BonelliErede reinforces its footprint in Cairo

BonelliErede announced major news aimed at strengthening its development strategy in Africa and the Middle East. In line with the best international practices, BonelliErede launches a Focus Team on Public International Law & Economic Diplomacy, which will integrate Angelino Alfano’s skills with those of the professionals who have been advising for years on Public International Law, including anti-corruption, international arbitration, legal reforms, tax and regulatory. The goal is to assist not only companies but also countries, authorities and institutions in the Mediterranean area, Africa and in the Middle East to spur investments.

As of July 2, 2018, Angelino Alfano has joined BonelliErede’s Milan office as of counsel. Angelino, 47, was Minister in three different governments: Minister of Justice (2008-2011), Minister of the Interior (2013-2016) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (2017-2018). In addition, from 28 April 2013 to 22 February 2014 he was Vice President of the Council of Ministers. He graduated in Law from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and gained a Ph.D. in Corporate Law at the University of Palermo. He qualified as lawyer in 1996.

Angelino Alfano commented, “After having definitively left politics, I decided to start practicing again and be a full-time lawyer, with a focus on international markets. The opportunity offered to me by BonelliErede was a natural step in this direction. I will take on this new role with enthusiasm. I’m eager to have a long-term project that can best enhance my previous experiences, even in a different field.”

Furthermore, BonelliErede strengthens its capability to assist Italian and international companies operating in Africa and the Middle East, starting the cooperation with Ziad Bahaa-Eldin and his Egyptian local team.

Ziad Bahaa-Eldin, 54, is an Egyptian lawyer, economist and writer. After obtaining his law degree from Cairo University, and economics degree from the American University in Cairo, he obtained his LL.M. in business law from the King’s College in London and a Ph.D. in banking law from the London School of Economics. He has since then been practicing law and has held various government positions in finance and law. From 2004 to 2007 he was the Chairman of the Egyptian Investment Authority; in 2008 he became the head of the Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority, a Government agency that oversees transactions and non-banking financial markets in Egypt. In 2012 he was elected as member of Parliament, and from 2013 to 2014 he was deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Cooperation in Egypt.

Ziad Bahaa-Eldin joins BonelliErede as Of Counsel and will be managing the Egyptian law office that will cooperate with BonelliErede.

Gianfranco Veneziano will continue to be the partner in charge of the coordination between BonelliErede and Bahaa-Eldin Law Office, collaborating with the three Cairo-based BonelliErede Local Partners (Francesca Secondari, Riccardo Bicciato and Lorenzo Melchionda). He will also be responsible to develop BonelliErede’s presence in North Africa. The team in Cairo will work in synergy with the Dubai office, benefiting from the recent integration of the UAE law firm Tribonian Law Advisors, also operating in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia through an international partnership.

Ziad Bahaa-Eldin commented, “I’m delighted with the starting up of the Bahaa-Eldin Law Office in Cairo and with its cooperation and integration with BonelliErede. I know BonelliErede’s professionals very well. I’ve always appreciated their values, professionalism and strategic vision together with the international strategy of the firm. Through the establishment of this new law office in Cairo and the launch of the Public International Law & Economic Diplomacy Focus Team, we combine our expertise, creating a unique team to further develop our practice in Africa and in the Middle East.”

Co-managing partners Stefano Simontacchi and Marcello Giustiniani commented, “The arrival of Angelino Alfano and Ziad Bahaa-Eldin is a significant leap forward for our firm. Their recognised expertise in Economic Diplomacy, together with their understanding of the international business world, will strengthen our presence in Africa and the Middle East. We’ve been planning for long time to develop consultancy services for countries and institutions alongside those that we offer to companies and we believe Angelino to be the right person to accomplish this. With Ziad and the establishment of the new integrated firm in Cairo we reinforce our footprint in Egypt.”