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

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

News

TAX NEWSFLASH – APRIL 2026

Our April 2026 Tax Newsflash is here! Groundbreaking decision: Tel Aviv District Court accepts motion for reversal of burden of proof in tax appeal—unreasoned assessment requires tax assessor to present evidence first. Plus: Supreme Court ruling in Conduit case—dividends from
Read

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

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

Read

Updates

From Loving Grace to Adolescence: Amodei’s Evolving Vision

Read

Updates

Multibot: The AI-Only Social Network and the Question of Consciousness

Multibot’s Bot Society: AI Agents, Digital Consciousness & Regulation
Read

Uncategorized

Munich: Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Works

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

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – JANUARY 2026

Our January 2026 Tax Newsflash is here! The Arrangements Law continues: new reporting duty for online platforms (Airbnb) on short-term apartment rentals, comprehensive regulation for taxation of digital assets (crypto), and new reportable positions from the Israel Tax Authority.
Read

News

Tax Advise to the New HNW

Recent mega-deals have created a new wave of Israeli millionaires. In a Calcalist interview, Leor Nouman, Partner and Head of Tax at S. Horowitz, shares crucial advice: strategic timing can save high-net-worth individuals tens of percentage points in taxes.
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – DECEMBER 2025

Our December 2025 Tax Newsflash is here! Israel’s 2026 Arrangements Law brings dramatic changes: property tax returns after 25 years on vacant land, new tax exemptions for immigrants earning income in Israel, special banking sector taxation, and major Pillar Two
Read

Articles

Chambers: Israel Energy & Infrastructure M&A 2025

Israeli Energy and Infrastructure M&A market – trends, shifts, and insights.
Read

Articles

Aviation Law: Israel

Israel’s aviation sector navigates wartime challenges with legislative amendments. New laws exempt airlines from compensation during conflict periods while courts balance passenger rights with security realities, reshaping aviation liability.
Read

Articles

Understanding the Belt & Road Initiative and its impact in Israel

Partner Gilad Katz and Adv. Lance Blumenthal explore Israel’s strategic role in the Belt and Road Initiative in CDR’s latest edition. The chapter examines major infrastructure projects, Israel’s new arbitration law, and how regulatory developments position the country as a
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – NOVEMBER 2025

Our November 2025 Tax Newsflash is here! Israel’s Tax Authority introduces major changes for 2026: new immigrants must now report foreign assets and income, ending 15+ years of exemption. New rules also target “wallet companies” with stricter taxation on undistributed
Read

Updates

Taxation of Stock Options for Employees Who Became Israeli Residents

The Tax Authority issued new guidance on taxation of foreign stock options for employees who became Israeli residents. Two beneficial tracks are now available: taxation under Section 3(i) with potential income spreading over 6 years, or conversion to Section 102
Read

Updates

Rethinking Transaction Structures

Why do Israeli M&A deals favor share purchases over asset deals? While asset purchases offer liability protection and simpler integration, seller tax concerns drive the preference. But for cross-border deals with post-closing restructuring plans, asset purchases may actually be smarter.
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – OCTOBER 2025

Don’t miss our latest insights on (1) the final opportunity for tax benefit in asset transfers to shareholders, (2) new ITA circulars on undistributed profits, and (3) Israel’s draft bill for Pillar Two implementation.
Read

Updates

Did Your Israeli Partner Go Bankrupt? Here’s What You Need to Know

Israeli insolvency trustees can override contracts and jurisdiction clauses. File proof of debt promptly or lose all rights to recovery from your Israeli partner.
Read

Updates

From Patents That Save Lives to Patents That Save the Planet: AIPPI’s Landmark Resolution on Compulsory Licensing

AIPPI’s Resolution extends emergency patent measures to climate tech while preserving innovation incentives through fair compensation, strict limits, and robust safeguards for patentees.
Read

Updates

Authorship’s Future: AIPPI’s 2025 Resolution and AI-Era Copyright

As courts and creators grapple with defining human vs. AI authorship, AIPPI’s 2025 Resolution offers a clear framework on AI & Copyright—addressing data use, liability, transparency, and AI-generated works to guide the next era of copyright law.
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – AUGUST 2025

Are you prepared for significant Israeli tax changes?
Read

Updates

Legal Expenses’ Duties in Israeli Liability Insurance Law: A Landmark Supreme Court Ruling

One of the recurring and often complex issues in Israeli liability insurance law concerns the extent of the insurer’s obligation to cover legal expenses and, more particularly, what qualifies as “reasonable legal costs” that an insurer must cover.
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – JULY 2025

On 2 July 2025, a Memorandum of Law for Amendment of the Income Tax Ordinance (Residency of an Individual), 5785-2025 was published for public comment (“the Memorandum of Law”).
Read

Updates

Multi-Party Computation (MPC) Wallets and the Evolving Regulatory Landscape in the United States

As the digital asset market continues to mature, U.S. regulators have begun taking meaningful steps to establish more consistent, uniform and supportive regulatory frameworks specifically tailored for the crypto industry.
Read

Updates

Code of Practice for General-Purpose AI Models Adopted: What You Need to Know Now

On 10 July 2025, the European Commission received the final version of the Code of Practice for General-Purpose AI Models (GPAI).
Read

Updates

Reverse Solicitation under MiCA: Navigating the Complexities

Reverse solicitation is a well-known concept in financial services in several jurisdictions around the world.
Read

Updates

Intellectual Property in Insolvency Proceedings

In insolvency, knowing the true value of a startup’s intellectual property is crucial—it often defines whether the business can be revived, sold, or lost entirely.
Read

Updates

Israel Enhances Reliance Policy – Medical Devices May Be Registered Based on Foreign Regulatory Authorities’ Approvals

The Israeli Ministry of Health has published a draft amendment to the Medical Device Regulations (Registration and Renewal of Medical Devices in the Registry and its Renewal), which formally and legislatively anchors the ongoing reform of the medical device registration
Read

Updates

S. Horowitz is Proud to Unveil its New Branding

Our mission is clear: to be the best, for our clients.
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – JUNE 2025

Following the outbreak of the “Rising Lion Operation” (the War) and given the security situation in which the country finds itself, the Israel Tax Authority (ITA) published a series of significant easements concerning the deadlines for reporting and the payment
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – MAY 2025

Eilat resident or temporary visitor? A new ruling hones the criteria for application of the VAT exemption on service providers in Eilat.
Read

Updates

Copyrighted Works and Training AI Models: The U.S. Copyright Office’s Position

The U.S. Copyright Office published a groundbreaking, non-binding, pre-publication report examining whether using copyrighted works to train generative AI models falls within “fair use.
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – APRIL 2025

Publication of income tax circular – liquidation and the transfer of assets to shareholders under the temporary provision.
Read

Updates

AI in Finance: Navigating the Revolution in Israel’s Financial Sector

In recent years, the financial industry has undergone a significant revolution with the widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
Read

Updates

Employee Stock Options – Mechanism for Accelerating the Vesting Period

On 11 March 2025, the ITA published a position paper on the subject of acceleration of the vesting period for employee share options upon the occurrence of an exit event or flotation of shares (“the Position Paper”). We believe this
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – MARCH 2025

On 27 February 2025, the Israel Tax Authority (“the ITA”) published a draft Circular for public comments on the attribution of income to R&D centres. This Circular, to the extent it becomes binding, is expected to have considerable importance for
Read

Updates

U.S. Court: Copyright Protection Requires a Human Author

Thaler v. Perlmutter: The court affirmed that under the Copyright Act, only a human can be recognized as the “author” of a work
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – February 2025

In recent years there has been an increased use of investment agreements styled as SAFE (a Simple Agreement for Future Equity) as a means for raising capital in start-ups both quickly and efficiently.
Read

Updates

Update to Procedure No. 6 of the Ministry of Health – A Breakthrough in Pharmacovigilance Policy?

The Department of Risk Management and Medicinal Information at the Israeli Ministry of Health has published, for the public comments, a draft update to procedure No. 6, titled “Reporting of Adverse Events and New Safety Information”.
Read

Updates

Israel’s New AML Directives for Payments

Non-bank payment service providers operating in Israel, such as issuers of payment instruments, payment transaction acquirers, payment account managers, and payment initiators, are subject to regulatory requirements.
Read

Articles

Lexology: Class Actions in Israel

We are proud to share a comprehensive new article published in the prestigious Lexology magazine by Partner Adv. Uriel Prinz and Adv. Adi Shlomo from our Litigation department, focusing on Class Actions in Israel.
Read

Updates

TAX NEWSFLASH – DECEMBER 2024

After a steadfast struggle with the ministry of finance. An agreed upon compromise is apparent following which amendment of the law for the taxation of “locked in profits” may be narrowed dramatically.
Read

Articles

U.S. Court Overrules Tornado Cash Sanctions

On November 26, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (the “Court”) ruled that the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) exceeded its authority by sanctioning the crypto mixer Tornado Cash.
Read

Updates

Limit Your Expectations to Get Around the Statute of Limitation

A dispute between two pharmaceutical manufacturers gave rise to an important ruling by the Supreme Court on key issues with respect to Israeli statute of limitation (C.A, 5474/18 Unipharm Ltd. v. Glaxo SmitkKline p.l.c (18.6.2024).
Read
For all News & Insights

Position Application

Subscribe

Get the latest updates straight to your inbox

SHARE

Facebook
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print