Firm Profile > Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. > Tel Aviv, Israel

Capital markets Tier 1

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co.'s group of 'outstanding lawyers' handles an impressive volume of listings on the LSE and Nasdaq for large companies based in Israel. It also handles a steady stream of IPOs and debt offerings on the Tase, where the firm benefits from its prestigious position as special outside counsel to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Tuvia Geffen is particularly well known for his expertise advising companies on floating on international exchanges; he advised Plus500, a FTSE 250 online trading platform, on a number of secondary offerings on the LSE, following its IPO in 2013. Jonathan Feuchtwanger has expertise spanning transactional and regulatory matters. Roi Turgheman's recent work highlights include advising G1 Secure Solutions on its NIS450m equity IPO in Israel. Sharon Amir is also noted.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. is a ‘one-stop-shop for all commercial, corporate, M&A and capital markets issues’. The team has ‘deep knowledge of Israeli law’ and is a firm fixture on the side of major domestic companies in cross-border transactions. In a highlight example, group head Sharon Amir (‘at the top of his game’) advised Frutarom on its $7.1bn acquisition by International Flavor & Fragrances. The group also secured big-ticket mandates from leading Israeli names such as Elco Holdings, FIMI Private Equity Funds and Aeronautics Ltd. It also acts for a raft of multinationals, particularly on the technology front, including recent work for Check Point Software Technologies, Taptica International and Wix.com. Tuvia Geffen, who leads the international capital markets practice, Einat Rosu and the ‘professional and creative’ Tal Eliasaf are also recommended.

Hi-tech and start-ups Tier 1

Working for promising Israeli start-ups and domestic and international investors, Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. is rated for acting in 'full partnership' with its clients, gaining praise for its 'holistic approach' and 'dedication'. The practice group has developed a particularly strong reputation in venture funding, where it acts for prolific investors including Viola Ventures and Japan Israel High Tech Ventures. The team is jointly led by two seasoned corporate lawyers: Sharon Amir and Gil Brandes. Amir is widely considered one of Israel's top M&A lawyers, and Brandes has over 30 years of experience in tech sector-work, from company formation and early financing to eventual exits. Also recommended are Arnon Samburski, Anat Igner and managing partner Tal Eliasaf, who is instructed by a number public and private companies in the tech space.

Insurance Tier 1

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. fields a team of over 40 lawyers and is well equipped to represent international and national companies in complex disputes in all areas of insurance law. It has specialist experience of toxic torts, product liability, professional negligence, class actions and medical malpractice. Shay Cohen is leading a team representing Harel Insurance and its reinsurers, Zurich and HDI, in defending a compensation claim arising from a settlement reached between the contractor and owner, in which it was decided that Harel was liable for costs accrued due to delays in the construction of Ashod Desalination Plant. Gil Atar and Shimon Chertow are also noted.

Transport Tier 1

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co.’s first-class transport practice is well balanced between maritime and aviation law and is best known for its strong record in high-stakes litigation — it also handles corporate and commercial work. Clients include the full range of industry participants, including ports, airlines, shipowners and operators, insurers and banks. Department head Ilan Winder specialises in aviation, with his recent work spanning matters for Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Ukraine International Airlines. Senior associate Merav Nur focuses on shipping, with an emphasis on disputes.

Competition/antitrust Tier 2

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. handles a high volume of mergers and acquisitions for clients, particularly private equity firms,  requiring regulatory approval from the ICA. The firm is also experienced in international and domestic class actions, cartel cases, monopoly orders, and disputes relating to restrictive arrangements, unfair competition and IP infringement. Practice head Golan Kaneti recently advised Aernonautics, Israel's leading listed company in the defence sector, on its $850m merger with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and Stolero Iron, resulting in joint ownership of Aeronautics by Rafael and Stolero.

Investment and venture capital funds Tier 2

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. has gained market recognition for its end-to-end service to Israel's most prominent private equity fund, but more than that, the practice group has also demonstrated its strength in the formation of venture capital funds, real estate funds, and debt funds. Practice head Sharon Amir is one of Israel's most prominent corporate lawyers, and is also experienced in fund structuring and taxation. Idan Lidor is a contact for VC fund formation, and Einat Rosu has experience in VC investment transactions.

Dispute resolution: class actions (including derivative actions) Tier 3

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. has a particularly strong reputation for insurance and tort disputes, which makes it an attractive choice for Israeli corporates involved in environmental class actions, and consumer claims in key sectors including pharmaceuticals and consumer products, insurance, and tourism and transport. Of particular note, Gil Atar is acting for Haifa Chemicals in the NIS14bn class action regarding alleged air pollution in Haifa Bay. Other key contacts include insurance and civil litigation expert Tamar Arad-Kareth, and Yoav Razin, who has experience in securities and antitrust-related class actions.

Dispute resolution: white-collar crime, investigation and fraud Tier 3

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co.'s white-collar team has particular expertise in criminal tax matters, though it also acts for company executives and business owners in relation to securities violations, criminal fraud and money laundering allegations. In addition, the practice group has developed a reputation in criminal negligence and malpractice claims. The department is headed by Ori Spiegel, who joined the firm in 2017 after years working at the Israeli Tax Authority, where he headed the special tax cases department. Given his background at the Tax Authority, Spiegel is particularly skilled in criminal (and civil) tax litigation and investigations; however, his cases often involve a variety of financial offences such as bribery, fraud and forgery.

Employment Tier 3

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. handles contentious and non-contentious employment matters for a raft of multinational clients, with particular experience in collective bargaining. The group acts across all industry segments, but the wider firm’s leading hi-tech practice marks it as a popular choice for technology companies, with Microsoft, Wix.com and Taldor Computer Systems all turning to the firm for employment advice. Tommy Manor and the ‘creative and business-oriented’ Pnina Broder Manor jointly head a team that also includes the ‘knowledgeable’ Michal Zohar-Neistein.

Real estate and construction Tier 3

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. advises landowners, developers and tenants on residential property developments, including the sale of land and construction issues, in addition to assisting clients in the urban renewal space with Tama 38 projects. Other work includes joint venture agreements, shared ownership agreements and other arrangements between parties underpinning major developments. Shmuel Lechner frequently advises the Israeli Lands Authority on its commercial and residential projects; he also stands out for his experience handling administrative, municipal and planning and construction disputes. Moshe Elya is also noted.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. is frequently appointed to represent debtors in insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings (as a trustee or receiver). Also of note is the firm's focus on the real estate and construction sector, which includes advising clients on major debt settlements with lenders. Alona Baumgarten  has significant experience representing creditors and distressed companies in high-value insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings. She is acting for Global Max and Globus Network in bankruptcy proceedings regarding the client's 11 cinemas across Israel.

Dispute resolution: local litigation and arbitration Tier 4

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. specialises in insurance litigation, mass tort, product liability claims and professional malpractice, and is thus particularly active in class actions, and civil claims in the construction and infrastructure, professional services, and maritime and aviation sectors. Yoav Razin acts in a variety of corporate, securities and antitrust dispute, and also has experience in ICC arbitration. Gil Atar and Tamar Kareth are key contacts for high-value, multi-jurisdictional insurance litigation, professional liability claims and mass tort. Yaron Rossman is another contact in the practice group.