Meitar Law Offices

Meitar Law Offices
Name	Meitar Law Offices
Founded	1950s
Headquarters	Tel Aviv
Num offices	Multiple
Num attorneys	Large
Practice areas	Corporate, Commercial, Litigation, Intellectual Property, Tax, Real Estate
Key people	Senior partners

Meitar Law Offices is an Israeli law firm headquartered in Tel Aviv that advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, startups, and government-related entities on complex transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters. The firm operates in sectors including technology, life sciences, energy, infrastructure, and finance, and participates in cross-border matters involving European Union, United States, United Kingdom, and Asian jurisdictions. Meitar is known for its work on mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, banking arrangements, and intellectual property disputes.

History

Founded in the mid-20th century during the formative decades of the State of Israel, the firm has developed alongside institutions such as the Knesset, Bank of Israel, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and major Israeli universities like Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University. Its growth paralleled the expansion of Israeli industries linked to entities such as Intel, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Amdocs, Check Point Software Technologies, and Mobileye. The firm advised on landmark transactions occurring in eras marked by events like the Yom Kippur War, the Oslo Accords, and the rise of the Silicon Wadi ecosystem, connecting with international partners in jurisdictions such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, and India.

Practice Areas

The firm's corporate group handles matters involving mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings on venues including the NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange, and cross-border financing tied to lenders such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Deutsche Bank. Its litigation and dispute resolution team engages with panels and tribunals like the Israeli Supreme Court, the Tel Aviv District Court, and international arbitration forums including the International Chamber of Commerce and London Court of International Arbitration. The intellectual property group litigates matters concerning patents and trademarks registered with organizations such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the European Patent Office. Tax, regulatory, antitrust and employment practices interact with bodies such as the Israeli Tax Authority, the European Commission, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Competition Authority (Israel).

Notable Cases and Clients

Clients have spanned technology companies like Intel Corporation, Google, Microsoft, Apple Inc., Amazon (company), and startups that evolved into unicorns such as Wix.com and Waze. The firm has advised pharmaceutical and biotech clients including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Pfizer, and venture-backed firms linked to Yeda Research and Development Company and hospital systems such as Sheba Medical Center. Financial sector engagements include work for banks and insurers such as Bank Hapoalim, Leumi Bank, HSBC, and global investment funds like BlackRock and Carlyle Group. Notable transactions include cross-border acquisitions involving entities from Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and Canada, and capital markets mandates tied to sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors including Qatar Investment Authority and Temasek.

Rankings and Recognition

The firm has appeared in rankings published by directories and organizations such as Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, IFLR1000, Bloomberg, and Euromoney. Partners have been recognized by awards from institutions like Who's Who Legal, IBA (International Bar Association), and national Israeli honors tied to legal education at Bar-Ilan University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Practice groups have been cited in reports covering sectors highlighted by entities such as PwC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and KPMG.

Organization and Leadership

The firm is organized into practice groups and sector teams reflecting areas tied to clients such as Start-Up Nation Central, Israel Innovation Authority, and multinational corporate boards. Leadership has included senior partners who maintain relationships with academic institutions like Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and policy forums such as the Israel Democracy Institute and industry associations including the Israel Manufacturers Association. The firm’s governance aligns with professional standards promoted by bodies such as the Israel Bar Association and interacts with international networks including the International Bar Association and regional chambers like the American Chamber of Commerce in Israel.

Offices and International Presence

Headquartered in Tel Aviv, the firm maintains affiliations and correspondent relationships with law firms across continents including offices in major markets such as New York City, London, Frankfurt, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Toronto. Cross-border work frequently involves partners and counsel with ties to courts and institutions such as the United States Court of Appeals, the European Court of Justice, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and arbitration venues like the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Community Involvement and Pro Bono Work

The firm participates in pro bono matters and community initiatives in partnership with organizations such as Legal Aid, non-governmental organizations like B'Tselem, health centers including Rambam Health Care Campus, and educational institutions such as Bar-Ilan University and Tel Aviv University. Pro bono representation has covered civil rights, immigration, and nonprofit governance issues involving collaborations with entities like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and local social service providers.

Category:Law firms of Israel