BonelliErede > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile
BonelliErede Offices
1404 Index Tower
DIFC
PO Box 506828
United Arab Emirates
BonelliErede > The Legal 500 Rankings
United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 5
BonelliErede is particularly strong in the luxury and retail and hospitality sectors, working with household brands on a range of corporate and commercial work. The firm also handles strategically significant infrastructure projects in the region, including railway developments and associated contractual and structuring issues. Marco De Leo is the key figure in the group; he advises local and international clients on M&A, frequently with a cross-border angle. Managing associate Riccardo Denaro assists with transactional, contractual and general advisory matters.Practice head(s):
Marco De Leo
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Small but strong team able to provide high quality advice. Very dedicated to client’s needs and high availability to ensure client’s deadlines are respected.’
‘Strong knowledge of the local market and practices and strong ability to guide the client to efficiently reach its goals.’
Work highlights
- Assistance to Hitachi Rail STS on an ongoing basis on all its activities across the GCC, including its participation in public and private tenders for the operation and maintenance of railway/metro systems.
- Ongoing legal corporate and commercial assistance to International Material Inc. in connection with the activity of its branch in the UAE.
BonelliErede > Firm Profile
BonelliErede is one of the largest independent law firms in Italy, with offices in Milan, Rome, Genoa, Brussels, London, Cairo (in cooperation with Bahaa-Eldin Law Office), Addis Ababa (in cooperation with Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office), and Dubai. In addition, thanks to a cooperation agreement with Zahaf & Partners, the firm is also present in Tripoli.
It offers a full range of commercial legal services, combining business acumen with academic excellence. BonelliErede is not only a leading law firm in Italy but also a successful international law firm.
BonelliErede has been developing its Africa and Middle East practice for a few years now: a strategic hub able to capture, support and safeguard investments in the regions and maximise value for international investors, local businesses and governments.
The Dubai office, in the heart of the international financial centre, opened at the end of 2017. Dubai plays a key role as a conduit between Europe, Asia and Africa and the firm’s office there is a perfect bridge between Africa and the Middle East – boosting the firm’s ability to navigate international clients looking to invest in this wider region and local players interested in diversifying through expansion in Europe or Africa.
The firm’s local service offering is centred around corporate/M&A, project finance and PPP, international arbitration, international taxation and compliance. The main sectors served by the local team, besides the long-established oil and gas industry, are industrial goods, consumer goods (with a focus on luxury), shipping, healthcare and life sciences, construction, arts and cultural property, and private equity.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massimiliano Danusso, Chairman | massimiliano.danusso@belex.com | +39 06 845511 | |
| Eliana Catalano, Managing Partner | eliana.catalano@belex.com | +39 02 771131 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Marco De Leo | Managing Partner of BonelliErede Middle East LLP, Marco De Leo specialises in… | View Profile |
|
Riccardo Denaro | Managing associate, Riccardo Denaro specialises in company law, with particular focus on… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of professionals : over 500Languages
Amharic Arabic Chinese English French German Italian SpanishMemberships
Best Friends networkOther
Offices : Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Dubai, Genoa, London, Milan, RomeDiversity
Since the firm’s founding, BonelliErede has always had the interest of its people at heart, regardless of one’s gender, ethnicity, religion, etc. In 2021, the partners approved the introduction of pink quotas within the Board which ensures the presence of at least one woman on the Board. Today, the Board is made up of 7 professionals of which 3 are women, and the number includes the firm’s Managing Partner Eliana Catalano.
BonelliErede has a dedicated D&I Committee, firstly launched in July 2021. The committee is made up of partners, associates and business support staff – we believe that only by putting people from across the firm together we can really address the importance of inclusion. Diversity & Inclusion is promoted and analysed at all stages, starting from the hiring process and all throughout peoples’ time within the firm.
In 2023, BonelliErede adopted its D&I policy.
International Capabilities
Besides Dubai, BonelliErede has strategic outposts in Cairo (Egypt), in cooperation with Bahaa Eldin law Office, and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), in cooperation with Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office. In addition, thanks to a cooperation agreement with Zahaf & Partners, the firm is also present in Tripoli.
Cairo and Addis Ababa were the first outposts established, back in 2016, and are the hub for BonelliErede’s development in Africa. The Dubai office was opened in 2017 to serve the entire Gulf area and support international investment in Africa.
Beyond Egypt, Ethiopia and the UAE, the firm continues to strengthen its network of highly reputed African and Middle Eastern law firms to respond to its clients’ needs across the regions.
- Commercial, corporate and M&A