Firm overview
Established in 1953, Zaki Hashem (ZH), Attorneys at Law, is the oldest and largest law firm to be actively – and uninterruptedly – catering to the needs of foreign and local clients in the Egyptian business sector. ZH has an outstanding track record in advising clients on highly complex transactions in the different areas of practice.
The Firm was founded by the late Dr. Zaki Hashem (1920 - 2014) - former Cabinet Minister and a leading renowned international Attorney at Law and Arbitrator specialized in Oil & Gas and International Private Law. Over the years, the Firm developed into a modern partnership firm providing the full range of corporate legal services to both local and international clients through approx. 100 fee earners and 170 employees – all advocates of professional excellence and integrity in their representation of ZH’s clients. The Firm presents its legal advice and expertise in Arabic, English, French, German, and Italian.
ZH comprises a unique constellation of highly qualified lawyers who had joined the Firm as early as the 1970s such as Hala Hashem (joined in 1980) and Sameh Khodeir (joined in 1982) – who were mentored by highly prominent lawyers such as the late Dr. Zaki Hashem and the late Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud Ibrahim. The wealth of experience of ZH’s members emanates from the unique mixture of senior associates, partners, and of counsels with individual experience records exceeding 40, 30 and 20 years. This long professional record allows ZH’s younger team members to tap on a wealth of knowledge transferred to them through the mentorship of highly experienced attorneys. Furthermore, Yasser Hashem, ZH’s Managing Partner, brings aboard over 30 years of experience in the inception of the private provisions of the telecom services in Egypt, the privatization of hundreds of public entities, the incorporation of foreign and domestic companies and advising foreign and local investors on the most efficient vehicles and structures for implementing their investment in Egypt. He has also overlooked and managed a large number of IPOs and capital market transactions.
Also on board is a fresh generation of lawyers who are dually-qualified in Egypt and other jurisdictions - and who were recipient of knowledgeable experience at international law firms – such as: Arig Ali (a Partner qualified in both the UK and the Egyptian Courts of Appeal and who has joined ZH in 2013 after considerable exposure at an international law firm), Yasir El Akhdar and Hossam Hafez (Partners qualified both in Egypt and in New York), and Tarek El Erian (a Senior Associate also qualified in Egypt and in New York).
In Egypt’s highly intricate legal system, this unique team combination represents an unequaled asset that places ZH as the sole law firm having deep solid roots in the local market while applying a strong legal and business vision – both meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of local and international clients alike.
ZH enjoys long-established solid connections at all relevant government authorities in Egypt – enabling the Firm to adeptly provide its clients with accurate real-time advice and innovative commercial and legal solutions.
