Khalifeh & Partners has been awarded the prestigious title of National Law Firm of the Year (Jordan) at the IFLR1000 Middle East Awards 2018, held on 17 October at the Burj Al Arab, Dubai. The awards recognize the most innovative legal work undertaken across the region over the past year, spanning six categories and honoring the firms and teams behind them.

This recognition follows several years of consistent Tier 1 rankings for Khalifeh & Partners by all major legal directories, including Chambers & Partners, IFLR1000, and The Legal 500.

The firm was distinguished for its leading roles across numerous high-profile transactions, including:

• Acting on the USD 1.4 billion Attarat Um Ghudran Oil Shale-Fired Power Plant project;
• Advising on the sale of a 52% equity stake in Jordan Ice and Aerated Water Company (Pepsi Jordan) to CIB Investments SPC Limited;
• Representing ADP in its acquisition of shares in Airport International Group (AIG).

In addition to its corporate and finance work, Khalifeh & Partners was also recognized for its pioneering role in sports and entertainment law in Jordan, including the successful submission of multiple appeals before the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA.

The firm also contributed legal insight to the Energy Charter Secretariat, advising on investment barriers and regulatory risks in Jordan’s energy sector—a contribution that supports the Kingdom’s accession to the Energy Charter Treaty, the only binding international framework for cross-border cooperation in the energy industry.

“We are honored to be the recipient of such an award,” says Managing Partner Ala’ Khalifeh. “Khalifeh & Partners always strives to provide the most comprehensive and efficient advice to our clients, and our lawyers receive cross-sector training and experience so that they are able to think critically and innovatively about every transaction. This award speaks to the dedication and diligence of our team, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Gratitude to K&P’s clients was expressed by Partner Khaldoun Nazer, who says:
“The trust of K&P’s longstanding clients has led us to the top of the legal market in Jordan. We will continue to provide our clients with the excellent services they deserve as we strive to understand their business needs and provide them with tailored legal advice.”

Iyad Hamarneh, Partner and Head of Litigation, added:
“In every corporation, there are several factors that provide a foundation for success. We at Khalifeh & Partners are blessed and proud to have a dedicated and hardworking team who spare no effort and work closely together to establish and maintain the firm’s excellent reputation. Without this team, we could not have won this award. For each one of you, thank you very much for this achievement.”

Khalifeh & Partners extends its sincere thanks to its clients and partners in Jordan and internationally for their continued trust and collaboration, and congratulates all fellow winners recognized at this year’s IFLR Middle East Awards.

In 2019, Khalifeh & Partners acted for Al Arabi Investment Group “AB Invest”, the Investment Manager of the Jordanian Banks’ SME Investment Fund, in connection with four strategic equity investments in targeted Jordanian companies across key sectors.

In December 2019, Khalifeh & Partners advised on the Fund’s acquisition of a 26% stake in the Eye Specialty Hospital, the first hospital in Jordan dedicated solely to ophthalmology. The team advising on this transaction included Khaldoun Nazer (Partner), Noor Abu Al Samid (Senior Associate), and Saed Obeidat (Junior Associate).

Earlier in 2019, the Fund acquired a 36.4% stake in ATICO Fakhreldin Group, a prominent hospitality holding company in Jordan. Khalifeh & Partners served as legal counsel on the transaction, which involved both a share transfer and a share subscription. The team advising on this matter included Khaldoun Nazer (Partner), Dana Mubaidien (Senior Associate), and Mera Alamat (Junior Associate).

The same K&P team also advised on the Fund’s acquisition of a 46% equity stake in Japanese Flavor Co., a limited liability hybrid food chain, through a capital raise at the company level.

In July 2019, Khaldoun Nazer (Partner) and Siwar Saket (Associate) acted as legal counsel to AB Invest and the Fund on the investment in a 35.63% equity stake in International Company for Outsourcing Services (“Crystel”), a Jordanian multilingual contact centre.

“Working with Khaldoun and the K&P team has been an absolute pleasure,” says Jameel Anz, Head of the Jordanian Banks’ SME Investment Fund.
“The level of commitment and unwavering support we have received from them played a key role in a swift and successful closing of these investments. We will most certainly be engaging K&P in more transactions going forward.”

Khalifeh & Partners continues to advise AB Invest and the Jordanian Banks’ SME Investment Fund on their investment activity across Jordan, supporting the growth of the local SME ecosystem and contributing to broader market development.

Jordan is rapidly positioning itself as a regional hub for renewable energy, driven by regulatory reform, investor interest, and the Kingdom’s strategic commitment to sustainability.

In January 2017, the EDAMA Association for Energy, Water and Environment, in partnership with USAID, released the first-ever Jordan Clean Technology Sector Report, identifying renewable energy and energy efficiency as the most mature clean technology sectors in the country. The report also highlighted future opportunities in hydropower and biogas.

Momentum in the sector has continued to build. In a recent milestone, His Majesty King Abdullah II presided over the launch of 12 photovoltaic power plants that are expected to contribute an additional 200 MW to the national grid. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) has also invited expressions of interest for the development of a major utility-scale battery storage facility in the Ma’an governorate — one of the largest of its kind in the region — with phased commissioning scheduled through 2020.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s first commercial wind farm in Tafila recently marked its first anniversary of successful operations.

“The wind farm project in Tafila has laid the foundation for the government to achieve its goal of diversifying energy sources. Since the launch of this project, we’ve advised numerous developers, lenders, and EPC contractors in connection with a number of solar and wind projects,” said Ala’ Khalifeh, (Managing Partner) at Khalifeh & Partners.

Active renewable energy developments are now underway in Ma’an, Fujeij, El Quweira, Mafraq, and Aqaba, supported by a mix of domestic and international financiers, including the International Finance Corporation, ACWA Power, and the European Investment Bank.

Regulatory Landscape

Recent legislative changes — notably the Regulation for Organizing Non-Jordanian Investments No. 77 — have eased restrictions on foreign ownership, making Jordan a more attractive jurisdiction for clean energy investment. In parallel, the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Law (REEEL) provides robust support through long-term PPAs, tax and customs exemptions, and dedicated government incentives.

Jordan has committed to deriving 10% of its total energy mix from renewables by 2020, with continued growth expected beyond that target.

Private Sector and Employment Impact

According to EDAMA, 82% of companies active in the clean energy sector are Jordanian-owned, employing nearly 13,000 individuals — 72% of whom are engineers or technicians. The geographical spread of renewable projects also supports job creation in rural areas, improving local economies and social outcomes.

The sector’s growth has driven the expansion of university-level programs focused on energy engineering, environmental management, and water resource planning, building a talent pipeline for long-term industry development.