The Legal 500

Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm’s ‘young and energetic’ team provides ‘triple-A’ service, and shows ‘professionalism, extraordinary technical and interpersonal skills, strong work ethic and exceptional abilities’. The nine-partner practice provides comprehensive services to its extensive client base on cross-border corporate and financial transactions, and is particularly expert in structured finance. The firm continues to handle the $1.35bn Beit Misk housing project and helped a major telecoms company to restructure a loan portfolio from three banks, and to negotiate new facilities worth $50m. The team also pioneered the use of convertible bonds to finance a spa resort, which is the first of its kind in the region. ‘Expert’ Carlos Abou Jaoude ‘thinks outside the box’, and is particularly recommended for his tax advice in complex transactions. Souraya Machnouk, Yara Tayar, Simon El Kai and Joe Nahoul are also recommended.

‘One of the country’s historic law firms’, Abouhamad, Merheb, Nohra, Chamoun, Chedid has a ‘a truly integrated partnership’. The 16-strong team advises on Lebanese and international business law, and its expertise includes banking and finance, capital markets, M&A, corporate restructuring, real estate, and tax. The firm is also experienced in advising on the regulatory aspects of new financial products and financial services, including plans to revise capital markets legislation in Lebanon. Clients include national and global banks and companies. Managing partner Antoine Merheb is ‘a class act’.

Abousleiman & Partners’ strong corporate finance practice is unique in its ‘sophisticated bonds experience’, and Randa Abousleiman’s work in this area is ‘outstanding’. The firm advised the Lebanese Republic on a notes issuance under its $22bn global medium term note programme, acted on a New York-based fund’s acquisition of equity in a Lebanese real estate company, and advised on several project finance and debt restructuring transactions. Other clients include BLOM Bank, Fransabank, BankMed, First National Bank, Carlyle, The American University of Beirut, Heineken, and Brasserie Almaza. The firm has worked with several international law firms, including Dechert LLP, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Linklaters LLP, Norton Rose LLP, Chadbourne & Parke LLP, Ashurst, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

‘One of the best’, Alem & Associates ‘provides international standard legal services’. Practice head Mohamed Alem is praised for his ‘strategy-building capabilities in complex matters’. ‘Excellent corporate lawyer’ Rola Tabsh is also recommended for real estate, and is ‘always there when you need her’. Eddy El-Maghariki has ‘a very good level of knowledge, especially about financial issues’, and Leila Laila is ‘one of the best technology and IP lawyers in the region’.

‘Leading’ practice Badri and Salim El Meouchi Law Firm has a strong Middle Eastern focus and a presence throughout the region, including an office in Qatar. Praised for its ‘professionalism’, the firm is Clifford Chance’s preferred counsel in Lebanon, and its clients include Bank Audi, JPMorgan Chase, CAT Holding International, and Dextera Bank. The firm is skilled in cross-border M&A and major real estate projects, and has a burgeoning presence in the oil and gas market. It is advising a major Qatari investment bank on the acquisition of the investment banking and brokerage business of another financial institution. It is also advising Gazprombank Invest Russia and another consortium of Russian shareholders on issues relating to its Lebanese investment bank, Gazprombank Invest Mena SAL. Senior partner Salim El Meouchi is ‘a great lawyer’, and managing partner Chadia El Meouchi is highly recommended.

Airut Law Offices is valued for its ‘professionalism’, ‘accuracy’, ‘high-end service’, and ‘know-how in international law’, and is particularly experienced in joint venture agreements. The firm represents Lebanese clients throughout the Middle East, recently closing a $1bn real estate project in Iraq, and has a growing stake in the country’s energy sector. ‘Young, dynamic, professional’ senior associate Serge Airut, who is ‘super-intelligent, super-dedicated and very ambitious’, is leading a joint venture between a Lebanese company and a leading mobile telecoms operator in Kurdistan to develop broadband in Iraq. Marie Antoinette Airut ‘stands out through her intelligence and expertise’, and is ‘imaginative, analytical and result-oriented’. The firm has two new partners in Lebanon and one partner in Iraq.

A leading practice in insurance and maritime law, Albert and Ziad Najm Law Firm ‘continues to attract the highest profile clients’, among them Zurich, Axa Middle East, Kawar Khayat Shipping Agency, and Al Gezairi Transport. The practice also represented several insurers in ship arrests in Lebanon and won a $50m commercial claim for Shenker Deutschland. The team ‘inspires complete confidence’ through its ‘integrity’, ‘depth of knowledge’, and ‘bullish’ approach, and routinely works with international law firms such as Holman Fenwick Willan LLP, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Taylor Wessing LLP. An ‘exceptional lawyer’, Ziad Najm is ‘wise, ethical, efficient and dependable’, with ‘unmatched energy’ and ‘outstanding negotiation skills’. Nadyn Souaiby is also recommended.

El-Khoury & Partners Legal Counsel in association with Squire Sanders remains independent, following the formal merger of its Saudi sister office with Squire Sanders LLP, but the merger has enhanced the Beirut firm’s regional and international capabilities. Ziad El-Khoury is advising Rizk Red House Healthcare on the organisation and financing of a $1bn project to build and operate ten hospitals in the Middle East. The firm is also acting for Stichting Administratiekantoor on the roll-up and sale of interests in several petrochemicals companies across the Middle East. Other clients include Columbia Sportswear, CAT Telecom Offshore, Sacotel, Orbita, North & South, and Body & Soul.

The ‘professional and efficient’ Levant Law Practice has a presence in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The firm focuses on corporate and financing transactions, with specialisms in telecoms and Islamic finance. The ‘persuasive’ Fadi Nader is recommended for his insurance and regulatory expertise, and also acted as local counsel for the Turkish energy group Karadeniz Holding in agreeing a $360m energy conversion contract with the Lebanese government. The firm was also instructed on Bank Audi and Deutsche Bank’s financing of Lutfi El-Zein’s $400m acquisition of Saudi Oger’s shares in Medgulf.

Moghaizel Law Offices is the Lebanese member of the Energy Law Group and continues to build its presence in the sector. Recent work includes advising on the renovation of power stations, and advising foreign and local parties on gas exploration. The firm also helped to set up a television station in Kurdistan and advised several Lebanese clients on tax issues to comply with US FATCA legislation. It also advises clients on offshore interests pertaining to France, and has a strong relationship with fellow Lex Mundi member Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.. New clients include Alcon, Barclays, Chrysler, Covidien, Gras Savoye, and National Bank of Abu Dhabi. Fadi Moghaizel is a ‘leading’ and ‘prominent’ lawyer.

‘Combining strong Arabic characteristics with a thorough international stature’, Obeid Law Firm (OLF) has ‘outstanding expertise in arbitration’ as well as a strong record in commercial and financial instructions. The firm is ‘highly responsive and attentive to clients’ needs and produces top-quality work’, and is able to run cases in English, French and Arabic. The team’s experience includes investment support and joint ventures, and advising on compliance, directors’ responsibilities and shareholder issues. It advises Asian, Italian and US clients on investments in Lebanon, Africa and Europe, and assists international governments with commercial issues. ‘Distinguished practitioner’ Dr Nayla Comair-Obeid and ‘rising star’ Ziad Obeid are recommended, as is counsel Marie Hayek, who heads the corporate and commercial practice, and co-heads banking and finance team.

Ramzi Joreige and Partners’ ‘honest, knowledgeable and business-friendly’ team is ‘highly qualified’. The firm is particularly skilled in securities, private equity and cross-border corporate transactions, and has an established relationship with Clifford Chance. Senior partner Ramzi Joreige and Chakib Cortbaoui are former presidents of the Beirut Bar Association.

Raphaël & Associés’ ‘very strong and complementary team’ advised the purchaser on Medgulf Insurance’s $400m acquisition, a deal spanning ten jurisdictions. The firm also advised the government on Lebanese oil and gas policy and acted on a $100m real estate project in Brazil. The ‘talented’ Adel Nassar is ‘very impressive in difficult cases’, Hala Raphaël-Abillama is ‘very creative’ and recommended for corporate matters, and Bassam Karam is ‘very positive and always responsive’.

Tyan & Zgheib’s ‘highly professional’ team is particularly well known for its work relating to France. The firm has associations with DLA Piper LLP in the US and several firms across Europe, and its clients include Air France, British American Tobacco, Danone, McDonalds, Coca-Cola, and Colgate-Palmolive. The team is acting for Emirates Lebanon Bank in a major case pending trial, and is advising on construction of the 50-storey Sama Beirut luxury tower. It also reviewed bids to operate and maintain two large facilities for the Office of Electricity of Lebanon. Nady Tyan heads the firm’s strong arbitration practice, and corporate lawyer Mireille Richa is also recommended.

Baroudi & Associates’ advice is ‘strong, clearly and concisely delivered, and professionally put together’. The team is experienced in assisting global telecoms and energy companies with interests in Lebanon, and is able to leverage its membership of TAGLaw global alliance. The ‘excellent’ Jean Baroudi, who heads all corporate, finance and M&A work, is also experienced in international arbitration, and provides ‘spot-on analysis’.

Chedid Law Offices (in association with SNR Denton & Co) gives ‘sophisticated’ service, and ‘combines deep knowledge of the Lebanese market with strong business acumen’. The firm has acted on a number of cross-border, corporate and financial transactions, and its international capabilities are enhanced by its alliance with SNR Denton. Elias Chedid is an ‘outstanding’ lawyer with strong international experience, and has ‘an answer to any problem or delicate situation’.

El-Aref International Law Office, which has a strong Middle Eastern focus and representation in Iraq, has expertise in areas such as finance, energy, litigation, corporate M&A and private equity. Aref El-Aref heads the practice. The firm has relationships with several international firms including Baker & McKenzie LLP, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP and White & Case LLP.

Nabil Abdel – Malek’s Law Offices has a strong reputation for representing high-net-worth individuals. The firm also acts for major financial institutions, and represented the Lebanese Republic in a dispute with the Italian construction company, Toto Costruzioni Generali. ‘Leading lawyer’ Nabil Abdel-Malek is ‘efficient, competent and very honest’, and has a strong grasp of financial law.

Law Offices of Naoum Farah’s ‘very timely and efficient’ team shows ‘good business judgement’, and provides ‘a very high level of service along the lines one would expect from top English and American firms’. Lebanese Broadcasting Company International is a longstanding client, for which the firm continues to handle an ownership dispute with a Lebanese political party. Managing partner Naoum Farah is ‘bright, articulate, thoughtful and very sensitive to clients’ needs and expectations’. Fadi Hassoun and corporate practice head Natalie Freiha Hayek are also recommended.

Soumrani Lawyers & Legal Counsels is ‘very good’ on corporate transactions, and also advises Lebanese and international banks on matters including fiduciary operations, financial instruments and bond issues, and developed the model for Lebanon’s first fiduciary placement fund. Patrick Soumrani is ‘a very competent lawyer’.

Hamdan Law Firm has a strong international focus, underpinned by its alliance with Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, and has clients across Europe, Saudi Arabia and America. The firm has strong expertise in the energy sector, has acted on high-end real estate matters in the Carribean, and recently advised Lebanese and Saudi Arabian clients in an offshore trust dispute. Abdel Ghani Hamdan heads the practice.