IFLR 1000
The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms

	Ghellal & Mekerba Gide Loyrette Nouel (legal consultancy)
	Cabinet d'Avocats Samir Hamouda CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre Hamza Law Office
	Aidoud Law Firm Cabinet Hadj-Hamou et Djouadi Law Office of Yamina Kebir
	Bouchaib Law Firm Cabinet Sator

CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre moves up a tier this year. The firm has fully established itself in the market and, according to a competitor, now only directly competes with Gide Loyrette Nouel.... [more]

CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre moves up a tier this year. The firm has fully established itself in the market and, according to a competitor, now only directly competes with Gide Loyrette Nouel. It saw a notable increase in turnover from its Algeria operations through 2010.

The firm is led by partner and Algeria manager Samir Sayah and senior associate Amine Sator, who joined in 2008 from Cabinet Sator.

"Sayah is very quick, they have a very good understanding of the tax framework and legislation, very good contacts with various departments and personal contacts, and their written English for responses and opinions is very good," says one client.

As highlighted above, one of the firm's advantages in the market is its tax capabilities. One mandate which shows this saw CMS Lefebvre advise petrochemical company Technip for the structuring of the $900 million Arzew FEED (front end engineering and design) project, largely based on making the most of the country's tax regime.

In recent corporate work, the firm advised a pharmaceutical company on an acquisition in Algeria and a foreign client on the multi-million restructuring of its Algerian automotive business.

One high value transaction saw the firm assist a global technology company on a state run transport project worth over €100 million. Other clients include Ericsson, Nestle, Ferrostaal, Schlumberger, Ebsco and Halliburton

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	Gide Loyrette Nouel Kettani Law Firm Naciri & Associés
	Bennani & Associés CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre Garrigues Maroc Sarl Lefèvre Pelletier & Associés UGGC & Associés
	August & Debouzy Benzakour Law Firm Hajji & Associés
	Clifford Chance JeantetAssociés Norton Rose

The 14 lawyer firm (hoping to expand to 17 through 2011) spends half its time on tax matters and the rest on M&A and corporate, while it has recently seen increased activity in banking, project finance and public-private partnerships (PPP).In January 2011 the firm hired Marc Veuillot, who will act as the Casablanca office's managing partner along with Wilfred Le Bihan.... [more]

The 14 lawyer firm (hoping to expand to 17 through 2011) spends half its time on tax matters and the rest on M&A and corporate, while it has recently seen increased activity in banking, project finance and public-private partnerships (PPP).

In January 2011 the firm hired Marc Veuillot, who will act as the Casablanca office's managing partner along with Wilfred Le Bihan.

In highlight deals, Le Bihan advised Deutsche Bank as lenders in financing related to the takeover bid by Blackstone of a Spanish company with a Moroccan subsidiary. Veuillot had a role on a high profile deal, acting for INEXIA (part of the French rail SNCF group) on tax and corporate matters related to the high-speed train between Tangiers and Casablanca. It will be the first such train on the continent.

Le Bihan advised Ratier Figeac on its development of aviation activities in Morocco with a $25 million investment and continued to assist Caterpillar Europe on tax and corporate matters. Other clients have included Philip Morris and Unilever Maghreb.

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