Firm Profile > Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy > Cairo, Egypt
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy Offices
12 MOHAMED ALI GENAH STREET
GARDEN CITY
CAIRO
Egypt
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy > The Legal 500 Rankings
Banking and finance Tier 1
'The firm has a more personable approach to deals and to the client' remarks a client of Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy, adding that 'it deals in a very professional manner, but adds a more human touch to the interactions, seldom observed with other local or international law firms'. The practice, led by Mahmoud Bassiouny, acts for local and international lenders in cross-border finance transactions and the local debt market transactions, notably in the energy, infrastructure, transport and real estate sectors. Senior associate Nadia Abdallah and counsel Ashraf Hendi are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Mahmoud Bassiouny
Other key lawyers:
Nadia Abdallah; Ashraf Hendi
Testimonials
‘The team has very strong knowledge of Egyptian law requirements for project financing especially when it comes to the details of the security package and security perfection.’
‘Diversity – I see many young, very smart individuals on the assigned team for the deal, especially young women.’
‘The firm has a more personable approach to deals and to the client. It deals in a very professional manner, but adds a more human touch to the interactions seldom observed with other local or international law firms I have dealt with.’
Key clients
Dubai Aerospace (DAE)
Cairo 3A
Hassan Allam Holding
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC
Mashreq Bank PSC
Coca Cola Bottling Company in Egypt S.A.E.
Middle East Glass Manufacturing Company S.A.E.
Lekela Egypt Wind Power BOO S.A.E.
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Export Development Canada
First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC
Agence Française De Developpement (AFD)
LEONI Wiring Systems
Egyptian Maintenance Company
Arab African International Bank
DP World
Sonker Bunkering Company S.A.E.
Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy is known for representing high-profile clients in some of the largest domestic and cross-border transactions in the market. A prime example is the largest such transaction in the MENA region, the ADNOC-OCI JV that saw the $5bn combination of major fertiliser companies. Practice heads Omar Bassiouny and Tamer El Hennawy along with a deep bench of partners, among them Amr Baggatto, frequently handle market-leading transactions in key sectors such as oil and gas, life sciences, real estate, FMCG and education.
Practice head(s):
Omar Bassiouny; Tamer El Hennawy
Other key lawyers:
Amr Baggatto
Key clients
CDC Group
KBBO Group
EFG Hermes
Tana Africa
ABB
National Energy Services Reunited
Uber
Gulf Capital
Marriot
Netflix
Hilton
Sony
RAMEDA
Maridive
Nation Builders Capital
Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy has two lead partners who are highly respected by clients and peers alike. John Matouk and Amr Abbas lead a 17-lawyer practice that has a high profile in high-stakes matters in domestic and foreign arbitration fora, with its work covering key sectors such as telecoms, energy, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, cement and construction. The firm has the largest dispute resolution team in Egypt, and one of the largest in the MENA region handling arbitration and litigation, and has a high success rate that it maintained by securing a EGP200m arbitral award for Reliance Heavy Industries.
Practice head(s):
John Matouk; Amr Abbas
Key clients
Union Fenosa Gas S.A.
Reliance Heavy Industries S.A.E. (RHI)
International Holding Project Group and Other Kuwaiti Investors
Nogoom Football Club (NFC)
Spanish Egyptian Gas Company (“SEGAS”)
Inertia Development
Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 1
‘The litigation team is really good at translating the local legal issues for an international client', says a client of Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy. Known for handling high-profile litigation in sectors as diverse as telecoms, energy, hospitality, pharmaceuticals and automotive, the firm has a track record of success in representing both domestic and international companies. The practice led by John Matouk and head of litigation Mohamed Shehata also has extensive experience in representing major US clients on FCPA-related investigations, product liability cases and tax disputes. Counsels Momen Rezk and the 'responsive and decisive' Mohamed Omar are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
John Matouk; Mohamed Shehata
Other key lawyers:
Momen Rezk; Mohamed Omar
Testimonials
‘The litigation team is really good at translating the local legal issues for an international client. Their work is about solving the client’s problem in a pragmatic way with the best possible outcome. ’
‘Mohamed Omar is very responsive and enjoyable to work with. Excellent combination of legal expertise and business mindset. He was decisive in getting us an excellent deal and then pushing it through. ’
‘Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy is a remarkable law firm, the team is a detail-oriented partner who never loses sight of the strategic objective. The work has always been excellent.’
‘I found Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy very professional and efficient in the matter on which I instructed them and would have no hesitation in recommending the firm. The people are very experienced and very responsive to our inquiries.’
‘I find it a very good practice in terms of understanding the client’s needs, following up on work progress and providing timely updates on relevant matters. I find it unique in terms of experience and legal knowledge. ’
‘The individuals that I work with are competent, experienced and understand the needs of the client. They attend to the client’s needs in a timely manner. They value the client.’
Key clients
Major International Apparel Manufacturer
Skoda Auto (Volkswagen Group)
Sony
Uber
Egyptian Resorts Company
Etisalat Misr
Gemini Global Development Egypt
Danone Nutricia
Cargill
TCI Sanmar Chemicals
Commercial Bank International PSC
FCC Construction
Nissan
Alcazar Energy Egypt Solar
Energy Tier 1
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy is well versed in all aspects of the energy sector, including projects, transactions and disputes relating to oil & gas, conventional and renewable power, gas pipelines and transmission and distribution assets. Mahmoud Bassiouny is the only partner in the finance and projects group to focus on energy, but he is backed up by a large team of associates that combine expertise in commercial, industrial and finance matters for lenders, developers and corporates. Its work for Lekela Egypt Wind Power BOO is testament to its growing role in renewable energy projects.
Practice head(s):
Mahmoud Bassiouny
Key clients
Lekela Egypt Wind Power BOO SAE
El Sewedy Electric
Future Clean Energy
Pharos Energy (Formerly, SOCO International plc)
Alcazar Energy Partners
Total EREN
Ib vogt GmbH
Actis
Maridive Offshore Projects
Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Capital Company
National Petroleum Construction Company PJSC
ABB
Union Fenosa Gas
Spanish Egyptian Gas Company S.A.E
Maridive Oil & Services
Projects and infrastructure Tier 1
The practice at Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy is known for being 'extremely professional and yet compassionate and understanding at the same time'. The firm represents local and international developers in commercial, industrial and developmental projects in several sectors. Of note is its recent work in renewable energy, having worked on numerous 50MW solar plants under the Feed in Tariff programme. Mahmoud Bassiouny leads the practice, which also acts for port developers. Counsel Ashraf Hendi and associates Ahmed Agamy and Nadia Abdallah are also active in project finance.
Practice head(s):
Mahmoud Bassiouny
Other key lawyers:
Ashraf Hendi; Ahmed Agamy; Nadia Abdallah
Testimonials
‘The team’s strength is in its constant availability to address any of the client’s needs.’
‘The individuals I have personally dealt with are extremely professional and yet compassionate and understanding at the same time.’
‘Nadia Abdallah is a star associate in my opinion. No matter what time of the day or what day of the week, she is responsive to any question, very professional and ready with the answers.’
Key clients
Future Clean Energy
Lekela Egypt Wind Power BOO SAE
Alcazar Energy Partners
National Petroleum Construction Company PJSC
Export Development Canada
Sonker Bunkering Company SAE
DP World
TMT Tier 1
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy is a prominent player in the telecoms sector, having been instructed by mobile operator Etisalat Misr to handle day-to-day matters and disputes. It also advises major operators on regulatory matters. The firm also handles extensive media work for multinational companies, among them Sony Pictures. Mohamed Shehata, Omar Bassiouny, John Matouk and corporate partner Hazem El Guindi lead the practice, in which litigator Amr Abbas, who is 'an expert on competition law issues and provides insightful advice', also plays a key role.
Practice head(s):
Mohamed Shehata; Omar Bassiouny; John Matouk; Hazem El Guindi
Other key lawyers:
Amr Abbas
Testimonials
‘Amr Abas is an expert on competition law issues and provides insightful advice’.
‘Amr Abas has provided us with detailed advice on issues concerning competition law procedures.’
Key clients
Etisalat Misr
Delivery Hero
Algorythma
Uber
Sony Pictures
Halan for Technology and Services
NBK Capital Partners
Match
Employment Tier 2
'I have always found them responsive, legally sound and helpful, especially for US multinationals', remarks a client of Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy. The firm handles the full range of employment work from drafting of contracts to terminations, secondments and litigation, as well as advising on incentive packages. It frequently assists international businesses on their dealings with governmental authorities including the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration, the Social Insurance Authority, the Tax Authority and the Labor Office. Tamer El Hennawy, Omar Bassiouny and counsel Tamer Fawki are the main contacts.
Practice head(s):
Tamer El Hennawy; Tamer Fawki
Other key lawyers:
Omar Bassiouny
Testimonials
‘I work a lot with Matouk and have always found them responsive, legally sound and helpful, especially for US multinationals. I mainly work with Omar Bassiouny.’
Key clients
Actis
Pfizer
Mylan
Samsung
Uber
AXA
Hassan Allam
ABB
Projects of Mounir Nakhla
DLA Piper UK
DLA Piper US
Intellectual property Tier 2
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy continues to build up the portfolio of work for its dedicated IP practice, which was launched in 2017. As well as handling the IP aspects of large corporate transactions, the firm handles due diligence exercises and portfolio management for clients in sectors including agriculture, software development, food and beverage, tourism and renewable energy. Omar Bassiouny, Tamer El Hennawy and legal director Menna Elsherif are the lead practitioners. They count Netflix and Acino among their clients.
Practice head(s):
Omar Bassiouny; Tamer El Hennawy; Menna Elsherif
Testimonials
‘We appreciate the client focus of the lawyer in charge.’
Key clients
Si-Ware Systems Private free Zone Company
Acino
Merichem
Transport for Cairo
Netflix
Halan
Wockhardt
Simon Associes
Raseedy
Drylicious
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy > Firm Profile
The firm: Matouk Bassiouny was officially established in 2002 as a partnership between John Matouk and Omar Salah Bassiouny; and became part of DLA Piper’s global network of offices shortly afterwards.
Since establishment, the firm has been providing full legal services to clients in corporate and M&A matters; banking and project finance; capital market matters; as well as dispute resolution, whether in litigation or arbitration.
The firm is now an independent law firm, and has significantly grown as regards the number of lawyers and clientele size, with a leading position in Egypt and regionally; and has built on its name and expanded by opening offices in Dubai, UAE, and Khartoum, Sudan. The firm also has offices in Algeria and Libya.
Areas of practice
Corporate and M&A: The Corporate/M&A group can assist with all aspects of corporate transaction, from initial term sheets and due diligence to negotiations, drafting and completion. The team specializes in providing general corporate and M&A advice to a wide range of multinational corporations, private equity firms, fund managers and blue-chip investors in Egypt and the region.
Capital markets: The Capital markets group specializes in securities-related transactions involving the Egyptian Exchange and the Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority (including bond issuings), funds management, IPOs, listing and dual securities listing.
Dispute resolution: The Dispute resolution group’s primary goal is to effectively manage risk and resolve disputes pursuant to our client’s strategic interests – be it through amicable negotiation, litigation and arbitration.
Finance and projects: The Finance and projects group has substantial experience in providing local legal advice on asset-based finance, infrastructure finance, project finance and real estate finance, as well as on the strengths and weaknesses of local security available to lenders in the Egyptian market.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate and M&A | Omar Salah Bassiouny (Founding Partner and Head of Corporate/M&A) | ||
| Corporate and M&A | Tamer El Hennawy (Partner and Co-Head of Corporate and M&A) | ||
| Capital Markets | Mohamed Abd El Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) | ||
| Dispute Resolution | John Matouk (Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution) | ||
| Finance and Projects | Mahmoud Bassiouny (Managing Partner, Head of Finance and Projects) |
Staff Figures
Partners : 16 Fee Earners : 137 Support Staff : 82Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Banking and finance
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution: arbitration
- Dispute resolution: litigation
- Energy
- Projects and infrastructure
- TMT