International Business Legal Associates (IBLAW)

Commercial, corporate and M&A: International Business Legal Associates (IBLAW) is one of the leading players known for high-end banking, corporate transactional advice and day-to-day commercial support for both local and international clients. Clients include major international blue-chip corporations, venture capital, private equity funds, banks and multilateral lenders, who also rely on the firm for compliance and regulatory guidance. Firas Malhas leads the team recognised for its expertise in foreign investment, real estate acquisitions and financings.

IBLAW offers several services within the umbrella of the Corporate and Commercial practice. The services include; mergers and acquisitions; corporate compliance and governance; real estate development; labor and employment; taxation; and securities and capital markets.  We are active in domestic and cross-border corporate transactions, major mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, as well as equity investments and infrastructure projects.

Practice head(s): Firas Malhas

Other key lawyers: Dina Al-Bashir, Mohammad Al-Najdawi

Key clients

• Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC)
• The Jordanian Electric Power Co. Ltd. (JEPCO)
• Arab Potash Company
• Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT)
• JT International (Jordan) Limited
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• Coca Cola Bottling Company Jo.
• Continental Exchange Solutions, Inc. dba Ria Financial Services
• AMIDEAST
• Airport International Group
• Columbia University Middle East Research Centre
• Microsoft Corporation
• Microsoft Jordan PSC
• Near East Foundation
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• Total Jo.
• Al Baraka Banking Group (B.S.C.)
• Money for Finance
• Queen Rania Teacher Academy
• Zain Jordan
• Crown Prince Foundation
• International Rescue Commission (IRC)
• Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art & Restoration
• Open Society Foundation
• United States Agency of International Development (USAID)
• Arab Mining Co (Armico)

Dispute resolution (arbitration and litigation): International Business Legal Associates (IBLAW) is highly recognised for its extensive experience in representing local and international clients before local courts and international arbitral tribunals under major international arbitration rules including ICC and ICSID and before arbitration tribunals sitting in and outside the Kingdom. The strength of our firm’s litigation and dispute resolution practice lies in our ability to take on some of the most difficult cases litigated or arbitrated locally and internationally for high-profile clients and work effectively with in-house and co-counsel to create the teams required to manage large-scale litigations and arbitrations. Led by Dr Salaheddin Al-Bashir, a well-established arbitrator and member of ICSID Panel of Conciliators, in addition to Nancy Dababneh, Firas Malhas and Salim Kopti,  the team litigates corporate and commercial disputes, regardless of the size, complexity and has expertise across practices including breach of contract, international investment disputes, labour, construction, government procurements, intellectual properties, taxation, real estate, distribution and agency, banking and finance, insurance, white collar crime and corporate fraud.

Practice head(s): Salaheddin Al-Bashir, Salim Kopti, Firas Malhas,
Nancy Dababneh

Other key lawyers: Osama Al-Mestarihi, Ayman Akroush, Samer Billeh, Mohammad Al-Alqan, Etidal Al-Wazani

 Key clients

• Aqaba Development Company (ADC)
• Coca Cola Bottling Company Jo.
• Columbia University Middle East Research Centre
• Total Outre’ Mer S.A. France and Total Jordan
• Zain Jordan
• Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors
• Vestas Middle East, S L U
• Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT)
• AMIDEAST
• Careem Jordan
• Soremartec S.A (Ferrero)
• Arab Mining Co (Armico)

Projects and energy
Projects: IBLAW has a renowned reputation in projects, in particular those related to legislative drafting, public policy and legal reform initiatives. Overall, our firm has worked on major projects with local and regional governments and international entities such as USAID, World Bank, UN etc.  These projects include; development of Mizan case management system, KSA Vision 2020 reform projects and major development zones, restructuring of ASEZA, ADC projects, Dubai doing business projects, USAID Rule of Law programs, Palestine justice enhancement programs etc. The activities involved:

• Creating a futuristic social, economic, and institutional legal framework to these areas.
• Advising on the establishment of major special economic zones in the region and drafting the founding laws.
• Provide policy and governance advice as well as legal and regulatory framework advice and counsel in relation to the projects.
• Provide advice on enhancing the efficiency of judicial sectors, governance aspects, litigation process and its components, through Rule of Law.

Practice head(s): Salaheddin Al-Bashir, Eman Al Dabbas, Nancy Dababneh

Other key lawyers: Salim Kopti, Osama Al-Mestarihi, Sandra Al-Ramadneh

Energy: IBLAW energy specialists have a thorough understanding of the energy industry and have been playing a major role in some of the most significant energy projects in Jordan. Our firm helps clients navigate the myriad of legal challenges that impact the energy sector in Jordan. Our lawyers have extensive experience in all aspects of the development, financing, acquisition and disposition of energy projects. We have represented some of the largest sponsors in the industry and handled some of the highest-profile transactions in the sector that have been taking place in Jordan. We have also represented project lenders, equity investors, as well as acquirers and sellers of energy projects.

IBLAW provided various legal services such as advising on local laws, providing legal advice and drafting services for several major energy projects. These projects include; advising NEPCO and the Government of Jordan regarding an oil shale fired power plant in Attarat Um Ghurdan, advised local and international entities on the legal aspects of the Wind Farm Projects, represented and advised Ma’an Development Company in the Solar Power Project, advised the winning consortium of the Site Selection Work stage and multi-national corporations on the Nuclear Power Plant project, provided legal services for a gas turbine Power Plant in Zarqa.

Practice head(s): Salaheddin Al-Bashir, Firas Malhas

Key clients

• Jordan National Electric Power Company (“NEPCO”)
• Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (“SMBC”) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (“NEXI,” together with OPIC and SMBC, the “Lenders”)
• The Jordanian Electric Power Co. Ltd. (JEPCO)
• Aqaba Development Company
• Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
• Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar)
• Energy & Mineral Regulatory Commission
• KINGDOM Electricity for Energy Investments (PSC)
• Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

Intellectual property: IBLAW has distinguished itself as the leader in the field of intellectual property law in Jordan. Our firm stands apart because our attorneys helped the Jordanian government shape the Intellectual Property regime in Jordan. Our firm enjoys competitive advantage in advising on all aspects of the intellectual property rights in Jordan, being the law firm that had drafted and advocated the Kingdom’s TRIPS compliant IP package of Legislation. Thereafter, IBLAW’s intellectual property attorneys have advised the Jordanian government on the implementation and enforcement of IP legislation. Furthermore, IBLAW were the IP consultants in relation to the signing of the Jordan US Free Trade Agreement.

IBLAW has transferred this exceptional history into a distinguished practice. Our firm drafted and advocated the passage of Jordan’s package of WTO-compliant Intellectual Property legislation, which included amending the Trademarks and Copyright Laws of Jordan as well as drafting and advocating new laws pertaining to Patents; Geographical Indications; Unfair Competition And Trade Secret; Layout -Designs of Integrated Circuits; Industrial Designs and Industrial Models and Plant Varieties. Furthermore, IBLAW handled the World Bank funded project on amending IP legislation of the Palestinian National Authority, this included drafting WTO-TRIPS compliant legislation for Palestinian National Authority.

Practice head(s): Nancy Dababneh

Other key lawyers: Osama Al-Mestarihi, Etidal Al-Wazani

Key clients

• Red Bull GmbH
• Campero International
• Daimler AG
• Rani Refreshments FZCO
• Kasih Canned for Food Production
• Savvy Pharma for pharmaceutical Industries
• Fromageries Bel
• Agrimatco Ltd
• Coca Cola Bottling Company Jo.
• Philip Morris
• Careem Jordan
• Soremartec S.A (Ferrero)
• Ford Motor Company
• Sanofi Aventis
• Fischer holding GmbH & Co.,
• Nokia Corporation
• Jumeirah International LLC.
• SHUAA Capital PSC
• Honda Motors Company
• Mars Incorporated
• Robert Bosch GmbH
• CERRUTI 1881
• Macy’s Department Stores, Inc.
• Compagnie Gervais Danone