Gide Loyrette Nouel > Casablanca, Morocco > Firm Profile

Gide Loyrette Nouel Offices

Gide Loyrette Nouel
TOUR CRYSTAL, 1 BOULEVARD SIDI MOHAMMAD BEN ABDELLAH
QUARTIER CASABLANCA MARINA
20030 CASABLANCA
Morocco
Visit website 212 5 22 48 90 00

Gide Loyrette Nouel > The Legal 500 Rankings

Morocco > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel offers expertise in cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and private equity. The firm attracts work across high-profile sectors including insurance and banking, oil and gas, and construction. ‘Hands-on' and ‘business-oriented’ Simon Auquier co-heads the team and works on corporate acquisitions and divestments, foreign investments, and industrial partnerships. Chloé Joachim De Larivière is experienced in regulated M&A in Morocco and across North Africa.

Practice head(s):

Simon Auquier; Chloé Joachim de Larivière

Other key lawyers:

Salim Zobiri

Testimonials

‘Simon Auquier and Salim Zobiri are our contacts at Gide Morocco.’

‘Excellent responsiveness, very invested in the files, professional honesty.’

‘I decided to work with GIDE Morocco on our recent M&A divestment because this law firm has been assisting us for at least 10 years, knows our business deeply, has a proactive approach, and Simon Alquier is always available.’

‘Simon Alquier is the partner in Morocco to work with; business-oriented, always available, hands-on.’

Key clients

Votorantim Cimentos

DFDS A/S (DFDS Group)

Exportadora e Inversiones Agroberries AS

Crédit Agricole SA

SGTM

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

FIPAR (CDG Group)

CDG Invest Growth (CDG Group)

Idemia

Work highlights

  • Advising the Brazilian conglomerate, Votorantim Cimentos, on the sale of its cement-related activities and assets in Tunisia and Morocco.
  • Assisted DFDS, a European leader in the ferry and logistics sector, with the Moroccan aspects related to the purchase of FRS Iberia SLU and other group companies engaged in the operation of ferry lines in the Strait of Gibraltar.
  • Advised Crédit Agricole on the sale of its remaining 15% stake in Crédit du Maroc—one of the largest banks in Morocco listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange.

Morocco > Projects and public law Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel is renowned for advising private operators, financial institutions, and public entities on energy and infrastructure projects. The firm has expert knowledge in the electricity sector and advises private sponsors on renewable energy projects, and helps public entities develop regulations necessary for their development.  Department leader Wacef Bentaibi frequently advises state-owned entities, sponsors, and lenders on financing transactions, with specific expertise in the mining, oil, and gas industries as well as real estate and tourism.

Practice head(s):

Wacef Bentaibi

Other key lawyers:

Frédéric Pia; Benoit Pape; Hicham Ngassi-Saqout; Chaimaa Bouhami

Testimonials

‘The firm is particularly well-regarded for its expertise in public law and regulatory issues, making it a go-to for businesses with complex government interactions. The team in Morocco is highly experienced in PPP/PFI.’

‘Gide Loyrette Nouel positions itself as a strategic partner to help clients navigate regulatory challenges, mitigate risks, and capitalize on opportunities. Special mentions to Frédéric Pia, Wacef Bentaibi, and Benoit Pape.’

‘Availability and expertise on large energy infrastructure projects. Good understanding of market drivers and local networks.’

‘Very supportive, result-oriented, and client-focused.’

Key clients

Calvalley

Dakhla Water & Energy Company

Hitachi Zosen Inova AG

National Agency of Strategic Management of State Participations and Performance Monitoring of State-owned Enterprises (ANGSPE)

NGE Contracting

CDG Invest

Chariot Transitional Power (CTP)

CIMR

CME Africa

Engie North Africa

Flutter Entertainment

Global Port Holding (GPH)

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Itochu Corporation

Moroccan National Electricity Regulatory Authority (ANRE)

Nareva Holding

Ocean Management Infrastructure

OCP Green Energy

Sisal

Steya

Suez International

Tanger Med Utilities

Total EREN

Vinci Concessions

Work highlights

  • Assisting the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in a joint project with the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco, to structure a major Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal. We are advising the client on tender procedures as well.
  • Assisting the consortium composed of Nareva Holding, Hitachi Zosen Inova, and Itochu Corporation in the submission of a bid to the Municipality of Casablanca. This bid relates to a tender for a delegated management contract for the future Casablanca landfill and recycling centre.
  • Assisting Engie North Africa in connection with the submission of its proposal to the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN)—a government-owned company. The proposal is for the design, construction, financing, development, maintenance, and operation of the Noor Midelt II Solar Complex Project.

Morocco > Tax Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel‘s ‘competent and structured team’ is highly skilled at handling cross-border and local tax transactions including designing tax strategies and managing operational changes. The firm offers support concerning tax audit procedures and administrative matters, as well as capital withdrawals and transfer pricing. Simon Auquier leads the team and specialises in M&A, corporate law, and all tax-related matters. Chloé Joachim De Larivière and Julien Nouchi are also experienced in M&A, private equity, and corporate taxation.

Practice head(s):

Simon Auquier; Chloé Joachim-de Larivière

Other key lawyers:

Julien Nouchi

Testimonials

‘It has a competent and structured team in order to provide good customer service, despite the difficulties and inefficiencies of the administration in Morocco.’

‘They are very capable professionals who know the standard in-depth and try to bring it closer to the reality of the country, which is complicated.’

Key clients

L’Oréal

Stellantis NV

Thyssen Krupp Elevators

SQM

Bofill Arquitectura SL

International Finance Corporation

Lesieur Cristal

Bukhatir Group

Bamesa Group

Zahid Group

Gatestone

Pestana Hotel Group

Work highlights

  • Assisting L’Oréal—the world’s leading beauty company—with legal, tax, and regulatory matters in the implementation of the client’s employee share plan in Morocco.
  • Advising the global manufacturer of elevators, Thyssen Krupp Elevators, on the tax and legal aspects of the liquidation of the Moroccan subsidiary.
  • Assisting SQM—a global mining company in northern Chile—with a tax strategy to structure funds injected in Morocco.

Morocco > Tourism and real estate Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel‘s tourism and real estate team advises on real estate acquisition, construction and development, large-scale projects, lease agreements, financing, and hospitality-related investments. Loris Marghieri leads the team and frequently assists Moroccan and international companies on all aspects of real estate transactions and assets (industrial, office, retail, hotels, etc). Wacef Bentaibi focuses on real estate finance matters. Jean-François Levraud has expertise in sale and lease-back transactions.

Practice head(s):

Loris Marghieri; Wacef Bentaibi; Jean-François Levraud

Other key lawyers:

Dounia El Aissaoui

Key clients

Salam Invest

SANA Hotels

Société d’Aménagement du Littoral de Nouakchott

Oaklins Atlas Capital

Club Med

InnovX

ONOMO Hotels

Nhood CI

Réalités Afrique

Immorente Invest

Société Générale Maroc

Work highlights

  • Advised Anfa 19 – a joint venture between Réalités Afrique and the M’Fadel Group – on the preparation and negotiation of an off-plan lease agreement and technical service agreement with Radisson for a hotel real estate complex.
  • Assisting SANA Hotels with the development of two hotels in Casablanca. This includes providing general real estate and tax assistance regarding the investment agreement with the government of Morocco and the execution of a construction agreement for the construction of the hotels.
  • Assisting CFG Bank—an investment bank from Morocco—with the preparation and negotiation of a credit facility to be granted to the company M Park—a project company owned by a fund administrated by Mediterrania Capital Partners—for the construction and off-plan sale of two office buildings located in the Casablanca Finance City area.

Morocco > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

Gide Loyrette Nouel covers all aspects of financing transactions, including structured finance with a focus on securitisation and bond issuance. The firm also advises foreign banks and institutions on local banking and capital market regulatory matters. ‘Outstanding’ Wacef Bentaibi leads the project and financing team, with a client list comprising state-owned enterprises, sponsors, and lenders, many of which operate in key sectors such as mining, gas and oil. ‘Dedicated’ Mounia Larhrissi focuses on structured finance across all types of assets and transactions, but also advises sponsors and borrowers involved in corporate and project financing.

Practice head(s):

Wacef Bentaibi

Other key lawyers:

Mounia Larhissi

Testimonials

‘Quality of team members, and proactive.’

‘Gide has a strong team in Morocco, with ample experience and deep knowledge of transaction precedents in the infrastructure and energy space, which is extremely helpful for insightful decision-making.’

‘Wacef Bentaibi is a business-minded partner who is able to provide clear recommendations and pragmatic, practical, and legal solutions’.

‘Mounia Larhissi is a dedicated lawyer, detail-oriented, and makes sure that all is in order.’

‘The team is available and efficient.’

‘We appreciate the availability and seriousness of the team. The partner (Wacif Bentaibi) is also outstanding when it comes to availability and kindness.’

Key clients

African Development Bank

Afrigreen Debt Impact Fund SLP

Global Port Holding

Ocean Management Infrastructure

STEYA

Hitachi Zosen Inova AG

ENGIE North Africa

SUEZ International

Banque Centrale Populaire

CFG Bank

Crédit Agricole S.A

KD Holding

Societe General de Travaux du Maroc (SGTM)

NAREVA Holding

ITOCHU Corporation

CIMR

International Finance Corporation

CaixaBank

European Investment Bank

NOVACIM (previously TEKCIM)

Westmont

Work highlights

  • Assisting the African Development Bank (AfDB) with the implementation of three multimillion-dollar financings granted to OCP S.A.—the world’s largest suppliers of phosphate-based fertilisers—in the context of its new Green Investment Programme aimed at supplying clean water to the towns around three new desalinisation plants.
  • Assisting Banque Centrale Populaire Du Maroc with a multimillion-euro non-recourse financing—a type of commercial lending that entitles the lender to repayment only from the profits of the project the loan is funding.
  • Advising the Moroccan CFG Bank on a multimillion-euro loan for the financing of two office towers in the Casablanca Finance City (CFC) area, sold under a forward sale.

Gide Loyrette Nouel > Firm Profile

Gide opened an office in Casablanca in 2003 and we are among the first international law firms to operate in Morocco. Made up of 20 French-speaking, English-speaking and Arabic-speaking legal practitioners, including 4 partners, our team has proven expertise and experience in the main areas of business law.

We are one of the few legal firms in Morocco providing legal assistance which combines thorough knowledge of Moroccan law and the country’s business environment and an in-depth understanding of international practices.

We have a bespoke and multi-disciplinary approach which meets the specific needs of every client, while providing significant added value with international coordination.

Working with our Africa Group and our other international offices, we provide effective and innovative solutions to support our clients’ development on the African continent.

Our clients: We advise leading Moroccan and international clients, including international institutions, states, public institutions and companies, banks, insurance companies, investment funds and industrial groups. We advise them on the legal and tax implications of their investments, commercial operations and financial transactions in Morocco.

Main areas of expertise

  • Mergers & Acquisitions/Company law
  • Commercial law
  • Capital markets/Securities regulation
  • Real estate
  • Projects (infrastructure & finance)
  • Banking & finance
  • Tax law
  • Foreign exchange control regulations/Customs law
  • Competition & international trade
  • Employment law
  • Public law
  • Insurance
  • Arbitration
  • IP-TMT

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Simon Auquier photo Mr Simon Auquier Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2006, partner Simon Auquier is a member… View Profile
Wacef Bentaibi photo Mr Wacef Bentaibi Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2005, partner Wacef Bentaibi specialises in… View Profile
Chloé Joachim De Larivière photo Chloé Joachim De Larivière Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2012, Chloé Joachim-de Larivière is an… View Profile
Dounia El Aissaoui photo Ms Dounia El Aissaoui Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2018, Dounia El Aissaoui specialises in… View Profile
Mounia Larhrissi photo Ms Mounia Larhrissi Admitted to the Paris Bar, Mounia Larhrissi joined Gide’s Banking & Finance… View Profile
Loris Marghieri photo Loris Marghieri Counsel Loris Marghieri was admitted to the Paris Bar in 2010 and… View Profile
Julien Nouchi photo Julien Nouchi A graduate of the University of Paris-Dauphine in corporate taxation and wealth… View Profile
Frédéric Pia photo Mr Frédéric Pia Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2012, Frédéric Pia is a Counsel… View Profile

Staff Figures

Number of lawyers : 500
at this office : 17

Other

Contacts : Wacef Bentaibi ([email protected])
Contacts : Simon Auquier ([email protected])
Contacts : Chloé JOACHIM DE LARIVIERE ([email protected])
Contacts : Loris MARGHIERI ([email protected])
Other offices : Algiers
Other offices : Brussels
Other offices : Istanbul
Other offices : London
Other offices : New York
Other offices : Paris
Other offices : Shanghai
Other offices : Tunis
Other offices : Warsaw