Firm Profile > M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries > Tel Aviv, Israel

Dispute resolution: mediation and international arbitration Tier 1

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries has a record of success in ad hoc arbitration, ICC, PCA, and ICSID proceedings, and has also appeared in various regional arbitration tribunals including the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration. The team is particularly active in ICC arbitration involving infrastructure, energy, and construction projects, though it has also acted in high-value shareholder disputes, commercial distribution disputes, and financing and investment disputes. Also of note, the department is headed by the Israeli member of the ICC, Jacob Enoch, who is considered to be one of the most prominent lawyers in the Israeli international arbitration market.

Employment Tier 1

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries handles the full range of labour, employment, pensions and immigration matters but is arguably best known for its broad experience in collective employment matters. The group is also distinguished by its strong record in the public sector, particularly within the healthcare space where it represents Israel’s second-largest employer, Clalit Health Services. The team also consistently advises private and public corporations on regulatory, transactional support and contentious matters. Department head Tamar Golan has strong expertise in collective negotiations. Other key contacts include Galit Golan-Rottem, who is noted for collective disputes, and Guy Golan.

Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries’ first-class client list strikes a balance between major Israeli and global pharmaceutical companies, including Gilead, Sanofi and the umbrella organisation for the Israeli pharmaceutical industry, Pharma Israel. On the healthcare side, it acts for Clalit Health Services and the Medical Centre for Treating Diabetes. Arguably best known for its ‘special regulatory understanding’, the team also advises on commercial agreements, M&A and contentious matters. Baruch Shugol is ‘probably the most prominent lawyer in the field’ and his practice spans the full life cycle of life sciences work, from research and development and commercial agreements, through to litigation. M&A head Jacob Enoch and corporate and commercial partner Sivan Narkiss Kremer are also active in this space.

Real estate: urban renewal Tier 1

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries 'dynamic and thorough' team handles a consistent stream of very large-scale urban renewal projects primarily for developers but also for residents. The firm's advice on evacuation-construction and NOP 38 projects covers due diligence, negotiations with land owners, assisting with agreements with contractors, as well as representation in registration proceedings and during planning and zoning proceedings. Practice head Dana Biran is an expert in the field; she acts for all stakeholders engaged in urban renewal projects, including Ashdar and Azorim. Barak Keinan and Shay Huberman are other names to note.

Capital markets Tier 2

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries's practice is highly regarded for its expertise in securitisation transactions on the issuer side. The team also advises issuers on public offerings - covering debt and equity - private placements and regulatory issues including ensuring compliance with anti-concentration legislation. Udi Efron recently advised Direct Insurance on its private issuance of debentures and shares; the firm had previously handled the company's IPO in Israel. Oded Ofek, who is 'wise, service oriented and novel in his solutions', specialises in investment funds and credit provision services. Osnat Ohpir joined the firm in 2019, bringing with her a wealth of experience representing companies before the Israel Securities Body and other regulatory authorities in relation to capital markets transactions.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

A consistent performer in M&A involving regulated industries, M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries is particularly active in the defence, life sciences, TMT and financial services sectors. Longstanding clients include Israeli and foreign companies, including Elbit Systems, Direct Insurance Financial Investments and IBM Israel. M&A head Jacob Enoch is an ‘absolute star’. Zvi Firon is head of the firm and combines strong skill sets in both transactional and contentious work. Additional contacts include David Abadi, who leads the commercial team, and technology specialist Jacob Sarov.

Competition/antitrust Tier 2

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries' 'experienced and diverse' practice acts for major companies from a broad range of industries on securing approvals for M&A and joint ventures. It also handles contentious cases, including class actions and specific regulatory matters before government bodies, including the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Health. The 'intelligent and efficient' Mazor Matzkevich, who previously worked at the US Federal Trade Commission, is representing Toshiba in three class actions brought against it and other international corporations following the EU Commission's declaration of international cartel activity.

Dispute resolution: class actions (including derivative actions) Tier 2

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries has strong client relationships with a slew of major Israeli corporates and as a result it is consistently involved in class actions in key sectors including telecoms, financial services, transport, and food and retail. In addition, the team has recently been involved in a securities class action, multiple claims involving accessibility, and a class action considering a unique point of environmental law. The practice group is headed by Danny Kabir, who is instructed by Israeli subsidiaries of multinationals including McDonald's and DHL, and also handles class actions for all of Israel's major insurance companies. Similarly, Zvi Firon acts for a  huge variety of domestic financing institutions in complex class actions involving their trading and financing activities. Also recommended are Ronen Ketzef and Ronit Sutton Salkind.

Infrastructure Tier 2

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries is consistently involved in bids for and the development of significant road and rail infrastructure, port developments, defence projects and nationwide real estate projects. Headed by Tamar Firon-Smorodinsky, the practice group acts for well-known domestic development companies such as Electra and Ashtrom Group, and has a growing roster of international corporates, including multiple Chinese engineering groups and, most recently, a major international utilities company. In addition to acting for development consortiums in connection with LRT projects in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the team is also advising the construction contractor on the NIS4bn development of the new shipping port at Haifa. Also recommended are Timor Pesso and Ran Mahlab.

Insurance Tier 2

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries represents insurance companies in class actions, matters before the Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Authority and competition law disputes. It also handles a range of corporate matters, including investments, issuances of debentures and acquisitions.  In a recent highlight, Danny Kabir represented various insurance companies, including IDI Insurance, Clal Insurance and Shomra Insurance, in various class actions relating to alleged age discrimination and other connected issues. Practice head Yossi Halevy has considerable expertise in the insurance sector, particularly in relation to representing clients before the Knesset, the Commissioner of Insurance and the Ministry of Finance.

Investment and venture capital funds Tier 2

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries is considered by some to be the leading Israeli firm in the field of ETFs and mutual funds, and is also an increasingly active player in the venture capital and private equity space. Of recent note, Oded Ofek (rated by one client as Israel's 'best lawyer in the field of mutual funds') acted in the establishment of two of the five listed funds bidding for government-backing and loss protection in an initiative to stimulate investment in Israeli R&D activity. The team also acts for institutional investors in their fund investment activity. Gail Etzion , the key contact for VC and private equity work, and Jacob Sarov acts for funds in their investment activities.

Planning and zoning Tier 2

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries represents clients before the various planning and zoning committees, handling large-scale construction projects, including litigation in relation to such projects, and advising clients on the planning aspects of Tama 38 (NOP) projects. The group acts for government-owned companies, private companies and real estate developers. Barak Keinan, who sits as co-chairman of the planning and zoning committee of the Israel Bar Association, led advice to Dan Hotels on its plan to develop several hotels, managing to successfully gain the approval of the National Council for Planning and Construction after facing numerous objections from neighbours and the municipality.

Real estate and construction Tier 2

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries's real estate practice is particularly invested in all forms of urban renewal projects (NOP 38/1, NOP 38/2 and eviction-construction projects). It also handles large-scale government-led projects and residential property developments, in addition to advising real estate investment funds on commercial and residential projects and infrastructure projects. Tamar Firon-Smorodinsky specialises in project finance and private-public infrastructure and construction projects. Itzhak Narkiss is active for clients involved in investing in projects outside of Israel particularly in Eastern Europe.

Dispute resolution: local litigation and arbitration Tier 3

'Highly responsive and very professional', the team at M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries is capable of dealing with almost any area of commercial litigation, but has particular expertise in disputes concerning real estate transactions, partnership disputes and shareholder litigation, general business disputes, and construction and infrastructure litigation. In addition, the team has a proven track record in the enforcement of foreign judgements, as well as in multinational investment and financing disputes. Head of the firm Zvi Firon is recognised throughout the market for his experience in litigation and ADR. David Hamu heads the litigation group and Michael Oiknine is 'a fierce litigator'. Also recommended are Oren Tenenboim and Jacob Enoch, who is rated for his advice on contentious and non-contentious matters.

Hi-tech and start-ups Tier 3

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries has strengths in cross-border M&A and investment transactions, fund formation, and large-scale commercial agreements - 'a mixture of expertise in tech and general commercial work that creates good results in any legal challenges' faced by clients. The team is instructed by Israeli start-ups, multinational companies and investors, and is particularly active in the areas of cyber, online gaming, biotech and healthcare, fintech and blockchain. Jacob Enoch has extensive experience in cross-border matters involving Chinese participants, and is regularly involved in major M&A and corporate transactions in Israel; Jacob Sarov leads the firm's internet law, e-commerce and online gaming practices; and hi-tech practice head Gail Etzion is rated for her 'ability to communicate complex legal structures in a simple manner that builds trust and comfort'.

Intellectual property: disputes Tier 3

The team at M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries advises on a variety of copyright and trade mark disputes and enforcement procedures, and also handles royalties disputes, conflicts over IP ownership, and matters involving digital piracy and the importation and distribution of counterfeit goods. Headed by Eran Presenti, the practice group also has niche expertise in guiding Israeli companies through international opposition and enforcement proceedings, acting as Israeli co-counsel alongside European firms.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries's team is frequently appointed as receivers and trustees in insolvency cases and stay of proceedings, and has additional expertise overseeing debt arrangements and in representing clients in liquidation. Ron Bar-Nir has a particularly strong reputation as a court-appointed receiver in Israel and Romania. Shay Bar-Nir also handles a significant portion of the firm's mandates, specialising in liquidation proceedings, debt restructuring and bankruptcy cases.

Banking and finance Tier 4

Highlighted for fielding ‘leaders in real estate and finance’, M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries leverages its top-tier urban development offering to specialise in real estate finance. Best known for its borrower-side practice, the group also regularly advises financial institutions on lending transactions, banking litigation and regulatory matters. Tamar Firon-Smorodinsky, who leads the projects and real estate groups, has a strong record in real estate finance. Udi Efron, who spearheads the capital markets, corporate and securities department, is another name to note.

Transport Tier 4

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries’ practice is increasingly weighted towards transport infrastructure, with its recent activity spanning port, rail and tunnel projects. The group also continues to handle a significant volume of aviation work, particularly contentious matters, for clients such as Israel Airports Authority, B. Sky flight services and Corendon Dutch Airlines. Tamar Firon-Smorodinsky is the key contact for infrastructure projects, while Ron Genat is noted for his aviation experience.

Intellectual property: filing/prosecution

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries has an impressive roster of international clients, which the IP team represents in the registration of trade marks and patents in Israel. Moreover, the team is instructed by large domestic companies and Israeli subsidiaries in relation to the development and protection of their marks and designs. The practice group is headed by Eran Presenti, who has broad expertise in IP, defamation, and computer law, and serves as co-head of the IP committee of the Israel Bar Association.

Client Testimonials

CLIENT:
Adv. Nimrod Bashan
Counsel
Global M&A Legal Integration Coordinator
Europe IOT Systems Hardware Legal Lead
Head of IBM Israel Legal Department
COMPANY/FIRM: IBM
TESTIMONIAL:
We have been using Firon for years and are extremely pleased. As one of Israel’s leading law firms Firon is able to maintain an exceptional level of professionalism, year after year, every time.

Firon’s team is creative, dedicated and especially well versed in all legal aspects related to the services provided to us.

Our experience certainly supports the conclusion that Firon would be an excellent local legal partner for any multinational organization operating in the State of Israel.

CLIENT:
Mr. Christoph Baert
Senior Managing Counsel
Regulatory Affairs, Europe
COMPANY/FIRM: Mastercard Europe
TESTIMONIAL: We, at MasterCard, provide this reference to Firon wholeheartedly.

As a global corporation it is of the utmost importance for us to identify the right legal partners to support our operations in each jurisdiction. The Epstein firm that had merged with Firon have been our legal partner in Israel for almost 20 years. The firm’s acquaintance with and deep understanding of the industry, combined with first class regulatory, corporate and commercial support, provides us with much needed comfort when we conduct our business in Israel. 

We could not be happier with our experience with Firon – from the firm’s responsiveness, uncompromising professionalism, cost-effective approach and understanding the legal needs of a multinational corporation – Firon is indeed remarkable.

CLIENT:
Mr. Michael Federmann
Chairman of the Board
COMPANY/FIRM:
Elbit Systems
Dan Hotels
TESTIMONIAL: Firon is, without a doubt, our preferred law firm, as it has been for 70 years.

We rely on Firon’s insightful advice on numerous legal and business issues across various companies, industry sectors and jurisdictions.

Litigation, international arbitration, M&A, capital markets, competition, commercial agreements, TMT, real estate, zoning and planning and more – Firon has exceptional talent and depth in every department.

We find that the firm’s ability to grasp all the nuances of an issue, legal, strategic and business alike, is truly exceptional.

We are therefore happy to provide this reference and to communicate our full satisfaction with respect to Firon.

CLIENT:
Mr. Jonathan Pantanowitz
Strategic Key Accounts, Commercialization and Sustainability Leader
Central East Europe, Middle East and Africa
Former Managing Director of 3M Israel between 2013-2018
COMPANY/FIRM: 3M
TESTIMONIAL: We have been using Firon for years as our leading, one stop shop, law firm in Israel, and could not be happier.

The firm covers just about all of the practice areas we need and is especially experienced in handling the business of large multinational corporations. Firon has an excellent understanding of our culture and needs and has always excelled in providing quick, creative, out of the box, cutting edge, legal solutions for every problem.

We can therefore easily say that Firon is at least on par with the very best law firms with which we routinely work worldwide

CLIENT:
Ms. Efrat Nadel
VP Legal
COMPANY/FIRM: Playtech
TESTIMONIAL: We have been using Firon for years and are extremely pleased. As one of Israel’s leading law firms Firon is able to maintain an exceptional level of professionalism, year after year, every time.

Firon’s team is creative, dedicated and especially well versed in all aspects of cross border transactions and international commercial agreements.

The size of the firm and the full coverage of legal disciplines truly justifies its characterization as a full service law firm. Our experience certainly supports the conclusion that Firon would be an excellent local legal partner for any multinational organization operating in the State of Israel.

CLIENT:
Mr. Noam Weiman
President & CEO
COMPANY/FIRM: Diplomat Group
TESTIMONIAL: Firon has been our law firm of choice, in Israel and worldwide, for decades. Representing Procter & Gamble in Israel and later in Georgia, Cyprus, South Africa and New Zealand, Diplomat has become a truly international company and Firon’s local and international competence and experience has been an important part of our success.

Firon has the fire power and the depth to handle any legal matter at absolutely the best professional level available in the Israeli market. For us Firon is, and has always been, the embodiment of a one stop shop, top class, law firm. 

CLIENT:
Mr. Gil Gueron
Managing Director
COMPANY/FIRM: Ashtrom Group
TESTIMONIAL: For many decades Firon has been our group’s leading law firm.

We have instructed the firm on infrastructure and real estate projects worth billions of Dollars. The firm has handled all our capital markets transactions (including our IPO, tender offers, bond offerings and more). We employed Firon’s services for the handling of major projects abroad and used their team to litigate high profile cases.

The legal services rendered to us exemplify Firon’s status as one of Israel’s most highly regarded one stop shop law firms. In all such matters and many others, Firon adhered to the highest professional standards.