Toufic Safie

Managing associate

Toufic is the leading managing associate within the Middle East corporate, M&A and commercial team, with a reputation as one of the most well-regarded legal practitioners in the region.

He has significant experience in complex corporate and commercial transactions including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures as well as new build projects and sale and purchase of vessels.   Having worked with many leading players throughout the maritime supply chain he has gained the recognition as a trusted advisor to both businesses and highly prominent individuals within the maritime sector.

Toufic advises on sale and purchase transactions of superyachts, involving both regional and international parties, he combines between regional industry practice and international standards and offers a commercial approach when advising on such transactions.  He is also involved in complex joint venture transactions relating to the financing and operation of vessels of various types and purposes.

As a result of Toufic's standing in the market he is ranked as a “Rising Star” by The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 Guide, where clients have praised him for being a, “a very hard worker and is very helpful to find compromises in negotiations."   He works closely with clients to understand their objectives and provide tailored solutions to meet their specific needs.

Owing to his significant experience operating in the Middle East region and in other major maritime and superyacht hub markets around the world - Greece, France, and UK - he operates with a unique international commercial outlook, whereby he is able to provide his clients with a unique blend of cross-border expertise with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the nuances relevant to the Middle East market.  It is for this reason clients have also commended him for being, "very diplomatic during contractual discussions."

Toufic's fluency in English, Arabic, and French enables him to provide legal services to a diverse range of clients, including those operating in multi-jurisdictional environments. Throughout his career he has worked lived and worked in the UAE, Lebanon, Oman, Greece, France, and the UK.