Kerim Uster
Kerim Uster, a French‑Turkish lawyer admitted to the Paris Bar, advises corporations, investors, and public or private entities on complex business law, international contracts, and dispute resolution matters in France and abroad, with a particular focus on Africa.
His expertise stems from a dual legal background — French law and African legal systems, especially within the OHADA framework. Based in Paris, he assists French and international clients in the structuring of investments, strategic partnerships, and infrastructure projects, contributing for over a decade to major economic and industrial initiatives across Africa in areas such as energy, natural resources, and value‑chain development.
He has taken part in transactions and disputes spanning more than 90 countries, often coordinating cross‑border legal teams. He regularly advises on Turkish and European investments in France and Africa, promoting stronger links between Francophone and Turkophone economies.
In addition to his practice, he serves as the Paris representative of the Energy Disputes Arbitration Center (EDAC), while independently representing clients in international arbitration proceedings, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
A regular contributor to French and Turkish legal media, he writes on international law, arbitration, and tripartite economic cooperation among France, Turkey, and Africa. Before founding Uster Law in 2021, he worked with leading international law firms in Paris, London, and Geneva.
Formation
- Bachelor of Laws — Université Paris Nanterre
- Business Law Master — Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- LL.M. — London School of Economics
- International Law Master — Graduate Institute de Genève, summa cum laude
Advisory and strategic support to Turkish and foreign investors – France & Africa
France
— Strategic advisory
Advising Turkish investors — major groups in the energy, telecommunications, industry, real estate, hospitality, retail, luxury, and services sectors — on the structuring and implementation of their projects in France, including establishment, contractual arrangements, strategic partnerships, and legal compliance.
— Structuring and project execution in France
Comprehensive legal counsel throughout every phase of Turkish investment projects in France: company formation, contract drafting, strategic alliances, and regulatory and corporate compliance for local and cross‑border operations.
— Litigation and international arbitration
Representation of Turkish companies before French courts and in international arbitration proceedings, including before the ICC in Paris, in major disputes within the industrial, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Afrique
— Investment project development
Advising Turkish investors on the structuring and development of investment projects in Francophone Africa, particularly within the OHADA area, covering the financing, construction and commissioning of plants (textile, agro‑industry, processing), photovoltaic and hybrid power plants, as well as mining, healthcare and agricultural projects.
— Contractual frameworks and legal security
Assistance with the creation of local entities, and the drafting and negotiation of investment agreements, concession contracts, mining conventions, PPAs, EPC and O&M contracts, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements, security packages and financing documentation.
— Litigation and international arbitration
Representation in litigation and international arbitration (ICC and other institutions), in cooperation with partner law firms across several African jurisdictions.
Advisory on structuring and implementation of major international projects – Africa
— Strategic Project Financing in Africa
Advising investors, sponsors, and financial institutions on infrastructure, energy (solar, gas, hybrid), mining, telecoms, agriculture, textile, and value chain projects. Investment structuring and negotiation of key contracts (PPA, EPC, O&M, financing, securities).
— Selected Project References (non-exhaustive)
- Guinea: Bauxite-alumina project (€3.3B) — State negotiations, project companies, permits, rail/port infrastructure, PPA/EPC/O&M/financing documentation.
- Morocco: Noor Midelt — Counsel to European financial institutions on solar project financing (MASEN).
- Cameroon: Kribi gas power plant — Sponsor assistance on project financing and documentation.
— Geographic Scope of Interventions
Advising on projects across most of Africa’s 54 jurisdictions, with particular focus on Francophone Africa: Guinea, Morocco, Cameroon, DRC, Mauritania, Djibouti, Senegal, CAR, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Chad.
International commercial litigation and arbitration – Africa & Worldwide
— Commercial Litigation
Representation and assistance in commercial and economic disputes in France and Africa, related to industrial, mining, energy or infrastructure projects, in coordination with local counsel.
— International Arbitration
Participation in international arbitration proceedings (ICC and other institutions) for disputes involving private investors, state-owned companies and African States, concerning investment contracts, concessions, mining conventions, PPA, EPC and financial guarantees.
— Recognition and Enforcement
Recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards in France and Africa, ensuring the effectiveness of international decisions in complex transnational contexts.
Contact
Pour toute demande de consultation ou d'information, n'hésitez pas à nous contacter.
ADRESSE
47 rue Rémy Dumoncel, 75014 Paris, France
