The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a first tier firm,

Gide Loyrette Nouel Maroc was dealt a blow by the loss of its long-held association with Naciri & Associés but the firm retains a leading reputation regionally as a result of ‘years in an unrivalled position at the top of the Moroccan market’, having established its Casablanca office in 2003. Julien David now heads the firm’s Morocco practice and the group continues to attract praise for its ‘excellent local knowledge, good contact network and regulatory strength’. Highlights in 2011 included advising the asset management company Risma on its €31m bond issue.

Within Corporate and M&A, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a first tier firm,

Julien David heads Gide Loyrette Nouel Maroc’s corporate team, which advised Hikma Pharmaceuticals on the €81m acquisitionof a 63.9% stake in Casablanca-listed Promopharm.

Within Dispute resolution, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a first tier firm,

Gide Loyrette Nouel Maroc lost former office head and leading litigator Hicham Naciri to Naciri & Associés Allen & Overy in 2011. However, the firm has a deep litigation team and longstanding expertise, particularly in administrative law and disputes involving the state.

Within Intellectual property, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a third tier firm,

Gide Loyrette Nouel Maroc has a solid track record advising domestic and international clients on portfolio management and IP rights enforcement.

Within Legal market overview,

Casablanca welcomed numerous arrivals in 2011 as international law firms chose the city as their African hub. The top headline was Naciri & Associés’ decision to break off relations with French heavyweight Gide Loyrette Nouel Maroc – a union that had dominated Morocco rankings for some years – to form an association with an incoming UK ‘Magic Circle’ firm. The resulting Naciri & Associés Allen & Overy is expected to be a leading player going forward. In another high-profile union, CWA in Cooperation with Eversheds opened its doors in early 2011, with offices in Casablanca and Tangier. Norton Rose LLP and Clifford Chance launched in late 2011.

Within Projects and public law, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a first tier firm,

Gide Loyrette Nouel Maroc’s office head Julien David is recommended for project finance advice. The firm has experience representing sponsors, government bodies and lenders and it recently advised Office Chérifien des Phosphates, the national Moroccan phosphates company, on a €350m bond issue.

Within Tourism and real estate, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a first tier firm,

At Gide Loyrette Nouel Maroc, Julien David is advising Groupe Pierre et Vacances on its €220m strategic development partnership with a Moroccan group, CDG, to develop tourism and real estate projects in Morocco. Other clients include luxury retail chains and construction companies.