Business

Addleshaw Goddard has announced the appointment of Naji Hawayek as Partner in its Corporate team, based in the UAE, marking a strategic move to further expand the firm’s transactional and corporate capabilities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

With more than two decades of experience advising on high-value cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and complex corporate transactions, Hawayek’s appointment underscores Addleshaw Goddard’s commitment to investing in senior, market-leading talent and strengthening its regional platform.

Hawayek joins the firm from Clyde & Co, bringing extensive expertise in corporate law and strategic advisory services. Bilingual in Arabic and English, he has played a pivotal role in some of the most significant cross-border deals in the region. His practice spans M&A, joint ventures, private equity, venture capital, investment funds, corporate restructuring, licensing, and regulatory compliance, with additional expertise in Shari’ah law and foreign direct investment.

In addition to his transactional experience, Hawayek has a strong track record in advising family-led firms with complex ownership structures. His sectoral expertise extends across education, healthcare, hospitality, media, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, tobacco, energy, consulting, and financial services.

As part of his new role, Hawayek will also serve on Addleshaw Goddard’s Middle East Board, contributing to the firm’s regional growth strategy and helping shape its business development and expansion initiatives.

Robin Hickman, Head of Middle East at Addleshaw Goddard, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating:

“Naji’s appointment is a significant addition to our Corporate practice and reflects our continued investment in the Middle East. His depth of regional experience and track record on complex, cross-border transactions will further strengthen our ability to support clients on their most strategic matters. We are excited to welcome a partner of Naji’s calibre to the firm. His market reputation, leadership experience, and strong regional relationships will play an important role in our next phase of growth, as we continue to build a client-focused practice centred on quality, collaboration, and long-term value.”

Recognized among leading practitioners, Hawayek has been consistently ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for Corporate M&A and was featured on the Legal 500 Powerhouse M&A List 2024, which highlights top-performing professionals in the field.

Commenting on his new role, Naji Hawayek said:

“I’m delighted to join Addleshaw Goddard at such an exciting time for the firm. The Middle East continues to present compelling opportunities for growth and investment, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the region to deliver practical, high-impact advice to our clients. Beyond my Corporate focus, I see a significant opportunity to leverage relationships across the firm’s full-service offering, ensuring clients benefit from integrated, seamless support across practice areas. My ambition is to contribute to the continued strategic growth of the Middle East business alongside Robin and the wider partnership.”

Hawayek’s arrival marks a new milestone in Addleshaw Goddard’s ongoing efforts to enhance its regional presence and strengthen its position as a trusted legal advisor across the GCC and wider MENA region.

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