Dr. Walid Hegazy
Managing Partner
whegazy@hegazylaw.com

Dr. Hegazy has over 15 years of legal experience with a focus on Islamic banking and finance, project financing, corporate restructuring and corporate governance. Dr. Hegazy has SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) and LLM degrees from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Before launching Hegazy & Associates, Dr. Hegazy was heading the Islamic Finance Practice Group at the international law firm of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.  The other international law firms at which Dr. Hegazy practiced law include: Fulbright & Jaworski (Houston, TX), Baker & McKenzie (Riyadh, KSA), White & Case (New York), Groupe Monassier (Paris), formerly known as "Monassier & Agassi", and Zaki Hashem (Cairo). 

Dr. Hegazy’s experience includes advising:

• One of the bidding consortiums in connection with the public schools project tendered by the Ministry of Finance and the General Authority of Educational Building.
• BNP Paribas on a €7.2bn facility providing for the financing of the acquisition by Lafarge, the world's biggest cement maker, of Orascom Building Material Holding, Egypt.
• Saudi Telecom Company (STC) on its US$3.05bn acquisition of a 25 per cent interest in the telecoms operator Maxis (Malaysia) and a 51 per cent interest in the telecoms operator NTS (Indonesia).
• Sorouh in connection with its US$1bn Mudaraba-based Sukuk issue in the UAE.
• A major Saudi real estate investment group in connection with a SR1.2bn Murabaha facility.
• A major Saudi real estate developer in connection with structuring and documentation of Shari`ah-compliant facilities for the financing of a mix use real estate project in Mecca.
• A major Saudi real estate developer in connection with structuring and documentation of Shari`ah-compliant facilities for the financing of a mix use real estate project in Mecca.
• Credit Suisse on a US$1.2bn lease-backed securitization based in Saudi Arabia, in which Walid developed an innovative Shari`ah-compliant structure based on the Islamic contract of Hawala (assignment of debt).
• STC on a US$950m Musharaka-based Sukuk issuance as part of the Maxis and NTS Project. 
• STC on a US$450m Murabaha-based structured commodity facility provided by Al Rajhi Bank for the financing of a major M&A Project.
• The Government of Saudi Arabia on developing Shari`ah-compliant structures for the financing of infrastructure projects.
• Saudi British Bank (SABB) on structuring its model Murabaha agreement. 
• Advising the University of Maryland Medical School in connection with a major tender by Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Bin Zayed Foundation.
• Advising BAE Systems in connection with a number of projects in Abu Dhabi.
• Advising Ingersoll Rand on legal issues relating to distributorship and agency laws in the UAE.
• Advising Aetna in connection with the legal structuring of its business activities in the UAE.
• Advising Prince Group on legal issues relating to UAE customs and import and export laws and regulations.

  

Omar Farahat
Associate
ofarahat@hegazylaw.com

Omar is an associate at Hegazy & Associates in association with Crowell & Moring LLP. Omar’s areas of practice include general corporate, mergers and acquisitions, cross-border transactions and project finance. In addition, Omar advises clients on a wide range of matters of Egyptian law including questions of corporate governance, labor law, investment, capital markets, real estate and intellectual property. Prior to joining H&A, Omar worked as an associate at the Cairo office of Baker & McKenzie LLP, and the New York and Paris offices of Cleary Gottlieb LLP.

Omar holds a Maîtrise in business law from Paris 1 (Panthéon-Sorbonne), a B.A. from the law faculty of Cairo University, an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, and an M.A. from New York University with a focus on Islamic legal theories. Omar is admitted to practice in Egypt and New York State, and is fluent in Arabic, English and French.  

Some of the significant projects that Omar worked on include:

• Advising Goldman Sachs on the acquisition of a leading Egyptian investment bank.

• Advising a consortium of nine Wall Street banks on forming a joint-venture with a market-leading online trading platform.

• Assisting a U.S. corporation in fulfilling the SEC disclosure requirements with respect to the acquisition of an oil factory.

• Advising an internet infrastructure corporation on offering a stake of the corporation’s shares to potential buyers.

• Advising a leading Egyptian food manufacturer in forming a joint-venture in Sudan.

• Representing a group of international investors on regulatory compliance in relation to a container station project with approximate value of 200 Million U.S. Dollars, and handled the incorporation of the corporate entity.

• Advising the Egyptian government on the project finance aspects of a major natural gas project.

• Advising a U.S. corporation on compliance with the regulations of the Cairo Alexandria Stock Exchange.

• Conducting several due diligence exercises with respect to numerous privatization deals in Egypt and other Arab countries. Conducting several due diligence exercises with respect to numerous privatization deals in Egypt and other Arab countries.

 

Ahmed Ibrahim
Of Counsel
aibrahim@hegazylaw.com

Ahmed founded his own law firm in UAE in 2010. Before that, he practiced law as a senior associate at Strohal Legal Group in U.A.E since 2005. He also practiced law in Cairo at Behery Law Firm and was trained at the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA).

Ahmed focuses on corporate and commercial areas as well as construction law and dispute resolution; he has an International Commercial Arbitration Certificate from the School of International Arbitration (SIA) Queen Mary University of London; a post- graduate Diploma in International Trade and Investment Law from Cairo University; a Professional Diploma in Contractual and Legal Aspects in Construction Industry from the American University in Cairo; and an LLB from Cairo University. Ahmed is currently pursuing his MSc in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution from King’s College London.

Ahmed's experience includes:     

• Representing a European company in a USD 30 million construction arbitration against a group of Omani investors involving terminating turn-key contract;   
• Acting as a co-arbitrator in a AED 37 million institutional arbitration in UAE, involving termination of real estate contracts;
• Acting as sole arbitrator in a DIAC arbitration case involving the breach of real estate development contract and SPA;
• Acting as sole arbitrator in an AED 4,5 million institutional arbitration involving the termination of a design-build contract for the construction of a five stars hotel in the UAE;
• Acting as sole arbitrator in the first arbitration case under the rules of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Arbitration Center. This case involved a dispute regarding the profit distribution among shareholders of a UAE engineering company;
• Acting as an of counsel in an AED 66 million DIAC arbitration case involving the breach of a shareholders’ agreement;
• Drafting contracts, MOAs and shareholders’ agreements for the purpose of the privatization of RAK sports club in UAE;
• Representing Salzburg AG, a Governmental Austrian energy company, in pre-tender negotiations and reviewing the legal documents for an energy project in Abu Dhabi;
• Advising the Royal Family of Ras Al Khaimah on legal issues regarding their personal investments in UAE and abroad;
• Advising RAK Investment Authority on the legal and contractual issues in respect of a USD 400 Million construction and development project;
• Advising Strabag, a leading European construction company, on legal and contractual issues in respect of constructing a shopping mall in UAE; 
• Advising Dredging International, a Belgian company, on contractual issues in respect of a high value dredging contract in UAE;
• Advising the Government of Afghanistan on contracts for building power plants and cement factors; and
• Providing legal advice for a number of foreign investors in UAE regarding corporate structuring and double taxation prevention, and establishing more than 500 legal entities within GCC.

  

Dina Abdel Moneim
Associate
dabdelmoneim@hegazylaw.com

Dina is an associate at Hegazy & Associates in association with Crowell & Moring LLP. Dina holds a LL.B. (Licence en Droit) in 2006 from University of Paris I, Panthéon, Sorbonne and Cairo University, Faculty of Law. Further, Dina earned her LL.M. degree in International and European Business Law in 2007 from University of Paris I, Panthéon, Sorbonne, and Cairo University with honors. Dina is currently enrolled in University of Montpellier I to prepare her PhD in Islamic Finance. 

Dina is a member of the Egyptian Bar Association, and is fluent in Arabic, English and French. Prior to joining H&A, Dina practiced law in international reputable law firms where she had exposure to major projects, and developed extensive interpersonal and negotiation skills. 

Dina’s areas of practice include general corporate, mergers and acquisitions, cross-border transactions and project finance.  

Dina’s experience includes:

Advising on major international transactions and projects, e.g. mergers & acquisitions, project finance, cement construction projects, natural resources projects.

• Drafting and negotiating of a broad wide of commercial agreements, including the pledge agreements,  supply and distribution agreements, shareholders agreements, collateral warranty agreements, lease agreements.
• Reviewing and commenting of facility agreements, Turnkey (EPC) contracts, joint venture agreements, strategic alliance, sale and purchase contracts, saleform agreements, services agreements, consultancy agreements.
• Conducting due diligence for some multinational companies and participating in drafting of Due Diligence Report.
• Participating in Doing Business in Turkey, Doing Business in Libya and Doing Business in Egypt Guides.
• Advising on corporate compliance procedures and legal process for incorporation and registration of companies in Egypt.
• Drafting memoranda on some legal matters under Egyptian Law, as assignment of rights and debts, force majeure, enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, contractual and tort responsibility, construction contracts.
• Translating of some documents from Arabic to English and vice versa.

  
Sherif Hefni
Associate
shefni@hegazylaw.com

After gaining a Combined Honours BA in Business and Psychology from the University of Northampton (UK) in 2004, Sherif built a career in operations management and business. After working in both private and multinational organizations, Sherif decided to add legal qualifications to his commercial experience and completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at Oxford Brooks University (UK), followed by the Bar Vocational Course at City Law School (University of London, UK). Sherif was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2010 and named in the Top 100 City Law School post-graduates.

Since completing the Bar, Sherif undertook a variety of legal work including Human Rights law with the Death Penalty Group (London), international law at the International Labor Organization, Telecoms with ICT Lawyers and Marshaling at the High Court in London with Mr Justice Steel.

Sherif is a member of The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple and the Bar Council (UK).

On a personal level, Sherif is a long distance runner and competed in the 2009 London Marathon. However, along with cooking, it's Roman and Greek mythology that really relaxes him.

Heba Ali
Associate
hali@hegazylaw.com

Heba has two years of legal experience in Cairo, Washington D.C and the UAE. Her areas of practice include corporate, cross-border transactions, public procurement, and international arbitration. In addition, Heba advises clients on a wide range of matters of MENA region laws including corporate governance, labor law, insurance, investment and intellectual property. Heba has two years of legal experience in Cairo, Washington D.C and the UAE. Her areas of practice include corporate, cross-border transactions, public procurement, and international arbitration. In addition, Heba advises clients on a wide range of matters of MENA region laws including corporate governance, labor law, insurance, investment and intellectual property.  

Heba holds an LL.M degree from Indiana University Law School Indianapolis, USA and an LL.B degree from Alexandria University Faculty of Law - English Section, Egypt. In addition, she completed her post-graduate courses in various fields, including international commercial arbitration, labor law, human rights, corporate finance, project management and health and safety regulations. Heba is a member of the Egyptian Bar Association and she obtained her career certificate in legal translation from the American University in Cairo.

Heba’s experience includes:

• Representing a major U.S tourism company in its ICSID arbitration against the Egyptian government re an hotel management and operation contract.
• Representing a leading U.S insurance company in its public pre-tenders negotiations in Egypt and Kuwait. In addition to advising same company on its daily legal and contractual issues in Egypt, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
• Advising a major global defense and security company regarding it business in the UAE.
• Advising a UAE financial institution in its DIAC arbitration regarding management issues, put option and central bank rules.  
• Advising a U.S. mining company on its ICSID arbitration against the Omani government regarding a concession agreement. 
• Advising a U.S spraying systems manufacturer regarding establishing companies in the UAE, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Senegal. 
• Advising a leading Brazilian construction company on its tender to implement dam and hydropower projects in Egypt. 
• Advising a British financial institution on various legal matters and in structuring a legal entity in Libya.
• Advised a U.S manufacturer of flow control products on its business in the UAE. 
• Advising a leading communication company in its arbitration against Yemeni government.
• Advised a well-known international hotel on their daily corporate practice, management and operation agreements and their arbitration in Lebanon. 
• Advising an automobile manufacturer regarding exclusive agency agreement and drafted the same. 
• Advising a major Egyptian construction company on labor issues. 
• Representing a U.S client in an Egyptian lawsuit concerning family law.
• Advising an Egyptian NGO on the transfer of intellectual property.
• Advising a company in Hong Kong regarding establishing a representative office in Egypt.

Miral Naguib
Associate
mnaguib@hegazylaw.com

Miral Naguib obtained her Bachelors of Art (B.A. ) in Political Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2006.  In 2010, Miral acquired her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Miami.  Miral has passed the NY Bar Examination, and her admission to the NY Bar Association is currently pending.  Prior to joining Hegazy & Associates in association with Crowell & Moring LLP, Miral was a summer intern at Baker and McKenzie’s Cairo office.




Adnan Gaafar
Associate
agaafar@hegazylaw.com

Adnan obtained his Bachelors of Law (L.L.B) from Cairo University in 2010 and he is currently working towards his Masters in Law (L.L.M.), in International & Comparative Law with an emphasis on Commercial and Business Law at Indiana University, Indianapolis, U.S.A.  In addition, Adnan obtained a career certificate in legal translation from the American University in Cairo in 2010. Prior to joining Hegazy & Associates, Adnan was trained at Soltan Law Firm and worked as an associate at El-Salakawy Law Firm.

Adnan has experience in various legal matters, including arbitration, litigation, legal translation, and several commercial matters, such as the incorporation and registration of companies and commercial agencies. Adnan also has two years of experience working in different commercial matters with GAFI (the Egyptian Investment Authority).

Adnan’s experience includes advising Norgine B.V, an international paramedic company, regarding the incorporation of its subsidiaries in Egypt, Norgine MENA & Norgine Egypt.  He has also advised the company on different commercial matters, such as increasing its share capital, making AGM, and amending the company's name in both its commercial register and tax card.



Hussein Azmy
Associate
hazmy@hegazylaw.com

Hussein is an Associate at Hegazy & Associates in association with Crowell & Moring LLP. Hussein obtained his dual Bachelor’s degree from the University of Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne and Cairo University at” L'Institut de Droit des Affaires Internationales.” Hussein has experience in advising national and foreign clients on the legal framework of investment, intellectual property matters and implementing investment in Egypt and the MENA region. Hussein is fluent in English, French and Arabic.

 Hussein’s professional experience includes advising:

• Several major international corporates on the legal framework of doing business and implementing investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

• Major international industrial company on the setting-up of business in several African countries.

• Renowned American university with regards to bid, worth several million dollars, launched by a renowned charity association in the UAE;

• Major industrial international corporation on the investment and public bid process in Algeria;

• Renowned international company on the legal regime of intellectual property in Egypt;

• International NGO on the privacy rights encompassed in Egyptian telecommunications law;

• International humanitarian NGO with regard to several regulatory matters under Egyptian law.

Hussein’s experience includes as well reviewing:

• Public contract, worth several million dollars, between an American company involved in the field of manufacture and sales of military equipment and the Saudi Ministry of Defense;

• Scientific cooperation contract between a renowned American University and a Saudi University.