The Legal 500

August & Debouzy

GHANDI MALL, IMMEUBLE 9 BOULEVARD GHANDI, CASABLANCA
Paris, Casablanca, Brussels

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Morocco

Banking, finance and capital markets

Within Banking, finance and capital markets,

A new addition to the banking table is French firm August & Debouzy. Much of the firm’s transactional work is finance transactions for the big international banks, and it operates ‘ clearly at the higher end of the spectrum’. An example of work it has undertaken in its first year in operation in Casablanca is advising the Moroccan government on the sale of a 4% stake in Maroc Telecom for €450m, the most important private placement in Moroccan history. Clients describe the firm as ‘ very proportional in their approach; exhibiting well-articulated reasoning and an understanding of expectations’.

Corporate and M&A

Within Corporate and M&A,

A new entry this year is French firm August & Debouzy, which opened its doors in Casablanca in May 2007. Partner Kamal Nasrollah has been charged with the brief to develop the Morocco office, and his corporate credentials include several years with Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York and London. He is assisted by four other attorneys, plus extra resources in Paris which can be called upon when necessary. The focus is on complex work: examples of recent clients include Clearchannel (UK); Goldman Sachs (US); and Cap Gemini (France). Besides its international clientele, the firm has also acted for Moroccan companies investing abroad, including Saham and SOMED. In late 2007 Kamal Nasrollah acted for Maroc Telecom on its acquisition of Gabon Telecom. Clients report that he is ‘ very easy to deal with, and effective’.

Legal market

Within Legal market,

For historical reasons, it is the French firms that have demonstrated the most commitment to the Moroccan market by opening offices in Casablanca. UGGC & Associés and CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre possess full-service non-contentious capability. But it is Gide Loyrette Nouel - Naciri & Associés which stands out as the leading firm in the country, blending local expertise in the form of partner Hicham Naciri, with international credentials and standards of service. In mid-2007, another major French firm opened an office, with August & Debouzy relocating Moroccan national Kamal Nasrollah to Casablanca.

Tourism and real estate

Within Tourism and real estate,

August & Debouzy debuts in the tourism and real estate table following its opening in Casablanca in mid-2007. Partner Kamal Nasrollah is an experienced corporate practitioner, and has a track record advising French businesses on inward investment, as well as Moroccan companies on leisure developments. In 2007 the firm represented SOMED as owner and developer on the management, advisory and licence agreements of a luxury five-star Raffles hotel and residential villa project in Marrakech.


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