Leading Individuals

Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Tourism and real estate

Al Tamimi & Company is a leading full-service law firm in the Middle East and North Africa. The firm advises hospitality investors such as hotel and restaurant brands in entering and operating in Morocco.
FIDAL MOROCCO AFRICA operates from both Casablanca and Paris. The team’s real estate and tourism work stems from their asset management and corporate practices, assisting on property work for large financial institutions like banks and asset managers.

Tourism and real estate in Morocco

Gide Loyrette Nouel

Gide Loyrette Nouel has a dedicated real estate team which frequently advises clients on the sale and acquisition of large-scale real estate projects, and on negotiations of lease agreements. The team has a particular expertise in the construction of hotels and development of coastal resorts. The practice is headed by Loris Marghieri, who specializes in advising international clients in land acquisition, construction, and real estate regulatory matters. Additionally, Wacef Bentaibi is an expert in assisting both domestic and foreign investors in hospitality investments, infrastructure, and real estate related finance work.

Practice head(s):

Loris Marghieri


Other key lawyers:

Wacef Bentaibi; Dounia El Aissaoui


Key clients

AtlantaSanad


Onomo Hotels


Sentury Tire


World Bank


Nhood


Immorente Invest


Club Med


Arabian Construction Company


Kew green Hotels


Agroberries


Société Générale Marocaine de Banques


Aman Hotels


O Capital Group


Réalités Afrique


Katara Hospitality


Pestana Hotel Group


Adagio


Work highlights


  • Advising the insurance company AtlantaSanad in connection with a build to suit transaction for the construction and rental of an industrial plant to be operated by the manufacturing company LEONI in the new industrial acceleration zone of Haliopolis (Agadir).
  • Assisting Sentury Tire for the development of an industrial project in Morocco, which consists of investing in the construction of High-Performance Car and Light Truck Radial Tire Projects in Morocco.
  • Advising Immorente Invest in a sale and leaseback transaction involving a property asset (offices and logistics buildings) with a surface area of approx. 12,000 m² located within the industrial unit at Fahs-Anjra in the Tangier Automotive City free zone, owned and operated by SFC SOLUTIONS AUTOMOTIVE MOROCCO SARL.

Naciri & Associés Allen & Overy

Naciri & Associés Allen & Overy has a multidisciplinary real estate team which combines specialists in all areas of real estate areas, particularly in transaction works, title and land review, project financing, marketing issues, and public procurements. Managing partner Hicham Naciri specializes in advising large scale projects in Morocco and Africa in the areas of banking, insurance, and tourism. Meanwhile, Yassir Ghorbal focuses on advising real estate developers and financial institutions in project development.

Practice head(s):

Hicham Naciri; Yassir Ghorbal


Key clients

Agence d’Urbanisation et de développement d’Anfa (AUDA)


Ithmar Capital


Accor SA


Work highlights


  • Advised AUDA on the sale of a portfolio of real estate assets (residential, hotels, mixed use and office space) for a total amount of more than MAD2 billion.
  • Advised Accor S.A. on the sale of Accor’s entire stake in Risma.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright Casablanca provides corporate related real estate and construction advice to developers, government-linked businesses, and financial institutions. Alain Malek recently advised on the structuring of real estate development, development of residential complexes, and negotiation of lease agreements to various operators, real estate funds, and property developers. Meanwhile, Mathieu Dahan provides support on the firm’s most significant matters, including advising the real estate branch of a Saudi group concerning issues relating to an office building in Casablanca.

Practice head(s):

Alain Malek; Mathieu Dahan


Key clients

Attijari Wafa Bank


Assoufid Properties SA


Asas Investment Ltd


Mediterannea Capital Partner


AMDIE


Ministry of Investment


Yamed Group


Beyond Technology


SADV (OCP Group)


MEDZ


Work highlights


  • Advised SADV in the structuring of real estate development and compiled a detailed review and analysis of all possible options, with advantages and drawbacks, for the development of the Green City of Benguérir.
  • Advising the developer, Assoufid Properties, in relation to the development of residential complex in Marrakech, the real estate structuring (joint ownership associations, RIPT) and the management of the St Regis (Marriott) hotel.
  • Assisting Canadian group, Beyond Technology, in relation to the implementation of its activity in Casanearshore, including negotiation of the lease agreement for its offices.

DLA Piper

The DLA Piper corporate and real estate team assists clients in drafting and negotiating various agreements which are vital to developing large energy, transport, and real estate infrastructure. Christophe Bachelet heads the practice and has great expertise in advising in the sale of real estate and the drafting and negotiation of agreements for the energy and hospitality and leisure sectors. Other notable individuals in the team include Camilia Benani and Ghita Moussaid.

Practice head(s):

Christophe Bachelet


Other key lawyers:

Camilia Benani; Ghita Moussaid


Work highlights


UGGC Africa

UGGC Africa has an experienced team which advises on sensitive construction and real estate issues concerning disputes, debt recovering, and shareholder negotiations. Managing partner Ali Bougrine leads most of the significant matters for the firm. Besides tourism and real estate law, Bougrine is also specialized in local and cross-border transactions, which is highly applicable in the real estate and infrastructure sector. Other notable individuals include Laurent Sablé and Fabien Gagnerot.

Practice head(s):

Ali Bougrine


Other key lawyers:

Laurent Sablé; Fabien Gagnerot


Key clients

Systra Group


LafargeHolcim


Matis Aerospace (a joint company of Boeing and Safran)


RATP Dev


ADNA

ADNA advises a range of international corporations, contractors, and financiers in their operations in Morocco, including real estate and construction issues. Safia Fassi-Fihri leads the practice. Fassi-Fihri is currently engaged in drafting and negotiating construction documents for Sabis to up a new international network of schools in Morocco, as well as assisting Chinese construction companies in drafting and negotiating the development and operation of the Tanger Tech Free Zone in Morocco.

Practice head(s):

Safia Fassi-Fihri


Key clients

China Communications Construction Company (CCCC)


EMID


SABIS


Helios


Work highlights


  • Advising on the joint venture between China Communications Construction Company and China Road and Bridge Corporation with BMCE (Moroccan bank) and TMSA (governmental agency) – in relation to the development and operation of Tanger Tech Free Zone in Morocco.
  • Advising Sabis in relation to the setting up of a new international network of K12 schools in Morocco, as well as in the implementation of a joint venture with a local partner.

Garrigues Maroc Sarl

Garrigues Maroc Sarl has solid expertise in advising Spanish and Portuguese clients on their operations in Morocco. The firm is currently engaged in advising on the acquisition of hotels and lease of premises. Practice head José Ignacio García is well versed in Spanish and Moroccan business law; he leads the firm’s most notable matters. García is supported by Jaafar Laidi, a counsel whose real estate practice crosses over with employment and commercial work.

Practice head(s):

José Ignacio García


Other key lawyers:

Jaafar Laidi


Testimonials

‘José Ignacio García is a Spanish lawyer. This is very important for us, because he anticipates the problems that will arise in Morocco and offers us many facilities for the management. We would also like to highlight his proximity and professionalism. ’

‘Jaafar Laidi, is essential in the operations carried out in Morocco, due to his knowledge of the hotel business and all the legal regulations and, above all, the complicated management of administrative and bureaucratic procedures.’   

‘Jaafar is fluent in Spanish and has a lot of experience with real estate transactions.’

Key clients

Barceló Hotels & Resorts


Konecta


Grupo Puma


Orienta Capital