Independent law firm Bennani & Associés is regularly sought out by global corporations and foreign law firms for assistance with a range of corporate and financial activities.  M&A, joint ventures and foreign direct investment all stand out as areas of activity for a team praised for its ability to handle ‘complex, time-sensitive transactions’. ‘Standout lawyer’ Lamia Harguem oversees matters and frequently wins plaudits for her ability to handle work connected to Tunisian subsidiaries such as due diligence and restructurings. Emna Msaad and Sarra Ben Salem are further names to note.

Eversheds El Heni (a member of Eversheds Sutherland) is praised for an M&A practice that combines ‘international standards’ with a good understanding of ‘local specifics’.  The team assists a predominantly overseas client base with issues such as the establishment of joint ventures, acquisitions and the disposal of regulated assets. The ‘outstanding’ Fares El Heni oversees matters alongside Raouf El Heni. Both partners handle an array of advisory and contentious work in the M&A space.

Multinational corporations from sectors such as pharma, automotive and energy seek out Ferchiou & associés for assistance with corporate and M&A work including local aspects of joint ventures, mergers and private equity investments. Commercial mandates ranging from the negotiation of commercial leases to the drafting of distribution agreements are further areas of strength. Omar Ferchiou, praised for his ‘solid international background’ heads up the team alongside Noureddine Ferchiou  and Rym Ferchiou, who is well versed in local regulatory constraints surrounding cross-border acquisitions.

Core pillars of the practice at Meziou Knani & Khlif include handling legal due diligence of target entities,  drafting transaction agreements and advising on the restructuring of corporate activities and assets. Practice co-head Ghazi Meziou excels in investment law mandates and is praised for his ‘exceptional interpersonal and professional skills’. Fellow co-head Ayoub Knani is a key contact for complex privatisation matters, while Omar Ben Slimane completes the leadership team and frequently guides investment funds and strategic investors through M&A transactions.

Adly Bellagha & Associates is geared to handle the lease of aircraft and acquisitions and disposals of assets ranging from hotels to satellite network systems. Privtisations are also a core aspect of the firm’s offering and practice head Adly Bellagha frequently employs his extensive expertise in this area to handle matters ranging from the privatisation of publicly owned factories to the privatisation of highly regulated financial institutions. Hend Ben Ashur is well positioned to assist with the incorporation of offshore companies.

Cabinet Donia Hedda Ellouze regularly assists overseas clients with direct investment mandates in Tunisia and the acquisition of local companies. Transactional work involving the issuance of participating shares is a further strong suit for the outfit. Key contact Donia Hedda Ellouze‘s practice ranges from privatisation mandates to the drafting of contractual documents.

The corporate and commercial law practice at Gallala Law Firm is an important destination for  international clients from sectors such as telecoms and IT seeking to carry out transactions in Tunisia. The firm is also advising on a growing number of restructurings and regulatory work. The ‘exceptionally skilled’  Zied Gallala heads up the team. His varied practice incorporates experience in strategic transformations and corporate reorganisations.

Advising international clients on their investments in Tunisia is at the heart of the corporate offering at Global Lawyers North Africa in partnership with Gide Loyrette Nouel. Recent work in this area includes advising on the establishment of joint ventures and on the disposition and acquisition of Tunisian companies and subsidiaries. Practice head Anis Jabnoun‘s transactional competence is particularly valued by clients from the financial services and industrial sectors.

Boussayene Knani Law Firm leverages its expertise in corporate and commercial law to assist international clients with acquisitions, sales and the establishment of business operations in Tunisia. Youssef Knani, who is fluent in French, Arabic and English and is praised for his ‘unrivalled skills and experience’, heads up the practice. Former magistrate Mehrez Boussayene is a further key contact.

Helmed by Mohamed Jed Mrabet, Cabinet Mrabet Avocats‘ recent focus on legal compliance for clients connected to blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies complements the established corporate practice whose areas of activity include conducting due diligence on target companies, assisting with the opening of retail branches overseas and with the exit of a joint venture from a corporate group. Yesmine Ben Mabrouk is another name to note.