Ashurst has this week launched its first office in Africa, becoming the latest international firm to open in Morocco, as investment interest in the country grows aheads of it co-hosting the World Cup in 2030.
The firm is opening with the hire of project finance and capital markets partner Ouns Lemseffer, who joins after 15 years at Clifford Chance.
With investment into Morocco growing as it cements its position as a bridge between Africa and Europe, Legal Business spoke to local partners about the state of the market and the logic of opening in Casablanca now.
Legacy Allen & Overy became the first magic circle firm to open in the North-African country, with its 2011 launch seen by many as instigating a shift in the country’s legal market.
‘Hicham Naciri, A&O’s managing partner here in Morocco, was the first one to convince top clients to work differently here,’ Omar Zizi, an ex-A&O partner and now head of Al Tamini’s Casablanca office enthuses. ‘Twenty years ago, if someone sold a company, the agreement was extremely basic. Now, [in part] thanks to Naciri, [the market] became a lot more sophisticated.’
Other firms following suit include Clifford Chance and Baker McKenzie, which opened in 2012, as well as DLA Piper, which opened three years later in 2015, with firms keen to follow investors in using Morocco as a bridge between Africa, Europe and the wider world.
‘If you want to supply certain markets, Morocco is ideally positioned,’ says Omar Sayarh, Dentons’ managing partner in Casablanca. ‘Spain is only 14 kilometres away and we have bilateral agreements with the EU and a free trade agreement with the US. That’s why Chinese companies come to Morocco to manufacture products; they become Moroccan products and therefore can benefit from these agreements.’
Morocco has seen considerable rates of foreign direct investment (FDI) in recent years, spurred on by a stable political climate that encourages investment.
According to data from the Moroccan Foreign Exchange Office, the country has seen a 25% year-on-year increase in FDI in 2025, with Casablanca a hub for banking and finance work as well as M&A. Firms including Norton Rose Fulbright, DLA Piper, Bakers, Dentons and French firm Gide are among those ranking alongside local players in the Legal 500 rankings.
Lemseffer has a broad practice spanning banking and finance as well as capital markets, adding instant expertise for Ashurst in these areas, as well as experience in the energy & infrastructure sector. Examples of her work include last year co-leading the team advising the managers of Moroccan state-owned mining company, OCP, on its $2bn notes offering. ‘Ouns is a very, very good lawyer,’ Zizi says, ‘Very well know for her practice in project finance.’
In her new role as head of Morocco, Lemseffer says she will work closely with Ashurst’s team across ‘London, Paris and the Middle East to deliver the full spectrum of advice to clients who operate or invest in the continent.’
She adds: ‘Africa’s population is growing rapidly, and with the current trajectory showing no signs of slowing there are enormous opportunities for infrastructure and energy companies, banks and investors to deliver and finance the necessary investment to support this growth. Increasing investment into the continent is set to drive further demand for sophisticated, specialist legal advice.’
Commenting on her arrival, Ashurst’s co-head of projects & energy transition David Charlier, said: ‘Ouns brings a deep understanding of the Francophone and sub-Saharan Africa markets which not only complements our existing capabilities but will also be invaluable as we set up a presence in Casablanca and capitalise further on the opportunities ahead.’
With the World Cup set to take place in Morocco in 2030, international firms are predicting a wave of infrastructure work. This expectation was one of the drivers for Zizi joining Al Tamimi to relaunch its Casablanca office last year, after the Middle Eastern leader cut ties with a local boutique.
‘We’re building railroads, airports and stadiums,’ Baker Mckenzie’s Morocco managing partner Kamal Nasrollah tells LB. ‘The country is undergoing major investments… we’re seeing a lot of activity in energy, infrastructure and cyber security.’
As a result, partners are unsurpised that Ashurst has decided to enter the market. ‘There’s always work to do, M&A, financing and dispute resolution.’ Zizi concurs: ‘The market is getting bigger.’
Nasrollah adds: ‘It means that the market is pretty energetic, and that there are things happening. We welcome the arrival of colleagues – It’s a good sign.’
CC did not respond to requests for comment. According to its website the firm has two partners in Casablanca following Lemseffer’s departure.
