- Corporate
- Projects,
infrastructure and
natural resources - Finance and
financial services - Contentious matters
- Other expertise
> Market entry; corporate structuring and formation; on-going company administration
Work highlights:
Developed a novel corporate structure for a leading South Korean appliances and electronics company’s market re-entry aimed at mitigating risk of local reps’ misbehaviour, IP infringement, sanctions, business disruption and consumer complaints.
Advised a Chinese ceramic manufacturer on market entry and assessed different commercial and free zones as potential incorporating jurisdictions.
Advised a German auto parts manufacturer on an HR services agreement in connection with its market entry.
Advised a major South Korean entertainment company on regulatory matters related to market entry.
Advised a multinational human resources company on market entry matters including local presence options and corporate, tax, social security and labour law matters relating to setting up a local subsidiary.
Work highlights:
Advising a global manufacturer of health and hygiene products on market exit and conducting liquidation due diligence on its domestic subsidiary.
Advised a Turkish manufacturer of personal care products on corporate dormancy arrangements for its local subsidiary in anticipation of its temporary exit from the market.
Advised a French international retailer of sporting equipment in relation to restructuring of its domestic activities and corporate and finance matters and settlement of a shareholder loan arising from its exit.
Advised a major Swiss e-commerce company on its rushed market exit, conducted extensive exit due diligence on its investments, identified issues to be resolved and assisted in preparation of termination agreements.
Advised a South Korean IT services company on its challenging market exit not anticipated in its contractual arrangements, and worked with the client’s tax advisors to develop a loss-mitigating solution.
Work highlights:
Advised a major European automobile manufacturer on its incorporated joint venture in Iran, including restructuring, local financing and regulatory matters. Structured a novel arrangement for the client’s dormant shareholding in the JV company to comply with international constraints.
Advised a major Belgian food manufacturer and its foreign counsel on its joint venture with local partners, including acquisition structuring, licensing and foreign investment matters.
Advised a domestic joint venture set up by a major Dutch F&B company on potential funding arrangements and export matters.
Advised a major private domestic engineering and construction company on structuring an offshore joint venture with a foreign partner.
> Domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions
Work highlights:
Advising an Asian mining company as international counsel on acquisition of a Mongolian mining asset via capital injection and share buyback.
Advised two affiliated domestic tech companies on their parallel mergers with competitors including in relation to deal structuring, negotiating merger documents and business and asset transfer matters.
Advised a leading domestic crypto exchange on successfully closing a delicately negotiated asset acquisition from a competitor and on subsequent corporate setup to run the asset.
Advised a leading domestic online travel company on a share sale to a domestic-international investment fund and subsequent acquisition of a competitor.
Acted as either sell-side or buy-side counsel in several high-profile investments by VC/PE funds in tech & e-commerce companies via share/asset acquisitions, convertible loans, non-cash consideration and share swaps.
Advised several renewable energy companies from France, Netherland, UK, South Africa and Cyprus on acquisition of wind or solar projects including conducting buy-side due diligence, acquisition structuring and advice on domestic financing.
> Foreign investment structuring, documentation and licensing (FIPPA)
Work highlights:
Advising a leading Asian tobacco company on foreign investment licensing and capital control matters.
Advised a major Belgian food manufacturer on licensing and foreign investment matters in relation to its joint venture with local partners.
Advised a French industrial group on foreign investment issues relating to its subsidiary in Iran.
Advised several renewable energy companies from France, Netherland, UK, South Africa and Cyprus on foreign investment protection and licensing in relation to their investments in wind or solar projects.
> Sales, procurement, agency, distribution, manufacturing and franchising arrangements
Work highlights:
Advised a major Asian automobile manufacturer, two leading South Korean appliances company and a South Korean medical equipment manufacturer on their respective contractual positions vis-à-vis breaching local reps or domestic distributors.
Advised a major South Korean industrial manufacturer on regulatory, contractual and potential contentious aspects of replacing a distributor.
Advised two Russian manufacturers of rolling stock on their wagon sale contracts and related guarantees by an Iranian state-owned entity.
Successfully represented a major German axle manufacturer in defending a lawsuit brought by a local distributor.
Advised a domestic manufacturer of chemical products in relation to a sale agreement with a European purchaser.
Advised a leading domestic online travel company on developing a comprehensive contractual framework for its franchising program.
Work highlights:
Advised a leading VC fund on a complex cross-border corporate restructuring, documenting the transaction and new arrangements, and negotiating with international counsel and investors to help achieve delicate compromises on governance, sanctions and other matters.
Advised a European manufacturer of commercial vehicles on restructuring of its domestic subsidiary and related corporate, labour, social security and tax matters.
Advised a major European automobile manufacturer on restructuring its incorporated JV and devised a novel arrangement for its dormant shareholding in the JV company to comply with international constraints.
Advised a French international retailer of sporting equipment in relation to restructuring of its domestic activities and related corporate and finance matters.
Advised a major European trading company on restructuring ownership of its multiple subsidiaries to facilitate corporate administration, which had become unwieldy in the face of several commercial disputes.
> Regulatory, licensing and compliance matters
Work highlights:
Advising a leading Asian tobacco company on a range of regulatory matters, foreign investment licensing and capital controls.
Advising a European medical device maker in relation to regulatory aspects of importing its advanced hearing aids which use restricted frequencies.
Advised a major South Korean industrial manufacturer on regulatory aspects of replacing a distributor.
Advised a leading South Korean electronics company on regulations of importation of mobile devices, after-sale services, data privacy, capital controls and online retail licenses.
Advised a major domestic fintech company and a leading crypto exchange on the fast-evolving fintech regulatory environment and compliance matters.
Advised several European, African and Middle Eastern telecom companies on licensing and regulatory aspects of import of devices, acquisition of domestic operators and VAS services.
> Legal due diligence to support acquisitions, JVs and other corporate matters
Work highlights:
Conducted numerous buy-side and sell-side legal due diligence exercises in relation to cross-border acquisitions in Iran including in automotive, tech & e-commerce, retail and telecommunication sectors.
Conducting liquidation due diligence on domestic subsidiary of a global manufacturer of health and hygiene products in relation to its market exit.
Conducted extensive exit due diligence on investments of a major Swiss e-commerce company, identified issues to be resolved, prepared a legal opinion and prepared termination agreements.
Conducted legal due diligence on a major German automobile parts manufacturer’s commercial counterparty.
Conducted extensive internal due diligence on a leading domestic fintech company for corporate governance and compliance purposes.
> Concession agreement drafting and negotiation
Work highlights:
Advised a South Korean consortium on structuring and documenting a landfill gas-to-electricity project including drafting and negotiating the concession agreement and the project terms.
> Off-take contract drafting and negotiation
Work highlights:
Advising a group of renewable energy companies from Germany, Poland and Austria on their contractual positions under PPAs with SATBA.
Advised several renewable energy companies from the UK, Spain, France, China and South Africa on power purchase agreements and sovereign guarantee matters relating to acquisition of solar parks and wind farms.
Advised a South Korean consortium on power purchase agreement and sovereign guarantee matters relating to a landfill gas-to-electricity project.
Advised a leading domestic private engineering and construction company on an energy conversion agreement relating to a 50MW combined cycle power plant.
> EPC contract drafting and negotiation
Work highlights:
Defending an international oilfield services company and its Italian subsidiary against non-payment claims by a major local EPC contractor under an EPC contract.
Advising a European engineering company on corporate, tax, customs and labour matters relating to multiple thermal power station EPC contracts.
Advised an Asian consortium on construction and operation of a polypropylene plant and utilities and offsite facilities of a petrochemical complex via an EPC contract.
Advised a Chinese EPC contractor in connection with financing aspects of a railway construction project in Iran.
Advised a major domestic engineering company in relation to a joint venture with an Italian company to build an oil refinery via an EPC contract.
Advised a European engineering and construction company on assignment of an EPC contract.
Work highlights:
Advised an Asian oil major and its international counsel in relation to a significant IPC agreement with NIOC and the client’s position under the agreement.
> Financing arrangements, including PPPs and private financings
Work highlights:
Advised a major French renewable energy company on domestic financing for potential acquisition of a wind farm and a solar park.
Advised a development bank on Islamic finance documentation, security matters and a sovereign guarantee in relation to financing of a combined cycle power plant in central Iran.
Advised a regional trade and development bank on financing agreements and a sovereign guarantee in relation to financing an irrigation and drainage network construction project in west Iran.
Advised a British mining company developing a gold mine in west Iran on financing agreements.
Advised a Chinese EPC contractor in connection with financing a railway construction project in Iran.
> Public procurement, tenders and local content requirements
Work highlights:
Advised a European engineering and construction company on local content rules and procurement law implications of assignment of an EPC contract.
Advised a European engineering and construction company on tender law implications of assignment of maintenance, supply and engineering support contracts relating to a power plant.
Advised a South Korean consortium on tender law implications of a landfill gas-to-electricity project.
Advised a prominent European consultant in relation to tender issues for a port development study project.
Advised several renewable energy companies from France, China, South Africa on local content law implications of acquisition of solar parks and wind farms.
Advised a leading domestic private engineering and construction company on tender documents in relation to a water drainage project.
> Project-related regulation and licensing
Work highlights:
Advised several renewable energy companies from Spain, France, Netherland and China on foreign investment licensing matters and the FIT regime in relation to their investments in solar parks and wind farms in Iran.
Advised a South Korean consortium on regulatory aspects of a landfill gas-to-electricity project.
Advised a prominent European shipping and logistics company on regulatory and licensing matters in connection with a major investment in an Iranian port.
Advised several mining companies from the UK, India and Russia on licensing and regulatory matters relating to development of gold and iron ore mines in Iran.
Advised a prominent Turkish logistics company and a leading European shipping company on regulatory licenses.
> Land acquisition for projects
Work highlights:
Conducted land due diligence for solar and wind projects of several prominent European and Asian renewable energy companies and advised on government lease agreements in connection with potential acquisition of these projects
Conducted due diligence on land rights for several solar projects of an Spanish energy company and prepared and negotiated lease agreements with private owners
Conducted land due diligence and prepared land documents for a Korean consortium in relation to a greenfield landfill-gas-to-energy project in south Tehran
Advised a major European shipping company in relation to a port terminal lease agreement
> Legal due diligence to support projects
Work highlights:
Conducted several buy-side legal due diligence exercises in relation to acquisitions in Iran of dozen solar parks and wind farms by French, British and South African foreign investors.
Conducted legal due diligence exercises in relation to cross-border acquisition in Iran by a European paint manufacturer.
As international counsel, oversaw the legal due diligence exercise conducted by local counsel in relation to acquisition of a Mongolian mining asset by an Asian mining company.
> Lending, both conventional and Sharia-compliant, related security matters, and general banking
Work highlights:
Advised a major European automobile manufacturer on local financing and hedging arrangements for its local joint venture.
Advised a domestic joint venture of a major Dutch F&B company on funding arrangements including under a guaranteed bank loan and a credit facility from a corporate lender.
Advised a multilateral development bank on sovereign financing in Iran.
Advised a Cypriot renewable energy company on its engagement with a Luxembourg fund to assist in securing financing for its acquisition of six solar parks in Iran.
Advised a leading domestic online b2b company on a customer financing arrangement with a domestic micro-lender.
> Debt capital market transactions, including bonds, sukuk and ABS
Work highlights:
Advised a regional agricultural technology company on its inaugural sukuk issuance, re-opening and early redemption.
Advised a preeminent issuer of domestic debt on the design and documentation of novel debt capital market instruments, including advising on development of a new legal framework, regulatory aspects, Sharia approvals, dealer arrangements, asset transfers and creation of SPVs.
Advised on numerous international capital market debt issuances, including plain vanilla bonds, secured bonds, asset-backed securities and sukuk, mostly in emerging markets – including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Kazakhstan, India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines.
> Private and public equity offerings including IPOs
Work highlights:
Advising an Asian issuer on certain aspects of its intended IPO including developing a dual-class shares structure.
Advised a leading domestic e-commerce retailer on preparations for its public offering of shares in the domestic market.
Advised on IPOs and secondary share offerings in India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
> Investment fund formation, management and investments, both domestic and offshore
Work highlights:
Advised a leading venture capital fund on a major cross-border corporate restructuring, documenting the transaction and new arrangements, and negotiating with international counsel and investors to help achieve delicate compromises on governance, sanctions and other matters.
Advised a domestic asset management and advisory firm on investment in a domestic car sale platform and a major domestic health services online platform through share acquisitions and convertible loans, assisted on deal structuring and prepared transaction documents.
Advised a domestic cryptocurrency exchange and its shareholders on setting up a crypto asset management fund.
> Financial regulation and licensing matters
Work highlights:
Advised the capital market regulator and the legislature’s research centre on capital market regulatory reforms including an update to the main securities law and restructuring of the capital market regulator.
Advised the capital market regulator on proposed regulatory amendments relating to retail investor class action lawsuits.
Advised a foreign credit rating agency on regulatory issues relating to a potential acquisition of shares in a domestic rating agency.
Work highlights:
Advised a major European automobile manufacturer on potential grounds for claims against a breaching domestic joint venture partner.
Advised a South Korean industrial conglomerate on potential grounds and the procedure for claiming delay damages under a sale transaction.
Advised a South Korean medical equipment manufacturer on its contractual position in relation to damages and potential disputes under several distribution agreements containing conflicting Incoterms.
Advised an Asian manufacturer of industrial sewing machines on available civil and criminal remedies for breach of confidentiality and infringement of trade secrets and know-how by a software developer.
Advised a Kazakh transportation company on pre-claim options related to a local counterparty’s refusal to release cargo due to a payment dispute.
Advised a leading domestic algorithmic trading company on a sensitive matter of an anticipated lawsuit against its CTO for damages caused by negligence.
Work highlights:
Representing a leading European automobile manufacturer in a civil lawsuit brought by a domestic parts supplier.
Advising a European industrial equipment supplier’s Chinese subsidiary on its LC dispute with a major local bank.
Defending an international oilfield services company and its European subsidiary in a contractual dispute involving a proceeding before Iranian courts and an ICC arbitration.
Successfully represented a South Korean appliances and electronics multinational on IP infringement claims, nullification of an arbitral award and a criminal complaint by a customer.
Successfully represented a major German axle manufacturer in a lawsuit by a local distributor.
Successfully defended a major European trading company in multiple commercial lawsuits including by governmental bodies.
Successfully represented a major domestic lighting manufacturer on a complex IP infringement claim against a competitor for use of a mark similar to the client’s trademarked brand name.
Work highlights:
Representing a major Korean packaging company in seeking recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitration award in Iran, and assisting on identification and seizure of the buyer’s assets.
Defending an international oilfield services company and its European subsidiary in a contractual dispute involving a proceedings before Iranian courts and an ICC arbitration.
Represented an Asian commodities trading company as respondent in an international arbitration under the rules of the Arbitration Centre of Iran Chamber of Commerce.
Successfully represented a South Korean appliances and electronics multinational before a domestic court on nullification of an arbitral award regarding an asset sale.
Advised a European mobile operator in relation to an ICC arbitration proceeding brought by a local contractor in connection with installation and operation of BTS towers, and provided an expert opinion for the arbitration.
In addition to the broader practice areas listed above, we advise on specialist areas including:
Work highlights:
Advised a magic circle law firm on merger controls in Iran including on application of competition law in mergers, acquisitions and joint venture arrangements.
Advised a South Korean appliances and electronics company on competition law matters relating to price setting and horizontal agreements with competitors.
Work highlights:
Advised a major domestic lighting manufacturer on IP matters and prepared a trademark licensing agreement in connection with a cross-border partnership with an Italian manufacturer.
Advised a major European manufacturer on revocation of a third party’s infringing mark registration.
Advised a major Swiss e-commerce company and its domestic b2b subsidiary on trademark registration and transfer arrangements related to their cross-border corporate restructuring.
Advised an Asian manufacturer of industrial sewing machines on infringement of trade secrets and know-how by a software developer.
Successfully represented a South Korean appliances and electronics multinational on IP infringement claims against third parties.
Advised a major domestic lighting manufacturer on a trademark licensing agreement and registration of its mark in Germany. Successfully represented the client in a complex IP infringement claim against a competitor for use of a similar mark.
Work highlights:
Advised an Asian social media platform in relation to data privacy requirements for operating in Iran.
Advised a leading South Korean appliances and electronics company on, among others, data privacy aspects of setting up an online retail business in Iran.
> Employment and labour matters
Work highlights:
Advised a multinational human resources company on local employment matters and prepared a set of template employment contracts and documents with supplemental terms which provided international employers in Iran with permissible additional protections despite otherwise rigid and employer-unfriendly local employment law.
Advised a German auto parts manufacturer on an HR services agreement to meet the client’s employment needs in connection with its market entry.
Advised a British video game developer and publisher on employment arrangements.
Advised a European petrochemical company on its bonus scheme for local employees.
Advised a Swiss renewable energy company on employment arrangements with the managing director of its local subsidiary.
Advised a Middle Eastern airline on law and regulatory practice relating to employment terminations and settlements.
> Free Trade-Industrial Zones (FTIZs) and Special Economic Energy Zones (SEEZs)
Work highlights:
Advised a Chinese ceramic manufacturer on market entry and assessed different commercial and free zones as potential incorporating jurisdictions for its particular business.
Work highlights:
Advised a German manufacturer of power tools as to potential exposure under local product liability laws and devised a risk-based, practical approach to manage the exposure.
Work highlights:
Advised a major South Korean manufacturer of home appliances on local real estate mortgages.
Advised a major European automobile manufacturer on office and expat accommodation lease matters.
Advised an Irish manufacturer of building parts and a major Swiss e-commerce company on their respective office lease matters.
Advised a Spanish renewable energy group on documenting and negotiating project land lease agreements in relation to setting up four solar parks across Iran.
Advised an Asian consortium on property law aspects of a landfill gas-to-electricity project.
Work highlights:
Advised a South Korean industrial conglomerate in relation to settlement of disputes with and claims by the tax authorities for prior taxes of its branch in Iran.
Advised a South Korean IT services company on its challenging market exit which was not anticipated in its contractual arrangements, and worked with the client’s tax advisors to develop a loss-mitigating exit.
Advised a European manufacturer of commercial vehicles on social security and tax matters of its local subsidiary.
Advised several European conventional and renewable power companies on tax matters relating to their projects in Iran.
Advised a multinational human resources company on tax and social security matters relating to setting up a local subsidiary.
> Trade, import, export and customs matters
Work highlights:
Advising a European medical device maker in relation to regulatory aspects of importing its advanced hearing aids.
Advised a major Asian manufacturer of elevators and a leading Asian electronics company respectively on importation of elevator parts and mobile devices.
Advised a European engineering and construction company on customs law matters relating to import of equipment for thermal power stations.
Advised a domestic JV set up by a major Dutch F&B company on mandatory repatriation of export earnings.
Advised a leading domestic online b2b company on export facilitation arrangements with an Iraqi union of distributors and a b2b services JV with a domestic bank contemplating export operations.
Advised an Asian grain trader on a time-sensitive matter of perishable goods blocked in the customs warehouse and helped design a practical solution to quickly dispose of the goods.
Work highlights:
Advising clients in the US, the UK, Germany and Finland on complex inheritance issues including obtaining certification of heirs, proving familial relationship and preparing intra-family agreements for estate planning.
Advising clients in the US and Finland on obtaining a court order for guardianship of minors.
Advising clients in the UK and the US on property matters including obtaining new and replacement title deeds, introducing and working with real estate agents for sale and lease and negotiating and signing sale and lease agreements.
Advising clients in the US, the UK and Switzerland on property disputes including in relation to nullification of government confiscation, eviction proceedings and partitioning of jointly-owned properties.
Advising clients in Canada and Germany on corporate matters including transfer and administration of shares and representation in shareholder disputes.