The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a first tier firm,

Herzog Fox & Neeman houses ‘the leading finance lawyers in Israel’, who strive to ‘really understand the client’s business considerations, so that their legal advice is most relevant and constructive’. This broad practice is particularly strong in debt financing, derivatives and structured products, and is also recommended for its close links to the Israeli regulators. Clients include Goldman Sachs, HSBC and Bank Leumi. Department head Alan Sacks is ‘highly professional’, and the ‘trusted and well-recognised’ Irit Roth recently joined from an in-house position.

Within Capital markets, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a first tier firm,

Herzog Fox & Neeman’s lawyers ‘totally understand their client’s situation and are extremely valuable in negotiations’. The team has expertise in the public issuance of securities, publicly traded companies, asset management and regulatory requirements, and its client base includes Goldman Sachs and Azrieli Group. Nir Dash and Ilanit Landesman Yogev, who is ‘very sharp and committed’, advised Israel Electric Company on the preparation of a public offering prospectus and a NIS3bn public offering of debentures in 2012.

Within Competition, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a second tier firm,

Herzog Fox & Neeman recruited former general counsel of the IAA Boaz Golan to lead the department following the loss of Gal Rozent to Yoram L. Cohen, Ashlagi, Eshel, Law Offices. Golan has an ‘excellent’ reputation and ‘a deep knowledge of competition law in Israel and abroad’. Clients include Bezeq and Israel Electric.

Within Corporate and M&A, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Dispute resolution, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a second tier firm,

The ‘world-class’ Herzog Fox & Neeman provides ‘the best service you could hope for’; ‘immediate response times, outstanding teamwork and very clear lines of thought’. The firm handles commercial litigation, torts and consumer class actions and administrative petitions for clients such as Makteshim Chemical Works, Bank Leumi and HP Israel. Yaacov Sharvit and Joseph Ashkenazi show ‘excellent courtroom skills’, and practice head Tuvia Erlich is also recommended.

Within Hi-tech, start-ups and venture capital, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a first tier firm,

‘Excellent in all areas’, Herzog Fox & Neeman recently advised Facebook on its acquisition of Snaptu, an Israeli start-up that develops mobile phone applications, which was only the second time that Facebook had purchased a non-US company. Other clients include Microsoft, Dell, Pfizer and GE Medical Systems. Alon Sahar and Maya Racine Netser co-head the team, which is also highly regarded for its life sciences expertise.

Within Intellectual property, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a second tier firm,

Herzog Fox & Neeman shows ‘excellent business acumen and industry knowledge’. It recently added Psagot Investments, HOT Communications and Assuta Medical Centres to its client roster. Practice head Karen Elburg is ‘a pleasure to work with and an extremely knowledgeable IP lawyer’.

Within Projects and energy, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a first tier firm,

Herzog Fox & Neeman’s ‘deeply knowledgeable’ lawyers are ‘the best in the business’; ‘they provide a very professional service to their client, while keeping a good relationship with the counterparty’. In particular, Mark Phillips is ‘a lawyer you can count on’, and Adam Eytan is ‘very business-oriented’. Recent highlights include advising the concessionaire on the Jerusalem Light Rail project, and acting for the lenders on financing the exploitation of the Tamar natural gas field.

Within Real estate and construction, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a first tier firm,

Herzog Fox & Neeman’s lawyers impress with ‘a willingness to help and a friendly and welcoming attitude’. Yaacov Brandt leads this broad department, which is skilled in real estate and construction transactions and litigation. Clients include Azrieli Group, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Israel Electric.

Within Tax, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a first tier firm,

For some, ‘there is no firm better’ than Herzog Fox & Neeman, where the ‘very professional and responsive’ lawyers advise large companies as well as private clients. The firm’s expertise includes the tax aspects of employee equity benefit plans and fund formation. Clients ‘cannot speak highly enough’ of Eldar Ben-Ruby and Eldad Chamam, and Meir Linzen is also highly regarded.

Within Telecoms and media, Herzog Fox & Neeman is a first tier firm,

Commended for its ‘premium service and insightful, responsive lawyers’, Herzog Fox & Neeman recently advised 012 Smile on the regulatory aspects of the $1.7bn purchase of the controlling shares in Bezeq. HOT is a new client. Practice head Esther Sternbach is recommended for her ‘great connections and strategic thinking’, and Ronen Reingold is also ‘a very good lawyer’.