The Legal 500

Founded by leading figure Jean-Pierre Boivin, Boivin & Associés is a long-established player entirely dedicated to public and environment law. The team, which also includes Manuel Pennaforte, Malik Memlouk and Frédéric Defradas, is a ‘leading reference for issues regarding registered sites’. The firm also takes on criminal environment cases (Erika, AZF). The client base is made up of many of the world’s largest oil and industrial companies.

Huglo Lepage & Associés Conseil’s Corinne Lepage and Christian Huglo have wide experience advising on all major oil-spill disaster litigations. The firm represented the local entities in the Erika case, which led to the first recognition of the environmental damage in France, confirmed once again by the Court of Appeal in 2010. The firm is a regular advisor to local public entities.

Winston & Strawn has a 20-lawyer dedicated team handling site, waste management, health and safety, and energy issues. Practice head Vincent Sol is a leading figure, while Joelle Herschtel, Carine Le Roy-Gleizes and newly promoted partner Marie-Léonie Vergnerie are also recommended. The team serves a superb client portfolio made up of large industrial companies and government entities. It leads a busy litigation practice, while also advising in the context of site acquisitions. Highlights included representing Le Havre Harbour on a feasibility study regarding the construction of a methane terminal, and advising France Telecom on several disputes over magnetic wave and antenna issues.

Adamas’ Yvan Razafindratandra is a strong firm for pollution and technology issues. The practice includes three partners and benefits from an excellent public law department. It represents leading institutions and public law entities, including the Grand Lyon and RFF.

Allen & Overy LLP’s Jean-Yves Ollier manages the environmental practice with Noël Chahid-Nouraï also playing a key role in the team. The group advises industrial clients in the context of acquisitions and divestments, and leads a busy practice in the renewable field. It also takes on waste-related work, recently assisting a recycling platform on the EU Commission’s directive proposal on Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment.

The ‘renowned’ Françoise Labrousse leads Jones Day’s six-lawyer practice, which was strengthened by recruiting of counsel David Desforges from Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.. The team represents leading industrials in environmental and safety litigations and regulatory issues in the nuclear, gas, mining and renewable sectors. It recently assisted EDF on regulatory and permit issues regarding the building of an LNG gas terminal in Dunkirk.

Environment boutique Laurence Lanoy Avocats assists multinationals, public authorities and governments. The firm has strong ‘savoir-faire’ on health and safety regulatory issues and environmental audits.

Through practice head Véronique Lagarde, Lefèvre Pelletier & associés is a growing player, the firm recently playing an active role in the environmental ‘Grenelle’ with Philippe Pelletier chairing the committee on the building plan. With a prominent client base in the property and construction sector, the team specialises in advising on green construction, green lease and renewable projects. Public law expert Olivier Ortega was instructed to assist on the construction of a photovoltaic plant by the Communauté d’Agglomération de Montpellier.

Savin Martinet Associés is an ‘excellent and very active’ firm for pollution, natural resources and industrial risk-related work. Patricia Martin and Yvon Martinet also conduct environmental audits.

UGGC & Associés has a ‘very reactive practice’ led by Jean-Nicolas Clément, who demonstrates ‘in-depth knowledge of environment, urban planning and mining law’. The range of expertise also covers the energy, sustainable development, oil and gas and nuclear fields.