Abousleiman & Partners advised its clients on several acquisitions in the past year, including the completion of the acquisition by Fransabank SAL of BLC Bank SAL from the Qatar Investment Authority. The deal was the largest acquisition to be conducted in Lebanon for the year 2007 and received the “Deal of the Year 2008” award from the internationally renowned “The Banker” magazine. Abousleiman & Partners has also won the International Financial Law Review National Law Firm of the Year Award for Lebanon 2008. The firm has won this Award two of the three years since its inception in 2006.

As always, Abousleiman & Partners remains active with respect to the Lebanese Republic’s USD 22,000,000,000 Global Medium-Term Note Program, by advising several investment banks this year as to the Lebanese law in relation to the refinancing of debt and exchange of maturing notes transactions as well as further issuances of notes.

On another note, Abousleiman & Partners has been advising the Lebanese Higher Council for Privatization of the Lebanese Republic in the privatization of the electricity and telecommunications sectors, handling all legal matters including the transfer of employees, assets, properties, contracts, and liability. The privatization processes for both sectors are expected to lead to a conduct of Initial Public Offerings, providing an opportunity for international investments in the country.

Under the leadership of its Managing Partner Randa Abousleiman Baladi, Abousleiman & Partners provides innovative advice and legal assistance in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, general corporate, litigation and tax matters. The firm recently advised on major merger and acquisition transactions in the MENA region and the development and establishment of innovative fund structures. The firm is also actively working on a number of transactions and reorganizations arising from the global financial crisis.