September Edition 2020

22 Hogan Lovells Howard Kennedy K&L Gates Even before the official formation of the Israel Practice Group in 2012, Hogan Lovells has been involved in the Israeli market. With almost 3,000 lawyers across almost its global office network, the group comprises Israeli Bar Association members, citizens, and fluent Hebrew speakers. From life sciences and energy, technology and healthcare, Hogan Lovells helps companies to expand in Israel or Israeli companies do more business abroad. Recent highlights include the representation of Israel-based Fattal Hotel Group on its acquisition of four Grange hotels in central London from real estate investment firm Queensgate Investments, as well as Salesforce in its definitive agreement to acquire Bonobo. The firm has a regulatory practitioner based in Rehovot, who is dedicated to providing local and real-time support for Israeli medical device and life sciences companies seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. HowardKennedy isrecognizedfor itsstrongtrackrecordofadvisingIsraeli clients across real estate, capital markets and private wealth. London-based Charles Maxwell heads the team and is supported by a network of strong connections. The firm’s Israeli clients are made up of high net worth individuals and families, entrepreneurs and corporates, which instruct the firm on corporate, real estate, litigation, private client and family issues. Last year’sworkload includes a stringof high profile commercial and residential acquisitions in the real estate sector, a key pillar of strength for the firm. With 26 of its 45 global offices involved in Israel-related work, K&L Gates is a consistently high performing operator in the Israeli market. Headed by Clarissa Coleman in the London office, the Israel Desk has provided advice on a raft of M&A transactions – such as to Finisar Corporation on the Israeli aspects of its USD 3.2 billion merger with II-VI Incorporated, with Oded Green playing a lead role. The Israel Desk has also been involved in a raft of instructions relating to intellectual property – especially patent and trademark filings in the U.S. and Europe – as well as commercial disputes, consumer class actions and employment, while the team has also represented buyers of real estate properties in Germany.