Bennani & Associés is a highly respected regional law firm, as illustrated by its enviable client base of household names such as Novartis, Facebook and Uber. The team’s workload primarily consists of advising international clients on entering and maintaining its presence in Algeria, with expertise across all aspects of corporate and commercial law. Managing partner Mourad Seghir oversees the team and is a New York qualified lawyer with expertise in M&A and joint ventures, as well as public and private contracts. Senior associate Mohamed Debbouche is also noted.
Commercial, corporate and M&A in Algeria
Bennani & Associés
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Testimonials
‘Bennani & Associés offers the level of service that meets the standards of the most sophisticated international law firms. I work with them in full confidence to cover my clients’ needs in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.’
‘Mourad Seghir provides articulate and to-the-point advice.’
‘Responsive, efficient, independent.’
‘Strong expertise in Algerian laws and regulations.’
‘Always available and friendly, we are definitely convinced of its loyalty, competence and analytic qualities. They are always available to answer quickly and qualitatively to our requests.’
Key clients
Novartis
Sanofi
Uber
Hyundai Motor Company
Bristol-Myers Squibb
British American Tobacco
Bloomberg
Daimler
Caterpillar
IFM Investors
LG
Phillips
Sandvine
Stream Flo
CFAO
Artelia
Align Technology
Work highlights
- Advised Facebook on the launch of new products and data privacy issues.
- Advised Hyundai on a joint venture with an Algerian partner (Tahkout Manufacturing Company) for the production of passenger vehicles.
- Advised Bristol-Myers Squibb in relation to its disinvestment in Algeria.
ADNA DELETE
ADNA, formerly Bourabiat Associés, has an office network that spans North Africa and advises on an array of issues including M&A, disposals, share capital increases and joint ventures. This work has been carried out for corporations, financial institutions as well as state-owned enterprises. Foued Bourabiat leads the team and is a reputed name in the market for his work handling corporate transactions within the energy sector. He is supported by associate Steven Aldrich, who also focuses on the energy sector but also has notable expertise in assisting with work related to the pharmaceutical sector.
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Testimonials
‘Excellent client service. They are exceptionally available even at short notice. They bring a user-friendly commercial approach focusing on solutions rather than issues.‘
‘Foued is extremely well informed and super-connected. We go to him for his views on “under the radar” legal developments.‘
Key clients
Air Products
Cevital
Emerging Capital Partners (ECP)
Edison
DP World
Al Ghurair Group
Fruital (Coca-Cola)
Geodis
Danieli
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Jamjoom Pharmaceuticals
Neptune Energy
Samsung C&T
Azadea
Volotea
OPIC (now DFC)
Work highlights
- Advised Occidental Petroleum Company on the Algerian aspects of the acquisition of Anadarko.
- Advised Suzuki Motor Corporation in connection with the construction of a vehicle assembly plant in Algeria.
- Advised Emerging Capital Partners on the divestment of a significant stake in Générale Assurance Méditerranéenne(GAM), one of Algeria’s main private insurance companies.
CMS
CMS is a leading international firm in Algeria and is uniquely positioned to assist global clients and work on cross-border matters. The group has recently been advising on M&A, infrastructure projects and restructurings, with a particular focus on the oil and gas, real estate, TMT and life sciences sectors. Fatiha Aouam, who assists domestic and international clients with commercial issues, is also a notable practitioner.
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Testimonials
‘I’ve been working with CMS since 2008/2009 and have always received good quality support. They know their market very well including the pragmatic aspects.’
‘Available, reachable, flexible.’
‘Strong presence and knowledge of the markets. Able to anticipate changes and plan accordingly.’
Gide Loyrette Nouel
Gide Loyrette Nouel has advised on some landmark transactions, most recently advising on the $1.5bn joint venture between Total Refining & Chemical and Sonatrach concerning a petrochemical project in Algeria. As well as joint ventures, the team is also active in advising on M&A, restructuring and capital investments. Samy Laghouati, who has a particularly strong focus on the energy sector, heads the team and is supported by counsel Julien Gontier.
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‘Gide Algeria is for sure one of the most reliable law firms in Algeria.‘
Key clients
Volkswagen AG
Engie
Total
Daewoo E&C
Sanofi
Chine Road and Bridge Corporation
Halliburton
BNP Paribas
Schlumberger
Repsol
Danone
Novo Nordisk
British American Tobacco
Work highlights
- Assisted CRBC with setting up a joint venture with the Algerian state owned entity Société Nationale de Travaux Publics aiming to carry out mega-infrastructure projects in Algeria.
- Advised TATA Motors on the creation of a joint venture operating in the assembly of vehicles in Algeria.
- Advised Verallia Packaging on the sale of 100% of its assets to an Algerian company
L&P Partners
L&P Partners, which is a member firm of DLA Piper Africa, is highly skilled in cross-border matters and is a popular choice for international clients. Leading the team are Mounir Ait Belkacem, a renowned expert in corporate contracts, and Arezki Djadour, who is highly skilled in property transactions. M&A specialist Mohamed Lanouar is another key name.
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Testimonials
‘Very knowledgeable team with very friendly approach. The team is extremely business oriented‘
‘Availability at any time and eager to understand the constraints of the clients.‘
‘Knowledgeable about local law and practices but capable of handling international clients and transactions.’
Key clients
Toyota
Veon
Renault
LafargeHolcim
OCEA
Pfizer
Marubeni
Sanofi Aventis
Hoffman-La Roche
Oman Refreshment Co
GlaxoSmithKline
Sodexo
Terramin
Johnson & Johnson
Société Générale Algérie
As Salam bank Bahrain
Careem
Michelin
Amgen
Shariket Kahraba hadiret Ennous (SKH)
Hasnaoui
Biopharm
Stellantis
URGO
Work highlights
- Assist Pfizer with the implementation of the Upjohn/Viatris deal implying the transfer of generic activities and related employees from a local affiliate to another company based also in Algeria.
- Advising Veon on the sale of a stake of its Algerian subsidiary which indirectly holds telecom and VSAT licenses.
- Advising Renault two affiliates in Algeria in two Social Plans with the termination of more than 1000 employees.
- Assist Pfizer in the implementation of the Upjohn/Viatris Deal implying the transfer of generic activities and related employees from a local affiliate to another company based also in Algeria
LPA-CGR
LPA-CGR is a major French law firm that has been operating in Algeria since 2007, primarily focusing on M&A, joint ventures and commercial contracts. Fatima-Zohra Bouchemla, who has expertise in commercial contracts, is also noted. Rym Loucif left the firm. Since publication, Samir Sayah joined the firm.
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Cabinet d’Avocats Samir HAMOUDA DELETE
Cabinet d'Avocats Samir Hamouda advises international companies on commercial and regulatory issues, as well as joint ventures. Samir Hamouda, who has particular experience in the TMT, life sciences and financial services sectors, leads the practice. Eli Lily and The World Bank are among its clients.
Practice head(s):
Samir Hamouda
Key clients
Eli Lilly and Company
Alliance Assurances
GE Healthcare
Air Liquide
Yves Rocher
Henkel
The World Bank
Biogaran-Servier
COGEA Design & Construction
Mylan NoSociété d’Automatisation des Transactions
Interbancaires et de Monétique (SATIM)
Arkas NoHysis Medical
Matouk Bassiouny in association with SH-Avocats
Matouk Bassiouny in association with SH-Avocats‘ team acts for household name clients including Philip Morris, KFC and Kellogg’s, focusing on corporate transactions, commercial agreements and regulatory support. Managing partner Houda Sahri leads the team and has prior experience working as a lawyer for one of The Big Four’s legal firms and as in-house counsel for General Electric.
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Key clients
ADES
Al Ghurair Group
Astellas NoCudd (US)
Europmarkets
Fujitsu
GE Healthcare
Ghabbour Auto
Hassan Allam
Hyundai
Iovate Health Sciences
Kellogg’s
KFC (group Yum!)
LafargeHolcim
Land O’ Lakes (US)
Marriott
Mondia
Novabase Group
Pernod Ricard
Philip Morris
Pfizer
PWC Middle-East
Qatar Petroleum
Renault
RMBV
Sorfert
Summit
Taghleef Industries
TTC
Zoetis
Work highlights
- Advising KFC for the launch of a restaurant chain in Algeria.
- Advised Hyundai in connection with the acquisition of a stake in Doosan Infracore.
- Advising General Electric in relation to compliance with new stringent regulatory requirements, including a possible corporate restructuring.
ZAALANI & Associés
ZAALANI & Associés is a full service practice which supports both domestic and international clients and is led by managing partner Hicham Zaalani. Zaalani is an expert in transactions like M&A and joint ventures as well as regualtory issues surrounding custos and trade law.
Practice head(s):
Hicham Zaalani