Banking & Finance: France

THE FIRM This 13-partner banking and finance department is active on a broad spectrum of matters, with peers highlighting its skill in securitisation, derivatives and leveraged finance work. The team's client portfolio includes Natixis, Société Générale and BNP Paribas. On the corporate finance side, the lawyers recently advised Lactalis on the financing of the acquisition of Parmalat and the refinancing of its existing indebtedness, a mandate valued at EUR7.5 billion. It also acted for the arrangers on the refinancing of the existing indebtedness of the Tereos Group. 

Sources say: “One of the best securitisation teams in Paris – truly excellent.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Eric Cartier-Millon is acknowledged by commentators as a leading light in the banking arena, with an “incontestable top-notch positioning.” He recently advised the private equity fund Eurazeo on the financing of the Europcar group, a cross-border project spanning Spain, Italy and Germany.

Kamel Ben Salah heads the structured finance and acquisition finance groups, and has substantial expertise in LBOs and takeover bids. He splits his time between the Paris and Tunis offices.

THE FIRM The sizeable banking and finance practice at this international heavyweight covers the full range of issues, advising borrowers, lenders and other financial operators on acquisition finance, LBOs, real estate finance and asset finance. The team works closely with its London colleagues, and frequently handles major cross-border projects. Clients appreciate the seamless service provided on mandates requiring cross-departmental input.

Sources say: “An excellent top-tier team.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nathalie Hobbs is a standout name in the banking and finance field and has led the team on high-profile mandates, such as advising France Telecom on a EUR6 billion syndicated facility.

Bertrand Andriani has long experience and a formidable market reputation. His practice covers leveraged and structured financing and derivatives products.

THE FIRM Clients admire this three-partner banking team's acquisition finance capabilities, and peers note its strong rapport with French banks and lenders. It regularly acts for top-flight names such as BNP Paribas, RBS and HSBC. Recently, the group acted on the formation of the highly publicised first double LuxCo structure. It also advised Catalyst Capital on the acquisition of French property Front Park, sold by Cambridge Place Investment for EUR90 million.

Sources say: “A go-to team for acquisition and leveraged finance.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees identify "excellent, creative" Gilles Peigney as a leading name for acquisition and leveraged finance. 

Sources appreciate Raphael Richard's dynamic style and “top-notch client service.” 

THE FIRM The large banking and finance group at this magic circle firm excels on cross-border deals, drawing upon the firm's international network. It covers a broad range of matters, including acquisition and leveraged finance, asset and property finance, refinancing, structured products and receivables finance. It recently advised PAI partners on obtaining a EUR287 million loan for the acquisition of CERBA European Lab.

Sources say: "An authority when it comes to acting for banks.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Roderic Cork is a “great banking lawyer,” say peers. He recently advised Sodexho on its EUR600 million and USD800 million multicurrency revolving credit facility.

Sources highlight Adrian Mellor as an excellent team player whose in-depth familiarity with the English legal system is invaluable on cross-border deals. He has been extremely busy recently leading major deals, including advice to PAI partners on the CERBA European Lab deal.

Carine Chassol recently led the team advising the banks on the EUR6 billion syndicated revolving credit facility granted to France Telecom.

Clients describe Christophe Jacquemin as an “excellent transactional lawyer with impressive negotiation skills.” He recently assisted Israel Discount Bank with the acquisition financing of BP's retail fuels and convenience business in France by Delek Europe.

Younger but well-respected lawyer Julien Roux was involved in several of the team's major deals recently, including advice to Deutsche Bank on the pan-European financing of 34 light industrial properties in France, Holland and Belgium.

THE FIRM This seven-partner team covers project finance, structured finance, regulatory cases and fund lending work, and continues to shine in acquisition finance. The client portfolio includes a string of prestigious names from the financial world such as Goldman Sachs International, RBS and BNP Paribas. Key work highlights include advising Berlin Hyp and Landesbank Berlin on the refinancing of properties in Paris and London owned by MEAG.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Specialising in loan markets work, Laurent Mabilat recently led the team advising a consortium of banks including BNP Paribas and Bank of Ireland on the EUR275 million senior debt facilities relating to Giannoni France's acquisition by Dossen Investissements.

Diane Sénéchal's practice encompasses LBOs and strategic acquisitions, acting for lenders, borrowers and sponsors.

Peers speak highly of James Collis' finance expertise. He advises on general banking law mandates and his clients include creditors, agents, trustees and borrowers.

THE FIRM The formidable banking and finance team at this magic circle firm wins praise from peers for its visibility in the French market, and handles the full array of finance matters. Recent mandates include advising Credit Suisse and Nomura on the financing of the acquisition of CEP by JC Flowers, a deal valued at EUR545 million.

Sources say: “This team has been present on some particularly significant deals of late, especially in the leveraged finance field."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Praised for his leveraged finance expertise, Thierry Arachtingi recently led the team advising Bank of Ireland and Citi on the financing of the acquisition of Webhelp by Charterhouse.

THE FIRM This acclaimed banking and finance group regularly advises national and international financial players, insurance companies and public sector bodies. The team is traditionally renowned for its property finance work, and draws upon this strength for many mandates involving key international property operators.

Sources say: “The go-to lawyers for mid-cap deals in Paris.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources single out Emmanuel Fatôme as “one of the most prestigious real estate financing specialists in Paris.”

Christophe Gaillard wins ample praise, particularly for his formidable reputation in the domestic market. Clients appreciate his presence on quality mid-cap deals and his comprehensive understanding of the banking world.

Jean-Renaud Cazali represents banks and other financial institutions in domestic and cross-border deals, and has particular expertise in the renewable energy sector.

Antoine Maffei is particularly active in the asset finance arena. 

THE FIRM This five-partner practice has a strong reputation for leveraged finance, acquisition finance, real estate finance, asset finance and project finance. It is active in a wide range of sectors, including renewable energy, and clients highlight its prowess on aviation finance matters. The team represents major names such as Goldman Sachs, Nomura, TAT Group and Eurohypo.

Sources say: “This team benefits from the firm's valuable international network and is excellent on cross-border finance deals.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Etienne Gentil “is very hands-on, really gets to know his clients, and works quickly,” say interviewees. He also wins praise for his constructive negotiation skills, excellent drafting, international awareness and superb English language abilities. 

Interviewees admire Xavier Farde as a determined defender of his clients' interests, with a "valuable global vision of what the stakes are in a deal, and strong technical knowledge." 

THE FIRM This large banking and finance group is particularly well known for its asset finance knowledge, but also has a strong reputation for its work in other finance areas. Recent highlights include advising Attijariwafa Bank on the Islamic finance issues relating to the establishment of Dar Assafaa, its Moroccan banking subsidiary.

Sources say: “Highly recommended for asset finance-related deals.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner George Paterson is “one of the best asset finance lawyers around,” sources say. He recently led the team advising ECGD and various French banks on financings made available to China Southern Airlines, combining several French tax leasing structures.

"Very hard-working" Martin Gdanski has recently been active on structured finance transactions, including rail and telecoms financing deals.

THE FIRM This team is active on a range of banking work, including structuring debt packages, LBOs, asset finance, and real estate finance. The group's client list includes BNP Paribas and Citibank, and it has noteworthy experience of working with several African financial players. A recent high-profile mandate was advising Chaabi Bank on the introduction of retail banking products under Shari'a law in France.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources admire Jacques Bertran de Balanda's technical prowess. He recently led the team advising HSBC France on the refinancing of an aerospace multicurrency revolving credit facility, valued at EUR1 billion.

Régis Oréal is an expert in debt restructuring and regularly advises French and European banks on property finance and renewable energy financings.

THE FIRM This six-partner banking and finance team has maintained a healthy level of activity, with particular strength in real estate financing, leveraged finance and securitisation. Clients appreciate the team's global vision and business-savvy approach. It recently advised Pragma Capital on the financing aspects of the acquisition of the Euro GPH Group. Other clients include Natixis and MACIF.

Sources say: “This team is a valuable one-stop shop for all finance-related work, and displays impressive co-ordination skills on cross-border deals.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Jean-Philippe Lambert attracts positive feedback for his property financing acumen. He led the team advising CBRE on the restructuring of an existing securitised debt of EUR1.5 billion.

Commentators admire Jean-Pierre Lee for his comprehensive overview of the banking world. He led advice to GE Capital on the implementation of a trade receivables securitisation valued at EUR300 million.

The widely respected Matthieu de Varax brings his renowned asset finance expertise to the group.

THE FIRM This ten-partner banking and finance team stands out for real estate finance and asset finance, but also has a solid reputation for corporate finance, acquisition finance and syndicated loans. In a banking litigation mandate, the practice represented a group of European banks in a class action before the European Free Trade Association for the purpose of challenging the Icelandic government's handling of the financial crisis.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers hail Jean-Marc Zampa as “a robust asset finance lawyer with valuable understanding of the shipping sector.”

Sources identify Hervé Kensicher as a go-to name for real estate finance work.

Admitted to practice in both New York and Paris, Diane de Moüy focuses on project finance and asset finance.

THE FIRM This banking and finance team wins praise for its work in securitisation, leveraged finance, real estate finance and restructuring. Recent transactions include advising Blackstone and Vitalia on the refinancing of the acquisition debt of the Vitalia group. Commentators are keen to see how the firm progresses following the retirement of partner Jean-Luc Michaud.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Emmanuel Ringeval recently joined Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP from Weil, Gotshal & Manges. He is best known for his work on leveraged finance and cross-border finance.  

THE FIRM This banking and finance practice is popular with banks, and has been active lately on a range of deals, representing domestic and international players in the field. It counts the French state authorities within its client list and recently advised the French Republic on a EUR700 million construction financing and bond facility.

Sources say: “An excellent choice for cross-border banking mandates." "This team is constantly available to its clients.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frederic Gros represents investment funds, sponsors and major borrowers. He receives glowing praise from clients, who describe him as "super-capable, very available, detail-oriented and an excellent negotiator," and praise his "in-depth knowledge and strong commercial awareness."

THE FIRM This finance team represents arrangers, borrowers and investors in a variety of matters, including leveraged finance, real estate finance, and energy project finance. Its client portfolio includes BNP Paribas, Natixis and SNS Property Finance. It recently advised Société Générale on the project financing for the construction, operation and development of three wind farms in various locations in France.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients affirm that department head Pierre-Nicolas Ferrand is "both legally and commercially minded. He goes straight to the nub of an issue quickly and is also very available."

Clients recommend Arnaud Fromion for mid and large-cap deals, and say that he is a pleasure to work with. 

THE FIRM This international firm enters the rankings on the back of strong client feedback. It represents prominent clients names such as BNP Paribas and Société Générale, and has particular strength in shipping finance and renewable energy-related deals. It recently advised German bank LBBW on the structuring and financing of a EUR29.7 million wind farm portfolio in France.

Sources say: "It manages tense negotiations well and has a very helpful international network."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The main point of contact is Laurence Martinez-Bellet.

THE FIRM The banking and finance practice at this US firm has a solid reputation in the market, receiving particular mention for its work on behalf of funds and borrowers. The team wins praise for its strong client service and effective use of the firm's international network on cross-border deals.  

Sources say: "It's very practical and demystifies the legal market. It also has a broad international footprint, which is essential for us."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Banking heavyweight Olivier Jauffret focuses on property financings, LBO acquisition financings and syndicated loans