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8 The US-Israel Legal Review 2019
ISRAEL DESKS LEAGUE TABLES
W
e are absolutely thrilled to bring you the first
ever Israel Desks League Tables, showcasing
those law firms that are not only involved in Israeli
deals and with Israeli clients, but also with a deep
understanding of market trends, of their clients’
opportunities, and the challenges to overcome.
After an extensive period of meetings, data
collection and analysis, we would like to thank
more than a third of all the 100 international
law firms with an Israel Desk around the world
for submitting a range of deals in M&A, high-tech,
VC and private equity, real estate, and more – all
helping to showcase their immense expertise to a
hungry Israeli audience with a healthy appetite for
international deals.
With 2018 an impressively strong year in Israeli
M&A, and the best year in terms of value since
2012, more international law firms were involved
in M&A transactions relating to Israeli companies
than ever before. In this inaugural Israel Desks
League Tables, Allen & Overy, Freshfields, Latham
& Watkins, White & Case and Kirkland & Ellis
are among magic circle law firms and major US
powerhouses vying for an ever greater slice of the
Israel market.
ALLEN & OVERY
Active in the Israeli market for more than 20
years, Allen & Overy (“A&O”) has one of the most
formidable Israeli practices. Under the leadership
of Lee Noyek in Tel Aviv, Etay Katz and George
Knighton in the London office, A&O’s global team
is hugely prominent in M&A transactions involving
Israeli clients, especially in the high-tech sector
where it enjoys a strong presence, especially among
fin-tech and e-gaming companies.
With a dominant position in M&A, the team
commands respect for its roles in some of the
highest profile deals in the market. A&O advised
Israel’s Fattal Hotels on the acquisition of European
Hotel Management B.V., the owner of Apollo
Hotels; represented Playtech, founded by Israeli
businessman Teddy Sagi and listed on the London
Stock Exchange, on its €846 million acquisition of
Snaitech S.p.A, the publicly listed gaming group
from Italy. The team has also been advising the
State of Israel on its international debt management
and on the disposal of the state’s remaining stake
in Bank Leumi, the country’s last bank to be fully
privatized. The team works continues to work
closely and regularly with local counsel and has
also
been advising on financing, litigation and real
estat
e matters.Visit
:
www.allenovery.com/locations/Global-Mark
ets/middle-east/israel/Pages/default.aspx
ASSERSON
UK-headquartered law firm Asserson enjoys a
strong presence in the Israeli market, with its largest
office in Tel Aviv and a team comprising UK, US and
Israel qualified lawyers. Under the leadership of
the well-known shining light, Trevor Asserson, the
team thrives in its provision of UK legal services to
Israeli clients, particularly in the realms of litigation,
employment and real estate, taking the Israel Desks
crown in the last two categories.
Such is the firm’s litigation capabilities, leading
UK legal publication The Lawyer has recognized the
firm’s case against the Department of Energy and
Climate Change as one of the top cases of 2018. For
Israeli clients, the team acted for Carmel Olefins, a
manufacturer of petrochemical products used in the
Israel Desks LeagueTables:
TheResults
The first ever Israel Desks League Tables showcase the law
firms involved in Israeli deals and with Israeli clients.