Hicham Kabbaj

founding partner
kablsTeam

Biography

Hicham Kabbaj mainly advises on French and international tax matters, particularly in the field of mergers and acquisitions on behalf of corporate clients, investment funds and private equity. His multisectoral approach enables him to cover all stages of structuring an investment transaction (tax audit, acquisition structure, financing, exit strategy and management package).

  • Hicham has developed a know-how in tax and M&A law in the countries of North Africa and in particular a thorough knowledge of local regulatory issues and challenges (foreign exchanges, tax authorities, etc.).
  • Prior to founding and managing KAB LS Avocats, Hicham began his career in the tax department of BNP Paribas headquarters (2001-2002) and then PWC/Landwel M&A Tax (2002-2005). He subsequently worked in the Tax/Corporate departments of the Paris offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (2005 – 2008) and Hogan Lovells LLP (2008 – 2012).
  • Counsel to an institutional investor in the context of a majority stake in the capital of a leading European company in the distribution of fruit and vegetables.
  • Counsel to a major banking group in the context of various equity investments in African banking institutions (OHADA and English-speaking area).
  • Counsel to a major telecom operator in the context of equity investments in African telecommunications companies.
  • Counsel in the setting up of a strategic commercial partnership between an English agribusiness group and a leader of the Moroccan citrus industry.
  • Counsel on the sale of a majority stake in a JV operating in the Food and Beverage Packaging sector that required a major prior tax restructuring.
  • Tax counsel to the majority shareholder of a large African mall for the negotiation of all its commercial leases.
  • Counsel to a large African banking group in the context of a tax dispute.
  • Counsel in the structuring of a European SICAR for its compartment of underlying African assets.
  • Counsel in international patrimonial tax planning (wealth tax planning, inheritance and international donations).
  • Counsel to the foreign majority shareholder of an African investment bank in the context of its acquisition.
  • Counsel to a major African mutual insurance company in the context of a restructuring.
  • Counsel to a European consortium of investors in the acquisition of the headquarters and production facilities of a European leader in the automotive industry.
  • Counsel to an African credit institution in its takeover by a major local sectoral bank and the entry into the capital of a foreign shareholder.
  • Counsel to a U.S. investment fund in connection with the restructuring and management of its Leisure and Lodging business in Europe.
  • Counsel in the legal and tax restructuring of a hotel group owning hotels in a French winter sports resort.
  • Counsel to a European company in the context of its relocation to a European jurisdiction via a merger subject to European company regulations.
  • Counsel to an Islamic bank based in the Middle East in connection with the implementation in Europe of a securities Murabaha transaction (Murabaha with Tawaruq).
  • Counsel to a global automotive giant in the sale of its Eurasian automotive business to an Indian group – pre-sale tax restructuring.
  • Counsel to a global automotive giant in the sale of its automotive business to an Asian group.
  • Advising on the tax and corporate structuring of an infrastructure fund in Africa.
  • Advising on a private placement in an African tourism investment fund.
  • Counsel to a leading U.S. paper and packaging company in connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest in an African industrial company specialized in packaging.
  • Counsel to an Anglo-American private equity fund in connection with numerous acquisitions in Europe.
  • Counsel to a Asian investment fund in the acquisition and disposal of a European company manufacturing and distributing household furniture.
  • Tax
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Corporate
  • Islamic Finance
  • Private Equity
  • DESS Business and Tax Law – Sorbonne – HEC
  • Master – University Mohamed V Rabat
  • Paris
  • Montréal
  • French
  • English
  • Arabic