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How lawyers are ranked Contents: Every year we carry out thousands of in-depth interviews General Business Law p.1583 with clients in order to assess the reputations and expertise General Business Law Foreign Experts of business lawyers worldwide. The qualities we look for (and (Based Abroad) p.1584 which determine rankings) include technical legal ability, Leading Individuals p.1585 professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/ astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.

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General Business Law record of success in both litigation and arbitration. Clients ents. It is adept at acting for international entities on foreign Leading Firms find the firm to be “very responsive, knowledgeable and solu- investment, joint ventures and other contract negotiation Band 1 tion-oriented.” mandates. The team is also well versed in representing Atieh Associates Cyrus Shafizadeh is a highly distinguished practitioner clients in disputes, including criminal litigation. Clients hail T&S Associates whom sources cite as one of Iran’s market-leading lawyers. from Europe, Asia and across the Middle East. Band 2 He is a qualified in England and Wales and excels Behrooz Akhlaghi is a respected senior practitioner who International Law Office in advising international clients on matters such as corpo- has a well-established track record in both the contentious Sabeti & Khatami rate restructurings. He is also highly experienced acting and non-contentious spheres. His recent work includes Torossian, Avanessian & Associates for domestic companies on corporate transactions. Farid aiding with the review of commercial agreements as well Band 3 Kani is an increasingly prominent figure in the Iranian legal as defending international clients in criminal litigation. Atai & Associates market, with notable experience advising clients from the Mahnaz Mehrinfar is an experienced figure who advises on Dr. Ali Hatami & Associates oil and gas and healthcare sectors. He recently became a variety of commercial agreements and day-to-day opera- Sanglaj International Consultants dual-qualified after being admitted as a solicitor in Eng- tional issues. She is notable for her expertise relating to the Senior Statespeople land and Wales. One client enthused: “He has a solid under- aviation, mining and telecoms sectors, as well as her prom- standing of our industry. He is smart, has great interpersonal inent role in the management of the firm. She has further Senior Statespeople: distinguished older partners Akhlaghi Behrooz International Law Office skills and has gained our trust.” Ali Shahabi is well respected experience in tax and labour disputes. Sahar Sotoodehnia for his prowess in corporate and commercial matters, most has garnered a strong reputation through her handling of Leading Individuals significantly his work acting for international clients on a wide variety of contentious and non-contentious matters. Band 1 restructurings and sanction compliance issues. He is well This includes assisting with commercial contracts such Ehtesham Ahmad T&S Associates versed in advising companies hailing from the construction, as joint ventures and distribution agreements as well as ShafizadehCyrus Atieh Associates Law Firm manufacturing, and food and beverage industries. Ebrahim advising on international arbitration. Band 2 Tavakoli has a prolific practice covering corporate and com- Hatami Ali Dr. Ali Hatami & Associates mercial matters as well as representing companies in litiga- Sabeti & Khatami Kani Farid Atieh Associates Law Firm tion. His work of late has involved acting for clients in the Sabeti & Khatami is fast establishing itself as a go-to firm Khatami Behnam Sabeti & Khatami pharmaceutical and telecoms sectors. for both domestic and international clients. It has consider- Sabeti Hooman Sabeti & Khatami able experience in project finance and is well accustomed to Torossian Vrej Torossian, Avanessian & Associates T&S Associates acting for clients based in Europe and Asia. It is also accom- Band 3 T&S Associates is an “extremely good” full-service law firm plished at commercial dispute resolution, most significantly Atai Ali Akbar Atai & Associates with remarkable longevity in the Iranian market. It acts for a in litigation, and has an array of experience advising on cor- Gheidi Nasim Law Office of Gheidi & Associates (ORL) ◊ broad base of international clients and is equally capable of porate restructuring in response to sanctions. Interviewees Hassanzadeh Elham EH & Partners (ORL) ◊ handling contentious and non-contentious matters. It is par- note: “They have extensive experience of advising on a range Mashkour Moshkan Sanglaj International Consultants ticularly acclaimed for its capabilities in the corporate gov- of issues, including investment agreements, financings and Mehrinfar Mahnaz International Law Office ernance space, with complementary strengths in regulatory project development. They are responsive, diligent and pro- Sadr Encyeh Sadr Law & Consulting Office (SALCO) (ORL) ◊ and contractual issues as well as corporate restructuring. fessional lawyers who understand the needs of their clients.” Shahabi Ali Atieh Associates Law Firm The firm is also experienced in litigation and arbitration. One source added: “I have been very impressed with the deep Tavakoli M. Ebrahim Atieh Associates Law Firm One client said: “The quality of service is excellent and their expertise of the team.” Up-and-coming individuals knowledge of international law is top-level.” Behnam Khatami advises numerous clients from the tech- Sotoodehnia Sahar International Law Office Ahmad Ehtesham is a market-leading figure with extensive nology, oil and gas, and financial services sectors. Clients ◊ (ORL) = Other Ranked Lawyer. experience advising international clients on their operations say: “He is intellectually strong, has hands-on experience Alphabetical order within each band. Band 1 is highest. in Iran. He is skilled in disputes work while also maintaining and commercial awareness, and is very responsive.” Other an acclaimed non-contentious practice covering corporate sources observe that “he’s very calm and always balanced Band 1 governance and regulatory matters. Sources highlight his in his attitude” and that he possesses “an extensive knowl- “precise answers and advice” in addition to commenting that edge of international trade issues.” His practice covers a Atieh Associates Law Firm “he knows how to deal with people and has a comprehensive broad array of corporate structuring and transactional mat- Atieh Associates is consistently noted as one of Iran’s most knowledge of regulations.” ters, with notable expertise in energy and infrastructure prominent commercial law firms. It is capable of providing projects. Hooman Sabeti is a respected practitioner with sophisticated advice to international clients, with note- considerable experience in cross-border finance and cap- worthy expertise concerning sanctions, foreign invest- Band 2 ital markets transactions. He advises a diverse client list, ment and corporate restructurings. The firm also has an comprising domestic and international names, on issues as impressive domestic client base and is highly experienced International Law Office diverse as credit facility agreements and the restructuring assisting with commercial contracts and corporate govern- International Law Office is a long-standing firm which pro- of investment funds. One client called him “the best capital ance. Its accomplished disputes practice has a good track vides a robust commercial law offering to a variety of cli- markets lawyer in Iran,” while another praised his “unpar-

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alleled expertise. He never ceases to surprise you with his Ali Akbar Atai is a well-regarded senior figure in the market. as well as for its capabilities in international arbitration. On problem solving and out-of-the-box thinking.” He is highly skilled in all aspects of corporate law and over- these matters, the team enjoys close ties to major interna- sees work that ranges from assisting clients with financing tional law firms. A source declared Sanglaj to have “a good Torossian, Avanessian & Associates arrangements to representing them in high-stakes commer- reputation,” adding that “they’re high-quality lawyers.” Torossian, Avanessian & Associates is a well-respected firm cial litigation. Interviewees respect his many years’ experi- Moshkan Mashkour is strongly endorsed by sources for with a strong bench of seasoned, highly regarded prac- ence and regard him as “very good – a great guy.” his international arbitration practice, alongside his expe- titioners. It continues to act for international clients on a rience acting for government entities. Market commen- variety of projects and commercial advisory mandates. It Dr. Ali Hatami & Associates tators depict him as “a well-known figure who is very well is also recognised for its experience in arbitration. Sources Dr. Ali Hatami & Associates has a broad client roster and a respected.” state that the team is “very reliable and they’re good law- vast range of expertise. It is most frequently acclaimed for yers,” with peers agreeing that “they’re a good outfit.” its understanding of the issues at play in oil and gas trans- Vrej Torossian is a widely applauded figure who is adept at actions, with further notable skills in construction projects Other Ranked Lawyers the full gamut of corporate and commercial mandates, and and corporate taxation as well as company formations and has further strengths in arbitration. Market sources regard liquidations. The firm’s contentious work covers franchising Nasim Gheidi is the managing partner of Gheidi & Associ- him as “a great practitioner” and “a good choice” for commer- and intellectual property disputes. Clients summarise that ates. She is well recognised for her broad-ranging practice, cial advisory matters. its main strengths include the “good availability” of the tea- which most significantly concerns matters of international mand the “efficient solutions” it is able to offer. trade and sanctions compliance. She has advised a number Ali Hatami is highly regarded for his prolific oil and gas of high-profile international clients in this field. Band 3 and construction practice. In such matters he is capable Elham Hassanzadeh is the founder and lead partner of EH of acting for both domestic and international entities. Cli- & Partners. She is a well-established figure in the energy Atai & Associates ents regularly emphasise his depth of experience, with one sector with notable expertise in oil and gas matters. Atai & Associates is a full-service firm whose corporate noting: “He is an excellent lawyer and has always solved our Encyeh Sadr is the founder of Sadr Law & Consulting Office practice is well versed in group restructurings, joint ven- problems.” Another source highlighted “his excellent knowl- (SALCO). She demonstrates sound expertise advising on tures and company liquidations. However, the firm is best edge of contractual matters.” joint ventures, licensing and other commercial contracts, as respected for its strengths in dispute resolution, with a well as assisting with trade mark enforcement. She has a range of experience acting for clients on both litigation and Sanglaj International Consultants strong track record when it comes to advising international arbitration. It represents a number of notable names in sec- Sanglaj International Consultants is frequently identified by clients on corporate governance issues. tors such as oil and gas, finance and technology. sources for its strengths in acting for government entities

General Business Law Foreign Experts (Based Abroad)

Foreign Desks (Based Abroad) to sanctions. The team offers further abilities in dispute wide range of sectors, including telecoms, automotive, and General Business Law resolution, acting on Iranian court litigation as well as inter- oil and gas. Interviewees say: “They do a lot of good work.” Iranian expertise national arbitrations. The firm maintains an association with Farid Sigari-Majd (see p.475) is based in Vienna and is the based in countries listed below Tehran-based APP Legal Institute and regularly calls upon leader of Freshfields’ Iran desk. He has wide-ranging expe- the resources of APP’s lawyers in its work for clients. rience advising on cross-border M&A, restructurings and a Austria Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP* Pirouzan Parvine leads ’ Iranian practice and is variety of regulatory matters, and is known for his particular France Dentons based in Paris. Market sources praise his capabilities, strength advising clients from the aviation and financial ser- France * observing that “Pirouzan is a nice guy and helpful when it vices sectors. Germany CMS * comes to sanctions advice.” He is experienced assisting cli- UK Freehills ents with the restructuring and winding-up of their opera- UK LLP * tions in Iran and is also well versed in tax disputes. Herbert Smith Freehills has considerable experience Foreign Experts (Based Abroad) assisting with Iranian matters. Its office is a focal General Business Law Eversheds Sutherland point for this expertise, although partners based in Tokyo Iranian expertise See profile on p.3158 and Hong Kong are also well versed in Iran-related issues. based in countries listed below The Iranian desk of Eversheds Sutherland is best recog- The firm has advised European and Asian clients on both Austria Sigari-Majd Farid Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP * nised for its expertise in disputes. Examples of its work transactional work and an array of matters related to sanc- France Parvine Pirouzan Dentons in this field include high-value international arbitrations tions, with the energy sector a particular forte. Sources say: United Arab Emirates Mahmoudpour Atousa Eversheds arising in the oil and gas sector. The desk’s other areas of “They’re very good.” William Breeze and Reza Dadbakhsh, * Indicates firm / individual with profile. expertise include advising on sanctions compliance and both based in London, are key contacts for the firm’s Iranian representing clients in regard to potential infringements foreign desk. Foreign Desks (Based Abroad) of intellectual property within Iran. Non-contentious work includes assisting with distribution agreements. The team Stephenson Harwood LLP CMS is equally strong advising Iranian entities and international See profile on p.3168 See profile on p.2857 corporations. Stephenson Harwood is noted for having represented sev- CMS operated a Tehran office for three years prior to its Atousa Mahmoudpour is based in Dubai. Her Iran-related eral notable Iranian clients in regard to disputes arising closure in 2019, and the firm continues to capitalise on work encompasses intellectual property and contractual out of trade sanctions. In this arena, particular highlights the experiences gained during its time operating on the disputes in addition to sanctions advice and group restruc- include representing key players in Iran’s financial services ground. Its Iran foreign desk is now primarily based out of turings. On these matters she is particularly experienced in sector. The Iran group is also noteworthy for its experience Düsseldorf, but continues to be identified by sources for its advising multinational entities. acting on arbitrations against European governments. strengths in international development projects with Iranian Further areas of experience include advising commercial elements. Shaghayegh Smousavi is a key contact for the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP clients on their exit from the Iranian market. Key contacts firm’s Iran desk. See profile on p.3161 for Iranian issues are partner Sue Millar and of counsel Ste- Freshfields fields a notable Iranian desk, principally com- phen Ashley, both of whom are based in London. Dentons prising experts based in Vienna and Hamburg. The firm Dentons maintains a robust Iranian desk operating primarily regularly assists multinationals with sanctions compliance out of Paris. It is experienced in a vast range of matters, issues and the related reorganisation of their Iranian oper- including group restructurings and dissolutions, and is also ations. It is well regarded by sources within Iran and offers highlighted by interviewees for its assured advice in regard a robust practice possessing in-depth expertise across a

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Leaders’ Profiles in Iran

SIGARI-MAJD, Farid Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Vienna +43 1 515 15-0 [email protected] Featured in General Business Law (Iran), Corpo- rate/M&A (Austria) See under Austria for profile.

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