CHAMBERS – MOROCCO – 2022
BANKING, FINANCE – BAND 2
EAR & Co. is a robust Casablanca-based law firm with deep experience advising on debt restructuring mandates and loan facilities. Its lawyers regularly undertake high-value financing transactions on behalf of lending syndicates.
Commentators describe the firm as one which leaves clients with « the feeling you are in safe hands; they understand business challenges and seek constructive solutions.“
A satisfied client also highlighted the firm’s « technically excellent lawyers. They stand out as deal makers who always focus on the big picture. EAR & Co.’s reputation is excellent within the market. What I particularly appreciate is the quality of the advice – their truly practical and on-point approach“.
CORPORATE, COMMERCIAL
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 corporate governance issues and a variety of commercial contract work, including IP transfer agreements.
One client enthused: « Overall, the team provides a very high level of service, have good attention to detail and give relevant, practical advice. They can think outside the box, and that is certainly their distinguishing feature.“
Sources say: « Their analysis is in-depth and of high quality. I like working with the EAR team because they are diligent, available and can provide timely replies without losing any quality. »
EMEA LEGAL 500 – MOROCCO – 2020
BANKING, FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS TIER 2: EAR & Co. has a broad-ranging finance practice that acts for borrowers, banks and issuers on project and acquisition financing, restructuring, syndicated loans and regulatory matters. Project finance is the main focus for lead partners Mariam Rouissi and Mohieddine El Amari. They recently acted for a Moroccan public bank in the drafting and negotiation of a $165m credit line from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A TIER 3: EAR & Co. predominantly acts for large Moroccan corporations, both in the public and private sectors, and it increasingly advises multinational companies and foreign entities on their local business interests. Mariam Rouissi and Mohieddine El Amari are the lead partners. They recently assisted the local subsidiary of Dr. Oetker with the acquisition of banking ingredients business ALSA from Unilever.
PROJECTS AND PUBLIC LAW TIER 3: EAR & Co. excels in assisting Moroccan and international clients with the implementation of infrastructure and industrial projects. Its recent work included advising Derichebourg Environnement on structures to manage municipal lighting infrastructure. The lead partners are Mariam Rouissi, who has in-depth expertise in project finance and capital markets, and Mohieddine El Amari, who handles both corporate and finance matters.
TOURISM AND REAL ESTATE TIER 3: EAR & Co.’s practice is jointly led by Mohieddine El Amari and Mariam Rouissi, who have a wealth of experience handling infrastructure and industrial projects, many of which involve significant real estate transactions. A recent example of Rouissi‘s work involved her advising Banque Centrale Populaire in the takeover of a real estate development project in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region. Other work directly involved the tourism sector, including the acquisition by Soprima of a hotel unit and a retail complex.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION TIER 3: EAR & Co. is well-versed in regulatory and financial disputes, having built up a strong track record in domestic and international litigation. Mariam Rouissi, who has recently acted in numerous cross-border matters involving foreign investors, works with Mohieddine El Amari. Rouissi‘s expertise in financial disputes stems from her extensive experience in assisting banks, financial and large companies with major infrastructure financing transactions.