The Legal 500

Adly Bellagha & Associates excels in M&A, privatisation and corporate law. Managing partner Adly Bellagha and Hend Ben Achour advised Asteel Flash Group on the $40m incorporation of an electronics and engineering company. The firm is a preferred partner of international firms, including Clifford Chance.

Cabinet Donia Hedda Ellouze’s ‘experienced, open-minded and hardworking’ Donia Hedda Ellouze specialises in corporate law, M&A and privatisations. The firm is renowned for its work on the incorporation of companies and contract negotiations. Its largely international client base includes companies in the food, textiles, automotive and tourism sectors.

Oil, gas and renewables are key strengths for Ferchiou & associés’ 24-lawyer team, which is the country’s largest practice. Noureddine Ferchiou heads the group, which advised Hilton Group on new hotel developments; Elmet on power plants; and Mitsui on a new power plant development. It is representing Germany’s GTZ on renewable energy developments, and Enel on desalination projects. The team is advising Bank of America Merrill Lynch on establishing a currency business.

‘The dominant firm in Tunisia’, Gide Loyrette Nouel is highly regarded for its advice on labour law and transactions. It advised pharmaceuticals company Unimed on its partnership with a private equity fund; 3B Fibreglass on a local manufacturing joint venture; and Capital Hospitality Group on a joint venture to acquire a hotel development. Bruno de Cazalet heads the team, with Kamel Ben Saleh now in Paris.

Abdelly & Associates North Africa’s network of North African offices gives it a strong regional presence and a prominent role in cross-border deals, especially in the energy sector. Commercial law heavyweight Samil Abdelly has an excellent reputation and extensive experience.

Caid Essebsi & Partners is ‘one of the leading commercial law firms’. Salaheddine Caid Essebsi is a much-sought adviser for local and international clients.

Sousse-based Malek Rejiba Tunisian Law Firm is a popular choice for international law firms or clients seeking local law expertise, and provides ‘an efficient service to local and foreign clients’. Malek Rejiba advises clients such as local textiles manufacturer Semit Group on corporate law and international disputes.

Meziou Knani & associés regularly works with international law firms such as Allen & Overy LLP. Its two partners, Ayoub Knani and Ghazi Meziou, are highly regarded for advising investment funds on private equity transactions.

Achour Law Firm’s managing partner Abdelmonem Achour leads this full-service practice, which is favoured for its broad knowledge of corporate law and its market-leading shipping practice.

Bessem Ben Salem leads Ben Salem Law Firm’s team, which advises many international clients on the incorporation of companies, including ITS Group, CTM, Michaud Tunisia and BFI Group.

Jurismed’s five multilingual lawyers represent mainly foreign clients, though they also advise domestic businesses in joint ventures. Oil, gas and renewable energy are key strengths. Maya Boureghda Chebeane is ‘committed to offering clients pragmatic, reliable, proactive assistance’, and recently advised a listed company and a foreign investor on respective acquisitions.

Khaled Azouzi is highly respected for corporate and commercial law advice.

Cabinet Malouche’s Habib Malouche heads a team that is a prominent representative of local clients.

Mamoughli & Mamoughli Avocats’ Mourad Mamoughli is best known for telecoms sector mandates, although the firm is also sought by clients across many industries because of its excellent understanding of local law and regulations.

Mili & Associates’ Faouzi Mili, Lotfi Blel and Zied Chabane are corporate law experts. The team counts an investment fund supported by the European Investment Bank as a longstanding client, and also represents French multinational CEVA on its Tunisian subsidiary’s activities. The team also advised Meriam Contract Company on a €25m local investment.