April 2022
For the thirteenth consecutive year, The Legal 500 ranks Abou Jaoude & Associates in Tier 1, the highest ranking for law firms, for its work in four practice areas covered by the 2022 guide in Lebanon. Managing partner Carlos Abou Jaoude and partner Souraya Machnouk were distinguished as Leading Individuals, the highest ranking for individual lawyers, with a Hall of Fame status bestowed on lawyers ranked as Leading Individuals for at least seven consecutive years. Five lawyers are also Recommended by The Legal 500, namely partners Simon El Kai, Rania Khoury, and Ibrahim Barraj, as well senior associates Chebl Atallah and Hachem Housseini.
The Firm earned its top tier ranking in the categories of:
- Banking, Finance and Capital Markets
- Commercial, Corporate and M&A
- Real Estate and Construction (including Projects)
- Tax
The Firm also landed a Tier 2 ranking in Dispute Resolution, in recognition of the remarkable work performed by its litigation and arbitration teams.
The prestigious guide commended the Firm’s practice, stating:
The Legal 500 2022 - Banking, Finance and Capital Markets
“Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm remains market leaders in the banking space and has an excellent reputation handling large capital markets transactions and financings. The experienced practice is regularly instructed by local and international banks and financial instructions on multi-million dollar bond issuances, investment agreements, and syndicated loans. Managing partner Carlos Abou Jaoude leads the team with Souraya Machnouk.”
The Legal 500 2022 - Commercial, Corporate and M&A
“Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm is well placed to handle large cross-border transactions and complex restructurings for large multinationals. The team is known for its pharmaceutical sector work headed by Simon El Kai, and counts Moderna as a key client amidst the ongoing Covid-19 crisis in Lebanon; El Kai also heads up the corporate offering. Souraya Machnouk leads the M&A team at the firm. Managing partner Carlos Abou Jaoude and Ibrahim Barraj are likewise recommended.”
The Legal 500 2022 - Real Estate and Construction (including Projects)
“The projects team at Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm is active in the oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors particularly electricity, and handles a steady stream of procurement matters for clients. The team under the leadership of managing partner Carlos Abou Jaoude and partner Souraya Machnouk, also advises on energy contracts, project financings, and PPP projects. Regulatory work also features in the workload.”
The Legal 500 2022 - Tax
“The tax offering at Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm advises multinationals and corporates on complex tax aspects of corporate transactions. Carlos Abou Jaoude heads up the tax practice. Souraya Machnouk who leads the firm’s M&A group is a key contact for global tax restructuring matters, and has demonstrable strength in advising global conglomerates on the tax aspects of market entry into Lebanon. Other names include Simon El Kai.”
The Legal 500 2022 - Dispute Resolution
“Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm stands out for its commercial arbitration experience and handles high-profile mandates including at the ICC and ICSID. Head of domestic and international arbitration; Rania Khoury is the key contact for disputes, particularly in the construction, media, and energy space. It has also seen an increase of banking-related litigation in the past year. Carlos Abou Jaoude handles high-value arbitrations and lawsuits and is supported by Simon El Kai on the pharmaceutical side. Senior associate Hachem El Husseini is also of note. The team also acts as co-counsel with international law firms.”
