AMERELLER

Number of partners: 20

Number of lawyers: 72

Languages: Arabic, English, German, Farsi, French, Italian, Japanese, Kurdish, Polish, Russian, Spanish

Jurisdictions: Austria, Egypt, England and Wales, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kurdistan, Poland, Morocco, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United States (NY, TX, DC, CA)

FIRM OVERVIEW 

AMERELLER is an international law firm with comprehensive corporate and commercial law and dispute resolution offerings tailored to the Middle East and North Africa. It has more than 70 lawyers working from 10 offices in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, advising clients from over 40 countries.

The firm employs a combination of skilled foreign lawyers, often with local language knowledge (Arabic and Farsi), and local attorneys fluent in English or German language. This blend of expertise in multiple jurisdictions is what makes the firm unique.

AMERELLER is known as a go-to firm for transactions in difficult markets including Iraq and Libya. Our lawyers are sensitive to the cultural and legal nuances of conducting business in the Middle East, and are often retained as local counsel on major projects and transactions in the region.

The firm's multinational client base includes publicly traded companies, international organizations, governments and states, global financial institutions, family-owned businesses, NGOs, SMEs, and entrepreneurs in many sectors and industries.

MAIN PRACTICE AREAS 

Agency & Distribution:  

The firm provides clients with pragmatic, jurisdiction-specific advice on all aspects of agency, distribution, and franchise transactions throughout the region. Its lawyers have particular expertise in contentious negotiations, and disputes arising out of existing agency and distribution relationships.

Commercial Transactions: 

The firm represents clients on a range of conventional and complex commercial transactions. Its lawyers have particular strengths in negotiating complex agreements related to technology licensing, confidentiality and data protection, and the sale and leasing of equipment. In addition, the firm has assisted a number of startups throughout the region with comprehensive commercial contract drafting, implementation, and management.

Corporate Law & Business Establishment: 

The firm provides support and advice on the full range of corporate and commercial matters, including establishment of onshore and offshore companies, as well as free zone establishments, reorganization and liquidation. It also provides advice on general corporate governance issues, director duties and obligations, and corporate housekeeping.

Dispute Resolution, Litigation and Arbitration: 

The firm directly represents clients in many jurisdictions in which it operates and manages a range of conventional and complex disputes. It seeks to strategically resolve disputes with informal and pre-litigation solutions where possible. In formal court proceedings, it manages teams of litigators in local and cross-border disputes throughout the region.

Arbitration is a major practice area of the firm, and its lawyers have appeared before tribunals throughout the region including the DIAC, ICC, ICSID, LCIA, and UNCITRAL.

Mergers & Acquisitions / Joint Ventures:  

The firm has extensive experience in all aspects of acquisitions, mergers, amalgamations, divestitures, spin-offs, and asset purchases. From initial structuring advice to due diligence and negotiation, its lawyers advise clients through the process of exiting or acquiring an investment. The firm has advised on the establishment of many joint ventures and consortiums in nearly all countries of the Middle East, and structure joint ventures with shareholders’ agreements and similar joint venture structures. It also assists clients on resolving shareholder disputes.

Labour & Employment: 

From new hire contract drafting to dispute resolution, the firm provides responsive advice on all aspects of labour and employment law. The firm represents clients in legal proceedings including labor litigation, claims settlements, the enforcement of noncompete obligations, and the protection of confidential information. It also actively advises clients on best practices in human resource management. Its lawyers are particularly well known for successfully resolving high-stakes disputes involving executive termination.

Project Finance & Development: 

The firm provides professional legal advice at every stage of project development for major infrastructure and utility services. Its work covers the entire lifespan of the project, from conception and planning, tendering and risk analysis, through to financial close, and performance of the project contracts.

Its work covers projects in all sectors including power, oil and gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and transportation. The firm’s clients include governments, sponsors, lenders, and contractors, and it regularly works as local counsel for international law firms on major projects.

Public International Law 

The firm advises on global and bilateral treaties relevant to the Middle East. Its lawyers represent governments, international organizations, and private companies before the highest courts of international law.

The firm also advises international investors on investment treaty protection, and issues including human rights. It is frequently asked to interface with local and regional governments on critical issues for clients.