Karen Gidwani begins role as Senior Partner as Ben Smith and Gilbert Hakim are promoted to the partnership
Karen Gidwani has begun her role as Fenwick Elliott’s Senior Partner. Karen succeeds Simon Tolson, who remains a partner at the firm where he will continue his extensive client work.
The firm is also delighted to announce the promotions of Ben Smith and Gilbert Hakim to Partner in London and Dubai respectively. All of the changes are effective from 1 April 2025.
Karen becomes Senior Partner having joined Fenwick Elliott in 2000 and been a partner since 2006. Karen has led on numerous high-profile cases including a landmark dispute in the TCC, alongside Tony Francis, over the concept of Fitness for Purpose which went to the Supreme Court, and the widely reported and relied upon Energy Works (Hull) termination case. Additionally, Karen is active on high-value, complex international arbitration work, and has longstanding experience in adjudication, a key practice area for Fenwick Elliott.
Ben Smith is an experienced construction litigator and joined Fenwick Elliott’s London office in 2019. Over the past six years Ben has advised clients on dispute avoidance and dispute resolution on high value and multifaceted disputes including in the Technology and Construction Court, arbitration, mediation, and adjudication. Ben has a growing practice advising clients on building safety related matters and has become a recognised thought leader on the Building Safety Act and related legislation. He regularly speaks at industry events including UK Construction Week and London Build and contributes to industry publications and white papers for the likes of Building Magazine, the NBS and The Law Society Gazette.
Gilbert Hakim has been a key part of the team in Fenwick Elliott’s international hub in Dubai for over five years, advising on complex, high-value disputes across the Middle East and Africa. He represents various employers and members of the construction supply chain, including main contractors, subcontractors, and engineers.
Karen Gidwani comments:
“It is a huge source of pride to begin my role as senior partner by announcing that Ben and Gilbert have joined the partnership. Their promotions recognise their outstanding commitment to their clients, and they both bring a passion for construction and expertise in the law that exemplifies our approach.
“I would also like to reiterate the firm’s enormous gratitude to Simon Tolson for his leadership as Senior Partner for over two decades, during which time the firm has grown remarkably and become a genuine centre of excellence for construction law. We will value his unparalleled knowledge and passion for the law as he remains a partner at the firm.
“As Senior Partner, my focus will be on furthering the support and development of our talented lawyers and staff to ensure we continue to provide an industry-leading service to our clients.”