The Legal 500

Fischer Behar Chen Well Orion & Co is hailed as ‘one of the best commercial firms in Israel’, and its ‘very professional’ lawyers provide ‘an excellent service’. The team recently represented Stratasys in a reverse triangular merger, and advised Qualcomm on its $144m acquisition of DesignArt. Other clients include Bezeq, IDB and Channel 10. Practice head Avraham Well has ‘an impressive network of contacts all over Israel’.

In 2012, Goldfarb Seligman & Co. recruited Aaron Lampert from Naschitz, Brandes & Co.. Lampert specialises in transactions between Israeli and foreign companies, and is hailed as ‘one of the best lawyers in Israel for cross-border matters’. Ashok Chandrasekhar, Nechama Brin and Oded Eran are also highly recommended, showing that ‘this diversified practice has substantial strength in depth’. The team recently assisted Broadcom with its $3.7bn acquisition of NetLogic.

Gornitzky & Co.’s Zvi Ephrat and Shlomo Cohen successfully assisted Melisron and British-Israel Investments with obtaining approval of a reverse triangular merger after acting for Melisron on its NIS1.7bn purchase of 70% of the capital stock of British-Israel Investments. The department also continues to advise Fattal Group on all corporate matters relating to its 26 hotels in Israel. Pinhas Rubin, Chaim Friedland and Daniel Paserman are highly regarded. Hagar Alon Windman and Sagit Ohana-Livne made partner in 2012.

Gross, Kleinhendler, Hodak, Halevy, Greenberg & Co’s well-rounded practice provides ‘a high level of expertise and professionalism’. Its experience includes a strong flow of corporate instructions in the hi-tech sector, M&A, and environmental aspects of M&A transactions. In 2012, the firm advised Akamai on its $268m acquisition of Cotendo; and Oridion Systems during its $340m acquisition by Covidien. Richard Mann and Esther Koren are the practice co-heads.

Herzog Fox & Neeman’s ‘service cannot be faulted’, and clients say its lawyers have ‘unmatched knowledge of the Israeli market’ and are ‘committed to their client’s company as if it were their own’. The firm recently advised DS Apex Holdings on its merger with Meitav Investment House to form the second-largest investment house in Israel, with over NIS104bn in assets under management. The ‘practical and business-minded’ Alan Sacks leads the firm’s international practice, while Ehud Sol heads the corporate and securities department. Ophir Nave joined Tadmor & Co. in 2012.

Meitar Liquornik Geva Leshem Tal Law Offices is ‘one of the top corporate firms in Israel’, with ‘very responsive’ lawyers who have ‘a deep understanding of the law’. The firm frequently acts on hi-tech transactions, and recently advised Anobit on its acquisition by Apple Inc, which was the technology giant’s first purchase in Israel. The team is also particularly strong in leveraged M&A transactions and represents numerous foreign private equity funds. Dan Geva, Mike Rimon, Clifford Felig and Dalia Tal are recommended.

S. Horowitz & Co has a ‘first-class’ practice, where ‘not only are the lawyers responsive, but you can rely on their judgement when negotiating particularly tricky matters.’ Recent highlights include advising Cisco Systems on its $5bn acquisition of NDS Group Holdings; and Volkswagen on the Israeli aspects of its acquisition of Porsche. Anthony Bloch is ‘one of the best negotiators and a true dealmaker’; Ruth Oren is ‘very smart and professional’; and Clifford Davis has ‘outstanding’ skills in manoeuvreing all sides to a deal.

Yigal Arnon & Co’s ‘super-responsive and professional’ lawyers have ‘very deep industry knowledge’. Barry Levenfeld and David Schapiro co-head the department, which acts for clients such as Nike Israel, Google and eBay. In 2012, the team advised Shlomo Eliyahu Group on its acquisition of a controlling stake in Migdal Insurance and Financial Holdings, which was one of Israel’s largest M&A transactions in recent years.

Caspi & Co advises on M&A, divestitures, spin-offs and joint ventures, as well as general corporate governance and related regulatory issues. In addition, the firm assists with operational transactions, such as licensing, distribution and tolling arrangements, and deals with the privatisation of government-owned companies. Ram Caspi is highly recommended.

Roy Caner and Yoav Dankner are the key contacts at Erdinast, Ben Nathan & Co, which advises Israeli and international corporate and investment fund clients. Recent highlights include advising Eden Spring Group on buying various European companies, and acting for the Livnat family on matters relating to its shares in IDB Holdings and its subsidiaries.

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries is ‘clearly a firm that understands international companies and bridges the gap between foreign clients and local practice’. Jacob Enoch is ‘a sharp and intelligent negotiator with vast M&A experience’, who recently handled the Israeli law aspects of Apax Partners’ $1bn acquisition of Paradigm. Zvi Firon is also recommended, and some clients regard him as ‘simply the number-one attorney in Israel’.

Naschitz, Brandes & Co.’s ‘top-notch’ team provides ‘in-depth advice’ on cross-border M&A transactions in Israel. It recently advised XtremeIO on its $430m acquisition by EMC and continues to represent FIMI, Israel’s largest private equity fund, in all its transactions. Practice head Sharon Amir has experience acting for purchasers and sellers on several of the country’s largest M&A deals, and Tuvia Geffen is also recommended. However, Aaron Lampert recently joined Goldfarb Seligman & Co..

Yaacov Yisraeli and Richard Roberts lead Shibolet & Co’s corporate practice, which ‘stacks up well’ against its peers. It recently assisted a Hong Kong hedge fund with selling a $1bn shareholding in Makhteshim Agan, and also acts for Nokia Siemens Networks, ClearOne Communications and Ceragon Networks. The firm has a presence in China and is well regarded for guiding inbound and outbound investors.

Yuval Levy & Co is ‘a corporate powerhouse and consistently excellent’. Practice head Tomer Maharshak ‘truly takes the art of M&A to the highest level’; ‘he is wonderfully experienced, a well-respected figure and focuses on getting the deal done’. Maharshak recently advised Biomet, a global leader in the manufacture of musculoskeletal medical products, on the Israeli legal aspects of its $280m global acquisition of DePuy Orthopaedics’ trauma products business.

Zellermayer Pelossof Rosovsky Tsafrir Toledano & Co.’s ‘talented and experienced’ lawyers ‘focus on finding solutions and fight tirelessly for their clients’. The firm recently advised Permira on acquiring the controlling shares in Netafim, and also advised it in negotiations with Bank Hapoalim over future refinancing of Netafim. Practice head Michael Zellermayer is ‘one of Israel’s best dealmakers’.

Doron Levy and Orit Israeli, who lead Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co Advocates and Notary’s ‘solid Israeli corporate law practice’, advised Meitav Investment House on its merger with DS Apex Holdings to create Israel’s second-largest investment house in 2012. The experienced Eldad Koresh heads the commercial department.

Barnea & Co, which has ‘a deep understanding of Israeli and international law’, recently advised an offshore private equity investment fund on purchasing the controlling share capital in a public company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Michael Barnea and Simon Jaffa have ‘considerable experience advising foreign clients’, and are ‘technically very sound but also commercially aware’.

Epstein Rosenblum Maoz (ERM)’s ‘dynamic and technically excellent’ team recently acted for Generali Group during the sale of its controlling stake in Migdal Insurance, which was the largest public M&A deal in Israel in recent years. Nimrod Rosenblum heads the team, which has experienced an increase in energy-sector M&A mandates.

The service is ‘always excellent’ at Ron Gazit, Rotenberg & Co, where practice head Shirin Herzog recently represented one of the final bidders during the process to buy the controlling stake in Netafim; and advised the minority shareholder in Makhteshim Agan Industries on the merger between Makhteshim and ChemChina. Herzog has ‘a good commercial understanding and a good knowledge of international legal practice’.

Tadmor & Co., which shows ‘excellent subject knowledge and responsiveness’, boosted its corporate M&A offering in 2012, when Ophir Nave and senior associate Benny Hadari joined from Herzog Fox & Neeman and Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co Advocates and Notary, respectively. French national railway operator SNCF is a client. Practice head Yoel Neeman is ‘very practical and business-oriented’.

‘Service is always provided with courtesy and a smile’ at Tulchinsky Stern Marciano Cohen Levitski & Co, which represents a number of prominent Israeli companies. One of its most significant clients is Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, for which it recently handled the acquisition of Cure Tech and an outsourcing agreement with GCP Clinical Studies. Menachem Tulchinsky and Doron Stern are ‘outstanding lawyers’.

Yehuda Raveh & Co.’s clients are ‘very satisfied with the level of professionalism, breadth of knowledge and variety of expertise’. The team recently advised a client on the sale of its hotel operations business to a well-known Israeli hotel chain, and assisted an investment company with its purchase of a 50% stake in a solar energy business.

ES Shimron, I Molho, Persky & Co’s clients ‘consistently receive prompt and professional advice’. Shai Ganor heads the team, which handles a diet of investment matters, hi-tech and biotech transactions, licensing issues, research and development agreements, and labour law. David Shimron has ‘vast knowledge’.

Glusman & Co. has ‘a very high level of knowledge, experience and professionalism’. Practic head Ofer Glusman is ‘business-oriented and energetic’, and Joseph Shem-Tov and Meny Broid are also recommended. Niche areas of expertise include Latin American transactions and defence-industry M&A.

Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer advises domestic and international companies on a range of corporate and commercial transactions including technology transfer, licensing and distribution issues, as well as joint ventures and co-development agreements. Notably, the firm has developed a particular strength in cross-border transactions. Clients span technology, retail and manufacturing.

Raved, Magriso, Benkel & Co’s ‘responsive and smart lawyers explain the nuances of Israeli law in a way that clients can relay to their personnel’. Yoram Raved and Nir Oren lead the practice, which represents major Israeli public and private companies in all aspects of corporate and M&A law.

Rosenberg Abramovich Keren-Polak Epelman, Advocates‘ clients include Azrieli Group and HSBC Private Bank (Swisse). The firm name was revised in 2012, when Rosenberg, Keren-Polak, Epelman & Co merged with the commercial boutique, Avi Abramovich Law Firm. Ari Rosenberg and the ‘hugely knowledgeable’ Avi Abramovich are recommended.

S. Friedman & Co. Advocates & Notaries’ ‘consistently excellent’ team ‘stands out for its experience and local market insight’, and acts for clients such as Tnuva, Paz Aviation Services and Eldan Car Rental. Practice head Sarit Molcho is ‘an exceptional lawyer, with a solution-oriented approach’. Tal Tirosh recently joined from Meitar Liquornik Geva & Leshem Brandwein.

Shenhav & Co’s ‘very strong’ corporate and M&A practice gives ‘spot-on advice’, and is complemented by the firm’s well-regarded hi-tech practice. Recent highlights include advising Clal Insurance Company on a co-investment with FIMI Private Equity Fund, in which the two acquired control of Ormat Industries and Ormat Technologies. Amir Raz is ‘deal-driven and very responsive’.

Shenhav, Konforti, Shavit & Co. gives ‘comprehensive commercial legal advice and puts the business interests of its client first’. It handles an array of corporate and M&A mandates, and is expert in structuring early-stage corporate entities. Yaron Shavit is ‘very hands-on and business-minded’, and Amos Konforti is ‘highly professional’. The team has strong relations with several international law firms.

Weinstock-Zecler & Co provides ‘strong and reliable’ service. The firm is adept at handling cross-border transactions, and recently advised a leading Israeli retail chain on establishing a presence in China; and also handles corporate finance and debt arrangements. Practice head Gidon Weinstock is ‘brilliant in strategy and negotiation’.

Weksler, Bregman & Co., Advocates’ ‘very professional’ team has received a flow of instructions from Gottex Models recently, including advising the client on licencing and distribution agreements with Nike. Dror Toren ‘truly understands the business needs of his clients’.

Yaacov Salomon, Lipschutz & Co’s clients vary from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, and from industrial conglomerates to individuals. The corporate practice handles domestic and cross-border M&A, investments, joint ventures, spin-offs and other reorganisations, while commercial work includes licensing matters and distribution, agency and franchising agreements.

Agmon & Co., Rosenberg, Hacohen & Co’s commercial department acts for hi-tech, pharmaceuticals, clean-tech, finance, and real estate sector clients, as well as energy clients, which is a particular strength. The team’s services include the structuring, negotiation and drafting of a range of domestic and cross-border arrangements and agreements.

BFP & Co (Barath, Betser, Floom, Pappo & Co)’s clients are ‘fully satisfied’ with the firm’s service. The ‘solution-oriented’ Haleli Barath and the ‘quick-thinking’ Avihai Schieber recently advised Tata Consulting Services on large-scale procurement tenders and agreements with some of Israel’s largest businesses, such as Bank Leumi. Iris Pappo is also recommended for ‘understanding the business target and her client’s mindset’.

Ben-Dror, Stretiner, Baruch, Gavish Law Office’s comprehensive corporate and commercial practice acts for foreign and local companies and individuals with international businesses in industries such as hi-tech, biotech, communications, information technology, and trade.

Cohen Legal Partners handles Israeli and international contractual issues, cross-border M&A and foreign listings. David Cohen, who was admitted to the Israeli bar over 15 years ago, also has experience working in one of the largest international law firms in London, and is fluent in six languages.

Efrati Galili & Co advises on cross-border and international transactions, strategic alliances and commercial operations. Founding partners Alon Galili and David Efrati are recommended.

Eyal Khayat, Zolty, Neiger & Co. – Law Offices provides ‘high-quality work for a very reasonable price’. Amir Zolty, who shows ‘exceptional dedication and accuracy of advice’, works closely with Eyal Khayat on hi-tech corporate matters. Eyal Neiger is recommended for commercial law advice, particularly in the telecoms sector.

Heskia-Hacmun Law Firm’s clients include financial institutions, insurers and international trade companies. The team advises on a range of corporate and commercial matters, but is notably expert in the telecoms, media and technology sectors. Amos Hacmun is recommended.

J. Zaltzman, Gilat, Knoller, Graus, Salomon & Co. Law Offices & Notary’s broad corporate, commercial and M&A group recently advised Magen Eco Energy ACS on purchasing a 50% stake in Heliocol USA. Gadi Graus is the key contact.

Arie Lamay leads Lamay Sider Rahat Tsiddon Fink, Advocates‘ corporate practice. Ori Rahat specialises in telecoms and media, IT, and the e-commerce sectors.

Preis, Baharav & Co. has ‘a deal-making approach’ and ‘a quality of service to match the largest and most prominent Israeli law firms’. Among an impressive list of clients, the firm advises Tnuva on all of its day-to-day corporate and commercial activities. Ziv Preis is ‘smart, tireless and pleasant to work with’.

Sharir, Shiv & Co.’s ‘excellent’ group is experienced in a range of corporate and commercial matters. Alex Berman is ‘a trusted adviser’, and Galai Sharir and Dalit Kahana Garbi show accuracy, professionalism and responsiveness.

Steinmetz Haring Gurman & Co. advises buyers, target companies and financial institutions on all aspects of domestic and cross-border M&A. Jacob Steinmetz and Manny Gurman are the key contacts.

Tal Ron, Drihem & Co. Law Firm mostly handles cross-border transactions, such as private equity deals, joint ventures, and licensing, agency and distribution agreements. Tal Itzhak Ron is recommended.

Zysman, Aharoni, Gayer & Co. (ZAG) has ‘a dealmaking approach and vast experience in M&A deals’. It is experienced in international transactions and recently advised Beeologics during its $120m acquisition by Monsanto. Shmuel Zysman and Erez Aharoni lead the team.