'The team is incredibly responsive and knowledgeable', says a client of Al Kamel Law Office, noting that the lawyers 'consistently deliver commercially sound advice and understand the needs of international counsel and foreign clients'. Lead partners Mohamed Kamel and Rasheed Kamel, along with newly promoted partner Shahira Khaled, advise oil and gas companies on their exploration activities, disputes, corporate matters, off-take agreements, pipeline facilities and the marketing of their products. The firm is also heavily involved in renewable energy projects.

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International) is firmly established as a key advisor to the oil and gas and petrochemicals sectors, with its work encompassing upstream, E&P, pipeline, refining and downstream projects. It also advises energy companies on corporate, tax, finance, regulatory and antitrust matters. The firm is also involved in key developments in the power sector, including large renewable energy projects such as the 200MW BOO solar PV project on which it advised the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company. Mohamed Ghannam and Lamyaa Gadelhak are the lead partners.

Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy is well versed in all aspects of the energy sector, including projects, transactions and disputes relating to oil & gas, conventional and renewable power, gas pipelines and transmission and distribution assets. Mahmoud Bassiouny is the only partner in the finance and projects group to focus on energy, but he is backed up by a large team of associates that combine expertise in commercial, industrial and finance matters for lenders, developers and corporates. Its work for Lekela Egypt Wind Power BOO is testament to its growing role in renewable energy projects.

With four partners in its project development and finance group, MHR & Partners in association with White & Case LLP has one of the largest practices in Cairo with a focus on the energy sector. The firm, which climbs the ranking, is involved in major projects for the development of offshore gas fields. It is also a key adviser to major players in the oil and renewable energy sectors, with consolidation transactions in the power sector among its recent work. Energy sector expert Ziad Gadalla co-leads the practice with global oil and gas co-head Philip Stopford and finance specialists Sherief Rashed and Tarek Mohanna.

The project finance group at Shalakany Law Office is involved in major transactions in both the conventional and renewable energy sector. Its recent work includes the financing of a 250MW wind farm IPP project, which is the country's second wind power IPP. It also advised a key player in the solar power sector on investment in and implementation of distribution networks. The firm also handles significant upstream matters in the oil and gas sector. Senior partner Aly El Shalakany and finance specialist Mariam Fahmy are the key practitioners.

Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law has 'great experience and provides all the assistance that is needed to undertake our mission efficiently', remarks one client. Since its involvement in the first oil exploration concession in Egypt in the 1950s, the firm has remained a key adviser to the sector, as well as becoming a prominent player in the mining, power and renewable energy sector, handling the full range of corporate, finance, litigation and project-related work. Practice head Sameh Khodeir and project finance partner Sameh Kamal are the main contacts. Mohamed Gomaa left to become senior counsel at Youssef & Partners Attorneys.

One of the market's leading practitioners, Donia El-Mazghouny, left Shahid Law Firm to start her own firm Mazghouny & Co in early 2020. She has quickly built up an impressive roster of clients, among which are Acciona Energia, EDF Renouvelables and Engie. The boutique firm focuses on projects and infrastructure, energy and power, construction and real estate, financing, and corporate matters. It is best known for its work in the renewable energy sector, with recent work including setting up a 200MW wind energy project for the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA).

Riad & Riad has 'in-depth knowledge of Egyptian laws which makes its advice reliable', says a client who notes that 'their advice is always given in a commercial context from the perspective of the client'. The firm has experience in both local and cross-border finance transactions, including those focused on the energy, infrastructure and oil and gas sectors. Fatma Salah and Mohamed Riad lead the practice, which has recently been involved in numerous renewable energy projects and was appointed by EBRD to support private sector participation in the electricity market.

In 2020, Shahid Law Firm lost the head of its energy practice, Donia El-Mazghouny who started her own firm, but it remains a key adviser to the oil and gas sector. Girgis Abd El-Shahid , who has 'excellent, in-depth knowledge of the Egyptian oil and gas industry' is now the main contact and focuses primarily on energy-related litigation, investor-state disputes and project finance. The firm acts for developers and sponsors on new projects and assists with the acquisition and divestment of existing assets. 'Extremely reliable' senior associate Asmaa Badawy is a rising star.

Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm has an extensive client base among developmental financial institutions, international investment and commercial banks, and major international corporations. Frequently involved in corporate and M&A transactions in the energy sector, the firm also advises on the financing of new projects. Managing associate Heba Raslan leads the energy practice, with support from corporate, project finance and oil and gas partner Ahmed Haggag, who recently acted for United Oil & Gas in a major acquisition.

Zulficar & Partners Law Firm joins the ranking on the strength of its work in energy-related transactions and disputes, including the negotiation and drafting of upstream and downstream contracts, and the prosecution of energy arbitration cases. The firm counts among its clients Total, PICO Energy and the New and Renewable Energy Authority. Renowned arbitrator Mohamed Abdel Wahab leads the two-partner practice. Youssef Al Saman also handles international arbitration in the energy sector, as well as complex projects and cross-border commercial transactions.

Marghany Advocates has a strong track record in the financing of projects in the oil and gas sector. Its work spans advice on corporate matters, as well as project development for terminals, pipelines and production facilities. The group counts Chile's state oil, gas and refineries company Enap Sipetrol and Egyptian oil company PetroShahd among its clients. Amir Marghany is the lead partner.

Riad, Saleh & Partners joins the ranking thanks to the work of two partners, Mohamed Saleh and Hesham Riad, in upstream, downstream and mid-stream projects in the oil and gas sector. The firm acts for local and international companies on matters including concession agreements and gas supply contracts. Founding partner and head of corporate Saleh also has experience in advising financial institutions on LNG and oil trading matters.

Tarek Riad - Legal Consultants and Attorneys at Law, which was formerly known as Kosheri, Rashed & Riad, advises litigation and corporate matters relating to oil and gas projects. The practice, which is led by Tarek F Riad, has experience in exploration rights and infrastructure development in the LNG, oil and gas sectors, as well as handling renewable energy projects. It counts international energy majors including BP and Marathon Oil among its clients.