A&O Shearman Strengthens Its Casablanca Office with New Partner Appointment
A&O Shearman has announced the promotion of Nathalie Zanardo to partner in its Casablanca office, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s commitment to expanding its mergers and acquisitions (M&A) practice across Morocco and Sub-Saharan Africa. With over four years of experience at A&O Shearman and its predecessor firm Allen & Overy, Zanardo has developed a robust practice specializing in domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, foreign investments, and private equity, focusing on sectors such as energy, healthcare, financial services, infrastructure, and education.
During her tenure, Zanardo has successfully navigated complex M&A deals for both listed and non-listed companies, as well as spearheading greenfield projects and joint ventures across a variety of legal frameworks and jurisdictions. Her impressive portfolio includes collaborations with notable clients such as Tana Africa Capital, Saham, Amethis, and Sanlam, demonstrating her capacity to manage high-profile and intricate transactions.
Prior to her role at A&O Shearman, Zanardo honed her legal expertise at Clifford Chance and Gide Loyrette Nouel, bringing nearly 14 years of cumulative experience in the legal sector to her new position. Hicham Naciri, managing partner of the Casablanca office, praised Zanardo for her technical proficiency, strong relationships with clients, and unwavering dedication to navigating complex legal challenges. He emphasized that her promotion not only reflects her personal achievements but also signifies the ongoing growth of A&O Shearman’s M&A practice and the firm’s expanding presence in critical markets across Africa.
It is worth noting that A&O Shearman’s Casablanca office is currently the firm’s sole operational base in Africa, especially following the closure of its Johannesburg office in 2024, which resulted in the departure of 14 lawyers to Bowmans. This strategic move underscores the firm’s focus on consolidating its resources and expertise in key African markets, particularly in light of the recent merger between Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling.
As reported by africanlawbusiness.com.
