Charles Russell Speechlys grows Middle East practice with the hire of two new partners

Charles Russell Speechlys’ Dubai office continues to grow since the office opened just over a year ago, with the addition of Thanos Karvelis as partner and a new full service technology, media and telecommunications team led by Mark Hill.

Thanos, who joins the firm on 3 March, is an established arbitration and litigation practitioner, with extensive experience in mega construction and infrastructure projects and disputes across the Middle East, Europe and Africa. As a civil law practitioner, he also has significant experience in other fields of law including corporate/commercial.

His experience acting as lead counsel in international arbitrations under various institutional rules will strengthen the existing Charles Russell Speechlys disputes team based in Dubai and the Middle East.

Mark, who also joins the firm on 3 March, is a media and entertainment, intellectual property and technology lawyer, who specialises in handling contentious and non-contentious work in the creative, technology and related industries.

His twenty years’ experience in the Middle East market will complement the Charles Russell Speechlys teams currently working in Dubai and the wider Gulf region.

Patrick Gearon, Head of Charles Russell Speechlys’ Middle East offices, says:

“Thanos’ extensive experience will strengthen our arm in international construction and commercial disputes and bolster our growing international arbitration offering.

“Mark’s broad expertise and reputation in the region for both intellectual property, media, technology and commercial work will be an invaluable addition to our team and will strengthen our offering to our technology, media and telecommunications clients in the Middle East and further afield.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome Thanos and Mark to the firm at this exciting time of growth for our offices in the Middle East.”

Thanos Karvelis says:

“Charles Russell Speechlys is a firm with a strong global reputation and is growing rapidly in the Middle East. I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring my own practice to the firm at this particularly exciting time of growth.”

Mark Hill says:

“The opportunity to join Charles Russell Speechlys and integrate into a full service law firm with a truly international reach is a perfect fit for my profile and I’m delighted to be joining the growing Middle East team at this exciting time.”

Mark joins the firm with a senior associate, Lara Haidar, both arriving from boutique firm The Rights Lawyers, created by Mark in 2003, while Thanos joins the firm from Dubai-based Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants.