The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Shalakany Law Office is a second tier firm,

Shalakany Law Office retains banking expertise in a team led by the ‘respected’ Khaled El Shalakany. In 2010 the group advised the Egyptian Gas Derivatives Company (EBGD) on a £665m medium term loan agreement granted by Commercial International Bank to finance the Ras Shukeir gas derivative plant. The team receives frequent international instructions.

Within Corporate and M&A, Shalakany Law Office is a first tier firm,

The ‘experienced’ and ‘commercially savvy’ team at Shalakany Law Office handled a raft of impressive instructions in 2010, including acting as legal counsel for the General Organization for International Exhibitions and Fairs (GOIEF) on the ‘Expo City’ project, a rebuilding of the Cairo Exhibition Center and Cairo International Conference Center, financed by a $500m loan from Export-Import Bank of China. Mohamed Shaker is a solid favourite with clients. The firm has close links with international law firms.

Within Dispute resolution, Shalakany Law Office is a first tier firm,

Shalakany Law Office has an enviable litigation and arbitration practice staffed by ‘excellent’ practitioners, whom clients describe as ‘thorough and original, with immense clarity, despite dealing with highly complex issues’. Managing partner Khaled El Shalakany is a ‘consummate professional’ who deals with international disputes with ‘extreme ease’.

Within Intellectual property, Shalakany Law Office is a first tier firm,

Shalakany Law Office’s ‘superb’ reputation across the spectrum of practice areas extends to its IP practice, which is capable of handling all aspects of IP registration, management and enforcement. The firm frequently benefits from referrals from international firms, who value ‘the commitment to a Western-style service’.

Within Legal market overview,

The legal market in Egypt is dominated by a few full-service firms, the most well known of which are Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie), Shalakany Law Office, Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law and Al Kamel Law Office. Two-partner practice Sharkawy & Sarhan is also prominent, together with Ibrachy Law Firm and Ibrachy & Dermarkar, which has expanded with the hire of five associates in 2009 and 2010. There have been no major shake ups since the prominent and ‘extremely well-connected’ Mona Zulficar left Shalakany Law Office to found Zulficar & Partners Law Firm in 2009. International firms do not have a strong presence on the ground, with the exception of Trowers & Hamlins in association with Nour Law Office, SNR Denton – formerly Denton Wilde Sapte – and DLA Matouk Bassiouny, which all practise in collaboration with local practitioners.

Within Oil and gas, Shalakany Law Office is a third tier firm,

Senior partner Emad El Shalakany and Mohamed Youssef Kamal are the key contacts for oil and gas work at Shalakany Law Office. The team has a wealth of expertise advising major players such as Apache Corporation, British Petroleum, ExxonMobil and Shell Egypt on exploration, distribution and concession agreements, as well advising possible new entrants to the market.

Within Projects and infrastructure, Shalakany Law Office is a first tier firm,

Clients appreciate the breadth of experience at Shalakany Law Office, which has advised on various PPP schemes, including acting for the government in its major wastewater projects. The team are ‘responsive and technically excellent’. Aly El Shalakany is cited as a standout practitioner who ‘has a holistic view due to being qualified in both Egypt and England’, while Khaled Ed Shalakany is also highly rated.