Corporate/Commercial | Global

The firm successfully blends the capabilities of a global powerhouse with the best of local experience, and it is consistently recognised by peers as a market-leading law firm in Morocco. The team has extensive expertise in M&A, investments, divestments and joint ventures. It serves notable international and regional clients in sectors including healthcare and finance, and also acts for governmental entities. The Casablanca-based team also has an accomplished infrastructure project development practice which complements its expertise in commercial matters. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

ASAFO & CO. is widely accepted by clients as a reliable choice of counsel in Morocco. Its Casablanca lawyers often act for private equity firms on their investments in Morocco and across North Africa. The firm also benefits from the support of its other offices in Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa and Kenya, as well as Paris, Washington DC and London, to advise clients on cross-border transactions.

Clifford Chance is a hugely respected player in the Moroccan market. Its Casablanca group is regularly involved in high-value private equity matters, and is extremely well versed in M&A transactions arising in sectors such as education and telecoms. The team also offers considerable know-how in the establishment of joint ventures and strategic partnerships, and is further noted for its experience acting for clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors on project developments.

The Casablanca-based law firm is the product of a joint venture between French heavyweight Gide Loyrette Nouel and Spain's Cuatrecasas. The team boasts extensive expertise in projects, infrastructure and energy mandates. The lawyers are well accustomed to assisting with the creation of PPPs and joint venture project companies, as well as advising energy companies with licensing and contractual issues. The firm has further experience advising on private equity matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright operates a compact but sophisticated team in the Moroccan market, with a diverse portfolio of international clients active across the industrial, financial services, insurance, automotive and energy sectors. The firm demonstrates notable expertise in M&A and foreign investment law, complemented by a sound grasp of banking and finance and competition issues. The Casablanca team has a close working relationship with the firm's Paris office, with several lawyers splitting their time between the two locations.

ADNA has experience providing legal services to an Africa-wide and international clientele within the Moroccan market. The expertise of its Casablanca group encompasses acquisitions, joint ventures and fund structuring as well as assisting clients with merger clearance and foreign investment mandates. The firm is a member of the Africa Legal Network.

Baker McKenzie's Casablanca office counts among its clients several significant international players in the energy, infrastructure, technology, pharmaceutical and education sectors. The firm acts on a variety of M&A transactions in the Moroccan market and is able to draw upon further resources resulting from its integration within the firm's larger global network.

Bennani & Associés is a pan-African law firm whose Moroccan office frequently acts as local counsel on multi-jurisdictional transactions. The team is advises on a range of corporate mandates, including acquisitions, joint ventures and competition issues. Headquartered in Casablanca, the firm is a significant player across the Maghreb and francophone Africa, with additional offices in Algiers, Tunis, Abidjan and Kinshasa.

Global law firm DLA Piper serves numerous big-name clients in the pharmaceutical and education sectors in Morocco. The team acts on a ranges of cases, from share purchase agreements and transactional due diligence to partnership agreements and general commercial contracts. The firm also demonstrates a notable presence advising on joint ventures and is a particular favourite of private equity houses.

Afrique Advisors acts for domestic and international clients from various industry sectors, including insurance, consumer goods and renewable energy. It often supports international clients in setting up joint ventures and investments, coordinating acquisitions and advising on pre-litigation issues. The team is particularly skilled in private equity, including venture capital transactions.

Casablanca-based Dentons Sayarh & Menjra enters the rankings this year. The team assists domestic and international clients with a range of corporate and M&A mandates, benefiting from Dentons' global network. The lawyers act across the TMT, infrastructure and real estate sectors.

EAR & Co is a compact law firm with an ever-stronger reputation in Morocco. Based in Casablanca, the team has extensive experience advising on the formation of joint ventures and is equally well versed in M&A and private equity mandates. It is also capable of assisting with distribution agreements and a variety of commercial contract work, including IP transfer agreements.

Garrigues is an Iberian law firm frequently working with clients from the hospitality, maritime and energy sectors. It is in especially high demand among Spanish companies with operations or investments in Morocco. The Casablanca office has deep experience in M&A and tax law.

Jeantet has a multidisciplinary team that wins acclaim for its deep experience in local and cross-border M&A transactions and the creation of joint ventures. The firm provides representation to international and domestic clients within sectors such as aerospace and telecoms.

The Casablanca office of LPA-CGR avocats regularly acts for clients in the automotive, manufacturing, healthcare and food production sectors. The firm has experience in a wide range of corporate and commercial work, and is very prominent in matters which span the France-Maghreb axis, with lawyers working in Casablanca, Paris and Algiers.