Richard is a recognised leader in commercial dispute resolution in the UAE and has practised contentious business law in the UAE and Middle East region for most of his career. His areas of specialisation are in the commercial litigation and arbitration fields, particularly with reference to commercial disputes, fraud and asset recovery, maritime, trade and insurance law in the United Arab Emirates and larger Middle East area.

Prior to working as Executive Partner at Hadef & Partners, Richard trained with Clifford Chance in London, worked with Clifford Chance in London and Dubai (1992 – 1996), later joining Al Tamimi & Co as partner (1996 – 2004). Richard is a member of the Law Society and a Practicing Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. He is also a member of the International Bar Association (IBA), the Inter Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), and ICC FraudNet Member for the UAE. Richard is the current past President of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), and former Chairman of the Host Committee for the IPBA Annual Meeting and Conference held in Dubai from 7 to 10 March 2023.

Richard has recently been appointed Board Member of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), and was also the Chairman of the Host Committee of the International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators (ICMA) Conference which came to Dubai for the first time from 5 to 10 November 2023. Richard was formerly the Chairman of the ICC FraudNet S&P Committee from 2017 – 2019 and member of the ICC FraudNet Advisory Board, and former Vice Chair of the IBA Maritime Committee from 2008 – 2014. Richard is also former Vice Chair and Board Member of the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (EMAC).

Walid is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution Department in Dubai. He specialises in complex Commercial and Corporate arbitration and litigation, often with cross-border elements.

Walid joined Hadef & Partners in 2005. During that time, he has developed specialist knowledge of managing large scale, multi-jurisdictional disputes and has acted on a number of high-profile banking and real estate matters. Walid advises a diverse group of clients; including publicly traded and multi-national companies, as well as high net worth individuals on various contentious matters.

Walid also specialises in local and international asset tracings and recovery, advises on financial crimes as well as on anti-corruption and anti-bribery issues. He further advises on extradition and mutual legal assistance as well as on sanctions and anti-money laundering matters.

Walid has a Juris Doctorate and is admitted to the Massachusetts State Bar. Prior to joining Hadef & Partners, he practiced in the US, in both Chicago and Boston. He routinely lectures, and sits on various panels that deal with a variety of issues relating to regional legal trends and developments. Walid is fluent in English, Arabic and French.