Image of Mehdi Benzakour

Mehdi Benzakour

Counsel

Mehdi is a leading public law expert. He has a unique experience advising on complex and high-profile public law matters, involving both national and international clients.

He focuses on a wide range of public law matters, with a focus on public contracts law (concessions, public-private partnerships, public procurement), public assets law, public financial law, privatization and general administrative law. He also has a solid experience in advising on construction related matters.

Mehdi regularly acts for the Moroccan State, supporting its efforts to attract and facilitate large-scale foreign investments, as well as public institutions and State-owned companies active in strategic sectors, such as railway, ports and water desalination. He also advises major international operators in charge of public services, such as urban public transportation, power distribution, water distribution and sewage services, and waste management. He helps clients deal with complex legal and regulatory issues, negotiate and implement contracts, and resolve disputes.

Experience

Representative matters

The Moroccan State on the setting up of Peugeot’s new car and engine factory near the coastal City of Kenitra, Morocco, aimed at the African and Middle East market.

Bank of Africa, Agence Spéciale Tanger Méditerranée and SATT in relation to the development of Mohammed VI Tangier Tech City, a 2000-ha smart city project launched by the Moroccan government which include modern industrial zone and logistics park.

A Moroccan leading industrial player on a strategic sea water desalination project ONCF (the national railway operator) on the structuring of a high speed line project.

The inter municipal entity in charge of public urban transportation within the territories of Casablanca and surrounding municipalities (établissement de coopération intercommunale Al Baïda) on the preparation and the implementation of a step-in (mise sous séquestre) in the context of a urban public transportation concession.

Agence Spéciale Tanger Méditerranée (TMSA) on the merger of its two subsidiaries, Tanger Med Port Authority S.A. and Tanger Med 2 S.A, in charge of the management of the Tangier Med International Port.

 

 

 

Qualifications

Academic

Postgraduate degree (Master 2 Recherche), Public Business Law, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, 2007

Postgraduate degree (Master 2 Professionnel), Internet Law, Administration – Business, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, 2006

Master's degree (Maîtrise) in Public Law (Public Business Law), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, 2005

Master's degree (Maîtrise) in Tax Law (Business Tax Law), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, 2004

License in Business Law, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, 2003

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.