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 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 Jaoude leads the team with Souraya Machnouk.

Practice 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 Machnouk leads the M&A team at the firm. Managing partner Carlos Abou Jaoude and Ibrahim Barraj are likewise recommended.

Practice 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 Jaoude and partner Souraya Machnouk, also advises on energy contracts, project financings, and PPP projects. Regulatory work also features in the workload.

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 Jaoude heads up the tax practice. Souraya Machnouk who leads the firm’s M&A group is a key contact for global tax restructuring matters, and has demonstrable strength in advising global conglomerates on the tax aspects of market entry into Lebanon. Other names include Simon El Kai.

Practice 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 Jaoude handles high-value arbitrations and lawsuits and is supported by Simon El Kai on the pharmaceutical side. Senior associate Hachem El Housseini is also of note. The team also acts as co-counsel with international law firms.

Practice head(s):

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.

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