Aref El-Aref

Practice Areas

Practice Overview

Aref El-Aref advises on cross-border corporate transactions, structured financings and infrastructure projects across the Middle East and Africa. His practice integrates corporate structuring, project development and financing architecture in mandates involving multinational corporates, financial institutions, sovereign-linked entities and technology platforms.

Corporate & M&A

Advises on cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate reorganisations and foreign investment structures. His work includes minority protection frameworks, multi-jurisdictional holding platforms and governance arrangements in transactions involving Lebanon, the UAE, Africa, the UK and the United States. Regularly coordinates with US and UK counsel on structuring matters requiring alignment of tax, regulatory substance and investor governance considerations.

Projects & Infrastructure

Advises sponsors, contractors and investors on the structuring and development of energy and infrastructure projects, including EPC arrangements, O&M frameworks, risk allocation and sovereign-facing documentation. Frequently engaged in negotiations involving ministries, state-owned enterprises and regulatory authorities across the region.

Project Finance & Structured Transactions

Represents lenders and borrowers in project financings, syndicated facilities, acquisition finance and cross-border security structures. Experience includes intercreditor arrangements, sovereign support agreements and multi-jurisdictional enforcement considerations.

Banking & Finance

Advises financial institutions, investment firms and fintech platforms on licensing and regulatory compliance matters in Lebanon, the UAE and related markets, including capital markets and AML/CFT frameworks.

Technology & Intellectual Property

Advises technology and AI-driven platforms on corporate structuring, intellectual property governance, licensing frameworks and cross-border commercialisation strategies, including trademark protection and domain name enforcement.

Career

Aref El-Aref is Managing Partner of El-Aref International Law Office. He advises multinational corporates, financial institutions, sponsors and technology platforms on cross-border corporate transactions, infrastructure development and structured financings across the Middle East and Africa. He regularly serves as lead or coordinating counsel on mandates involving multi-jurisdictional corporate structuring, shareholder governance, EPC projects and sovereign-facing contract negotiations. His work frequently requires coordination with US and UK law firms on transactions spanning multiple legal systems and regulatory environments.

He holds an LL.M. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a Negotiation & Persuasion Certificate from the Wharton School. He is admitted to the Beirut Bar Association and is a member of the New York Bar and the Loan Market Association. Through his leadership, the firm continues to grow its regional footprint, strengthen its reputation for sophisticated international work, and expand its advisory capabilities for multinational clients operating in challenging and fast-evolving markets.

Languages Spoken

English, French, Arabic

Education

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Cross-Border (MENA), US Transactional Interface

Work Highlights

QAR 1.8 billion syndicated financing (Qatar)

Minority investment in US Delaware LLC (non-US investor structuring)

EPC structuring and financing of 100 MW power project in West Africa

Cross-border minority acquisition in media sector

Awards