Hogan Lovells strengthens global private equity and funds capabilities and expands offering in Middle East with key hire in Dubai

James Doyle, Global Corporate & Finance Practice Group Leader, commented: “We are delighted that Dounia is joining us. The Middle East has long been a location for fundraising and Dounia is an important and timely addition to the team, as we continue to enhance our global Private Equity & Funds offering and increase our profile and access to this strategically important region.

Dounia is a high-profile private capital lawyer and role model specializing in the structuring, establishment, and distribution of both onshore and offshore investment funds across the Middle East and beyond. She advises on a broad range of asset classes - including private equity, debt, real estate, fund-of-funds, and Shari’ah-compliant vehicles - with particular expertise in UAE fund structures and regulatory frameworks. Dounia was named Investment Funds Rising Star of the Year at the Legal 500 MENA Awards in both 2024 and 2025, further underscoring her market-leading reputation.

Georgy Kalashnikov - Regional Managing Partner, Middle East, added: “Dounia’s deep knowledge of growing fundraising opportunities, her strong network of client relationships, and her leading market-profile, add significant depth to our existing team as we continue our journey to become a global elite firm in the markets that we operate in.”

Dounia commented: “I am delighted to be joining Hogan Lovells and to work closely with the team and the wider network to further build and develop our corporate offering in the Midde East, and our global investment funds practice, in order to better serve both our international and domestic clients."

Dounia’s hire follows hot on the heels of hires both to the region, with M&A partner Walid Salib based in Riyadh, and the practice, with the hire of investment funds partner Thibault Dupont‑Nougein in Paris who also joins this week.