Bennani & Associés LLP > Algiers, Algeria > Firm Profile
Bennani & Associés LLP Offices
25, Rue Djnane El Malik
16035 Hydra
Algiers
Algeria
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Bennani & Associés LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Algeria > Banking and finance Tier 1
Bennani & Associés LLP advises major companies and financial institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank and is active in a range of areas, including structured finance, project counter-guarantees, fintech services and regulatory advice. Headed by managing partner Mourad Seghir, the firm acts as local counsel to major international law firms, representing both lenders and borrowers. Senior associate Mohamed Debbouche is another key lawyer and leads on the firm’s financing, exchange control and transactional matters.Practice head(s):
Mourad Seghir
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Incredible knowledge of the market as well as the rules.’
‘Full availability.’
‘We have been working with this law firm for years as their lawyers have demonstrated great knowledge of international transactions within the mining, oil, infrastructure and renewables sectors, especially involving financing and regulatory work. A reactive, responsive and reliable firm.’
‘Lawyers within this firm are incredibly reliable and responsive which makes them great team players. Always a pleasure to work with them.’
Key clients
FacebookPay
GooglePay
Islamic Development Bank
Kuaishou
PayPal
Toshiba
Work highlights
- Assisted Islamic Development Bank in the review of the potential $50m financing of strategic Algerian projects and its feasibility under foreign lending rules in Algeria.
- Assisted Toshiba in the context of the disposal of Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Europe to Mutares.
- Advised the pool of lenders on the revision and extension of a €150m agreement for refinanced and new lending to a major manufacturer.
Algeria > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
Bennani & Associés LLP is focused on serving international companies and can often be found acting as local counsel to global law firms. Its growing client base, which includes multinational corporations and household names such as Adidas, Facebook and Hyundai, spans a variety of industries, from oil and gas to telecoms and consumer products. The firm is well placed to carry out complex cross-border work across a variety of corporate and commercial matters. Managing partner Mourad Seghir leads the team, offering expertise in foreign investments and M&A; senior associate Mohamed Debbouche supports Seghir in corporate matters and leads several matters of his own. The team further strengthened its offering with the addition of senior associates Délia Djebbour from KPMG in Algeria and Imane Bendaoud from PwC.Practice head(s):
Mourad Seghir
Other key lawyers:
Mohamed Debbouche; Delia Djebbour; Imane Bendaoud
Testimonials
‘A reactive, responsive and reliable firm.’
‘Incredible knowledge of the market.’
‘Responsive, good market knowledge and efficient.’
Key clients
Adidas
Align Technology
Artelia
Bloomberg
Bristol-Myers Squibb
British American Tobacco
Caterpillar
CFAO Group
Compass
CTC Global
Daimler
Hellenic Petroleum SA
Hyundai Motor Company
IFM Investors
LG
Peters Surgical
Piaggio
Phillips
Sandvine
Sanofi
Snam
Stream Flo
Toshiba
Uber
Work highlights
- Advised Snam, a multinational oil and gas major, on its acquisition of a stake in a recently constituted NewCo, which will own Eni’s stakes in companies involved in the system of transportation of gas from Algeria to the entry point in Sicily, Italy.
- Advised Hellenic Petroleum on the transfer of its refining, trading and petrochemicals operations via a legal hive-down into a newly incorporated entity.
- Advised Cargotec and Konecranesin on the €3.2bn filing of a concentration application involving a merger between two large European crane manufacturers.
Algeria > Dispute resolution Tier 1
Bennani & Associés LLP offers assistance in a broad range of disputes, particularly those concerning construction and tax matters. The firm has significant experience acting before the Algerian courts and in ICC arbitrations for global companies. The team is led by Zakaria Zereg, who is admitted to the Algiers bar and has acted in matters concerning oil and gas and infrastructure projects as well as intellectual property and commercial litigation. Managing partner Mourad Seghir also leads on many matters. Senior associate Mohamed Debbouche is another key lawyer.Practice head(s):
Mourad Seghir; Zakaria Zereg
Other key lawyers:
Mohamed Debbocuhe
Testimonials
‘Incredible and thorough knowledge of the regulatory and national legislative context makes the firm’s contribution particularly appreciated.’
‘Good reachability of the Managing Partner, Mourad Seghir, allowed for good support and evaluation during the disputes process.’
‘Reliable, responsive and to the point. An experienced team that is able to grasp a number of issues and is very nice to work with.’
‘Mourad Seghir is excellent for handling cases and providing strategic advice as well as Zakaria Zereg for litigation.’
‘The team showed good team spirit and understanding of the matters in the case and a keen effort to protect its client’s interests.’
‘Mourad Seghir demonstrated excellent communication skills and availability.’
‘Mourad Seghir and Mohammed Debouche are extremely reliable and competent.’
‘The firm offers the best well-rounded international arbitration professionals in Algeria. The team is responsive, understands its client’s needs and offers excellent legal advice.’
Key clients
Azadea
BP
EVATHERM AG
Consortium (Centrotherm International AG / Kinetics Germany GMBH)
Gucci
Ital Consult
Motion Picture Association, Inc.
SG E&C
Zagope
Work highlights
- Successfully defended EVATHERM against Enasel in the commercial courts in relation to an indemnity claim in the execution of a turnkey salt production plant.
- Advised Bristol-Myers Squibb on its disinvestment in Algeria, including advice on the lay-off of employees and subsequent labour litigation.
- Represented multinationals in three unprecedented cases against Algerian authorities.
Algeria > Employment Tier 1
Bennani & Associés LLP has a comprehensive employment practice with a contentious and non-contentious offering. It acts for a growing client base of multinational corporations, including household name companies in various industries. Recent work includes a broad array of employment matters, including reviewing and advising on contracts, disputes, regulation, transfer of employees, dismissals, work permits and authorisations. Managing partner Mourad Seghir, who is also qualified in New York, leads the team.Practice head(s):
Mourad Seghir
Other key lawyers:
Badereddine Kacem
Testimonials
‘The team is available, trustworthy and pays attention to detail.’
‘The firm is very knowledgeable and efficient. They are extremely responsive to client needs and provide practical approaches to challenges.’
‘Mourad Seghir is always willing to go the extra mile and offers sound advice. He is professional and has an exceptional understanding of the law.’
Key clients
ABB
Abbott
Aramex
BP
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Daimler AG
Elekta
ENI
Firmenich
IQVIA (formerly Quintiles and IMS Health)
ING
Lincoln Electric
Luxury Motors Works
Motorola Solutions
Paul Wurth International
Phillips
Simalga
Smollan
Stream Flo
Work highlights
- Advised Bristol-Myers Squibb on its disinvestment in Algeria, including advice on the lay-off of employees and subsequent labour litigation.
- Assisted regular client IQVIA in the review of its internal regulations and applicable health and safety rules in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as in day-to-day employment matters.
- Acting for metals multinational Paul Wurth in order to obtain work permits and visas for its foreign employees working on a major steel plant project.
Algeria > Energy Tier 1
Bennani & Associés LLP focuses on advising international companies and major law firms and is particularly strong in disputes arising in this area. It offers a comprehensive energy practice, covering regulatory advisory work, high-level disputes and ICC arbitration, corporate and commercial transactions, joint ventures, and other project work assistance. Managing partner Mourad Seghir and senior associate Mohamed Debbouche are names to note. Senior associate Zakaria Zereg supports in contentious energy matters.Practice head(s):
Mourad Seghir
Other key lawyers:
Mohammed Debbouche; Zakaria Zereg
Key clients
BP
Consortium including Centrotherm Photovoltaics
Dragon Oil
Enel Green Power
ENI
Freepoint
Hellenic Petroleum SA
LG
Linde Gaz
Nabors
Noble Energy
Saudi Aramco Products Trading Company
Snam
Stream Flo
Work highlights
- Assisting Snam in connection with its acquisition of a stake in a NewCo, which will own the stakes currently held directly and indirectly by Eni in companies active in the system of transportation of gas from Algeria to the entry point in Sicily.
- Advising Hellenic Petroleum on the transfer of its refining, trading and petrochemicals operations via a legal hive-down into a newly incorporated entity.
- Advising a Chinese company on its participation in the tender bid for a large 1,000MW solar project in Algeria.
Bennani & Associés LLP > Firm Profile
Firm overview: Founded in 2004, Bennani & Associes is a leading independent pan-African firm with offices in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire and now also Democratic Republic of Congo. If offers cutting-edge business law expertise to listed and unlisted companies as well as public entities and international law firms active in the region. In each market, the firm has a particular expertise in representing foreign investors across a wide range of complex issues, including:
- General corporate law
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Joint ventures and partnerships
- Corporate restructuring
- Competition/antitrust and other regulatory advice
- Employment law
- Financing
- Commercial litigation and arbitration
Industries served: The firm has extensive experience in representing a range of major industry sector, including (but not limited to):
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Chemicals
- Consumer electronics
- Energy
- Engineering and construction
- Financial Services
- Food
- Oil and gas
- Pharmaceuticals
- Private equity
- Telecommunications
- Transport
Recent highlights:
- Antitrust counsel to Alstom on filing of its €6.2bn merger with Bombardier (Morocco)
- Counsel to Sage Global Automotive S.R.L. on its acquisition of a 30% stake and voting rights in the Moroccan company, ERT Automotive Morocco Sarl-Au (Morocco)
- Counsel to Bunzl on Moroccan aspects of its acquisition of a 100% equity interest in Proin Pinilla, S.L., and Protec & Marti, S.L. (Morocco)
- Counsel to global investment management firm Carlyle in a $404m bankruptcy litigation procedure against the SAMIR refinery (Morocco)
- Counsel to Representing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Morocco in commercial arbitration against its former distributor (Morocco)
- Counsel to Facebook on data privacy and payment instruments for new products (Algeria)
- Counsel to Hyundai on a new vehicle manufacturing joint venture with Tahkout Manufacturing Company (Algeria)
- Counsel to Evatherm AG in successful defence against penalty claims relating to a turnkey salt production plant (Algeria)
- Counsel to Enel Green Power on regulatory review of 5,000MW of photovoltaic and wind farm projects (Algeria)
- Counsel to Delfingen Industry in the acquisition of a 100% shareholding in Schlemmer group’s Tunisian subsidiary (Tunisia)
- Counsel to Volkswagen regarding merger clearance of its joint venture with Rimac (Tunisia)
- Counsel to Salama – Islamic Arab Insurance Company PSC on the sale of its Senegalese subsidiary, Salama Senegal, to Groupe Duval (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Counsel to Paystack Nigeria on regulatory authorisation of the company’s activities (Côte d’Ivoire)
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
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Staff Figures
All offices : 53 This office : 12Languages
English French ArabicOther
Other offices : Abidjan (Ivory Coast) Other offices : Casablanca (Morocco) Other offices : Kinshasa (DRC) Other offices : Tunis (Tunisia)- Banking and finance
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution
- Employment
- Energy