Addleshaw Goddard Appoints Naji Hawayek as UAE Corporate Partner

International law firm Addleshaw Goddard has announced the appointment of Naji Hawayek as a UAE-based Partner in its Corporate team, reinforcing its transactional and advisory capabilities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The move marks a strategic expansion of the firm’s regional platform, reflecting its continued investment in senior leadership and market-leading talent in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and wider MENA region.

Hawayek joins from Clyde & Co and brings more than two decades of experience advising on complex corporate transactions throughout the Middle East. His practice spans high-value cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, private equity and venture capital transactions, investment funds, corporate restructuring, and regulatory advisory matters. He also has significant expertise in Shari’ah-compliant structures and foreign direct investment frameworks.

Bilingual in Arabic and English, Hawayek has advised on some of the region’s most prominent cross-border transactions. He is particularly experienced in advising family-owned and family-led businesses with sophisticated ownership structures—an important segment of the Middle Eastern corporate landscape.

His sector expertise covers a wide spectrum of industries, including education, healthcare, hospitality, media, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, tobacco, energy, consulting, and financial services. Over the course of his career, he has also held key management roles, where he led high-performing teams and contributed to strategic growth initiatives within his previous firm.

In addition to joining the Corporate practice, Hawayek will serve on Addleshaw Goddard’s Middle East Board. In this capacity, he will support the development and implementation of the firm’s regional growth strategy, drawing on his experience in leadership, business development, and expansion planning.

Robin Hickman, Head of Middle East at Addleshaw Goddard, described the appointment as a significant addition to the firm’s regional capabilities. He noted that Hawayek’s extensive experience in cross-border corporate transactions and his strong regional relationships would enhance the firm’s ability to advise clients on strategic and complex matters. Hickman added that the appointment aligns with the firm’s broader ambition to build a client-focused practice centred on quality, collaboration, and long-term value.

Hawayek is consistently recognised in leading legal directories, including Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for Corporate M&A. In 2024, he was named to the Legal 500 Powerhouse M&A List, an accolade awarded to a select group of leading practitioners in the field.

Commenting on his new role, Hawayek said the Middle East continues to offer compelling growth and investment opportunities. He expressed his intention to work closely with colleagues across the region to deliver practical, high-impact advice to clients. Beyond his corporate focus, he highlighted the opportunity to leverage the firm’s full-service platform to provide integrated and seamless support across practice areas.

The appointment underscores Addleshaw Goddard’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its presence in the Middle East and expanding its corporate advisory capabilities across the GCC and beyond.