Fischer Behar Chen Well Orion & Co is among Israel’s largest and most well renown law firms. It was formed in 1958 and
advises clients out of an office in Tel Aviv.
The firm consistently secures roles in large lending, capital markets and M&A deals. The firm largest institutional investors in Israel
on their transactional activities in Israel.
The firm does a lot of lending work for institutional investors (insurers mainly) as both the borrower and the lender. It also has experience advising on the borrower side of large acquisition financings and syndicated loans.
The firm’s funds lawyers advise on the formation of venture, private
equity and real estate funds mostly.
The
capitals markets team is strong in debt and equity work. It has recent issuer side IPO experience and has worked on the sell and buy side of conventional and hybrid bond issues, working for institutional investors as issuers on some deals. The firm was active on
a number of debt issues by US real estate companies issuing debt in Israel recently.
In M&A the firm is involved in large strategic deals – both cross border and domestic – and has recently worked on high-profile banking and financial services and energy sector deals.
In the project area the firm has experience
on
large scale energy and transport projects advising sponsors.
In the project finance area, the firm is experienced in lender side work, particularly relating to power projects but also other infrastructure.
Key clients include
Bank Leumi Le-Israel, Israel Discount Bank, Mizrahi
Tefahot Bank, JP Morgan, Discount Capital, Harel Insurance Group,
Amitim Pension Funds,
Universal Motors Israel, MLRN Projects and Trade, Carmel Winery, Perrigo Company, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, The Capri Family Foundation and Holmes Place.
Research period review:
33rd edition (2023/2024)
Activity in the banking sphere included a swathe of acquisition financing, corporate financing, asset financing and real estate financing transactions. The firm was also active in mezzanine lending and revolving credit space, as well as non-bank lending, syndicated
financing and venture lending. The banking team acted for both borrower and lenders on both domestic and cross-border mandates.
In capital markets the firm was visible in equity and debt for a mix of buy and sell side clients in Israel.
The investment funds practice was active in fund formation mandates, focusing on venture capital, private equity and real estate funds.
In M&A the firm recorded another successful year advising domestic and multinational clients on some of the most sophisticated deals on the market. Standout matters, among others, include the acquisition of Phoenix Holdings by
Centerbridge Partners and Gallatin Point Capital and the sale of ECI Telecom to Ribbon Communications.
The projects area of the firm continued to
provide comprehensive legal support, including on financing aspects, on many landmark undertakings in the Israeli transport, power utilities infrastructure, oil and gas, desalination and renewable energy sectors.
Restructuring and insolvency was another area of high activity for the firm, with the firm distinguishing itself with its advice on some of the most high-profile restructuring matters currently pending in Israel.
Deal highlights:
33rd edition (2023/2024)
Bank Leumi le-Israel $421 million acquisition finance
Bank
Hapoalim $660 million project finance
Chevron Corporation and others
$10 billion exploration contract
Island NYC RFI Acquisitions and other
$2.5 billion insolvency proceedings
Mivne Real Estate $40 million debenture issue
Ormat Technologies $430 million green bond issue
SKY Fund $350 million fund formation
Tower Semiconductor
$5.9 billion merger
Client feedback:
33rd edition (2023/2024)
“Assist and recommend how to solve the problem.”
“Help us with money raising issues and shareholders relationships.”
“Dedicated to the deal, professionals issue solutions instead of problems. Experience in similar projects and more.”
“Very responsive to our needs, always available, excellent personality.”
“Very professional, always find solutions to problems and suggest the best way to overcome obstacles.”
“She is sharing our work with Adv. Itay Brafman.”
“Extensive experience, dedication, problem solving in the transaction, ability to manage the client.”
