Squire Patton Boggs hires Energy and Africa expert

Squire Patton Boggs has appointed Karim Maalioun, who will be based in the Paris office, as a partner in its Global Corporate Practice.

The former General Counsel (EMEA) at ContourGlobal, the international developer and operator of electric power and district heating businesses in global growth markets, Mr. Maalioun will be based in the Paris office, but spend significant time in London. He will be working closely with colleagues in the firm’s Energy & Natural Resources Practice, Africa Business Group, and Global Infrastructure Group.

Fluent in French and English, with a good command of Arabic, Mr. Maalioun has extensive experience of the energy sector, especially in relation to Africa and has been involved in advising on a wide range of power and energy projects across the continent. In particular he has expertise in M&A, greenfield/brownfield development, project finance, construction and operations issues, and disputes and compliance matters.

Mr. Maalioun was with ContourGlobal as General Counsel (EMEA) for the past five years, where he was involved in numerous power investment projects including natural gas and oil, combined-heat-and-power plants and also renewables such as wind farms and solar plants. Prior to that, Mr. Maalioun was a member of the Corporate and Finance departments of both a major French law firm and a global US firm.

Christopher Wilde, managing partner of the Paris office, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Karim to the office. He adds major energy sector expertise to our well-established corporate team here, experience that will chime well with the work we already do in that area in IDR and other disciplines and will be attractive to many of our existing French and international clients.”

Jane Haxby, EMEA head of the Global Corporate Practice, stated:

“Africa is an important growth area for our practice and our firm. and it presents an extraordinary number of opportunities longer term for the investment in and development of energy and infrastructure assets. Able to advise France-based companies and institutions, as well as other international organisations in the sector, Karim will play a key role bridging our Paris and London operations in terms of Africa-related M&A and projects.”

Philippa Chadwick, head of the Global Infrastructure Group and a co-leader of the firm’s Africa Business Group, commented:

“We have a team in place that understands the key legal, economic and political issues that surround doing business across Africa’s diverse landscape. Karim’s arrival reinforces our burgeoning reputation as a go-to firm for Africa-based transactions and projects. Also his experience working on procurement issues and government contracts lends itself well to our public policy work in Africa, and he will be able to collaborate closely with the team in Washington DC.”

Trevor Ingle, regional head of the firm’s Energy practice for EMEA added:

“Karim has extensive experience across both renewables and conventional generation projects and will be a great asset to our team focusing on projects in the region and further afield.”

Karim Maalioun said:

“I am very excited to put my experience to use for our clients. Having had the opportunity of following the firm’s involvement in major transactions and development projects across the world, I am well aware of the team’s experience and reputation. I am looking forward to joining them and working to strengthen and expand the services we offer our clients.”