Firm Profile > Yigal Arnon & Co > Tel Aviv, Israel

Capital markets Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co acts for major international banks as underwriters and companies as issuers in public offerings on the Tase, Nasdaq, NYSE and the ASX, and regularly advises public companies - including a number in the medical cannabis industry - on M&A. The firm is also experienced in advising international corporates, generally based in the US, on dual listings on the Tase and the regulatory issues applicable with respect to Israeli securities law in particular. In a market first for the country, Simon Weintraub led advice to China International Capital Corporation and Hong Kong Securities as underwriters on the IPO of Sisram Medical, an Israeli company, on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, facilitating a $112m capital raising. Shiri Shaham, who stands out for her expertise advising major investment banks as underwriters on significant bond issuances, jointly heads the team with Gil Oren. Israel and US qualified partner Micki Shapira joined the practice following the firm's merger with Weinstock-Zecler & Co in January 2019, bringing particular expertise in private equity and venture capital transactions to the group. Daniel Marcovici is also noted.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

A force in the technology space, Yigal Arnon & Co provides ‘smart and practical structures and solutions’. The group is regularly retained by both domestic and global technology companies to advise on their major transactions in Israel. In one highlight, it acted for Nvidia Corporation on the $6.9bn acquisition of Mellanox Technologies — the second-biggest acquisition in Israeli high-tech history; corporate head Barry Levenfeld, together with Ben Sandler, led the advice. The same duo also recently handled mandates for Salesforce.com, Stryker Corporation and Palo Alto Networks. Outside of the tech arena, the group shines in the infrastructure, life sciences and telecoms spheres. Additional key contacts include David Schapiro, Gidon Weinstock and Barak Platt.

Competition/antitrust Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co fields 'a very professional team' that represents major corporations, particularly in the telecoms, pharmaceutical and retail sectors. Its workload incorporates international cartel cases, national abuse of dominance and cartel class actions, litigation arising from monetary sanctions imposed by the Antitrust Commission, merger notifications and requests for exemptions to restrictive arrangements. The firm represented CAL Israel Credit Cards in a $470m class action brought against it alleging restrictive arrangements between CAL and other credit card companies, resulting in a positive outcome for the client with the petitioner withdrawing its appeal in the Supreme Court. Ronit Amir-Yaniv and Shani Rapoport are also noted. Niv Zecler left the firm in 2020.

Dispute resolution: class actions (including derivative actions) Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co acts for domestic and international corporates in a wide range of claims including banking and securities class actions, labour claims, insurance-related class actions, product liability matters and other consumer protection claims in the automotive, aviation, food and consumer goods sectors. In addition, the firm recently merged with Weinstock-Zecler & Co, a particularly standout player in the antitrust space, which has significantly boosted the firm's reputation in competition-related class actions. The practice group is jointly led by Barak Tal, 'a brilliant partner', and Ruth Loven, who is instructed by BMW in product defect and recall-related class actions. Other names to note include Ido Chitman, who has represented major Israeli insurers in class actions involving insurance policies, and Hanital Belinson Navon, who represents El Al Israel Airlines in a variety of class actions. Niv Zecler and Sagi Schiff are among the notable partners who joined with the Weinstock-Zecler merger.

Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

Best known for its transactional weight in the life sciences sphere, Yigal Arnon & Co acts for a diverse mix of start-ups through to global corporations and investors. The group’s recent impressive run of M&A deals included advising on sizeable acquisitions for global industry leaders, including Stryker Corporation and Medtronic, as well as Israeli companies such as Enlivex Therapeutics. It also handled a wide range of regulatory, IP and commercial work. Daniel Green heads the transactional IP department and focuses on licensing, corporate partnering and intellectual property. Additional contacts include corporate finance heavyweight Barry Levenfeld and Yoheved Novogroder-Shoshan, who has an emphasis on technology, IP, joint ventures and privacy issues.

Hi-tech and start-ups Tier 1

‘A one-stop-shop for hi-tech related matters’, Yigal Arnon & Co has expertise in a wide range of areas relevant to the sector, including corporate transactions, IP, taxation and corporate governance. Jointly headed by Barak Platt and Barry Levenfeld, the team has established itself as one of the go-to advisers for market-leading hi-tech transactions. Just a few years ago, the team handled the largest M&A in the history of Israel, and indeed, it reinforced this reputation in 2019, advising Nvidia Corporation on its $6.9bn acquisition of Mellanox, which was the second largest M&A in the country’s history. Other key figures include Yarom Romem, who specialises in acting for VCs and corporate investors, and Nimrod Vromen, who acts for a litany of early-stage start-ups in funding rounds and other general business matters. Contacts on the more junior end include Liron Hacohen and recently promoted partner Daniel Damboritz.

Infrastructure Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co has a particularly strong reputation for advising governmental bodies on the development of major transport infrastructure projects, thought the team also has a strong client roster of project contractors and investment funds. In addition to the team's key strength in transport and port infrastructure, David Schapiro is involved in an innovative telecoms project to bring widespread fibre optic internet connections to Israel. Other key figures in the team include Doron Tamir, Micha Tollman and Oren Roth, who are acting for NTA in relation to all sub-projects of the Tel Aviv LRT and also assisted with the publication of the group's main tenders for the LRT project. Simon Weintraub is another name to note.

Intellectual property: commercial/transactions Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co has a dedicated technology transactional IP practice that is organised into several key areas of expertise and plays an integral role in the firm's top-ranked hi-tech practice. Broken down into specialist sub-groups including medical devices, cyber, IoT, and tech transfer offices, the department is involved in nearly every key industry sector in the market, and is particularly well known for its expertise in software and open source. Noted by his peers as a market leader, practice head Daniel Green has expertise in the negotiation of complex commercial agreements in the biotech, e-commerce, IT, medical devices and pharmaceuticals sectors. Also recommended is Yoheved Novogroder-Shoshan, who handles cross-border commercial IP deals and is particularly active in the life sciences sector, and Eli Greenbaum, who specialises in open source and software technologies. Barry Levenfeld is a recommended hi-tech partner, who leads many of the firm's largest IP-heavy corporate transactions.

Planning and zoning Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co handles the full spectrum of zoning and planning matters but has particular expertise in urban renewal projects, where the group advises entrepreneurs and construction companies. The team also stands out for its frequent instruction by clients involved in the government's new residential housing programme ('Mechir Lamishtaken'); Amalia Meshi and Naftali Nir are advising Azorim Construction on its participation in this nationwide project to construct over 1,000 housing units. Aner Hefetz has considerable experience of planning and construction litigation before planning authorities, as well as the High Court of Justice and the district courts for administrative matters. Hagit Bavly is also noted.

Real estate and construction Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co's real estate and construction group is very active in finance transactions and urban renewal projects - predominantly Pinui Binui and Tama 38 developments. It acts for developers, investors and other participants throughout all stages of the planning and construction process involving residential and commercial units. The group also handles litigation relating to damage tort actions, betterment levy disputes and criminal proceedings involving clients engaged in construction projects. Hagit Bavly handles the full spectrum of commercial real estate transactions. Other key names include Amalia Meshi, Asaf Eylon and Adam Spruch.

Real estate: urban renewal Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co's team has a strong track record in transaction planning, representation before the planning authorities and tax authorities. It handles a broad range of urban renewal projects, including evacuation-construction initiatives. Adam Spruch takes on a significant volume of the firm's projects in this field, including advising Bait ve Gag Fund on over 30 urban renewal projects in central Israel that will culminate in the establishment of over 1,000 new residential units. Asaf Eylon has considerable expertise in evacuation-construction projects. Lee Maor advises clients on land registration, construction agreements and real estate financing, among other areas. Other key names include Amalia Meshi, Naftali Nir and Hagit Bavly.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co's team receives a high volume of court appointments in insolvency cases, with team members serving as liquidators, trustees and special managers. The firm also has expertise representing creditors, including debenture holders and institutional investors, in debt restructuring and collection proceedings. Amnon Lorch has a strong track record acting for banks and distressed companies during insolvency proceedings and prior to such proceedings in relation to loan syndications and reorganisations. Lorch is representing Israel Discount Bank in its debt collection proceedings against Eurocom Communications in the position of a special manager to Eurocom Communications. Gil Oren and Yuval Bargil are other key practitioners.

Telecoms and media Tier 1

Yigal Arnon & Co has strong expertise in IP and copyright disputes acting for a range of media companies. Other work includes defending telecoms and media companies in class actions; acting for technology companies in relation to claims spanning defamation, privacy and IP; and advising clients on securing the regulatory approvals necessary to set up OTT streaming services. Ido Chitman has vast knowledge of copyright law, with a specialism in the protection and use of benefits rights and performers' rights. Ruth Loven  has expertise in litigation in the telecoms and media space, where she acts for clients including Google and Cellcom.

Banking and finance Tier 2

Yigal Arnon & Co’s diverse practice brings together expertise in project finance, payments and fintech, which complement its core offerings in corporate borrowing and market regulation. Notably, the group continues to assist the facility agent and security trustee with ongoing amendments to the landmark $1.7bn term loan facility used to finance the development of the Leviathan gas field — Shiri Shaham and Simon Weintraub led that work. The department also draws on the experience of Yuval Shalheveth, who is highly regarded for fintech and regulatory matters, and restructuring co-head Gil Oren.

Dispute resolution: local litigation and arbitration Tier 2

Yigal Arnon & Co stands out in a wide range of corporate and commercial litigation, administrative claims, consumer litigation and banking and securities litigation. Moreover, as a full service firm with top-tier capabilities in a number of practice areas, the team regularly leverages the complementary expertise of practice groups such as tax, tenders and transportation, financial services, and hi-tech. Additionally, the firm as a whole has developed a strong reputation for international work, drawing instructions from major multinationals including Google, which the litigation team represents in e-advertising and freedom of expression disputes. The practice group is headed by the 'outstanding' Barak Tal and includes Ruth Loven, Daniel Abarbanel and Dror Varsano.

Energy Tier 2

Yigal Arnon & Co is known in the market for its track record in high-profile infrastructure projects, acing both for project companies and state tenderers. In addition, the team has experience acting for domestic and international lenders in oil and gas transactions and other infrastructure deals. Key contacts in the team include David Schapiro and Micha Tollman, who are acting for an EPC contractor in the development of a 186MW conventional power plant in Israel, and are also advising Solaer Israel on various commercial transactions and projects in Israel and abroad. Also recommended are Doron Tamir, who has expertise tender law, energy and environmental matters, and Simon Weintraub, who specialises in cross-border finance transactions.

Insurance Tier 2

Yigal Arnon & Co stands out for its experience in Supreme Court further hearing proceedings relating to insurance, and its track record handling regulatory proceedings before the Insurance Supervisor. The team also represents insurance companies in subrogation claims, malpractice claims, class actions and litigation regarding pension plans and life insurance policies. Yoran Gill, Ido Chitman and Barak Tal are key names. Associate Elad Offek defends large insurance companies during complex disputes, in relation to areas such as securities fraud and unfair trade practices. Associate Yuval Shamir represents insurance companies in personal injury claims, particularly in relation to road traffic accidents, and professional negligence suits.

Investment and venture capital funds Tier 2

Yigal Arnon & Co has a prolific VC and hi-tech investment practice, but also has experience advising on venture capital structuring and formation. Yarom Romem and Simon Weintraub are key figures in the venture capital and private equity practice, which is able to leverage the firm's complementary tax expertise to provide comprehensive structuring advice in the formation of venture capital funds.

Tax Tier 2

Yigal Arnon & Co's 'professional' team is particularly active in advising on the tax structuring of M&A deals and investments, as well as during objections and appeals before the ITA. The group also acts for high-net-worth individuals and families in tax assessment appeals concerning asset transfers and various other tax planning matters, and represents major corporations in high-value transfer pricing, income tax and VAT disputes, with a focus on the technology sector. Ofir Levy specialises in creating tax efficient structures for global technology corporations and Israeli companies, as well as representation in audits and negotiations with the ITA. Eran Lempert is also noted.

Employment Tier 3

Yigal Arnon & Co’s core strengths in the hi-tech and life sciences sectors are very much in evidence on the employment front, with clients including Google, Broadcom and Avid Technology. In addition, the team is a popular choice to advise on the employment aspects of one-off transactions, such as its recent advice to Nvidia Corporation on the labour and employee benefit aspects of its $6.9bn acquisition of Mellanox Technologies — Ben Sandler, whose practice spans corporate and employment matters, led that work. Shira Lahat handles a mix of contentious and non-contentious matters and jointly heads the department alongside Sandler.