← All attorneys

Youssef S. el Khazen is one of the founders and the former Managing Partner of Levant Law Practice.

He earned his Master of Laws from the Lebanese University in 1989 and further obtained from Université Paris II, ASSAS a Master of Political Sciences in the year 1992 and a Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies (DEA) in Political Sciences during the year 1994. He is a member of the Beirut Bar Association since 1995.

Youssef is specialized in the set up of legal strategies and the negotiation of agreements and transactions. He also has a large experience in the legal and operational aspects of telecommunications, mainly the negotiation and finalization of telecommunications licenses and related agreements. He has also participated in arbitral procedures and arbitral strategies in international arbitration procedures (ICC – UNCITRAL) and acts as legal counsel in various disputes before the Lebanese courts.

More specifically, Youssef has acted for five years as General Counsel and Head of Legal Department for one of the two mobile telecommunication companies operating in Lebanon, namely FTML (France Telecom Mobile Liban), an affiliate of the French telecommunication operator France Telecom. During his mandate, he has inter alia managed and monitored the transfer of the mobile activity, including employees, from FTML SAL to the Lebanese government through MIC 1.

He also handled the negotiation and finalization of mobile licenses with all related agreements and documents in five different countries in the Middle East and Africa.

Furthermore, Youssef has a wide experience in providing legal counsel and services in various real estate projects, including drafting of related contracts, establishment of companies, setting up of banking and financial structures, conducting due diligence, etc. for these projects.

Sample Transactions

  • establishing a US$ 50M real estate fund in Lebanon;
  • negotiating and drafting of purchase agreements and documents regarding the sale of a commercial building in Beirut Central District for the value of US$ 40M;
  • structuring and drafting of legal documentation for the construction of a tower in Beirut for a value of US$ 45M;
  • structuring and drafting of legal documentation regarding a real estate development project in the touristic mountain area of Faqra, Lebanon for a value of US$ 250M;
  • negotiating and drafting of various legal documents regarding the acquisition and management of a hotel in Beirut by a major regional company for a value of US$ 20M;
  • advising on the legal documentation related to a transfer from a BOT system to a mobile license for a value of US$ 500M;
  • advising on the participation, structuring and drafting of legal documentation regarding a distribution network and metering services organized by the Lebanese competent authorities for a value of US$ 100M;
  • structuring and drafting of all legal documentation and agreements related to a financial real estate development project in the centre of Beirut for a value of US$ 90M;
  • advising on the structuring of the corporate entity for a real estate housing project in Beirut and drafting, negotiating and finalizing all related agreements including the project construction and sale agreements for a value of US$ 25M;
  • advising on the acquisition of a legal entity owning a major property on the seashore for the construction of a resort for a value of US$ 150M and negotiating and drafting of related units sales agreements for a value of US$ 350M;
  • advising on the legal measures in relation to the shielding of assets in Lebanon against international criminal proceedings ramifications for a value of € 200M;
  • acting as lead legal counsel in the negotiation for the sale of a land in the Bahamas and drafting of related agreements for a value of US$ 400M;
  • negotiating the sale of a 57.5% shareholding of a start-up company operating in Nigeria to a major multinational European group in the laundry and home care sector for a total value of US$ 125M and reviewing all related documentation;
  • negotiating the acquisition of a Lebanese university for a total value of US$ 20M and finalizing all related documentation;
  • conducting the negotiations to amicably settle a major dispute between family members of a total value of US$ 35M and drafting of the amicable settlement terms;
  • representing and advising a UK based oil company in the discussions and negotiations with the Lebanese government in relation to a dispute relating to a cargo shipment for a total value of USD 27M;
  • advising a foreign oil company on an operational services agreement for the development, operation, maintenance and commercial exploitation of a tank farm facility for a value exceeding USD 100M.

Professional Memberships

Member of the Beirut Bar Association since 1995.

Education

  • 1995, DEA (Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies) in International Relations, University of Pantheon – Assas, Paris II, France.
  • 1993, M.A. in Political Sciences, University of Pantheon – Assas, Paris II, France.
  • 1989, LL.B., Lebanese University, Faculty of Laws and Political Sciences, Lebanon.

Languages

Arabic, English, French.

Chambers Commentaries

Founding and managing partner Youssef el Khazen is described as "smart, swift and effective." His practice focuses on general corporate law, with specialisation in real estate projects and telecommunications.
The well-respected Youssef el Khazen is consistently highlighted as "a very good negotiator," with one source adding that "he is smart, down-to-earth and quick." In addition to his broad knowledge of corporate law, he specialises in real estate developments and transactions.
Founding and managing partner Youssef el Khazen maintains a solid profile for corporate and commercial law, and is regularly instructed to lead on significant real estate developments including corporate structurings and related agreements. He also offers a strong track record representing clients in the telecoms industry.