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Partners Emily Aryeetey and Saif Almobideen are recognised as Next Generation Partners of the Year at the Legal 500 MENA Awards 2026
Dubai-based partners Emily Aryeetey and Saif Almobideen, have each been recognised as “Next Generation Partners of the Year” in their respective practice areas at the Legal 500 MENA Awards 2026. Saif was awarded in the Shipping and Transport category, while Emily was recognised in Employment.
The Legal 500 MENA Awards celebrate outstanding legal talent across the Middle East and North Africa. Winners are identified through Legal 500’s independent research process and selected by a panel of industry experts, recognising exceptional technical expertise, commercial awareness and client satisfaction.
Emily Aryeetey is an employment specialist who advises on UAE, DIFC, ADGM, and English law, and supports clients with operations in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf and wider region. Experienced in complex cross-border employment issues, she helps employers navigate every stage of the employment relationship - from international hiring and executive exits to workplace investigations, redundancy processes, and employment disputes. HR and other senior leaders, and in-house counsel frequently turn to Emily for expert advice on HR compliance, policy and handbook development, employment litigation, and the employment aspects of M&A.
Saif is a bilingual litigation partner and arbitrator, specialising in high-stakes shipping and cross-border disputes. He advises shipowners, managers, P&I Clubs, insurers, logistics providers, and high-net-worth clients across the Middle East on a wide range of “wet” and “dry” shipping claims, commercial litigation, and cross-border enforcement. Known for precedent-setting achievements before various high courts in the region. A key contribution of him to the legal industry is setting up one of the region’s first limitation funds. Saif serves as an appointed arbitrator by the Dubai Court of Appeal and DIAC.
Both Emily and Saif were ranked as “Next Generation Partners” in their respective categories in The Legal 500 EMEA Guide 2026, reflecting their continued leadership and client impact.
Stephenson Harwood’s continued recognition at the Legal 500 MENA Awards highlights the firm’s strength in developing next-generation leaders across key practice areas in the UAE and wider region.
