The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie)’s eminent position in the finance market was underlined by its role as adviser to the Egyptian lenders and the IFC on the $158m financing of Egyptian Indian Polyester Company’s Ain Sokhna PET plant. Mohamed Ghannam acted on the largest financing to be entirely covered by Egyptian banks – the $1bn facility to Etisalat Misr. Mohamad Talaat and Hazim Rizkana add depth to this ‘outstanding’ team.

Within Corporate and M&A, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie)’s ‘strong legal capability’ gives the firm a leading edge in the corporate and M&A field. It advised on the IFC’s €80m equity investment in Alexandria Portland Cement, and on Semiramis Hotels’ acquisition of Arab Investment for Urbanization Co. Mohamed Ghannam, Hatem Soliman and Mohamad Talaat are the key figures in the practice.

Within Dispute resolution, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie)’s arbitration and litigation teams are headed by ‘safe pair of hands’ Hazim Rizkana. Recent instructions include trade mark protection cases; defending a CEO in capital markets violation charges; and representing a major Egyptian hotel development company in arbitration following the owner’s default.

Within IT and telecoms, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie)’s full-service offering appeals to global telecoms operators, which use the team for financing, acquisitions and industry-specific documentation. Mohamad Talaat’s team recently acted for the arrangers on the $1bn facility extended to Etisalat Misr; represented the Egyptian Company for Mobile Services in its acquisition of LINKdotNET; and drafted a website design agreement for ISKAN Insurance.

Within Intellectual property, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie)’s dedicated IP group focuses on trade mark protection and enforcement. It recently pursued trade mark infringement actions for major global electronics and clothing companies. Hazim Rizkana heads the practice.

Within Legal market overview,

Overall, the legal market is dominated by full-service firms such as Al Kamel Law Office, Shalakany Law Office, Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie) and Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law, although newer firms such as Ibrachy Law Firm and Zulficar & Partners Law Firm are emerging as strong challengers.

Within Oil and gas, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie) advised Tri Ocean Energy on taking a $12.5m 80% participating interest in the West Gebel El Zeit concession; and the Egyptian lenders and IFC on the financing of Egyptian Indian Polyester’s $158m Ain Sokha PET plant, notable as the first major financing in the sector since the revolution. Mohamed Ghannam heads the team.

Within Projects and infrastructure, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

‘Leading law firm’ Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie) regularly appears on PPP projects. Mohamed Ghannam advised the lenders on the first PET project in Egypt and North Africa – the $158m Ain Sokhna plant – which was also the first project financing to be signed after the January 2011 revolution.