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

OMT BUILDING - 266 SAMI EL SOLH AVENUE
PO BOX 116-5079, BEIRUT MUSEUM 1106-2010
BEIRUT
Lebanon
Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm > The Legal 500 Rankings
Lebanon > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1
Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm remain market leaders in the banking space and has an excellent reputation handling large capital markets transactions and financings. The experienced practice is regularly instructed by local and international banks and financial instructions on multi-million-dollar bond issuances, investment agreements, and syndicated loans. Managing partner Carlos Abou JaoudePractice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Credit Suisse
Central Bank of Lebanon
Special Investigation Commission
Bank for International Settlements
American Express (Amex)
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Arab Bank PLC
Banque Saudi FransiCommercial International Bank (CIB)
Bankmed Group
IBL Bank
FFA Private Bank
Saradar Bank
Arab Finance Corporation (AFC)
BLC Bank
Fransabank Group
The Luxury Fund (TLF)
Western Union
AstroBank
Ernst & Young LLP
Deloitte LLP
Work highlights
- Advised leading Lebanese bank IBL on the first-of-its kind $100m issuance of subordinated bonds with a unique interest payment structure in the context of new highly complex capital adequacy regulations to tackle Lebanon’s unprecedented banking crisis.
- Advised the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) on highly complex FX and fixed-term deposits transactions with the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) governed by the BIS’ global general terms of business for banking customers.
- Advised American Express (Amex) on complex transactions under their card-member agreements with Lebanese counterparties involving the repayment of amounts in “fresh”/“local” US Dollars and Lebanese pounds amidst Lebanon’s financial crisis.
Lebanon > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm is well placed to handle large cross-border transactions and complex restructurings for large multinationals. The team is known for its pharmaceutical sector work headed by Simon El Kai, and counts Moderna as a key client amidst the ongoing- Covid-19 crisis in Lebanon; El Kai also heads up the corporate offering. Souraya MachnoukPractice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
3M Group
Chevron (Al Khalij)
Moderna
Ericsson
Midis Group
Samsung
Philip Morris
Carlos Ghosn
CIPLA
Adidas
Lego
Accenture LLP
Libanpost
Benta Group
Sioufi Group
Malia Group
Elie Saab Group
LBCI
Fadaat Media Group
Doctors without Borders
Riot Games
CardioDiagnostics Group
Work highlights
- Advised a renowned businessman on the multi-million acquisition of an equity stake in the “Save-Our-Startups” Fund (SOS Fund) which aims to invest in 13 pioneer tech start-ups operating out of Lebanon through a highly complex structure involving 4 distinct dual- currency financing rounds of “fresh” and “local” US Dollars among the participating investors.
- Advised Moderna on the regulatory framework governing the distribution of their Covid-19 vaccine in Lebanon, including advertising, registration, labelling and pharmacovigilance under complex healthcare sector regulations.
- Advised Benta on the multi-million cross-border acquisition of a pharmaceutical plant in France involving a highly complex government-supported reorganization plan.
Lebanon > Real estate and construction (including projects) Tier 1
The projects team at Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm is active in the oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors particularly electricity, and handles a steady stream of procurement matters for clients. The team under the leadership of managing partner Carlos Abou JaoudePractice head(s):
Key clients
Debbas Group
Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor A/S
Vestas
Indra Group
René Mouawad Foundation (RMF)
Expertise France
B.B. Energy Group
Laceco Architects & Engineers
Batimat Group
Benta Power Tech
Plus Properties Group
FFA Real Estate Sal
Mores SARLY
Libanpost
Malia Group
Work highlights
- Advised leading Spanish energy group INDRA in consortium with Lebanese group IPENGPRO on a major project tendered by Electricité du Liban for the construction of a Monitoring Center for Lebanon involving a Central Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System, Meter Data Management (MDM) systems, and Billing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
- 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 $200m renewal and extension of the DSP Contract with the Lebanese Government.
Lebanon > Tax Tier 1
The tax offering at Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm advises multinationals and corporates on complex tax aspects of corporate transactions. Carlos Abou JaoudePractice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Midis Group
Ericsson
3M Group
Doctors without Borders
Libanpost
Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor A/S
Cochlear Limited
Adidas
Laceco Architects & Engineers
Vestas
Mr. Carlos Ghosn
Al Araby TV
Samsung1
Benta Group
CardioDiagnostics Group
Work highlights
- Advised renowned IT group Midis on its global 60-company complex corporate and tax group restructuring in the context of new BVI economic-substance regulations involving 5 jurisdictions and Big Four audit firm Deloitte.
- 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 the establishment of its business presence in Lebanon
Lebanon > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm stands out for its commercial arbitration experience and handles high-profile mandates including at the ICC and ICSID. Head of domestic and international arbitration; Rania Khoury is the key contact for disputes, particularly in the construction, media, and energy space. It has also seen an increase of banking-related litigation in the past year. Carlos Abou JaoudePractice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Carlos Ghosn, former CEO of the Renault-Nissan Group
Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor
Bankmed Group
Special Investigation Commission (SIC)
Ericsson
Hitachi Medical Systems Europe Holding AG
Arab Finance Corporation (AFC)
Azure Fund
Areeba
BENTA
Online Money Transfer (OMT)
Libanpost
SAMSUNG group
Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International Group
Debbas Group
Codipha
SITA
FFA Real Estate Sal
Nestle/Tahoe Foods
Work highlights
- Advised the Special Investigation Commission (SIC) at the Central Bank of Lebanon on a dual-court lawsuit involving highly complex currency conversion issues amidst Lebanon’s unprecedented financial and banking crisis.
- Advised Arab Finance Corporation (AFC) on the multi-million BCCI arbitration case against an investor involving complex banking and capital markets regulations amidst Lebanon’s unprecedented banking crisis.
- 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.
Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm > Firm Profile
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).
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Mr Carlos Abou Jaoude | Founder and Managing Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Ibrahim Barraj | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Hachem El Housseini | Senior Associate | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Simon El Kai | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Rania Khoury | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Souraya Machnouk | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 40Languages
Arabic English FrenchMemberships
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- Banking, finance and capital markets
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Real estate and construction (including projects)
- Tax
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution