance refers to banking in accordance with Sharia or Islamic law. Since interest is forbidden in Islam, financial institutions and individuals enter into agreements where profits and losses are shared.

A Hogan Lovells representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Shah’s departure.

Stephenson Harwood said Shah will be joined in April by new managing partner in Dubai, Rania Tadros. Tadros is currently Managing Partner in the Dubai office of international law firm Ince.

Stephenson Harwood has also hired two partners in London, the firm announced on Tuesday. Technology partner Simon Bollans comes from London-headquartered Osborne Clarke and international commercial partner Philip Prowse comes from HFW, another London-based firm.

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