Middle East/Africa

Debevoise has a successful track record advising corporate entities and sovereign States on some of the highest profile corporate and litigation matters in the region in recent years.

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Contacts

Reuters Video Highlights UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action at Debevoise

Recognition

The team was awarded Specialist Deal Legal Advisor of the Year at the Private Equity Africa Awards for it’s work with TPG Growth in its takeover of the existing assets of the Abraaj Group’s $1 billion Global Healthcare Fund. See detail here.

The “quick-thinking and experienced” Catherine Amirfar is noted as “one of the best on Middle East issues”. She possesses “a stellar intellect and great skills in oral advocacy”.

—Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2021

The added knowledge Donald Francis Donovan has on the Middle East and Asia sees him regularly described as a “global practitioner” and praised for “his experience, depth of knowledge and instincts in the field.”

—Chambers Global 2021

The group has “considerable knowledge and skill in negotiating, drafting and supporting complex and challenging transactions in Africa”.

Geoffrey Burgess is recommended for M&A deals

—The Legal 500

Peter Goldsmith KC has an impressively global disputes practice, handling arbitrations in Africa, Europe and Asia.

—Chambers UK

Thought Leadership

Partner Spotlight

Geoff Burgess has been appointed co-chair of African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) Legal and Regulatory Committee.

Announcements

Recent Matters

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Ranked as a leading firm for work in emerging markets by The Legal 500 UK

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Our team spans the firms’ practice areas and includes partners, counsel and associates, each with deep experience advising on Middle Eastern and African related matters. Many of the firm's lawyers have also spent substantial time in the region working on these matters. We bring a cross-border perspective, can speak over 30 languages, and are qualified in various civil and common law jurisdictions.We place our clients’ commercial goals at the heart of everything we do. Non-legal factors, including political and diplomatic considerations, often arise in high-profile matters in the region, informing our clients’ commercial and legal strategy. We have unique government and public service experience, enabling us to navigate politically sensitive issues at the cutting edge of the law. At each stage, we act with sensitivity to the long-term relationships and strategic objectives of our clients.Undertaking cross-border work in the Middle East and Africa demands a high degree of experience and capability in specific jurisdictions, coupled with the ability to provide a coordinated service and strategic viewpoint. Few single firms have market-leading strength and capacity in each jurisdiction in the region, and so we pride ourselves on our ability to work effectively with the best local law firms for each assignment.This blend of multi-disciplinary strength, regional know-how, and a collaborative working culture has allowed us to advise on some of the highest profile corporate and litigation matters in the region in recent years.