UGGC Africa > Casablanca, Morocco > Firm Profile

UGGC Africa
93 BOULEVARD MASSIRA AL KHADRA
CASABLANCA
Morocco

Morocco > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

The banking and finance team at UGGC Africa supports a range of domestic and international clients with their investment projects across Africa. In particular, the group provides support to Moroccan and foreign credit establishments on regulatory issues, while also being heavily involved in bank financing, project finance, restructuring and securitisations. Ali Bougrine acts as managing partner, specialising in corporate law and private equity. Elsewhere, Laurent Sablé advises clients in regard to financing transactions, corporate finance and securities issues.

Practice head(s):

Ali Bougrine

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

LafargeHolcim

Fipar Holdings

Pharmaceutical Institute

Mirova

Systra SA and its African subsidiaries

Innothera group and its African subsidiaries

Centre Monétique Interbancaire (CMI)

Work highlights

  • Advised the shareholders of Pharmaceutical Institute (PHI) in its sale (100%) to Kelix Bio.
  • Advise Mirova, a subsidiary of the BPCE group and the management company of the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund (LDNF) investment fund.
  • Advised FIPAR Holding, a leading private equity company in Morocco (CDG Group), in the sale of part of its stake in the capital of TMPA.

Morocco > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Working alongside the firm’s Paris office, UGGC Africa is active across Morocco, as well as Europe and Sub-Saharan, Central and West Africa. With experience across all aspects of corporate and commercial law, the team is particularly adept at handling private equity, securities issues, joint ventures, corporate restructuring and capital markets. Additionally, its lawyers are often involved in the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts. Managing partner Ali Bougrine specialises in corporate law, M&A and private equity, meanwhile Laurent Sablé is noted for transnational work. Jean-Jacques Uettwiller works on company transfers and the management of personal assets.

Practice head(s):

Ali Bougrine

Testimonials

‘The solution provided fits to our situation and activity, which is quite complicated with all the international regulations.’

‘Under the lead of Ali Bougrine, resources are well managed between the different offices. Good feedback and solution provided.’

‘Flexibility and reactiveness on short term requirements.’

‘Fluid, efficient and quick.’

Key clients

Lafargeholcim

Total

Essilor and its Moroccan and African subsidiaries

Orange group and Orange OMEAM (middle east & Africa management)

Systra SA

Christian Dior

GBH (Groupe Bernard Hayot) and its Moroccan subsidiaries

Etam

Mabiotech

Matis aerospace (a joint company of Boeing and Safran)

Afrijet

Induver

Air Liquide

Amundi

Atalian

Armonia

Fipar Holding

CIMAF

Work highlights

  • Advise Mirova, a subsidiary of the BPCE group and the management company of the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund (LDNF) investment fund.

Morocco > Dispute resolution Tier 2

The litigation and international arbitration group at UGGC Africa works closely with the firm’s Paris office to offer strong cross-border capabilities across Africa, Europe and beyond. Ali Bougrine leads the group, acting regularly on complex dispute resolution as an arbitrator and counsel to parties in Sub-Saharan Africa. Laurent Sablé specialises in international arbitration, while Jean-Jacques Uettwiller works heavily in the agri-food and public work sectors.

Practice head(s):

Ali Bougrine

Key clients

Systra SA

Cristal fish

Omnium Technologique

Work highlights

  • Represents a Mauritanian company in partnership with a Chinese company in arbitration (CCI Paris) on the violation of an exclusivity clause. An award in favour of Cristal Fish has been obtained. UGGC is currently defending the award before the Paris Court of Appeal as the other party has initiated annulment proceedings.

Morocco > Tax Tier 2

The tax team at UGGC Africa is skilled in a broad range of tax matters within Morocco and across Africa. Particular areas of work for the firm include tax group structuration, VAT, tax audits and litigation and the tax elements of M&A transactions. Managing partner Ali Bougrine leads the practice, focusing on the tax aspects of M&A transactions and international investment.

Practice head(s):

Ali Bougrine

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Solution provided fits to our situation and activity which is quite complicated with all the international regulations). Firm has different offices worldwide and in my case I am in touch with at least 3 different offices coordinated by UGGC Africa.’

‘Under the lead of Ali Bougrine, resources are well managed between the different offices. Good feedback and solutions provided.’

Key clients

Systra

Leoni Wiring Systems

Matis Aerospace (A Joint company of Boeing and Safran)

LafargeHolcim

Work highlights

  • Advises the Moroccan subsidiary of the Leoni Group, a German-based worldwide leader in cable and wiring industrial solutions. The firm acts as the referent legal counsel for all three operational subsidiaries established in Morocco with support to the local manager and to the shareholders, in contracts, corporate governance and compliance, employment and tax matters.
  • Acts as legal counsel to Matis Aerospace, a joint venture owned 50% by Safran Electrical (world leader in aeronautical electrical systems) and 50% by Boeing (a US aerospace manufacturer with the 2nd largest military sales worldwide), on all legal issues, including on tax matters, notably in the analysis of taxable income in contracts with affiliated parties.

Morocco > Tourism and real estate Tier 2

The real estate team at UGGC Africa is experienced across both the private and public aspects of real estate law. On the private side, its lawyers assist investors and developers with transactions, leases, construction and asset management services. On the public side, the team frequently handles matters involving urban planning and public property law. A further key pillar of the practice is real estate litigation across different levels of Moroccan court. Ali Bougrine leads the team, specialising in building acquisition and co-ownership law.

Practice head(s):

Ali Bougrine

Other key lawyers:

Laurent Sablé; Fabien Gagnerot

Key clients

LafargeHolcim

RATP Dev

Morocco > Employment Tier 3

Operating in close tandem with the firm’s Paris office, UGGC Africa supports clients across Europe and Africa with the employment aspects of their dealings in the region. In addition to handling day-to-day labour issues, the team also handles employment matters surrounding restructurings, union litigations, dismissals, employment contracts and amicable termination proceedings. Practice head and managing partner Ali Bougrine regularly supports clients with the employment concerns of major M&A transactions.

Practice head(s):

Ali Bougrine

Other key lawyers:

Laurent Sablé

Key clients

Orange OMEAM (Middle East & Africa Management)

Systra SA

Innothera Group and its African subsidiaries

RATP Dev

GBH (Groupe Bernard Hayot) and its Moroccan subsidiaries

Centre Monétique Interbancaire (CMI)

Mirova

Matis Aerospace (Joint-Venture De Boeing Et Safran)

Work highlights

  • Aassisting Mirova and LDNF in a project to purchase majority stakes in fruit farming companies in Morocco. The project includes the implementation of an environmental and social action plan and governance dedicated to these issues.
  • Acts as legal counsel to Matis Aerospace, a joint venture owned 50% by Safran Electrical and 50% by Boeing, in labour law matters, in particular on the implementation of agreements on the secondment and provision of employees between the Joint Venture and its shareholders.

Morocco > Projects and public law Tier 3

UGGC Africa features a dedicated public law and projects practice which covers the full range of services in the sector, including public procurement law, PPP, public construction and urban planning. Ali Bougrine leads the team, advising clients on public law and public private partnerships. Laurent Sablé is a key contact, with experience in public construction law and economic regulation.

Practice head(s):

Ali Bougrine

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

LafargeHolcim

RATP Dev

Centre Monétique Interbancaire (CMI)

Systra

Matis Aerospace (a joint company of Boeing and Safran)

Fipar Holding

Work highlights

  • Assists RAPT Dev, a fully owned subsidiary of the RATP group which operates and maintains urban and interurban transport networks on 4 continents, in the conclusion and execution of public transport contracts.
  • Acts as legal counsel to Matis Aerospace, a joint venture owned 50% by Safran Electrical (world leader in aeronautical electrical systems) and 50% by Boeing (a US aerospace manufacturer with the 2nd largest military sales worldwide), on all legal issues encountered by the company.

UGGC Africa is a leading legal advisory firm with a network of 50 lawyers in three African offices located in Morocco, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.

Through its three offices, UGGC Africa network, covers all areas of law and assists clients in North Africa, Sub-Saharan, West and Central Africa.

UGGC Africa comprises multidisciplinary teams offering clients a unique combination of expertise and skill.

The firm makes the needs of its clients and legal excellence a top priority. For more than 20 years, UGGC Africa has been supporting its clients in their projects in Africa.

The various teams cover all areas of law, with a technicality that meets the highest standards of the profession. Through its strategic locations, UGGC Africa provides its clients with first class legal support from a global perspective.

Our expertise:

  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Private equity
  • Public law
  • OHADA law
  • Personal data
  • Media, communication and entertainment
  • Banking and finance
  • International investment
  • Competition
  • Commercial contracts
  • Distribution
  • Customs and logistics
  • Employment law
  • Restructuring and insolvency
  • Tax law
  • Private clients
  • Litigation and arbitration
  • Health law
  • Real estate
  • Art law
  • Environment
  • IP-IT

Learn more about UGGC Africa.

Discover our Casablanca team

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Corporate law Ali Bougrine, Managing Partner of UGGC Africa and partner of UGGC Avocatsa.bougrine@uggc.comFrance: +33 1 56 69 70 00 ; Morocco: +212 522 77 44 40
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Ali Bougrine photoMr Ali BougrineAli Bougrine is a multidisciplinary lawyer working on local and cross-border transactions…
Laurent Sablé photoMr Laurent SabléLaurent Sablé joined UGGC in 2017 as he was attracted by the firm’s team…
Number of attorneys : 50
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French
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