At SAAS, corporate work is defined by strategy, precision and a ‘multi-specialist’ perspective. Our transactional practice excels in structuring complex operations and shaping strategies at the earliest stages of a project. We balance our clients’ objectives with the specific demands of each matter—whether involving competition, tax, accounting, HR, media or political considerations. This tailored approach gives us latitude in negotiations, contractual or regulatory, while our understanding of market practices allows us to innovate when clients’ interests demand it.

Our Corporate–Mergers & Acquisitions practice covers the full spectrum of corporate development, including:

• Contributions, mergers and divestitures
• Restructurings and debt financing
• Governance, shareholders’ agreements and internal rules
• Competition law (assessment of agreements and practices, implications of commercial arrangements, countering anti-competitive conduct)
• Advisory to authorities on legislation, policies and guidelines

We also act on all aspects of corporate and personal insolvency, working closely with financial advisers, receivers, liquidators, and administrators. Our work spans:

• Corporate structuring and approvals
• Due diligence and debt restructuring
• Enforcement of creditor rights before the courts

Our clients range from multinational groups to family-owned businesses, who rely on us for pragmatic and strategic guidance.

Experience:

• Advised the shareholders of a Lebanese company on its acquisition by a leading Japanese technology group—the first transaction of its kind in the MENA region.
• Counsel to a major US multinational on all corporate matters relating to its businesses and affiliates across the MENA region.
• Advised a French investment fund on the sale of 25% of its shareholding in a Lebanese group with affiliates in several Middle Eastern and African jurisdictions to a major French company, including due diligence and transaction documentation.
• Acting as preferred external counsel for a major US group in Lebanon, Qatar, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, advising on transactions, contracts, litigation, employment, FCPA compliance, and agency/distribution issues.
• Advised a major Arab insurance company on shareholder relations and trust issues in connection with an IPO under Saudi law.
• Assisted a major French group in acquiring a Lebanese company in the same sector, including negotiations, due diligence, and drafting of shareholders’ and share purchase agreements.
• Advised a Lebanese investor on the acquisition and restructuring of a medical insurance third-party administrator based in Dubai with operations in Lebanon and the GCC.
• Restructured a wastewater treatment group with subsidiaries in Arab and European countries, including establishment of holding companies and drafting of shareholder agreements.
• Advised a Swedish-owned multinational in a government tender for establishing a VAT Tourist Refund Scheme in Lebanon, followed by the creation of a Lebanese affiliate through a joint venture with local partners.
• Advised on the restructuring of a telecommunications group with affiliates in Arab and European countries, including establishment of holding companies and governance agreements.
• Assisted an engineering group in acquiring a well-established Lebanese contracting company, including negotiations, due diligence, and drafting of transaction documents.
• Advised a Lebanese group on the acquisition of a UK wastewater treatment company, including due diligence and drafting of contracts.
• Advised an Australian group on the acquisition of a UAE company in the car parking sector, including review of documentation and compliance with UAE company law.
• Represented the receivers of an insolvent bank in numerous claims against former directors, shareholders, and debtors.