Charbel M. Maakaron

International Arbitration/Qatari Law

• Represented a large Qatari construction company in a multimillion-dollar litigation matter before U.S. courts and Qatari courts and in International Chamber of Commerce arbitration.
• Advised a subcontractor client on obtaining relief on a QAR30 million advance payment guarantee and performance bond in ICC emergency arbitration.
• Served as the Qatari law resource in a U.S. multibillion-dollar ICC arbitration in London relating to a mega infrastructure development project in Qatar.
• Served as the Qatari law resource on behalf of a U.S. oil and gas client in a litigation matter in the state of Texas.
• Acted as the Qatari law resource in connection with two arbitration matters seated in Switzerland.
• Advised Qatari governmental bodies on various issues, including legislative matters and legal strategy.
• Served as the Qatari law resource in a Dubai-based ICC arbitration involving a landmark high-end mixed-use development in Qatar.

Corporate Structuring/Projects

• Represented a prominent Qatari bank in the corporate structuring of the development and financing of an integrated workers’ accommodation community in Qatar valued at QAR1.3 billion.
• Acted as lead counsel to a prominent Qatari individual on a turnkey project for the development of a landmark hospitality property in Qatar with an estimated value of around US$500 million.
• Represented a government-owned fund in a mega mixed-use development project in the Levant.
• Advised a leading Qatari public shareholding company on a school development and operation project as well as a hospital development and operation joint venture.
• Represented hotel owners in negotiating hotel management agreements, licensing, and technical services agreements for a number of luxury hotels in Qatar.
• Acted as lead outside counsel for a Qatari government agency in drafting and implementing regulations for the agency to operate as a market regulator.
• Advised a global energy company on a tender for the construction and operation of a power and desalination plant as a public-private partnership project.
• Acted as lead counsel for a major company listed on the Qatar Exchange in connection with its simultaneous acquisition of two companies and advising on all related regulatory issues.
• Represented one of the largest food companies in the world and listed on two major stock exchange markets in connection with a major asset acquisition in Qatar. The estimated value of the transaction is US$150 million.
• Represented a company in connection with the proposed sale of a fleet of chemical tankers and an acquisition of an offshore entity. The estimated value of the transaction is US$225 million.
• Advised a major airline on a strategic joint venture project for its duty-free business, involving the establishment of retail and food and beverage operations at a new airport. The estimated value of the business is more than US$190 million.
• Represented a major Norwegian company in connection with a US$70 million industrial venture project in Qatar.
• Advised a Qatari real estate company on the development, sale, and management of a mega construction project involving 10 towers in the commercial district of Doha.
• Represented the State of Qatar in a US$25 billion joint venture project for designing, building, and operating a passenger and freight rail network in Qatar.
• Advised large-scale banks and financial institutions with setting up investment funds in Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
• Acted as lead counsel in connection with a Qatar-based multimillion-dollar real estate investment trust to be listed in a foreign stock exchange.
• Represented Qatari and foreign businesses in major commercial transactions, including acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and joint venture projects in Qatar.
• Acted as local counsel for a consolidation of 10 banks in connection with a US$850 million Islamic finance and conventional facility syndicated loan.
• Acted as local counsel for an international bank in connection with a US$83 million Commodity Murabaha Syndicated Loan Facility.
• Acted as local counsel for a group of international banks in connection with a US$225 million Master Murabaha Facility Agreement.
• Assisted banks and financial institutions with structuring private placements and equity-based offerings in Qatar and the Middle East/North Africa region.
• Assisted an internationally renowned auction house in setting up the first art auction in the State of Qatar.
• Advised foreign companies on setting up large-scale industrial projects in Qatar.
• Advised a government regulator on a host of legal matters, ranging from corporate structuring and third-party agreements and Qatari law compliance and regulatory issues to the development of various internal processes and procedures and the development of draft laws and regulations.
• Represented a major European developer in connection with managing a heavy volume of claims filed in various Qatari courts and departments in relation to multiple construction projects.
• Represented a high net worth client in connection with the structuring and development of a mixed-use real estate project in Qatar with an estimated value of US$550 million.

• Named as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ by Legal 500 EMEA, 2023
• Recognized as a ‘Stand-out Lawyer’ by Thomson Reuters, 2022, 2023
• Ranked by Chambers and Partners Global, Corporate/Commercial, 2022, 2023
• Awarded International Law Firm of the Year Award by LexisNexis Middle East Qatar Business Law Forum, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
• Cited by Construction Week Online as ‘one of eight people to know in Qatar’, 2009