1. Home
  2. |Professionals
  3. |Charbel M. Maakaron

Charbel M. Maakaron

Partner

Overview

As managing partner of Crowell & Moring’s Middle East headquarters and a prominent individual within Qatar’s legal circle, Charbel M. Maakaron has a deep-rooted understanding of Qatari legislation and adaptive problem resolution skills that his clients rely on. Renowned for his astute approach when working with clients, Charbel represents and assists local and international entities in areas including corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, hospitality, and regulatory matters. He also has extensive experience advising clients on commercial transactions, corporate structuring, finance and securities, commercial litigation, and capital markets.

Charbel is highly sought after by Qatari and international clients alike, who trust his forward-thinking and creative manner when resolving legal issues. When business growth leads to hurdles, clients trust that Charbel will provide a timely and pragmatic response to issues faced no matter the complexity while simultaneously ensuring that their business interests remain at the forefront.

Charbel is also frequently called upon to share his extensive knowledge of Qatari legal issues, both domestically and internationally. He also advises government clients on legislative projects and has contributed toward the development of numerous laws and regulations across sectors in Qatar and in neighboring countries.

Prior to joining Crowell, Charbel was the managing partner at an international law firm’s Doha office. Previously, he worked for one of Beirut’s top law firms, where he handled complex litigation matters in civil and commercial law and gained considerable experience in corporate and business matters.

Career & Education

|
    • Lebanese University, LL.B., 2002
    • University of Bristol, LL.M., international commercial law, 2003
    • Lebanese University, LL.B., 2002
    • University of Bristol, LL.M., international commercial law, 2003
    • Beirut
    • Beirut
  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • ICC Qatar Arbitration Commission, Chairman
    • American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar
    • German Business Council Qatar (GBCQ)
    • Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) in Qatar

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • ICC Qatar Arbitration Commission, Chairman
    • American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar
    • German Business Council Qatar (GBCQ)
    • Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) in Qatar
    • English
    • Arabic
    • English
    • Arabic
The way in which Charbel engages in the provision of legal advice showed us that he has deep knowledge, not only with Qatari law, but also in the interpretation of events and linking this to the law to identify whether we were right or wrong. This combination of skills makes all the difference.

— Chief executive officer of an international real estate investment, development, and management firm

Representative Matters

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.

Recognition

  • 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
|