BL & Associés, DLA Piper Africa's exclusive partner in Algeria, has reinforced its Corporate practice with the addition of two counsel and one senior associate, effectively consolidating its 12-lawyer team in a bid to become the country's top law firm.

The firm's exclusive partnership with DLA Piper Africa gives it access to an international network of expert lawyers, including a dedicated team in Paris specialised in telecommunications, real estate, oil & gas and corporate transactions. The milestone agreement, signed in September 2013, is the first time an Algerian firm has officially collaborated with an Anglo-American global law firm, opening up new perspectives for the Algerian market.

Arezki Djadour joined BL & Associés in March of last year as counsel specialising in Corporate, M&A and project finance. Before joining BL&A, Arezki Djadour worked with the Gide Loyrette Nouel office in Algiers and in France as the head of legal affairs of the French agri-food cooperative AXEREAL.

Hicham Zaalani who joined BL & Associés as senior associate in March of last year, advises on Corporate, M&A and customs and foreign exchange matters. Admitted to the Algiers Bar, Hicham has previously worked for Gide Loyrette Nouel in Algiers from 2008 to 2014.

BL & Associés consolidates its Corporate and M&A department by recruiting Mounir Ait Belkacem, who joined the team in April 2015 as counsel. Mounir Ait Belkacem, admitted to the Paris Bar, has recognized experience in major M&A and private equity transactions. Mounir previously worked with Gide Loyrette Nouel in Algiers and Paris, as well as Proskauer and more recently Paul Hastings.

Together, they join BL & Associés' team and two founding partners, Mohamed Lanouar, a recognized expert on business transactions in Algeria who is admitted to the Paris Bar, and Fatima-Zohra Bouchemla, a recognized litigation lawyer admitted to the Algiers Bar and member of the executive committee of Algeria's main CEO forum (Forum des Chefs d’Entreprise).

Mohamed Lanouar, founding partner at BL & Associés, said: "Mounir, Arezki and Hicham are ideal for the firm, bringing the necessary expertise, motivation and ambition that will undoubtedly boost our profile in Algeria by offering the kind of expert services our clients expect. This move effectively consolidates our team at a time when we're seeing strong growth with projections to become the country's leading law firm."