Stephen York will join Lovells as head of its dispute resolution practice in Dubai. York, who comes to the firm from Reed Smith, has particular expertise in construction, energy and IT-related disputes throughout the Middle East and India. He is a chartered arbitrator as well as a member of the LCIA and a member of the board of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution.
York’s hire, which comes amid trying times for most law firms in the Gulf region, may be the first of many for the firm as it looks to strengthen its dispute resolution practice ahead of its impending merger with Hogan & Hartson in May 2010.
In late 2009, the partnerships of Lovells and Hogan & Hartson approved the merger of the two firms, which is subject now only to regulatory approvals. Watch out for our exclusive interview with Lovells’ Crispin Rapinet and Hogans’ Jun Wei on what the merger means for the firm in the Asia-Pacific and Gulf regions.
Related stories: