Stuart Dutson Joins Stephenson Harwood as Partner, Enhancing Arbitration Strength
Advisor - People | Jun 09, 2025 | Stephenson Harwood LLP
Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has announced the appointment of Stuart Dutson as a Partner, thereby strengthening its international arbitration team. Dutson, an experienced arbitration expert, joins from Simmons and Simmons where he was the Global Co-Head of the International Arbitration practice. With over 25 years of experience, Dutson is well-versed in handling complex, high-profile arbitrations across multiple jurisdictions, including sectors such as technology, media, telecommunications, energy, infrastructure, and financial services. Stephenson Harwood's Co-Head of Commercial Litigation, Justin McClelland, expressed that Dutson's expertise aligns with the firm's strategic priorities, particularly in areas like technology and energy transition. Kamal Shah, Head of International Arbitration at Stephenson Harwood, emphasized the synergies between Dutson's practice and the firm's existing capabilities, highlighting previous collaborative efforts. This strategic hire serves to solidify Stephenson Harwood's position as a leader in international arbitration, especially as demand in this field continues to rise globally.
Sectors
- Legal Services
- International Arbitration
Geography
- United Kingdom – Stephenson Harwood LLP's main office and the location of Stuart Dutson's practice are both based in London, UK.
- Global – The article discusses international arbitration involving multiple jurisdictions worldwide.
Industry
- Legal Services – The article focuses on a legal firm's enhancement of its arbitration capabilities through the strategic hiring of a seasoned partner.
- International Arbitration – The focus on arbitration and dispute resolution across various sectors highlights the relevance of this industry classification.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephenson Harwood LLP | Hiring Firm | Company | A London-based international law firm with a recognized market-leading arbitration practice. |
| Stuart Dutson | New Partner | Person | Joined Stephenson Harwood LLP as a Partner, bringing extensive experience in international arbitration. |
| Simmons and Simmons | Previous Employer | Company | A law firm where Stuart Dutson was the Global Co-Head of the International Arbitration practice. |
| Justin McClelland | Co-Head of Commercial Litigation | Person | Expressed satisfaction with Dutson's appointment, aligning with the firm's strategic priorities. |
| Kamal Shah | Head of International Arbitration | Person | Highlighted the synergies between Dutson's and the firm's arbitration practices. |
| Emilia Onyema | Collaborator | Person | Collaborated with Stuart Dutson and Stephenson Harwood to co-author the African Promise initiative. |
| African Promise | Initiative | Other | A promise to increase representation of African arbitration practitioners. |