Firms To Watch: Commercial, corporate and M&A

Led by Michel Ghanem, the corporate team at Meysan is very experienced in assisting clients in the financial services, energy, logistics and healthcare sectors with cross-border M&A transactions, private equity and foreign direct investments.

Commercial, corporate and M&A in Lebanon

Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm

Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm‘s ‘professional, reliable and efficient‘ corporate team continues to be instructed in high-profile acquisitions, multi-jurisdiction restructurings and joint ventures in the financial, tech, consumer goods and pharmaceuticals sectors. In a recent matter, Souraya Machnouk and Carlos Abou Jaoude advised a Lebanese-Swedish consortium on a private placement for a first-of-its kind start-up tech project; the duo lead the practice with Simon El Kai and Ibrahim Barraj.

Responsables de la pratique:

Carlos Abou Jaoude; Souraya Machnouk; Simon El Kai; Ibrahim Barraj


Les références

‘Professional team, reliable and efficient.’

‘Souraya Machnouk is a stand-out partner and astute operator.’

‘Outstanding professional capabilities, and a commercial business sense.’

Principaux clients

Amazon


Ericsson


Thomson


Reuters Corporation


Moderna


Epic


Vorwerk International


The Body Shop


Mr. Carlos Ghosn


Elie Saab Group


Fadaat Media Group


ALMAZA Group


Benta Group


AJA Group


Sioufi Group


Malia Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised NCR Corporation on an intra-group corporate reorganisation pursuant to the split of the group’s ATM and Commerce operations, spanning ten jurisdictions and involving the move of assets and agreements to a newly incorporated entity from an existing Lebanese branch.
  • Advised BENTA on its contemplated multi-million cross-border acquisition of the KSA subsidiary of the French global pharma group Sanofi.

Alem & Associates

Alem & Associates' 'very knowledgeable, resilient, and resourceful' team is highly regarded for its strength in handling the gamut of corporate law, including joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, cross-border acquisitions, restructurings and corporate governance matters. Mohamed Alem and Rola Tabsh jointly head up the practice. Senior associate Youmna Gharzouzi is noted for advising on M&A and corporate restructuring.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mohamed Alem; Rola Tabsh


Autres avocats clés:

Youmna Gharzouzi


Les références

The support received from Alem & Associates was very valuable and helpful. The team is very knowledgeable, resilient, and resourceful.’

Principaux clients

McKinsey Electronics Group


Lucid Investment Bank


DIV Capital SAL


Schlumberger


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Mission Laique Française on the regulatory aspects of a transaction.
  • Advising an international F&B Group on corporate restructuring.
  • Advising the shareholders of GLB Invest SAL Offshore on the sale of a full equity stake to several foreign investors.

Badri and Salim El Meouchi LLP

Badri and Salim El Meouchi LLP handles corporate and commercial transactions in the projects and real estate sectors; Chadia El Meouchi led on a matter concerning private investment through a PPP for the expansion and development of Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport. Carine Farran is experienced in cross-border transactions and commercial contracts. Samia El Meouchi is also singled out for her contributions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chadia El Meouchi; Carine Farran


Autres avocats clés:

Samia El Meouchi


Principaux clients

Banque Misr Liban


Holdal Group


Saint-Gobain Middle East


Construction Development Company International


Projects Development Company


Intel


Fransabank


Ciment de Sibline


Secil


Simmons & Simmons LLP


Audi Saradar Private Bank


European Investment Bank (EIB)


Pinsent Masons LLP


Clifford Chance LLP


White & Case LLP


Deutsche Bank


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting an international company with the acquisition of a 100% stake in a Lebanese entity.
  • Assisting Clifford Chance Dubai with advising a major investment company in Saudi Arabia on a potential acquisition of a minority stake (up to 30%) in a newly incorporated private limited company.
  • Assisting an international renewable energy independent power producer with its acquisition of the majority shareholding in a holding company for the purposes of the development, financing, construction and operation of three wind power projects.

BLK Partners

BLK Partners‘ corporate offering includes assisting local and foreign investors with M&A, day-to-day corporate matters, restructurings, joint ventures, contractual matters and distribution agreements. The client base includes healthcare, real estate and construction companies. Ziad El-Khoury is well versed in assisting TMT and financial sector clients with transactional matters, and Walid Merhej advises on private equity mandates. Bassem Chalhoub is a key name to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ziad El-Khoury; Walid Merhej


Autres avocats clés:

Bassem Chalhoub


Les références

‘What I like about this firm is that they can cover all the customer’s needs.’

‘Walid Merhej is organized, calm, and dedicated. He always finds solutions for problems in a calm way.’

Principaux clients

Shaaya & Azar SAL


CACM HOLDING SAL


B Management SAL


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted CACM Holding with acquiring shares in other real estate companies, involving assisting with the purchase of the real estate portfolio.

El-Aref International Law Office

Name partner Aref El-Aref heads up El-Aref International Law Office’s corporate practice. The group has established expertise in advising on private equity, mergers, joint ventures and corporate governance matters, and is equally strong in representing clients in the TMT, consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors in transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Aref El-Aref


Principaux clients

AbbVie


AstraZeneca


Novo Nordisk


ATKearney


NABED Ltd


Rotana Audio Visual, LLC.


Associated Press


BBC


World Fuel Services Corporation


ABB


B.B. Energy


Faisal Holding


Primesouth


St. Jude


SAP


Bloomberg, LP


Kelley Drye & Warren LLP


TCQ Power, Ltd.


Synaptive Medical, Inc.


Mindspace Holdings, Ltd.


8Zone FZ-LLC


Sadara Investment LLC


Abousleiman & Partners

The 'dedicated' corporate team at Abousleiman & Partners continues to handle M&A and corporate restructuring mandates, and is also recognised for assisting international clients with the Lebanese legal aspects of corporate and commercial work. Randa Abousleiman, who heads up the practice, is a very highly regarded corporate lawyer.

Responsables de la pratique:

Randa Abousleiman


Les références

‘Very deep knowledge of the law, very smart and original thinkers.’

Chedid Law Offices in association with Dentons

Elias Chedid, managing partner of Chedid Law Offices in association with Dentons, leads the corporate department, and has established strength in handling M&A and private equity mandates, often acting for European clients. Corporate compliance and regulatory work are other key areas of instruction for the practice. Chedid is supported by senior associate Georgette Salamé, who acts on commercial and corporate matters in the TMT and energy sectors.

Responsables de la pratique:

Elias Chedid


Autres avocats clés:

Georgette Salamé


HNS Legal

HNS Legal is particularly active in regional M&A, joint ventures, and corporate restructurings. Key sector strengths include TMT, aviation, and consumer goods. The firm also routinely advises clients on UAE and Iraq-based transactions. Practice co-heads Jad Skaff, Ali El Maoula and Joseph Nasrallah are highly experienced corporate lawyers.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jad Al Skaff; Ali El Maoula; Joseph Nasrallah


Les références

‘The team is very strong in the field of commercial, corporate and M&A with a strong focus on logistics and aviation matters.’

‘Joseph Nasrallah is an outstanding lawyer with a very straightforward and reliable approach.’

‘Jad Skaff is an excellent lawyer who is deeply knowledgeable about the local market and is adept at guiding foreign investors through regional nuances.’

Principaux clients

Transmed


Al Kabida


Amnesty International


CIBCO


IFFCO


Careem


Omatra Group


Sama


S-Com


Tri-Sat Communication Company


Halvest Holding


Halawani Consumer Products


Abchee Group


Shooting Stars


P.O. Tech: Paths of Technology


Tornet


CCHO


Initiativez Management Consultants


Habib Bank


DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance


World Gate Capital


PwC Middle East


Middle East Industries and Machineries


Port Manager and Operator


Besins Healthcare


Chouieri Group


Siira


Art of Guitar


Atlas Telecommunication


Thea Pharma


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised National Aviation Services on a multi-million dollar acquisition.
  • Advising Transmed on multiple acquisitions in the consumer goods and food service sectors throughout the Middle East.
  • Advising several clients in the telecom and banking sectors on the restructuring of their businesses.

Law Offices of Naoum Farah

Law Offices of Naoum Farah specialises in handling commercial transactions, joint ventures and corporate restructurings, with a notable focus on the TMT, entertainment, automotive and technology sectors. Naoum Farah is a key name for advising on local M&A and restructuring matters; he co-heads the practice with Nada Farhat and Roula El Hajj.

Responsables de la pratique:

Naoum Farah; Nada Farhat; Roula El Hajj


Principaux clients

Intercontinental Bank of Lebanon sal


Bellevue Medical Center Hospital


Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International sal


T.G.F Holding sal


GHSA (GARGOUR HOLDINGS S.A.)


SOFIDAL Holding sal


Burotec


Obeid & Medawar Law Firm LLP

Obeid & Medawar Law Firm LLP fields a team with expertise in a broad range of matters, including corporate structuring, day-to-day corporate matters, restructurings and investment work. With the opening of offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh, the Beirut-based firm is increasingly active in cross-border M&A, private equity and leveraged buyout transactions. Amer F. Obeidbrings an unparalleled depth of experience and expertise‘ and divides his time between the UAE and Lebanon offices. Rachad Medawar is a key practitioner in the private equity space. Zeina Azzi advises high-net-worth clients on investments and restructuring matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Amer Obeid; Rachad Medawar


Autres avocats clés:

Zeina Azzi


Les références

‘What makes the team exceptional is that they are solution providers. They guide you through each and every single detail and do not leave a stone unturned. Their presence across several jurisdictions and their professional connections gives them a competitive edge.’

‘Amer Obeid stands out due to his exceptional qualities and unique attributes that set them apart from competitors in the legal field. He brings an unparalleled depth of experience and expertise to his respective practice areas. He is known for his innovative problem-solving skills, consistently achieving outstanding results for his clients.’

‘Zeina Azzi is not just a lawyer; she is a trusted advocate, a pillar of integrity, and a beacon of hope for those seeking legal guidance. Zeina’s passion is contagious, and her presence in the legal field is a testament to the positive impact one person can have on the pursuit of fairness and equity.’

Principaux clients

Abu Dhabi Sports Council


Dhaher Bin Dhaher Al Mheiri (ADGM)


Body Tree Studio


Chalhoub Group


Delta Konsult


Rotana Hotel Management Corporation


Star Club


Greenfield Services


Shukur Holding Limited


Batco Group


Balkis SAL


Beyond your limits events LLC


BWR International LLC


Chalhoub Group


Chez Sami SAL Holding


Clap Milano SA (Italy)


Clinique du Levant SAL


Em Sherif SAL


Eurofore SAL


Garlidoux SAL


General TV Production FZ LLC


Global Blue SAL


Gulftainer SAL


INEVERT GLOBAL LTD


Inventis Corporation Offshore SAL


Infiouest LLC


Jordan Company for Lottery Development and Management


MCT FZE


M Group SAL


Maram Foundation (Lie.)


Maria Group SAL


Megastores of Lebanon SAL – Virgin Megastores


Middle East Venture Partners or MEVP


The Impact Fund by MEVP


Total Care Lebanon SAL


Zaarour Club SAL


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting as lead counsel in a multi-billion euro matter concerning a concession agreement for the organization of the Cadastral Registrar in Senegal.
  • Advising an Emirati businessman on the restructuring of several businesses.
  • Advised a food and beverage sector client and its major shareholders on the acquisition of 35.1% of the company’s share capital, valued at $39,100,000, by a investment fund in Abu Dhabi.

MENA City Lawyers

MENA City Lawyers is well versed in handling instructions involving public takeovers, private equity, venture capital and joint ventures. Other key areas of strength include assisting with franchise and distribution agreements, as well as contractual issues. The practice is led by the triumvirate of Mirvat MostafaCorinne Baaklini, and Fady Jamaleddine.

Responsables de la pratique:

Fady Jamaleddine; Mirvat Mostafa; Corinne Baaklini