Firm Profile > Herzog Fox & Neeman > Tel Aviv, Israel

Banking and finance Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman has 'deep experience with international banking issues and cross-border financing'. As such, 'the group's clientele consists of many of the first-class international banks' as well as various investment funds and domestic banks, insurance companies and other institutional lenders. Natalie Jacobs advises international banks such as JP Morgan and Barclays, as well as domestic banks such as Bank Leumi and Bank Hapoalim on a range of regulatory issues, including capital requirements, credit derivatives, standard bank documentation, and wealth management. Further, Jacobs advises a number of Israeli banks and a majority of large domestic institutional lenders on ISDA agreements and derivative transactions. Department head Alan Sacks acted for ING Capital and HSBC in relation to a secured cross-border financing transaction, and also advised two international lenders on the financing of two Boeing aircraft acquired by El Al Israel Airlines. Also recommended is Roy Nachimzon, who has experience advising investment funds as lenders in leveraged acquisitions. The team also advises its strong corporate client base on borrowing mandates.

Capital markets Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman is regularly involved in multi-jurisdictional capital markets transactions and major domestic equity deals. Leveraging a formidable regulatory practice, the firm advises many of Israel's largest funds and private investment platforms. Moreover, the team has particular expertise in structuring private investment schemes. The capital markets group is jointly headed by Ehud Sol and Ilanit Landesman Yogev, both of whom acted for Clal Beverages in relation to its IPO, wherein it publicly listed 46% of its share capital while Clal Industries retained the other 54%. Landesman Yogev and Nir Dash advised a housing corporation on its AAA-rated NIS3.5bn public bond offering. Additionally, Dash and Ron Ben-Menachem acted for another prolific borrower in relation to its $1bn international note offering; this offering was four-times oversubscribed by investors in approximately 30 jurisdictions. The team also advised a consortium of international financial institutions, as managers and joint bookrunners, on a $4.5bn public note offering by Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman has 'a tremendous amount of experience in difficult high-profile mandates', often working across from parties in the US and Asia. The corporate team has been involved in some of the tech-sector's largest M&A, though it is also consistently involved in the most significant deals in the old economy industries. In one particularly high-value mandate, Yair Geva and Aviram Hazak acted as Israeli counsel to Pepsi Co in relation to its $3.2bn acquisition of SodaStream. Additionally, a team including Ilanit Landesman-Yogev and Ehud Sol advised IRSA Inversionesy Representaciones on a complex transaction for the acquisition of all of Israel Discount Bank's holdings in Discount Investment Corporation, with the aim to comply with the Israeli Centralization Law. Also of note, Sol and Nir Dash advised Thai-incorporated Indorama Ventures on its $313m acquisition of a controlling stake in Israeli public company Avgol Industries. Other significant clients include Oaktree Capital Management, Adler Real Estate and Salesforce. Janet Levy Pahima, Alan Sacks and Ran Hai have all been singled out by clients.

Dispute resolution: class actions Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman has experience representing large international corporates - tech companies in particular - in high-profile consumer class actions and data- and privacy-related class actions. By some clients' reckoning, the team provides international clients with 'the same level of service one might expect from a US firm'. Department head Yaacov Sharvit represents Facebook in a range of class actions, primarily with regard to privacy and users' data, and recently has been representing the client in a class action arising out of the Cambridge Analytica revelations. Also recommended is Joseph Ashkenazi, 'a gifted litigator', who acted for VeriFone Systems in a NIS2.1bn class action concerning the company's financial reporting; this matter involves determinations of the applicable law for dual-listed companies facing class actions in Israel and in the US. Further, David Zailer was involved in consumer class actions for clients including Hyundai CNF and PayPal, and the team is also representing Royal Philips Electronics and DAF Trucks in class actions arising out of a European antitrust ruling.

Employment Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman is 'a go-to firm for international clients seeking labour law advice in Israel'. The team counsels a prominent corporate client base, including international banks and many of the world's leading technology companies, on the full range of labour and employment matters in Israel, including immigration law. Moreover, in the domestic market, the team handles regulatory and contentious labour mandates for Haifa Port Company, Ashdod Port Company, Israel Airports Authority and Israel Electric Corporation, which are among the country's largest public sector employers and designated as essential service providers. Department head Orly Gerbi also has experience with large liquidation procedures, redundancies, site closures and corporate restructuring. Also of note, the department is advising Maccabi Healthcare Services (the only Israeli HMO with no collective arrangements) on an attempt by its employees at unionisation, which is among the country's largest-ever unionisation attempts. Other key contacts include Chagai Vered, Haya Ehrman and Moria Tam-Harshoshanim.

Energy and infrastructure Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman is hailed as 'the go-to Israeli address for project financing transactions involving domestic and international components'. 'The team has unrivalled experience acting for international financing institutions', but also advises project companies and developers in large energy and infrastructure projects. The department is jointly headed by Adam Eytan and Mark Phillips, the latter of whom advised Deutsche Bank and Bank Hapoalim on the provision of financing for a 430MW power plant in Beer Tuvia, and acted for a consortium of international lenders in relation to the financing of two natural gas reservoirs in Israel. Phillips is also advising Hutchinson Water Israel on its bid process for the finance, design, construction and maintenance of a water desalination plant in Cyprus. Additionally, Eytan has advised prominent project companies on bids for high-profile infrastructure projects in the transport and defence sectors. The team is also acting for a large consortium in relation to its participation in a tender for the design, finance, build, operation and maintenance of the Green Line of the Jerusalem Light Rail. Other key clients include Noy Fund and Star Pumped Storage.

Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman delivers 'reliable advice that is rooted in practical business experience'. It assists with joint venture and medical development arrangements, and also has a formidable regulatory practice advising HMOs, multinational healthcare companies and insurers. Zohar Yahalom has been noted in particular for his 'expertise in healthcare and life sciences regulation'. Yahalom has experience with commercial transactions, advises well-known domestic and multinational healthcare and pharmaceutical companies on a host of regulatory issues, and represents clients in business-critical licensing, distribution, and pricing matters before the Israeli courts. Also recommended is Dan Sharot, 'a service-oriented partner' with experience in IP matters in the healthcare industry and R&D collaboration agreements. Of note, Sharot advised Assured on its collaboration with Maccabi Health Services for the development of algorithmic software to analyse anonymised patient data with the aim of identifying patterns within the data sets. Another key figure is Neta Dorfman Raviv, who heads the insurance and financial institutions practice and advised Israeli Medical Association and The Zahal (IDF) Disabled Veterans Organization.

Hi-tech and start-ups Tier 1

By some clients' estimation, the hi-tech department at Herzog Fox & Neeman is 'one of the best, if not the very best, in Israel'. The team has particular expertise in advising the world's leading technology groups on high-profile acquisition and investment transactions involving Israeli hi-tech companies. Indeed, the lawyers' 'cumulative experience provides a fruitful ground for new ideas and alternatives to blossom, which is an invaluable quality when dealing with young companies'. Key figures in the team include Dana Zur Neumann and Janet Levy Pahima, the latter of whom acted for Microsoft in two Israel-facing acquisitions, one in the cyber sector and another in the field of cloud technology. Similarly, department head Hanan Haviv advised Continental AG on its high-value acquisition of Argus Cyber Security, which was the company's first-ever acquisition in Israel. Also of note, Yair Geva acted for Entera Bio in relation to its $120m IPO, which marked one of the only Israel IPOs to be completed on Nasdaq in 2018. Other well-known clients include Alibaba, Aristocrat Leisure and Nike, though the team also acts for a litany of Israeli start-ups in the fields of fintech, cybersecurity, cloud computing, 'agtech', and e-commerce. Dan Sharot is also recommended.

Investment and venture capital funds Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman has 'an extremely strong team with an extremely strong platform for across-the-board legal services'. Repeatedly rated for providing service of 'an international quality', at the time of writing the firm is the only Israeli law firm to successfully complete a foreign fund registration in Israel. Led by Tal Dror-Schwimmer, the funds team provides a comprehensive service across the spectrum of funds-related activity for buy-side and sell-side clients, and handles fund formation for onshore and offshore funds. The team has been involved in investment and formation mandates for venture capital funds, hedge funds, real estate and infrastructure funds, and crypto funds. Dror-Schwimmer is also assisting with the formation of the Hoshen Fund, a fund of funds that will invest in Israeli and foreign investment funds. Further, with a strong securities team led by Ilanit Landesman Yogev, the firm advised one of the world's leading asset managers on all regulatory issues associated with the registration of one of its funds as a foreign fund in Israel. The department provides a full range of service to venture capital investors such as Viola Ventures Group, and hedge fund managers such as Sphera Group. Buy-side clients include Phoenix, Discount Capital, and Poalim Capital Markets.

Planning and zoning Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman handles planning mandates for major developers, investors and corproate occupiers, and has particular expertise in municipal taxation. The zoning department is led by Sharon Petel, who acts for Reality Real Estate Investment Fund III in relation to all of its planning and zoning activity and represents the clients in appeals regarding its municipal taxation and betterment levies. Petel also provides comprehensive planning advice to Assuta Medical Centers in relation to all of its real estate assets and new project developments. Also of note, the team is advising Nahalat Asher Partnership on its planning application for the development of 3,000 residential units, 13,000 sqm of commercial space, and 20,000 sqm of office space. The team also represents plaintiffs and defendants in planning objections and tax appeals. Other key clients include Israel Electric Corporation, Rambam Hospital, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and Mega Or.

Real estate and construction Tier 1

With 'excellent teams of litigators, commercial lawyers and tax attorneys', Herzog Fox & Neeman is 'a one-stop shop for complex development and regeneration projects'. Led by Moshe Hardi, the team has particular expertise in acting for real estate investors and investment funds in high-value property transactions and the financing of real estate purchasing groups. Hardi recently advised Phoenix Insurance Company, Amitim Pension Funds and Menorah Insurance Company on the sale to JTLV 1 of their rights in the Renanim and Savyon shopping malls. Moreover, the team provides comprehensive real estate advice to real estate investment funds such as Reality Real Estate Investment Fund III. The department also acts for developers and entrepreneurs, including Rothstein Real Estate, which Hardi advised on a combination agreement whereby the client will develop and construct 800 residential units and 13,000 sqm of commercial space in Beit Shemesh. Additionally, the team has advised Azrieli Group on high-value letting transactions with occupiers such as Amazon and Facebook. Other key contacts include Amir Peres and Ariel Flavian.

Real estate: urban renewal Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman is most active as tenant-side counsel, where it is regularly involved in high-value evacuate-rebuild projects. Moshe Hardi and Amir Peres are advising 460 private landowners on a NIS1bn project in Holon, and are advising 200 landowners on an urban renewal in Rishon LeZion. Similarly, Ariel Flavian is acting for 200 landowners in relation to a 1,000-unit evacuate-rebuild project in Kiryat Bialik. The team is also engaged on the entrepreneur side, where it is involved in dozens of TAMA 38 and evacuate-rebuild projects for clients including Sufrin Group and Efgad Engineering and Construction Works.

Tax Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman is considered by some multinational corporates to be 'the very best tax team in Israel', providing 'comparable service to what one would expect in New York, Boston or London'. Led by Meir Linzen, the team advises clients such as Aristocrat Leisure, Israel Electric Corporation and a host of global investment banks on complex cross-border corporate and securities transactions. Clients recommend Guy Katz and Yuval Navot for their expertise in cross-border tax structuring in connection with corporate transactions and reorganisations. The department also handles voluntary disclosures and offshore wealth management for hundreds of high-net-worth individuals, and is among the only domestic firms with a dedicated transfer-pricing group, which is headed by Eyal Bar-Zvi. Ofer Granot represents some of the world's largest companies operating in Israel in complex tax litigation, and Iris Weinberger heads the team's VAT and indirect tax sub-group.

Telecoms and media Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman is well known for advising multinational technology and media companies on commercial and regulatory matters in Israel. Department head Esther Sternbach has advised numerous household-name clients on issues such as wireless connectivity, the regulation surrounding OTT services and the provision of cloud services. In the telecoms space, Sternbach advises AT&T on ISP licensing issues and data requirements, while clients in the media industry include Disney Israel. The firm is especially known for its top-tier M&A practice, where it recently assisted Level 3 Communications with the Israeli regulatory approvals for its merger with CenturyLink. The team has also been involved in significant M&A, rights transactions and regulatory mandates in the domestic market. Sternbach is advising a major Israeli telecoms provider on a number of matters including requirements arising from the structural separation obligation pursuant to regulations by the Ministry of Communications. Other key clients include Google, UPS, Radio Haifa, and Storm Communications.

Transport Tier 1

Herzog Fox & Neeman is a leading firm for aviation finance, where it acts for lenders and leasing companies, international air carriers and a major aircraft manufacturer. The group is jointly headed by Mark Phillips and Alan Sacks, who acted for two international lenders in relation to the financing of two Boeing aircraft acquired by El Al Israeli Airlines; the lenders in this matter were located in Japan and thus the transaction employed a Japanese aircraft finance structure. Additionally, Sacks advised Aviation Capital Group on the sale and leaseback of a new aircraft to Akira Israeli Airlines, and also advised the client on a lease transaction with El Al. Also recommended is Mark Phillips, whom clients describe as 'an exceptional lawyer by any standard'. Phillips has experience in aviation finance, but also advises CityPass, the operator of the Jerusalem Light Rail's Red Line, on a full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Of late, the team advised CityPass on issues such as passenger detention and penalties for fare evasion. Other key clients include Arkia Israeli Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

Competition/antitrust Tier 2

Herzog Fox & Neeman's antitrust department attracts complex antitrust litigation and is adept at handling merger filings for multibillion-dollar deals requiring global coordination. Department head Talya Solomon is jointly representing Deutsche Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines in a class action concerning an alleged cartel in the global air cargo industry. The team is also acting for two senior officers of the Ashdod Port in connection with the first-ever administrative fines imposed by the IAA for abuse of monopolistic position. In the merger control space, the team, which includes Iris Achmon, handled IAA negotiations in relation to the merger of The Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox, Broadcom Corporation's proposed acquisition of Qualcomm, and Carlyle Group's acquisition of certain business activities of Akzo Nobel. Solomon also represented Arkia Israel Airlines in its opposition to a merger between El Al Israel Airlines and Israir Airlines.

Dispute resolution: local litigation and arbitration Tier 2

Herzog Fox & Neeman is among the best-known Israeli firms internationally, and accordingly the firm is engaged by some of the largest multinationals for disputes arising in Israel. Department head Yaacov Sharvit represents Facebook in various high-profile cases involving defamation, privacy and freedom of speech, and David Zailer is acting for eBay in relation to a claim concerning changes made to the client's search engine that adversely affected sellers. Sharvit is also representing Toro Media and Omni Capital in a claim brought by a Hong Kong resident, who was allegedly defrauded by the actions of the company; this is the largest claim ever brought against an online financial trading provider in Israel. Also of note, Joseph Ashkenazi acted for the executor of the Max Brod estate in a dispute with a group of potential heiresses regarding the literary estate, which includes the writings of Franz Kafka. Additionally, the team advised Israel Electric Corporation on a number of disputes, including allegations of fraud and bribery, and follow-on cartel-related class action litigation.

Dispute resolution: mediation and international arbitration Tier 2

Herzog Fox & Neeman is 'a domestic Israeli firm that provides the quality of service of an international law firm' and thus the firm is 'recognised globally for its capabilities in international arbitration'. Headed by Yaacov Sharvit, the litigation team is representing a European private company in a series of LCIA arbitrations regarding a shareholder dispute. David Zailer is acting for a German company in relation to arbitration proceedings at the Israeli Institute of Commercial Arbitration regarding an international distribution dispute. Also recommended is Joseph Ashkenazi, who is representing a client in ICC proceedings regarding a distribution relationship. Ashkenazi also advises clients in mediation, which includes representing Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) in a matter concerning NIS3.8bn claim by IEC against Siemens, ABB Group and Alstom arising out of the defendants' participation in a global cartel.

Insurance Tier 2

Acting for insurance companies, fund managers and investment banks, Herzog Fox & Neeman is routinely sought out by international corporates to advise on insurance regulations associated with conducting business in Israel. Led by Neta Dorfman Raviv, the insurance and financial institutions practice provides advice on non-contentious matters involving contractual relationships between insurers, agents, insureds and reinsurers; commercial issues surrounding insurance and pension policies; and various regulatory and commercial litigation matters. The department is engaged by major European insurers and several domestic HMOs.

Intellectual property: commercial/transactions Tier 2

Herzog Fox & Neeman has 'a super-capable IP department', which is 'up-to-date with all the market trends that are vital for commercial negotiations with the industry's top companies'. The team has particular expertise in the IP aspects of large cross-border M&A, where it has acted for major multinationals such as Salesforce, Aristocrat Leisure, and Facebook. Moreover, the department has experience in licensing and development transactions across a range of sectors. Dan Sharot has advised Medisafe on commercial transaction with various pharmaceuticals companies, including collaboration agreements with Merck and Gilead Science. Sharot also assisted Assured with a collaboration agreement with Maccabi Health Services involving the development of algorithmic software for the analysis of digitised patient data. Department head Karen Elburg is also recommended.

Intellectual property: disputes Tier 2

Herzog Fox & Neeman is rated by international law firms and corporates for its 'exceptional ability to strategise and communicate directly and efficiently, both internally and externally'. Department head Karen Elburg often acts alongside US and European counsel in relation to cross-border trade mark and patent disputes. Elburg represented a multinational client in trade mark opposition proceedings at the EUIPO and the UKIPO together with UK and EU counsel, and is also acting in conjunction with Dentons to represent 888 Holdings in a US patent infringement case. Also of note, Gilad Wekselman represented Hazera Seeds in a patent dispute, which involved determinations of accessibility by the plaintiff to biological material that was included with the respondent's initial patent application. David Zailer is another contact in the practice group.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Herzog Fox & Neeman provides 'consistently reliable advice' and demonstrates 'keen instincts' in the resolution of complex and cross-border restructuring and insolvency mandates. The department was strengthened considerably by the addition of Seffy Zinger, who joined the firm from the Ministry of Justice. In fact, Zinger played a major role in the drafting Israel's new Law of Insolvency and Economic Rehabilitation and negotiated its terms in the Knesset committees. The firm is noted for its global recognition and is regularly sought out by foreign corporates and financial institutions. Department head Yaniv Dinovitch is acting for an international bank in connection with the personal bankruptcy proceedings of a prominent Israeli businessman. In the domestic market, the team is advising secured lenders Bank of Jerusalem and Ayalon Insurance on the insolvency proceedings of Ortam-Malibu Holdings. Additionally, the department is often engaged by major multinational corporates, such as L'Oreal and Alitalia Societa Aerea Italiana, in relation to liquidation proceedings involving their Israeli branches and subsidiaries.

Intellectual property: filing/prosecution

Herzog Fox & Neeman runs a 'collegial and approachable' IP team that is 'an absolute pleasure to work with'. Aside from its 'top-notch client service', the team is 'highly analytical and commercially minded' and its international pedigree makes it an attractive choice for international corporates seeking trade mark prosecution and strategic IP advice in Israel. Led by Karen Elburg, the IP group has particular expertise in the online gaming sector, where it advises multinational clients such as 888 Holdings on trade mark strategy, filing and prosecution in relation to its worldwide portfolio. Elburg also handles Israeli prosecution for foreign filers, including Turkish Airlines. Given the team's strength in securities, investment funds and banking, Elburg also handles IP strategy and trade mark prosecution for a number of investment funds and forex trading platforms. The team is also active in the agriculture sector, where it advises multiple seed manufacturers on worldwide trade mark management.

Diversity/Community

Herzog Fox & Neeman (“HFN”) is one of Israel’s largest law firms and has earned a reputation as a market leader – evident by its recognition as ‘2016 Israel Law Firm of the Year’ by Mergermarket, IFLR, BDI Code and Dun & Bradstreet, and its consistent top-tier rankings in both international and Israeli legal ranking directories.

HFN’s pro bono activities are overseen by a dedicated committee to ensure that the talents and skills of all HFN lawyers are utilized to further a more just world.

We provide pro bono legal services to non-profit entities, government and academic institutions, people lacking access to justice and more. For example, our firm was highly involved in representing the families of kidnapped soldiers held in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip for many years. The firm also organizes periodic community activities (examples include working with disabled children; teaching legal topics in junior high schools; and distributing toys in hospitals).  Additionally, HFN provides support and assistance to pro bono activities of the Israeli Bar Association from time to time.

We aim to strengthen rights of all communities, encourage economic growth and promote access to justice in the services we provide as well as by supporting organizations committed to furthering these ends.

HFN also champions and promotes awareness and advancement of issues of diversity, and as part of extensive efforts, has established procedures that ensure progress and promotion both within the firm and outwardly. As a top Israeli law firm, we aspire to be a leader in the field of diversity, having initiated programs and processes that have expanded the diversity of our own employees, both through targeted recruitment, as well as through the support, development and advancement of employees within the firm.

Further to HFN’s values of a diverse and skilled workforce and, in addition to years of emphasizing and implementing a diversity plan and a Diversity Committee within the culture of the firm, HFN has taken an active role in Zionism 2000 – a leading social non-profit in Israel. This organization is committed to bringing together both individuals and organizations interested in contributing towards promoting a new and improved social agenda.

Additionally, HFN is affiliated with a number of other social organizations, including collaborating with Kav Mashve on the recruitment of Arab university graduates.