Bird & Bird appoints Salma Bedraoui Idrissi as new partner in Casablanca

With 11 years’ experience advising on some of the most prestigious and market leading transactions in Morocco, Salma joins Bird & Bird from Norton Rose Fulbright specialising in M&A transactions, corporate matters and projects. She works closely with leading Moroccan businesses as well as international corporations on their investments, operations and expansion projects in Morocco and North Africa across various sectors, including agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. Salma started her practice at Jeantet, a leading independent French business law firm in Casablanca, and is registered with the Casablanca bar.

Her appointment is a key part of Bird & Bird’s strategy in Africa: To continue to grow the firm's footprint and build closer relationships with clients across the continent. Salma will work closely with associates dedicated to the Casablanca office, Stan Andreassen and Zineb Tajmouati, and will focus on growing the team’s capabilities on corporate projects in Morocco and French-speaking Africa.

Following the launch of the office in June 2020, the Africa team provides legal advice both to African and international clients who wish to invest or develop on the continent.

Boris Martor and Gildas Louvel, lead partners of Bird & Bird’s office in Casablanca say: ‘We are thrilled that Salma has joined Bird & Bird in Casablanca. Two years after the launch of the Casablanca office, our activities have proved very successful, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Salma is a key player in the Africa market and will continue to nurture our close relationships with clients and grow our Corporate capabilities across the continent, as well as with our international clients investing in Africa.’

Alberto Salvadè and Matt Bonass, co-heads of Bird & Bird’s international Corporate practice add: ‘As the M&A market continues to build momentum, Salma’s extensive experience advising Moroccan businesses and international corporations on transactions and corporate projects will help bolster our Corporate practice across Africa, as well as our international network. Welcome to the team, Salma!’

Salma says: ‘’I’m excited to be joining an internationally reputable law firm such as Bird & Bird. The firm will provide me with an ideal platform to advise my Moroccan, international and Africa-based clients on challenging M&A transactions and corporate matters. I look forward to working together with my colleagues across the Bird & Bird network over the coming months.’