Stephenson Harwood has welcomed 12 new partners in its latest promotions round, its second largest cohort on record.

The promotions – which are effective from May – are predominantly in London, which saw seven make the grade, with two in Dubai, two in China (one in Hong Kong and one in Shanghai), and another who will be based in Athens from the summer. Women made up a third of the new partner cohort.

The firm’s private wealth, maritime, trade and offshore groups each saw three partners promoted, along with two promotions apiece across real estate/projects, corporate/commercial and commercial litigation, respectively.

“It’s fantastic to welcome these exceptionally talented, driven and accomplished lawyers to our partnership,” said Eifion Morris, the firm’s CEO.

He added: “Each new partner has demonstrated the strengths that define our firm – bringing legal excellence, can-do personalities, a collective entrepreneurship and a genuine commitment to building lasting relationships with clients. In a world of constant change, their leadership will be key to helping our clients navigate complexity and achieve lasting success.

“I’m also pleased that this is our second-largest group of promotions to the partnership. This milestone reflects our commitment to growing the firm for the future: investing in outstanding talent, expanding our capabilities internationally and strengthening how we serve our clients, wherever they are.”

The firm’s new partners include real estate experts Kuljeet Bahia, formerly of counsel, and Stewart Scott, previously a consultant, who have comprehensive commercial real estate practices.

Ross Davidson has been named a partner in the private wealth team based in Hong Kong, while Jordan Ellis has been promoted in Dubai. London-based Peter Gillis joined them as a specialist in private wealth disputes and contentious trusts.

Toufic Safie has been named a partner in Dubai’s corporate and commercial team, with interests across the Middle East, Africa and Europe, extending to deals done in Lebanon, Greece, France, the UK, Oman and the UAE. The other corporate promotion went to Alexa Whitehead in London, who specialises in asset management and investment funds.

Of the shipping lawyers promoted, Paul Katsouris advises ship owners, P&I clubs, charterers, banks, traders, bunker suppliers, family offices, private investors and energy companies. Currently based in Dubai, he will relocate to Athens this summer.

Shanghai-based litigator Shirley Li was also promoted to the maritime, trade and offshore group, working across the full range of commercial shipping disputes with a clientele similar to Katsouris, while London’s Emma Nowell specialises in maritime contracts for the charter, operation and construction of vessels across the commercial shipping, offshore oil and gas and superyacht sectors.

Insurance litigator Mateusz Bek was also promoted, partly due to his focus on complex disputes under marine policies, while Adam Polonsky received a promotion for his work on contractual claims, shareholder disputes and competition damages claims in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Polonsky was a key member of Genevieve Quierin’s team that negotiated a confidential settlement on behalf of more than 1,800 corporate claimants with Visa in the long-running interchange fee litigation, which settled today (23 April).

The settlement follows a six-week liability trial in early 2024 and a second trial regarding pass-on issues, which took place over seven weeks between November 2024 and April 2025, after an earlier settlement with Mastercard in June 2024.

The proceedings witnessed the first umbrella proceedings order in the UK and the CAT’s adoption of an unusual issues-based approach to case management.

Quantum issues of pass-on were addressed in both the merchant proceedings and the recently settled Merricks consumer class action, before a third trial concerning the resolution of potential exemptions from enforcement under EU law, which has yet to be scheduled.

Quierin said: “We are delighted to have achieved a settlement on behalf of our clients in these hard-fought proceedings.”

She led a three-partner team supported by Donna Newman and Trudy Feaster-Gee alongside a large team of associates including Polonsky and Chris Pettett. Counsel included Kieron Beal KC of Blackstone Chambers, Philip Woolfe KC and Reuben Andrews of Monckton Chambers, and Oscar Schonfeld of One Essex Court.

Linklaters represented Visa, via Tom Cassels and Sarina Williams, alongside Julian State of Milbank, who instructed lead counsel Daniel Jowell KC of Brick Court Chambers.