S.horowits_Logo

Chen Zaefen

Partner

  • Print
הורדת vCard vCard
About
Core Capabilities
Education
Admission

Adv. Chen Zaefen is a partner in S. Horowitz’s Dispute Resolution Practice Group, advising international and domestic companies, municipal authorities, and government companies on complex civil and commercial matters.

Chen’s practice spans the entire range of Israeli courts, with particular emphasis on contract law, administrative law, environmental law, and class actions.

Drawing from his academic background in both law and economics, Chen brings a comprehensive approach to complex legal challenges. His international Ivy League experience at Columbia Law School and his work with Haifa University enhance his ability to provide thorough, well-researched legal solutions.

Core Capabilities

  • Administrative and Environmental Law: Advising international and local companies, municipal authorities, and government entities on regulatory compliance, administrative proceedings , and environmental permits, with expertise gained from Columbia Law School’s Environmental Law Clinic and extensive experience before Israeli administrative courts.
  • Class Actions & Recall Regulation: Defending corporations against consumer protection class actions, product liability claims, and recall-related litigation, with comprehensive understanding of Israeli class action procedures and regulatory compliance requirements affecting domestic and international companies.
  • Enforcement of foreign judgments: Assisting international clients including foreign government entities, in the recognition and enforcement of foreign court decisions in Israel, advising on reciprocity requirements, jurisdictional challenges, and public policy considerations, and representing clients before Israeli courts to secure effective enforcement of judgments across a wide range of legal and commercial matters.
  • Commercial Litigation: Representing clients in complex commercial disputes, contract law matters, and business conflicts across all levels of Israeli courts, drawing on academic background in economics to provide strategic counsel in high-stakes commercial litigation
  • Real Estate and Land Use Disputes: Managing sophisticated real estate litigation, land rights conflicts, planning disputes, and zoning challenges for developers, , and corporate clients.
  • Arbitration: Advocating for clients in domestic and international commercial arbitration proceedings, with experience in complex multi-party disputes involving contract, real estate, and commercial matters, leveraging dual bar admission in Israel and New York.

Education

  • Columbia Law School, Columbia University, LL.M., Magna cum laude – James Kent scholar, 2020
  • Haifa University, LL.B., cum laude, Dean’s List, 2012
  • Haifa University, B.A. in Economics, cum laude, 2012

Admission

  • USA – New York Bar, 2021
  • Israel Bar, 2013

Contact

+972.3.5670876

chen.zaefen@s-horowitz.com

Expertise

Dispute Resolution
Environment

Languages

Hebrew, English

Chen Zaefen

Contact

+972.3.5670876

chen.zaefen@s-horowitz.com

Expertise

Dispute Resolution
Environment
Administrative law judicial review
Arbitration and Mediation
Class Actions
View more >

Languages

Hebrew, English

News & Insights:

Access our legal insights, thought leadership and expert analysis

Articles

Israel’s Merger Control, Explained in the Merger Control Law Guide for 2026 of the Global Legal Post
The Global Legal Post’s Merger Control Law Guide for 2026: Israel and 29 other jurisdictions.
Read

Updates

Online Marketplace Liability for Copyright Infringement: Lessons from Shein v. Temu
Shein’s loss to Temu reminds brand owners to verify copyright ownership before removing competitors’ content from marketplaces, and when platforms may be liable for third-party content.
Read

News

Victory: Ponevezh Yeshiva Arbitration Ruling Upheld by Court
The District Court upheld the arbitration ruling in the dispute over Ponevezh Yeshiva, in which we represented the yeshiva and Rabbi Eliezer Kahaneman.
Read

Articles

Legal 500: Artificial Intelligence Comparative Guide – Israel Chapter
S. Horowitz authored the Israel chapter of the Legal 500 AI Comparative Guide – covering key AI legal and regulatory developments in Israel.
Read

News

AI Is a Tool, Not a Source of Authority: An Interview with Amit Steinman of S. Horowitz
Amit Steinman, Managing Partner at S. Horowitz: AI is a tool, not a source of authority.
Read

Updates

Beyond Stablecoins: Is Israel Rethinking Its Financial Infrastructure?
Israel’s new Legislative Memorandum sets out a licensing regime for stablecoin issuers – what it means for the market.
Read

Updates

Taxation of Secondary Transactions and Income Spreading for Option-Derived Income
Israel Tax Authority guidance on secondary sale transactions and a new position paper on income spreading for employee options.
Read

Articles

Public Procurement in Israel: Tender Rules, Exemptions and Legal Remedies
Israel’s Mandatory Tenders Law governs public contract awards, exemptions and legal challenges for all public bodies.
Read

Updates

When AI Creates Music and Content: Practical Lessons from the German Court’s Decision
Munich court rules Suno’s AI music infringed copyright, a critical signal for all generative AI content use.
Read

Articles

Construction Disputes in Israel: Arbitration Reform, Time Bars and Emerging Risks
Israel’s construction boom brings rising disputes and a modernized arbitration framework.
Read

Updates

A New Draft Bill Seeks to Regulate the Stablecoin Market in Israel
Israel takes a significant step toward regulating the digital assets sector with a draft bill introducing a comprehensive framework for the licensing, issuance, and reserve backing of stablecoins.
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – JULY 2026
S. Horowitz’s July 2026 Tax Newsflash covers assessment amendment duties, the Buyer’s Price Supreme Court appeal, and the Aliyah tax circular.
Read

Articles

When Artificial Intelligence Meets Documentary Truth: Creation, Reconstruction and Viewer Trust
AI is reshaping documentary filmmaking, raising urgent questions on copyright, consent and deepfakes.
Read

Articles

Israel-India Bilateral Investment Agreement Enters Into Force
A new agreement for the promotion and protection of investments between Israel and India grants broad protections to investors of both States.
Read

Articles

Israel M&A 2026: S. Horowitz’s Chapter in the Law Over Borders Global M&A Guide
S. Horowitz’s chapter on Israel in the Law Over Borders: Global M&A Guide for 2026 covers market trends, deal structures, and key focal points shaping Israeli M&A.
Read

Updates

Healthcare Patents in the Age of AI: AI Is Not a Magic Word for Patent Eligibility
Read

Articles

Israeli Construction Law: A Comprehensive Legal Guide
Partner Benjamin Sheffer and Advocate Of Counsel Lance Blumenthal from S. Horowitz, provide a full legal overview of Israeli construction law.
Read

Updates

Israel’s Supreme Court Signals a Shift on Class Action Costs
No doctrinal change yet, but Israel’s Supreme Court signals that class action cost orders may need to bite harder in weak cases.
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – JUNE 2026
S. Horowitz’s June 2026 Tax Newsflash covers Israeli tax residency, hi-tech tax credits, and VAT relief for funds. Read more »
Read

News

S. Horowitz Advises Menrav on NIS 630M Urban Renewal Project in Givatayim
S. Horowitz represented Menrav Group in signing a NIS 630 million urban renewal agreement in Givatayim.
Read

Articles

Israel Energy & Infrastructure M&A 2025: Benny Sheffer & Lance Blumenthal Review in Chambers Global Practice Guides
Benny Sheffer and Lance Blumenthal’s review of Israel’s energy and infrastructure M&A market: steady — and positioned for rebound.
Read

News

Adv. Sarit Arieli Ben Simchon Joins S. Horowitz as Partner
Adv. Sarit Arieli Ben Simchon joins S. Horowitz as partner, bringing 20+ years in planning, construction, and real estate.
Read

Articles

When a Cancellation Notice Is Not Enough: Israeli Court Sharpens Airlines’ Passenger-Choice Duties
A new Israeli appellate ruling: airlines must actively present passengers with their choice between refund and rebooking.
Read

Articles

Israeli Supreme Court: Airlines Must Proactively Offer Refund or Alternative Flight – or Risk Exemplary Damages
A new Supreme Court precedent: airlines must actively offer cancelled-flight passengers a choice between a refund and an alternative flight.
Read

Updates

Japan’s Intellectual Property Strategic Program 2026 – Protecting Creativity and Innovation in the Generative AI Era
Adv. Ran Vogel reviews Japan’s IP Strategic Program 2026 and its implications for AI companies and rights holders.
Read

Articles

Israel’s 8-Hour Rule: When Rebooking Is Not Cancellation
When disruption does not amount to cancellation under Israeli law
Read

News

Sarit Arieli Ben Simchon: “Jerusalem Must Build Within Itself Without Losing Its Identity”
After 22 years in public service, Jerusalem’s planning appeals chair reflects on the city’s impossible contradictions.
Read

Articles

Copyright Law and Generative AI: Who Owns the Work When the Machine Creates?
When generative AI writes, paints, and composes – who is the author? Dr. Eyal Brook examines the copyright subject.
Read

News

After years of working at key decision-making junctions, Sarit Arieli Ben Simchon joins S. Horowitz as a partner.
After 20+ years in planning, construction, and administrative law, Sarit Arieli Ben Simchon joins S. Horowitz as partner.
Read

Updates

The Israel Competition Authority Publishes Draft Extensions of Key Block Exemptions for Public Consultation
The Israel Competition Authority has published draft extensions of key “block exemptions” for public consultation.
Read

News

TAX NEWSFLASH – MAY 2026
Our May 2026 Tax Newsflash is here! Draft regulations introduce increased compensation for businesses suffering indirect damage during Operation “Roaring Lion”—four alternative compensation tracks up to NIS 5 million. Plus: Draft Pillar Two regulations anchor Safe Harbour mechanisms in Israeli
Read

News

Proposed Law Would Bind IDF Tech Graduates to Israeli Tax Residency for a Decade
Adv. Lior Nouman on a proposed bill that would require IDF tech unit graduates to maintain Israeli tax residency for ten years.
Read

Updates

Court Invalidates Patent Protection Order on Eliquis® – The Path to Generic Apixaban Opens
Generic apixaban in Israel: The Court invalidated the patent term extension on Eliquis, following revocation of the parallel UK patent.
Read

Articles

Insurance disputes in Israel: key legal insights
Insurance disputes in Israel: disclosure obligations, policy interpretation, limitation periods and more, with insight into emerging risks.
Read

Updates

When Does Documentary Footage Cross the Line? A U.S. Court Rules on Fair Use
A recent U.S. decision offers useful guidance on the use of short archival clips in documentary works – creating some room for content creators.
Read

Updates

Israel Competition Authority Publishes Draft Merger Guidelines for Public Consultation 
Israel Competition Authority Publishes Draft Merger Guidelines for Public Consultation.
Read

News

TAX NEWSFLASH – APRIL 2026
Groundbreaking decision: Tel Aviv District Court accepts motion for reversal of burden of proof in tax appeal.
Read

Podcasts

Purchase Tax on Mehir LaMishtaken: Leor Nouman & Guy Wertheim on HaHazit HaIronit Podcast
Adv. Leor Nouman and Guy Wertheim explain on the HaHazit HaIronit podcast how they overturned purchase tax on Mehir LaMishtaken
Listen

Updates

Employer Deposits into Individual Policies to Secure Future Employee Severance Grants
A recent ruling changes the tax treatment of employer severance policy deposits, affecting compensation structures across Israel.
Read

Updates

TAX FLASH – February 2026
Quick update on the lates tax news, rulings and circulars – from undeclared capital to Teva’s tax witholding.
Read

Articles

AI-Assisted Coding: Innovation, Intellectual Property and Hidden Risks
AI coding tools are bringing speed and efficiency, but also urgent questions about copyright, ownership and licensing.
Read

Uncategorized

Wartime Tax Relief: Deferred Deadlines, Frozen Collections and Compensation
Wartime tax relief: deferred filings, frozen collections and a fast-track for war damage compensation.

Updates

Trademarks, the ELVIS Act, and the Fight Against Voice Cloning
When AI clones human voices, copyright law falls short. Trademarks and the ELVIS Act offer a new layer of protection for the human voice.
Read

Updates

Deepfake and Election Campaign Law
The Supreme Court: political free speech does not include the “freedom to fabricate reality”.
Read

Articles

AI & Copyright: Dr. Eyal Brook on Creativity, IP, and the Digital Age
Dr. Brook explores AI’s challenge to copyright law and authorship in a newly published US law journal article on AI and creative rights.
Read

Updates

From Loving Grace to Adolescence: Amodei’s Evolving Vision
Anthropic’s CEO outlines AI’s transformative potential and its gravest dangers. A must-read for legal and regulatory professionals.
Read

Updates

Multibot: The AI-Only Social Network and the Question of Consciousness
Multibot’s Bot Society: AI Agents, Digital Consciousness & Regulation
Read

Updates

Munich: Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Works
Dr. Eyal Brrok reviews the Munich AI copyright ruling, where prompts aren’t enough, and its implications for IP protection.
Read

Updates

AI Copyright Training: The UK Backs Down, the US Steps Aside
UK abandons its AI copyright opt-out model with “no preferred option.” The U.S. leaves it to the courts. S. Horowitz on what the shared uncertainty means.
Read

Articles

Banking Litigation in Israel: Sources of Law and Banks’ Core Duties
How legislation, regulation, and case law shape banking litigation in Israel and the duties banks owe their customers.
Read
For all News & Insights

Subscribe

Get the latest updates straight to your inbox

SHARE

Facebook
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print