Norton Rose Fulbright > Casablanca, Morocco > Firm Profile

Norton Rose Fulbright Offices

Norton Rose Fulbright
IMMEUBLE MERBOUHA
10 BIS RUE ALI ABDERRAZAK
CASABLANCA
Morocco
Visit website 212 529 09 00 60

Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings

Morocco > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Norton Rose Fulbright is a market leader in operations, project financing, financial restructuring, and corporate lending transactions. Alain Malek leads the Morocco and North African practice. Malek is a seasoned practitioner with a strong track record handling cross-border transactions across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, with particular expertise in the insurance, energy, and telecoms sectors. Additionally, Roberto Cristofolini specialises in banking and stock exchange law in Morocco and France and recently advised the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Morocco on the private equity funds adopted by the Council of Government.

Practice head(s):

Alain Malek

Other key lawyers:

Roberto Cristofolini

Key clients

HPS

Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance

Banque Marocaine pour le Commerce et l’Industrie

Banque centrale Populaire

Société de Dessalement d’Eau d’Agadir (SEDA)

Work highlights

  • Advising Hightech Payment Systems (HPS) with respect to an increase in capital reserved to managers and employees of the group, via the subscription of stock options.
  • Acted with the World Bank Group (acting under its Joint Capital Markets Program – J-CAP) to advise the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Morocco on bill n°58-22 amending and supplementing law n°41-05 on private equity funds (OPCCs), adopted by the Council of Government on 8 March 2023.
  • Advised Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) and Banque Marocaine pour le Commerce et l’Industrie (BMCI) on the financing of the acquisition by Helios of a majority stake in the T2S Medtech group.

Morocco > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s Casablanca office has particular strength within the infrastructure, transport, telecoms, and construction sectors. Notably, the firm also has a strong antitrust and compliance practice. Co-leading the team is Alain Malek, based in Casablanca, whose expertise is reflected in his high-profile clients. Malek is currently advising the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Digital Economy in an investment agreement with several Chinese construction corporations. Working alongside Malek is practice co-head Roberto Cristofolini, who focuses on corporate law and finance.

Practice head(s):

Alain Malek; Roberto Cristofolini

Testimonials

‘The team has a very pragmatic, business-oriented approach. They have a very good knowledge of local practice and the expectations of the local competition authority. ’

‘The team delivered results on time, and they were very thorough in the details ’

‘Easy to access, very responsive.’

Key clients

Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Digital Economy

Group Cimat

Brookfield Corporation

Wafa Assurance

KPMG France

KPMG International

Stellantis

BNP Paribas (BNPP)

Credit Agricole Consumer Finance (CACF)

Santander

Cameco Corporation

Work highlights

  • Advising Brookfield and Cameco Corporation in the filing of their joint acquisition of Westinghouse Electric Company with the Moroccan competition council; this transaction is international in scope and relates to the nuclear energy sector.  
  • Advised Wafa Assurance in the context of the sale by Crédit Agricole SA of its 10% stake in Crédit du Maroc to Holmarcom.
  • Provided legal assistance in the first cartel investigation launched by the Morocco Competition Council.

Morocco > Tourism and real estate Tier 1

Norton Rose Fulbright Casablanca provides corporate related real estate and construction advice to developers, government-linked businesses, and financial institutions. Alain Malek recently advised on the structuring of real estate development, development of residential complexes, and negotiation of lease agreements to various operators, real estate funds, and property developers. Meanwhile, Mathieu Dahan provides support on the firm’s most significant matters, including advising the real estate branch of a Saudi group concerning issues relating to an office building in Casablanca.

Practice head(s):

Alain Malek; Mathieu Dahan

Key clients

Attijari Wafa Bank

Assoufid Properties SA

Asas Investment Ltd

Mediterannea Capital Partner

AMDIE

Ministry of Investment

Yamed Group

Beyond Technology

SADV (OCP Group)

MEDZ

Work highlights

  • Advised SADV in the structuring of real estate development and compiled a detailed review and analysis of all possible options, with advantages and drawbacks, for the development of the Green City of Benguérir.
  • Advising the developer, Assoufid Properties, in relation to the development of residential complex in Marrakech, the real estate structuring (joint ownership associations, RIPT) and the management of the St Regis (Marriott) hotel.
  • Assisting Canadian group, Beyond Technology, in relation to the implementation of its activity in Casanearshore, including negotiation of the lease agreement for its offices.

Morocco > Projects and public law Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright > Firm Profile

The firm: Norton Rose Fulbright has been active in North Africa for more than 15 years, advising corporates, financial institutions and state entities. In 2011, we opened our office in Casablanca.

Our presence in Morocco, combined with the support of our lawyers across our offices worldwide, allows us to provide broad corporate and commercial advice to regional organizations and to foreign investors in North Africa and francophone sub-Saharan Africa. We are particularly strong in energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, financial institutions and real estate, advising on local and international law.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Head of Morocco Alain Malek alain.malek@nortonrosefulbright.com
Global Co-Head of Energy Anne Lapierre anne.lapierre@nortonrosefulbright.com
Partner Roberto Cristofolini roberto.cristofolini@nortonrosefulbright.com
Partner Marta Giner Asins marta.ginerasins@nortonrosefulbright.com

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Other offices : In Africa, it has alliances with firms in Bujumbura, Harare, Kampala and Nairobi.