Transport in Israel

FISCHER (FBC & Co.) is a destination practice for aviation work, where it is routinely engaged by major global airlines to advise on significant consumer litigation, including class actions, as well as regulatory and transactional matters. Notably, the firm recently added three new clients in this area, with Fly Dubai, Emirates and Etihad Airways turning to the firm for support. Other industry strong suits include issues in the maritime and automotive sectors. Shirly Kazir is recognised for her expertise in aviation and shipping disputes, while infrastructure expert Hagit Horowitz advises on rail and road projects.

Herzog Fox & Neeman has an emphasis on representing transport clients in financing transactions. On the aviation side, the group routinely advises major airlines on financing matters, as well as acquisitions and leasing issues — it also acts for lenders. The firm also has an active transport infrastructure practice, with its recent work spanning projects in the rail, port and road sectors. Finance specialist Alan Sacks leads the aviation practice and acted alongside Ben Kanter to advise Aviation Capital Group on the Israeli aspects of a global securitisation of a fleet of aircraft. Mark Phillips heads up the project finance and development department.

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. houses a leading transport litigation offering, which is best known for representing clients in the shipping and aviation sectors in contentious matters, including class actions. On the shipping side, the group acts for major local and global corporates, public sector clients and insurance companies in a myriad of disputes and regulatory matters, with Noble Energy Mediterranean, RCL Cruises and Ashdod Port all representative clients. On the aviation front, it specialises in representing airlines, insurers and underwriters in contentious matters. Ilan Winder spearheads the firm’s transport activities, with an emphasis on shipping and aviation work. Senior associates Merav Nur and Omer Guy provide support.

S. Friedman & Co. Advocates & Notaries fields a go-to maritime practice, which is routinely engaged by local and global shipping clients, such as Zim Integrated Shipping Services, Maersk and the Chamber of Shipping of Israel. The team is also well versed in aviation and rail-related work. Amir Cohen-Dor is highlighted by sources as ‘the best maritime lawyer in Israel‘ on the back of his expertise in maritime claims, dispute resolution and commercial agreements. Michael Safran is also recognised for his specialist experience in shipbuilding matters, ship sales and purchases, shipping finance and litigation. Up-and-coming partner Roiy Cohen is ‘highly professional‘.

Harris & Co. Maritime Law Office‘s exclusive focus on maritime law translates into a broad shipping practice, with an emphasis on contentious matters. The group is frequently involved in litigation before the Maritime Court and the Supreme Court and brings to bear an extensive track record in precedent-setting cases. The firm also advises on non-contentious matters, including ship finance transactions, ship sales and purchases and other commercial arrangements. John Harris is widely revered as an authority on shipping matters, and managing partner Yoav Harris is also highly regarded for his shipping litigation expertise.

S. Horowitz & Co‘s transport experience is spread across several sectors, with its aviation offering arguably standing as the strongest pillar of the practice. Among its trophy airline clients, the firm advises British Airways, Ryanair and Blue Air Aviation, among others, on matters such as passenger rights and consumer protection issues. Hugh Kowarsky is recommended for his broad aviation expertise. Litigator Eyal Doron also has an emphasis on aviation-related work.

AYR – Amar Reiter Jeanne Shochatovitch & Co‘s interdisciplinary transport practice recently acted on a slew of aviation and road-related mandates. The group has an emphasis on contentious matters and recently represented Shlomo Sixt in two applications for class action lawsuits filed against in connection with its car rental business. Yoav Caspi advises on transport transactions, while Yaron Reiter and Ram Jeanne are key contacts for transport-related litigation.

Erdinast Ben Nathan Toledano & Co. with Hamburger Evron has a focus on road and rail work, with a strong track record in acting on technology-driven transport deals, including those involving drones and AI. In a notable example, it is representing Mobileye Vision Technologies in a joint venture for the launch of a commercial self-driving ride-hailing service in Israel, with the support of the government of Israel. Corporate partner Doni Toledano, who leads the Mobileye mandate, is the key contact.

Goldfarb Seligman & Co.‘s cross-practice transport offering represents local and international transport companies on an array of transactional, project development and contentious matters. The team is particularly well known for its expertise in transport-related infrastructure projects, including advising multinational corporations on government tenders in the road and rail sectors. Managing partner Yudi Levy is noted for his aviation experience, including regulatory matters, and Rami Sofer advises corporate and public sector clients on transport infrastructure.

Gornitzky & Co.‘s close relationship with Dan Public Transportation Company (Dan) creates a significant volume of transport-related instructions; the group advised it on a string of matters, including the establishment of a partnership R&D company to invest in the field of smart mobility. The firm also advises on aviation matters and transport-related infrastructure projects. Managing partner Kfir Yadgar oversees the firm’s relationship with Dan, while Yiftah Farber has a focus on transport-related infrastructure.

Meitar Law Offices is particularly active in the aviation and automotive sectors, where it represents both local and international transport clients. The firm’s top corporate practice ensures that it is a popular choice to advise on sophisticated M&A deals, such as its recent advice to Global Kenafayim on its bid to purchase Israir Airlines. However, it is also well versed in advising on regulatory and contentious matters. Regulation head Alon Gellert is the key contact. Project finance specialist Jonathan Finklestone is also noted.

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries‘ transport offering is closely aligned with its infrastructure practice. The firm has an emphasis on large transport-related infrastructure projects, including light rail transit systems and road development projects. Tamar Firon-Smorodinsky is routinely involved in transport-related project development, and Ilan Kremer is noted for his recent work for SuperBus, including advising on its winning tender to operate public transport lines in central and southern Jerusalem.

Shibolet & Co.‘s transport practice brings to bear extensive experience in the automotive sector, where it advises global corporates such as General Motors on an array of contentious and regulatory matters. The firm also houses a growing aviation department, with David Sprecher noted for his expertise in this area. David Magriso advises on transport-related infrastructure projects.