Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm > Beirut, Lebanon > Firm Profile

Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm
OMT BUILDING - 266 SAMI EL SOLH AVENUE
PO BOX 116-5079, BEIRUT MUSEUM 1106-2010
BEIRUT
Lebanon

Lebanon > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm is a go-to option for banking-related corporate governance, regulatory compliance and M&A. The team, which is co-headed by Carlos Abou Jaoude and Souraya Machnouk, also possesses an in-depth knowledge of investment banking matters, credit and syndicated facilities, and financial product issuances.

Practice head(s):

Carlos Abou Jaoude, Souraya Machnouk

Testimonials

‘The Firm has a very good record, and a very strong relationship with local and international firms and with regulators. The team’s in depth knowledge and experience in our line of work stands out comparing to other firms.’

Key clients

UBS

Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL)

Special Investigation Commission (SIC)

Credit Suisse

National Bank of Kuwait

American Express (Amex)

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Arab Bank PLC

Nomura International

UK Export Finance

Bankmed Group

IBL Bank

FFA Private Bank

Saradar Bank

Arab Finance Corporation (AFC)

Fransabank Group

The Luxury Fund (TLF)

Online Money Transfer (OMT) – Western Union

New York Life

Ernst & Young LLP

Work highlights

  • Advised the Central Bank of Lebanon and the Special Investigation Commission on first-ever highly complex capital control and currency-related regulations with critical impact on the national economy amidst Lebanon’s unprecedented financial crisis.
  • Advised the lending arm of the National Bank of Kuwait, the largest Kuwaiti bank and the highest rated in the Middle East, on a multi-million cross-border sharia-compliant facility to a leading international telecoms group, involving a complex multi-jurisdictional security structure.
  • Advised Fortune 500 company New York Life Insurance on the Banking Guidelines of its investments arm CANDRIAM, related to the cross-border offer of financial products and services into Lebanon under the complex regulations of Lebanon’s Capital Markets Authority.

Lebanon > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

At Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm, the team is widely acclaimed for its handling of market leading M&A, private equity deal, corporate structuring, company formation, reorganisation and corporate governance affairs. The practice is co-led by the quartet of Carlos Abou Jaoude, Simon El Kai, Souraya Machnouk and Ibrahim Barraj.

Testimonials

‘Depth of expertise in different fields compared to other law offices in Lebanon. Quality of individuals. Responsiveness and follow up.’

‘Souraya Machnouk is extremely knowledgeable about several areas of practice, takes her time to formulate advice, structures execution properly, and is super responsive to any query or request.’

‘Great people, great lawyers, great and pragmatic advice, and simply a pleasure to deal with.’

‘AJA Law Firm has positive word-of-mouth. They embrace technology. Their team has exceptional expertise that is consistent. Provide exceptional client service. Competent, Hard-Working.’

‘The team we have worked with was led by Souraya Machnouk. She is an ex-Norton Rose Fulbright lawyer, and I felt that the service that we received was comparable to that of an international law firm.’

‘Extremely qualified and professional with a high level of integrity. Offers outstanding legal services whilst maintaining the focus on the business.’

‘AJA team shows high professionalism and experience in mergers and acquisitions, which was demonstrated in drafting shareholder agreements.’

Key clients

3M Group

Chevron (Al Khalij)

Moderna

Ericsson

Samsung

ALMAZA Group

Mr. Carlos Ghosn, former CEO of the Renault-Nissan Group

CIPLA

Adidas

Ericsson

Libanpost

Sioufi Group

Malia Group

Benta Group

Elie Saab Group

Zuhair Murad Group

LBCI

Fadaat Media Group

Doctors without Borders

Epic Healthcare

Work highlights

  • Advised Jableb Holding led by the prominent investment banker Philippe Jabre on the multi-million dollar acquisition of the Lebanese beer company ALMAZA from global Dutch company Heineken.
  • Advised leading energy US multinational Chevron Al Khalij on the complex spin-off of its Lebanese affiliate acting as member of a consortium with six fuel companies to supply aviation fuel to airlines at Beirut’s International Airport.
  • Advised leading private bank FFA on the multi-million acquisition of an equity stake in the prominent aluminum manufacturing group SIDEM with a first-of-its-kind dual-currency aspect and involving a highly complex fiduciary structure with profit-sharing loans, subject to a regulatory approval process before the Capital Markets Authority of Lebanon.

Lebanon > Real estate and construction (including projects) Tier 1

Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm is a premiere choice for the full array of real estate mandates, major construction projects, and a wealth of matters within the energy space, including oil and gas, electricity and renewable energy schemes. The team heads are Carlos Abou Jaoude and Souraya Machnouk.

Practice head(s):

Carlos Abou Jaoude; Souraya Machnouk

Testimonials

‘Very knowledgeable.’

Key clients

Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor A/S (BWSC)

Novatek

Vestas

Debbas Group

Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water

Chevron (Al Khalij)

René Mouawad Foundation (RMF)

Expertise France

Construtora Andrade Gutierrez SA

B.B. Energy Group

Laceco Architects & Engineers

Batimat Group

Benta Power Tech

Plus Properties Group

FFA Real Estate Sal

LibanPost

Malia Group

Work highlights

  • Advised the Lebanese Government represented by the Ministry of Energy on a 300M$ crucial project to address Lebanon’s crippling electricity crisis through a tripartite gas import agreements between Lebanon, Syria and Egypt, where Lebanon will receive 650 million cubic meters of natural gas, involving a highly complex structure and regulatory framework.
  • Advised French public agency in consortium with the prominent René Mouawad Foundation (RMF) on the pioneer “Minjara project” in the context of the EU-financed Private Sector Development (PSD) Programme, consisting in establishing a first-of-its-kind platform and legal structure to support the wood processing and furniture sector in Tripoli-Lebanon.
  • Advised major energy group Debbas on the US$200M renewal and extension of the DSP Contract with the Lebanese Government.

Lebanon > Tax Tier 1

Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm is equipped to support on the full spectrum of domestic and international tax matters, including transactional tax structuring, employment tax and corporate restructuring. The team is co-led by Carlos Abou Jaoude and Souraya Machnouk.

Testimonials

‘Depth of expertise in different fields compared to other law offices in Lebanon. Quality of individuals. Responsiveness and follow up.’

‘Souraya Machnouk is extremely knowledgeable about several areas of practice, takes her time to formulate advice, structures execution properly, and is super responsive to any query or request.’

Key clients

3M Group

Ericsson

LibanPost

Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor A/S (BWSC)

Adidas

Vestas

Mr. Carlos Ghosn, former CEO of the Renault-Nissan Group

Al Araby TV

Laceco Architects & Engineers

Samsung

Benta Group

Doctors without Borders

CardioDiagnostics Group

Work highlights

  • Advised global tech company Ericsson on complex tax matters related to their employee incentive plan. 
  • Advised Fortune500 American multinational conglomerate 3M on the tax aspects of establishment of its business presence in Lebanon.
  • Advised leading Danish energy company BWSC on complex tax matters related to the import of equipment in the context of multi-million EPC contracts for two power plant projects in Lebanon.

Lebanon > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Adept in both domestic and international disputes, Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm thrives on a broad spectrum of litigation and arbitration, including those within the commercial, media, energy and construction sectors. Carlos Abou JaoudeRania Khoury and Simon El Kai co-lead the practice.

Testimonials

‘Great people, great lawyers, great and pragmatic advice, and simply a pleasure to deal with.’

‘The lawyers are exceptionally smart. Their insight with respect to legal strategy is very high.  They strategize a case and work hard to implement it. They know very well the case, and always ask the right questions.’

Key clients

Carlos Ghosn, former CEO of the Renault-Nissan Group

Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor AJS (BWSC)

Ernst & Young

IBL Bank

Fransabank

Central Bank of Lebanon

Special Investigation Commission (SIC)

Ericsson

Capstone Investment Group

Hitachi Medical Systems Europe Holding AG

Arab Finance Corporation (AFC)

Azure Fund

Areeba Sal (M1 Group)

BENTA group

LibanPost

SAMSUNG group

Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International Group (LBCI group)

Codipha

SITA group

FFA Real Estate Sal

Work highlights

  • Acting as lead counsel spearheading a global defense team of prominent international law firms in more than seven jurisdictions, the Firm advised Carlos Ghosn, the former CEO of the Renault-Nissan Group, on over 15 high-profile globally mediatized legal cases opposing him to Nissan/Renault and related parties.  
  • Advised leading Lebanese bank IBL on a major US$100 million BCCI arbitration case against Iraq Telecom Limited with a critical impact amidst Lebanon’s unprecedented banking crisis, involving multiple jurisdictions, and ancillary attachments lawsuits in Lebanon and New York.
  • Advised the Central Bank of Lebanon on a highly complex lawsuit challenging the legality of Circular 151 related to the withdrawal of USD deposits in LBP, a first-of-its kind critical capital control regulation issued by the Central Bank amidst Lebanon’s unprecedented financial and banking crisis with a major impact on currency exchange rates.

Firm Overview:

Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm is the largest multi-practice law firm in Lebanon, with a primary market position leading on complex first-of-their-kind transactions across all practice areas and industries, and a significant record acting on high-profile arbitration and litigation cases with an international reach. In addition to their thorough knowledge of the law, the Firm’s diverse team of attorneys is distinguished by an in-depth specialization, a sharp understanding of its clients’ businesses and the industries they operate in, and a strategic pragmatic approach to legal advice.

The Firm works closely with a number of top-tier legal correspondents in all key jurisdictions, allowing the Firm to offer businesses in need of legal assistance in any country easy access to global advice. Many of the Firm’s senior lawyers have international experience working with prominent global law firms and are admitted to practice outside Lebanon. The Firm is a member of the International Bar Association, and has consistently been recognized as a tier-one market leader by prominent international legal directories, including Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500, and IFLR1000.

Representative Experience:
The Firm handles major local and cross-border deals, and its unparalleled representative transactional experience includes advising on a wide spectrum of landmark transactions, namely, the largest-ever US$200 Million asset-backed issuance in Lebanon through the securitization of a major real estate portfolio, the acquisition of a listed bank in Europe, the US$150 Million cross-border syndicated facility led by a global bank to a telecoms group, the first-ever US$300 Million international syndicated financing of a renewable energy project in Lebanon, multi-million issuances of preferred shares and structured products by Lebanese banks, the first-ever Power Purchase Agreement with the Government of Lebanon, two EPC contracts for €270 Million reciprocating engines power projects in Lebanon, Lebanon’s first EPA for the exploration of offshore petroleum resources, the development of a major real estate project financed through the issuance of convertible profit-sharing bonds, the ground-breaking multi-bank private placement to finance the launch of a TV station, the largest private debt restructuring in Lebanon, and multi-million acquisitions and private equity transactions across all industry sectors.

The Firm’s impressive record includes several high-profile mediatized international arbitration cases, namely representing a renowned TV station in winning an ICC against the largest production and media group in the Arab world, a major Danish/German EPC consortium in the ICC arbitration case against the Republic of Lebanon, several arbitration cases related to major real estate projects and investment funds, and major complex litigations cases in the FMCG, pharmaceutical and energy sectors. The Firm is consistently solicited to participate in public policy and legislation reforms in collaboration with local and international governmental bodies.

Clients:
Clients include major groups who contribute vitally to the country’s economic growth, and some of the world’s leading multinationals, namely commercial and investment banks, governmental agencies, investors, entrepreneurs, start-ups, insurance companies, trade companies, service providers, consultants, distributors, real estate developers, charitable organisations and private clients. Many of the Firm’s clients maintain a strong international presence throughout the MENA region, the UK, Europe and the US.

Publications and Speaking Engagements:
The Firm regularly contributes editorial pieces to prominent publications and many of the Firm’s attorneys are invited to speak at conferences on topics of interest. Recent conferences and editorial contributions include:

  • The Lebanon chapter of the Banking Regulation guide, published by Getting the Deal Through and edited by Wachtell, Lipton, Rose and Katz USA;
  • The Lebanon chapter of the Energy Regulation & Markets Review, published by The Law Reviews and edited by Latham & Watkins USA;
  • The Lebanon chapter of the Inward Investment & International Taxation Review, published by The Law Reviews and edited by Latham & Watkins USA;
  • The Lebanon chapter of the Data Protection in the Financial Sector guide published by One Trust Data Guidance;
  • The International Beirut Energy Forum (IBEF);
  • The EUROMONEY Lebanon conference;
  • The Annual Harvard Arab World Conference (HAWC).
DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Corporate Law
Mergers & Acquisitions
Banking
Finance
Capital Markets
Energy
Project Development & Finance
Real Estate & Construction
Media
Financial Restructuring & Insolvency
Government Relations & Public Policy
Arbitration
Litigation
Tax
Telecommunications and Technology
Data and Privacy
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Intellectual Property
Licensing, Agency & Distributorships
Franchising
Private Wealth and Family Offices
Employment and Benefits
Entertainment Law
Aviation
Number of lawyers : 40
Arabic
English
French
Geneva Group International (GGI) Global Network
International Bar Association
Loan Market Association (LMA)
American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)
International Chamber of Commerce (Lebanon Chapter)
Lebanese Franchise Association

Lebanon