Ashurst, a strong international firm, operates in Morocco on a fly-in-fly-out basis from their London office. The firm has a strong team of practitioners who are qualified in English and French law. The practice has a strong focus on M&A transactions and project development in the energy sector. Yann Alix leads the practice - he is a specialist in energy industries, including mining and natural gas. Meanwhile, Mark Barges specializes in advising lenders in large project financings, including Unit 5 and 7 of the Jorf Lasfar power plant, which is the largest coal-fired power complex in the MENA region.
Foreign firms in Morocco
Ashurst
Responsables de la pratique:
Yann Alix
Autres avocats clés:
Mark Barges; Tom Longmuir
Les références
‘Strong team with huge depth and certainly extensive experience globally and specifically in Africa.’
‘Yann Alix is very pleasant, competent, and slick.’
‘Mark Barges is strong in project finance, infrastructure, and power. He is full bilingual in English and French, which is very useful in Morocco.’
Principaux clients
Chariot Limited
Attijariwafa bank
Banque Centrale Populaire
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Chariot, an AIM-listed company with assets in Morocco, Namibia and Brazil, on the development and financing of its flagship project, the Anchois offshore gas field in Morocco located within the perimeter of the Lixus Offshore License.
- Advising the lenders, Banque Centrale Populaire and Attijariwafa Bank, on the MAD 3.3bn refinancing of Units 5 and 6 of the Jorf Lasfar power plant (wholly owned by the Emirati entity TAQA), the largest coal-fired power complex in the MENA region and the first independent power producer (IPP) in Morocco, for the Jorf Lasfar extension IPP.
- Advised Vinci Concessions on its acquisition from WindVision International B.V. of CME Africa Holding B.V.
Linklaters LLP
Linklaters operates in the Moroccan market through its Paris office. Led by Andrew Jones and Bertrand Andriani, the firm handles cross-border acquisitions, project finance, and joint ventures for both international and domestic clients. Pierre Tourres provides advice on cross-border M&A deals for large international businesses.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Jones; Bertrand Andriani
Autres avocats clés:
Pierre Tourres
Principaux clients
Nexans SA
Compagnie Plastic Omnium
TAQA Energy B.B.
BNP Paribas
Stellantis
Foxconn
GIP
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Nexans SA, leader in the design and manufacture of cable systems and services, on the exclusive negotiations with Syntagma Capital on the proposed sale of its telecom cable business (comprising notably entities in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, China, Morocco and Dubai).
- Advised Compagnie Plastic Omnium Compagnie Plastic Omnium SE on the strategic acquisition of Varroc Lighting Systems, a supplier of automotive lighting systems, for an enterprise value of €600.
- Advised the automotive giant Stellantis together with worldwide electronic component supplier Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry group), on the creation of their full-function 50/50 joint venture to be active in the development, design and supply of semiconductors for the automotive industry.
White & Case LLP
White & Case LLP‘s presence in the Morocco comes through the firm’s London office. The firm is active across several sectors, including construction, energy, and finance. Paule Biensan represents various lenders in financing desalination, irrigation, and mining projects. Mukund Dhar chairs the firm’s Africa practice group.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mukund Dhar
Autres avocats clés:
Paule Biensan
Principaux clients
Bank of Africa
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Casablanca Desal Financing
MNX Global Logistics
NAIC and OCP
Chaabi International Bank Offshore (Banque Centrale Populaire Group), Société Générale and Attijariwafa Bank Europe
Principaux dossiers
- Representation of Bank of Africa in connection with various amendments relating to the Chtouka seawater desalination plant project in Morocco, to enable it to be financed.