Tunisia > Foreign firms
Foreign firms
Driven largely from its Paris office and headed by the ‘superb’ Tim Scales, Allen & Overy LLP’s dedicated Africa practice has a significant focus on the Tunisian market. Recent highlights include advising Mitsui & Co and Abu Dhabi National Energy on a government tender for the development, construction, financing, ownership, operation and maintenance of a 350-500MW combined cycle power plant at Kalaat Landalous in Tunisia. Although energy projects remain the principal driving force behind work in the region, the firm has also handled an increasing amount of corporate work, such as its representation of Standard Chartered Bank on its agreement to acquire the pan-African custody business of Barclays Bank.
Clifford Chance has a long history of handling a range of corporate transactions, projects and financings in Tunisia. Centred out of its Paris office, Delphine Siino Courtin is particularly visible in the region.
Very well regarded in the region, Herbert Smith LLP has particular expertise advising on project finance transactions, mainly from its Paris office. Recent highlights include advising the Islamic Development Bank and the EIB on the $500m financing of the TIFERT phosphoric acid production project in LaSkhira.
Led out of the firm’s London, Paris and Dubai offices, Norton Rose LLP thrives in Tunisia largely in relation to its ‘tremendous expertise’ for energy mandates. The firm represented the lenders on the proposed 350-500MW plant being tendered by the Tunisian government. Based out of Paris, Alain Malek has an excellent reputation at handling M&A mandates in the region.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has handled a range of projects in the energy and transport industries in Tunisia.
At White & Case LLP, Paris-based Paule Biensan has a ‘very good reputation’ for handling project finance transactions in Tunisia.
Led out of Paris by the ‘pragmatic and dynamic’ Boris Martor, Eversheds LLP provides ‘reactive and well-organised’ advice to an increasing cadre of clients with activities in Tunisia. Martor is advising Edwards on the implications of the termination and non-renewal of an exclusive distribution agreement undertaken in Tunisia. Other clients include FMC and Orange.
Linklaters LLP’s Paris office has been busy handling a number of significant energy projects in the region. Led by Simon Ratledge, the firm advised a consortium of bidders for the Bizerte 350-500MW gas-fired IPP in Tunisia.
SNR Denton has a well-established reputation across Francophone Africa. Dubai-based Daniel Azan often handles transactions in Tunisia.
CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre has a strong pedigree within Francophone Africa and regularly picks up Tunisian-related mandates. Jean-Jacques Lecat is recommended.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is still engaged in litigation on behalf of ENI and its Tunisian subsidiary in an energy dispute before the Administrative Court of Latium.
Primarily led out of the firm’s Paris office, Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP has significant experience at representing clients within Francophone Africa.