Disputes-focused boutique law firm Stewarts has hired Rovine Chandrasekera from Stephenson Harwood as a partner in London.
Chandrasekera has considerable experience in international arbitration and a sharp regional focus on the Middle East, having previously established and led Stephenson Harwood’s Dubai office from 2012 until his return to London in 2020.
His expertise enhances Stewarts’ ability to deliver regionally attuned solutions to clients in a key arbitral jurisdiction, bringing a wealth of regional knowledge and connections to the firm.
Stuart Dench, managing partner at Stewarts, said: “Rovine is an important addition to our fast-developing international arbitration team and his extensive experience, vision and proven track record will be invaluable to our Middle East strategy.”
Chandrasekera spent close to three decades at Stephenson Harwood, where he made partner in 2009 before relocating to Dubai. He was appointed head of international arbitration in 2021, where he helped grow the practice and successfully handle high-stakes international arbitration and bilateral investment treaty cases.
Sherina Petit, head of international arbitration and India practice, who joined Stewarts in 2023, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rovine to our growing international arbitration team as we continue to expand our geographical focus on the Middle East, Asia (including in particular India and Singapore), Africa and Latin America.”
He joins Petit, Alejandro Garcia and Daniel Wilmot in the international arbitration team. His arrival brings the partnership to 93 and follows a strong performance for the firm in its latest financial results.
Justin McClelland, co-head of Stephenson Harwood’s commercial litigation practice, thanked Chandrasekera for his contributions to the firm and wished him every success for the future.
The firm’s current Dubai office head, Rania Tadros, joined in 2022. Under her watch, the office has seen expansion both in partner promotions and lateral hires, most notably in 2024 when it added three partners in as many months.
McClelland said: “Earlier this year, in January, Kamal Shah was appointed head of our international arbitration practice, and we have continued to strengthen the practice with the arrival of arbitration partner Stuart Dutson in London this summer.”
Dutson joined from Simmons & Simmons in June, having spent eight years at the firm.
“Arbitration remains a core element of our market-leading dispute resolution practice, and we look forward to building on the strength of the team,” McClelland added.
Other boutiques have similarly been active in the lateral hiring market, with Keidan Harrison hiring two managing associates: Matt Sumpton joined from Pinsent Masons, having trained at Travers Smith, while David Jones arrived from Fox Williams, having trained at Stewarts. The arrivals offset the departure of managing associates Srishti Jain to Humphries Kerstetter last month and Kit Smith who joined Edmonds Marshall McMahon as a partner in July.
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