Ossama Abouzaid
Ossama Abouzaid
Counsel
Ossama Abouzaid is a Counsel at Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy and was a member of the Dispute Resolution department prior to being a member of the Corporate and M&A department. He joined the firm in October 2017.
Prior to joining Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy, Ossama served as a member of the Public Prosecution for four years and specialized in criminal, civil and family laws (2013). Moreover, Ossama attended a course for strengthening the capacity of Egyptian Public Prosecutors by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative in the art of advocacy and a course specialized in the role of prosecutors in protecting wards and guardianship over their assets in 2016.
Practice Focus
Ossama has worked on several transaction documents, as well as general corporate and commercial matters. Further, Ossama has worked on multiple matters in connection with corporate governance and companies’ law relating to the establishment of corporate entities, giving advice and legal opinions on daily matters, and drafting various contracts depending on the needs of the client. He has worked extensively on advising on all aspects of the transaction including structuring, due diligence, negotiations and execution of transaction documents, and closing. During Ossama’s time as a public prosecutor, he conducted investigations by interviewing criminals and witnesses, inspecting crime scenes, collecting and preserving evidence. Moreover, he also worked on several investigations related to employees’ misconduct and fraud in the dispute resolution department.
Selected Recent Experience
- Acted as international counsel and managing the Kazakh legal counsel, in advising ZCP International, an Egyptian-based private equity firm, on its acquisition of Solva Group Ltd and its subsidiaries, the leading Central Asian fintech business based out of Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- Representation of Mitsui & Co., Ltd, a global trading and investment group, with Clifford Chance LLP on its investment in Wadi Poultry S.A.E and related subsidiaries (Wadi Group), a leading group in Egyptian agribusiness.
- Representation of Ezdehar, an Egyptian-based private equity firm, in connection with its acquisition of a majority stack in Seta Textiles S.A.E (Seta) owning the market leading company in the apparel retail sector.
- Representation of Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (PIF) with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld LLP in connection with the potential acquisition of United Bank SAE and its subsidiaries.
- Representation of PIF in connection with its acquisition of a minority stake in Abu Qir Fertilizers & Chemical Industries, Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Co, E-Finance for Digital and Financial Investments, and Misr Fertilizers Production Company, through its investment arm, the Saudi Egyptian Investment Company. Transaction value USD 1.3 billion.
- Representation of Sitel with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in connection with the contemplated merger between Sitel and Majorel Group Luxembourg S.A.
- Representation of Cintana Education LCC, a public benefit corporation, in connection with their agreement with Galala University, along with Arizona State University, and the allocation of ownership of all owned intellectual property.
- Representation of Metropolitan Gaming Limited, a company wholly owned by Silver Point Capital L.P with Allen & Overy in connection with its acquisition of Caesars Entertainment Inc, including its Egyptian subsidiary.
- Representation of Huhtamäki Holding OY with Güner Law Office in connection with the acquisition of Elif Holding Anonim Şirketi, including its Egyptian subsidiary.
- Representation of ZCP International in connection with the intended acquisition of the assets of four Egyptian companies specialized in manufacturing and distribution of beverages, including but not limited to, carbonated beverages and water.
- Representation of First Abu Dhabi Bank with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in connection with its 100% acquisition of Bank Audi SAE and its subsidiary in Egypt.
- Representation of Emirates NBD Bank with Clifford Chance LLP in connection with the intended acquisition of Blom Bank S.A.E. and its four brokerage, asset-management, insurance, and life insurance subsidiaries.
- Representation of Canada-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. in connection with the acquisition of Amoun Pharmaceutical S.A.E. Transaction value: USD 800 million plus deferred payment.
- Representation of a multinational cheese marketer centered in France in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in an Egyptian leading company (Bel Group).
- Ossama is working on several general corporate and commercial matters, as well as assisting clients on matters related to corporate governance, labor law, and companies’ law relating to the establishment of corporate entities, giving advice and legal opinions on daily matters, and drafting and negotiating various contracts depending on the needs of the client.
Education
Cairo University, Egypt: School of Law, English Section: L.L.B
2010
Professional Associations and Memberships