Press Releases
HFW continues development in Middle East insurance and reinsurance practice
Holman Fenwick Willan is delighted to announce several developments to its Middle East insurance and reinsurance practice, headed by Partner Sam Wakerley, in support of its continuing investment in the growth and development of its international insurance and reinsurance practice.
- Luke Hacker relocated in 2013 from London to Dubai and was promoted to Senior Associate. He specialises in complex cross-border insurance and reinsurance disputes, advising clients, including international (re)insurers and GCC/MENA insurers, in connection with financial institutions (re)insurance, D&O, PI, liability, cyber-liability claims and coverage issues. Luke acts in international arbitration proceedings, and in matters before the English High Court and the DIFC Court.
- Sara Sheffield relocated in 2013 from London to Dubai and has joined the team as an Associate. She advises insurers, reinsurers and policyholders on claims, subrogated recoveries, defence work and coverage issues. She acts in international arbitration and complex litigation in the English High Court and the DIFC Court. Sara previously worked as a public prosecutor and is qualified in England and Wales, and in Australia.
- Tamer Wasfy has joined the team as an Associate. Tamer specialises in insurance litigation (both marine and non-marine), subrogated recoveries and insurance regulatory issues. He advises insurers, reinsurers and brokers on a range of insurance claims. Tamer is bilingual (Arabic and English) and brings with him wide experience before the courts in the Middle East, further extending the firm's Arabic speaking litigation practice, which serves domestic and international clients and manages litigation throughout the GCC region.
Sam Wakerley, Partner and head of the firm's Middle East insurance and reinsurance practice, said: "I am extremely pleased to have these talented lawyers join our insurance team here in Dubai. We have seen significant growth in this practice over the last few years and as part of a leading international practice, which includes insurance capability in the UK, France, Australia and South America, we can offer both GCC clients and international clients with operations in the region an integrated service covering dispute resolution, transactions and regulation."
In other developments, the firm recently recruited Carol-Ann Burton in London as a senior insurance regulatory Consultant. She has over 10 years' experience of advising on insurance regulation and transactions, as a solicitor in private practice and at the FSA as a senior legal adviser. In addition, Mikaela Stafrace has joined the Melbourne office as Special Counsel, specialising in regulatory compliance and risk management in the insurance sector.
