Leading Partners

Leading Associates

Firms To Watch: Employment

Shield Advocates - Al Hawy & Hassane was established in 2020 and continues to strengthen its reputation for employment law expertise. Led by Assem El Hawy, the practice covers the entire spectrum of employment, including advisory work, transactional support, restructuring, compensation, HR policies, setting up Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and litigation.

Employment in Egypt

Al Tamimi & Company

Al Tamimi & Company’s Egypt employment practice provides a full service offering to a significant range of multinationals, government-owned entities and local companies. The span of expertise covers the spectrum of public and private sector employment law, including policy, contracts, redundancy programs, disciplinary issues and litigation assistance. Head of the Egypt office Ayman Nour leads the practice and is a respected authority on labour law and incentives. Senior associate Nadine Khaled is a trusted advisor to local and foreign clients on contract drafting, exit strategies and social insurance law.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ayman Nour


Autres avocats clés:

Nadine Khaled


Principaux clients

IBM


Johnson & Johnson


Beiersdorf Middle East


Red Bull GmbH


General Electric


Toyota


Mastercard


NBA


Philips Egypt


Dell


SAP Egypt


British Council


Standard Charterd Bank


UPS


MBC Group


Caterpillar


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Johnson & Johnson on day-to-day employment matters, including termination of employees, end of service payments and reviewing policies and job offers in accordance with Egyptian labour laws and regulations.
  • Advising Red Bull on day-to-day employment matters, including employees’ resignation and exit documents, the social insurance status of employees, reviewing employment agreements in accordance with the labour law and drafting HR letters for the company’s employees.
  • Advising Dell on day-to-day employment queries related to compliance, HR policies and disciplinary actions.

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International)

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International)‘ employment offering is a leading advisor on a diverse spectrum of employment-related matters arising out of corporate transactions and operations in the Gulf. Corporate and commercial specialist Ghada El Ehwany leads the team and oversees a practice noted for its excellent transactional, advisory and litigation capabilities. She is substantially supported by Heba Samy, who was promoted to senior associate in July 2023. Counsel Saber Soliman departed the firm in June 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ghada El Ehwany


Autres avocats clés:

Heba Samy


Riad & Riad

Riad & Riad’s team is ‘generally great and sophisticated with employment law matters’, covering the range of employment, labour and social insurance laws, including gig work, HR compliance and handbooks, restrictive covenants, discrimination and employment termination. Eman Riad jointly leads the practice and consistently demonstrates ‘outstanding legal knowledge and provides clear legal advice on labour laws’. Co-head Mohamed Riad has a strong reputation for labour and employment disputes, regularly handling a number of complex termination and dismissal cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Eman Riad; Mohamed Riad


Les références

‘Riad & Riad provides clear, to-the-point answers to legal consultations from clients in a short period of time. It is assumed that this is due not only to its in-depth legal knowledge, but also to its deep understanding of the client’s actual situation.’

‘Eman Riad provides outstanding legal knowledge and clear legal advice on various laws, as well as labour laws are excellent. We also greatly appreciate her prompt response.’

‘The team is generally great and sophisticated with employment law matters. Eman Riad is the best employment lawyer in Egypt. She managed to combine her academic and practical experience in an exceptional way, delivering a great product!’

Principaux clients

VFS Global Egypt


Microsoft Egypt


British Airways


G4S


Coats


Clariant


Haier Egypt


Nufarm


AVIC International


Asahi TV-Japan


Kellogg Tolaram


Deloitte Japan Legal


Squire Patton Boggs


Pinsent Masons


Itochu Corporation


Marubeni-Itochu Tubulars


ABC Bank


Medtronic


JETRO


Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation


Acino Pharma


CMS


Techno-Scan


Malaysian Palm Oil Board


Nippon


VFS Investment


Schneider


Principaux dossiers


  • Providing Microsoft legal labour and employment advice.
  • Assisting the VFS Global Egypt in their daily labour and social insurance matters covering the head-office in Cairo and other branches in different Egyptian cities.
  • Providing Squire Patton Boggs with legal advice and with answering a questionnaire – for a client – in relation to data protection and diversity in the workplace.

Shahid Law Firm

An excellent team of highly qualified experts’, Shahid Law Firm has a well established presence in the Egyptian employment space and regularly acts for large multinational corporations, industrial conglomerates and public sector entities. Practice head Rasha Maurice consistently demonstrates ‘extensive knowledge, responsiveness and patience’ when handling complex employment matters, including advising corporates on employee contracts, work policies and terminations. The practice also maintains strong relationships with a number of significant government entities, including the Ministry of Manpower and National Organisation for Social Insurance.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rasha Maurice


Les références

‘An excellent team of highly qualified experts who provide good support for their customers.’

‘We had exceptional experience working with Rasha Maurice on different employment-related matters. Rasha demonstrated extensive knowledge, responsiveness and patience.’

‘Rasha Maurice’s attention to detail and ability to clearly explain the process are particularly valuable. She provides updates and is always available to speak. Thanks to her expertise, we could undergo the process with ease. We would highly recommend her services.’

Principaux clients

Aramex International Egypt for Air and Local Services SAE


Concentrix


F. Hoffmann La Roche AG


Gewiss SpA


GlaxoSmithKline


Globeleq


Nokia Egypt SAE


Roche Diagnostics Egypt for Trading SAE


TTEC


Voltalia


Younexa Egypt for Frits and Glazes SAE


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Ariston on the whole shutdown of their representative office in Egypt and the accompanying redundancy process, in addition to assisting Ariston with the transfer of their current employees to Ariston Thermo Egypt LLC and opening a social insurance file.
  • Providing TTEC with legal advice on various labour and social insurance matters, including the preparation of drafts of employment contracts for the staff to be hired by the newly incorporated company in Egypt.
  • Advising Globeleq on the provisions of the Egyptian labour law, including drafting employment contracts for the transfer of the company’s staff from a local acquired company to an operation and maintenance company.

Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm

Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm is ‘definitely one of the best law firms in Egypt’ for both the transactional and contentious elements of employment law. Finance specialist Ahmed Haggag jointly leads the team and oversees an advisory practice which covers all aspects of labour, immigration and social insurance laws. Co-head Ahmed Haggag specialises in representing multinational clients on employment laws and regulations, as well as advising local and international NGOs.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ahmed Haggag; Dalia Abdelghany


Les références

‘This is definitely one of the best law firms in Egypt, providing on point advice that is extremely relevant to the ask, without elaborating on unnecessary content.’

‘Individuals in this firm are very responsive and once we agree on a timeline to provide the work, they always keep it.’

Principaux clients

AESSEAL


Bloomberg


Dentsply Sirona


Energizer International


European Investment Bank


Henkel


Littler Mendelson


Master Builders Solutions Construction Chemicals LLC


Milestone


VISA Incorporated


PricewaterhouseCoopers


Nevro Inc.


Microsoft


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the European Investment Bank on various employment matters including providing a comprehensive legal analysis and playbook on all employment and social insurance matters.
  • Advised a client on the differences between the current Labour Law and the draft of the expected new Labour Law and preparing an advocacy paper highlighting the proposed changes and their impact on investment.
  • Advised a client on a questionnaire on sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the workplace.

Al Kamel Law Firm

Regularly acting for local and multinational companies on sensitive employment disputes, Al Kamel Law Firm is well-versed in complex issues pertaining to immigration and work permits, redundancy and contract termination, and policy formulation. Founding and managing partner Mohamed Kamel leads the practice alongside Rasheed Kamel, with key support from senior associate Ahmed Ismail, who is well-regarded for providing a broad span of advisory and contentious expertise.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mohamed Kamel; Rasheed Kamel


Autres avocats clés:

Ahmed Ismail


Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy

Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy provides ‘clear and succinct employment advice’, with a particular strength for contentious and non-contentious labour law matters related to restructuring and M&A. The practice is jointly led by the experienced team of Tamer Fawki and senior associate Susan Romana, both of whom cover the spectrum of day-to-day employment matters, spanning employee contracts, social insurance, HR policy, personal investigations and redundancies.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tamer Fawki; Susan Romana


Les références

‘Individuals are quite available and supportive in our business needs.’

‘Prompt assistance and efficient guidance.’

‘Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy provide clear, concise and commercial advice. They are true commercial partners rather than simply providers of legal services.’

Principaux clients

Remote


Snap Inc.


Allyant


Tabuk


Total Eren


VFS Global


Wabtec


Xylem


Ziwo


Capgemini


China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited (C-Sail)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Remote on employment related legal compliance matters and assisted the client with setting up operations in Egypt, including on the social insurance registration of the entity.
  • Advised Snap Inc. on employment related legal compliance matters in relation to the outsourcing of employees.
  • Advised Allyant on employment related legal compliance matters, including work authorisation of expats, and assisting with the work stream of social insurance registration of company directors.

Rizkana & Partners

Rizkana & Partners are trusted advisors to an abundance of Egyptian and multinational corporations on all aspects of labour and social insurance law, including recruitment regulatory processes, employee restructuring and benefits and disputes. Managing partner Hazim Rizkana is a respected authority for employment and pension work, having assisted various hotels and management companies on employee handover and union matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Hazim Rizkana


Shalakany Law Office

Shalakany Law Office has consolidated a reputation for ‘very good knowledge of the court and labour office practices in Egypt’, regularly providing ‘pragmatic and practical advice’ on contracts, policies, benefits and redundancies. Sharif Shihata and Mariam Fahmy are key contacts within a practice that has accumulated significant alternative dispute resolution experience related to employment and labour disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sharif Shihata; Mariam Fahmy; Nehad Tharwat; Marwa Farouk; Sherry El Shalakany


Les références

‘The team’s dedication to client satisfaction, their diverse expertise and innovative problem-solving truly set them apart. Clear communication, embrace of technology and a collaborative spirit make it a top choice for legal services.’

‘They always have solutions and are always available no matter what time of day.’

‘Working with Shalakany was a very good experience; they are supportive, professional and very fast in responding on the case.’

Principaux clients

Arab International Insurance Company (Allianz)


Ajinomoto Co. Inc.


Weatherford Services S.A (Egypt)


Closure Systems International Inc.


Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GMBH


Zaki Hashem, Attorneys at Law

Zaki Hashem, Attorneys at Law remains a prominent firm for local and multinational companies operating in Egypt, assisting on all stages of the employer-employee relationship. The firm is particularly noteworthy for its labour law expertise related to corporate restructuring and acquisitions, as well as employment-related due diligence. Litigation specialist Omar Abou Elenain leads the team and is instrumental in the firm’s strong track record for labour dispute settlement and collective labour agreements. Hala Hashem is also a pivotal presence for formulating employment policies, negotiating employee agreements and advising on employee transfers.

Responsables de la pratique:

Omar Abou Elenain


Autres avocats clés:

Hala Hashem


Les références

‘Great communication.’

Principaux clients

Abraaj Capital


AERA Ancient Egypt Research Associates


AIG Egypt Insurance Company


Al Nour Wal Amal Association


Al- Thani Investments


Alexandria Wax Products Company (AWPC)


Alitalia– Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A


Alstom Egypt


American Bureau of Shipping – ABS Europe Ltd.


American University in Cairo (AUC)


Apex International Energy Management LLC


Arab African International Bank (AAIB)


Arabian Oil Company Ltd.


Aspire


Atlas Copco Equipment Egypt


Australian Embassy


Austrian Embassy


Austrian Archaeological Institute


BASF Construction Chemicals Egypt SAE


BioMérieux SA


Bloomberg LP


British Embassy


CaixaBank, S.A


Canal For Agricultural Development


Cargill


Carlson Wagonlit


Club Mediterranee


Clyde & Co., (Dubai Office)


Commonwealth Wargraves


Coverwind


Conrad Cairo Hotel


DAC Beachcroft LLP (London Office)


Damac


Danish Egyptian Dialogue Institute (DEDI)


Danish Embassy


Dar Al-Handasah


Dar El Fouad


DEA Egypt Branches


Deel Inc


Dehydro Foods Co SAE


Deloitte (UK Office)


Deutsche Gesellschaft für


Diosna Dierks & Sohne GmbH


Diktas Egypt Trading


DP World Sokhna


Drosos Foundation


ED & F Man Sugar Limited


Education Development Trust


Embassy of Estonia


Embassy of Finland


Embassy of Germany


Embassy of Latvia


Embassy of New Zealand


Embassy of Norway


Embassy of Spain


Embassy of Sweden


Embassy of Switzerland


Embassy of the Netherlands


EMC Corporation


Engie (Formerly GDF Suez)


Fairmont Hotel Heliopolis


Ferrometalco


FoodStuff Group


Friedrich Naumann Stiftung Foundation


General Electric Group (GE Medical Systems, GE Healthcare, Fieldcore – among others)


German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)


German Archaeological Institute


Grand Nile Tower


Hikma Pharmaceuticals Egypt Ltd.,


Hogan Lovells International LLP (London Office)


International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)


Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH


Ismailia Real Estate Company


Jenaan Investment LLC


Juhayna Group


Juki


K.O.J Egypt


Kamco Investment Company K.S.C


Kempinski Hotels & Resorts Company – Egypt Branch


Khazna Tech


Landmark Gulf Group


Le Meridien Heliopolis


LEO Pharmaceutical Products Sarath Ltd


Levantine Foundation NGO


Lexmark


Magdi Yacoub Foundation (NGO)


MARP- Misr Company for Aromatic Products


Marsh


Mashreq Bank


Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) – Doctors without Borders


Mena House Oberoi Hotel


Merck Ltd.,


Merck Sharp & Dohme


Middle East Communication Network (MCN)


Mitsubishi Corporation


Mitsui & Co. Ltd.,


National Bank of Egypt (NBE)


National Pipe Company


Nissan Motor Egypt SAE


Prospiant


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Eastern Company in 1200 cases filed by former employees regarding alleged rights to annual profit sharing and other entitlements.
  • Advised Hilton Worldwide Group in the negotiation and drafting of ten collective labour agreements.
  • Advised Conrad Cairo Hotel in the negotiation, drafting and concluding a number of collective labour agreements stipulating the method of distributing the percentage of the total proceeds of the service charge in its final form.

ADSERO-Ragy Soliman & Partners

ADSERO-Ragy Soliman & Partners’ employment practice is ‘unique’, as not only does it have a comprehensive understanding of Egypt’s employment and labour laws, but it also understands ‘from a practical standpoint what is really happening in the market’. Alia Monieb, who was promoted to partner in October 2023, leads the practice and is well-versed in acting for international and multinational clients on local employment issues, including investigations and disciplinary procedures, internal policy review and employment aspects of restructuring and M&A transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alia Monieb


Les références

‘The team is very responsive and enthusiastic.’

‘Alia Monieb is a great lawyer. She is a pleasure to work with and provides us with timely and high-quality advice.’

‘This practice is unique in its way of advising our clients by advising not only from a legal standpoint but also from a practical one.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a US company on a lawsuit filed against them by their Egyptian employee and analysed the standard used in determining whether the Egyptian labour law protected the employee of a US company.
  • Advised a local pharma company that changed its legal form from being a public sector company to a private one on the applicability of their internal policies, how to change them and the risks associated with employment claims.
  • Advised on the resignation of a senior manager from their executive role and their re-appointment in a non-executive role in almost 20 subsidiaries.

Karim Adel Law Office

Karim Adel Law Office continues to be active in the Egyptian employment market, across both contentious and non-contentious matters. The practice is led by Bishoy Safwat, who is highly experienced in labour law and related litigation, having accumulated significant experience in resolving disputes and negotiating collective agreements with trade unions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Bishoy Safwat


Principaux clients

Cairo Marriott Hotel


JW Marriott


Marriott Mena House, Cairo


Semiramis InterContinental hotel


InterContinental Cairo CityStars


Holiday Inn Cairo CityStars


Staybridge Suites Cairo CityStars


Genting Casinos Egypt Limited


Golden Pyramids Plaza Cairo


St Regis Cairo


Renaissance Golden View Beach Resort


El Zamalek Company


Flamenco Hotels in Quseir


Ethiopian Airlines


L’Oréal


Schuco


SEW Eurodrive


OCA Inspection & Control Society S.A.U


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented OCA Inspection & Control Society S.A.U, in an employment lawsuit filed by a former manager, securing a dismissal judgment in favour of the hotel.
  • Acted in a labour lawsuit filed by a worker against Cairo Marriott Hotel, there was a judgement from the court of first instance for the worker of over EGP 1.5m.
  • Acted in a work injury lawsuit filed by a worker against Genting Casinos Egypt Limited, resulting in the securing of a dismissal judgment.