2Birds gains Casablanca foothold via local tie-up

The two firms had previously worked together on a number of transactions, notably with Bird & Bird’s Paris office, but the agreement formalises the relationship.

The office in Casablanca is managed by founder Mohieddine El Amari, who is French-qualified.

Bird & Bird is the fourth international firm to move into Morocco in the past few months, following the arrival of Allen & Overy (20 July 2011), Clifford Chance (25 July 2011) and Norton Rose (28 July 2011).

Bird & Bird’s France managing partner Frederique Dupuis-Toubol said the agreement strengthened the firm’s North, sub-Saharan and Middle East connections and followed the recent opening of an Abu Dhabi office.

Key sectors which the firm believes will be enhanced by the Morocco office include energy, aviation, automotive, food and beverage, financial services and information technology.