The Legal 500

Within Administrative and public law, Linklaters LLP is a second tier firm,

Linklaters LLP’s six-lawyer team frequently advises lenders on large projects, and is particularly recommended for complex matters such as privatisation issues. The group advised Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) on the merger of Transdev and Veolia Transport. Practice head Paul Lignières is ‘one of the market’s leading experts’, and shows ‘great understanding of political and commercial issues at stake’.

Within Banking and finance, Linklaters LLP is a first tier firm,

In 2011, Linklaters LLP merged its banking and project finance teams to better adapt to the market’s current needs. The 20-lawyer practice remains a leading name for acquisition finance, debt refinancing and innovative financial transactions. It advised BNP Paribas and Natixis on Dia’s €1bn financing relating to its spin-off from Carrefour and subsequent Madrid listing. Olivier Jauffret manages the team, which also includes Nathalie Hobbs and Bertrand Andriani. Arnaud Fromion joined Shearman & Sterling LLP.

Within Capital markets, Linklaters LLP is a first tier firm,

Linklaters LLP is ‘clearly among the market’s leaders for ECM transactions’, and is also highly regarded in the DCM and structured finance fields, and ‘can rely on probably the best international network’ where necessary. It is recommended for its ‘tremendous experience, its efficiency in heavy processes and its business-oriented approach’. Highlights included advising GDF Suez on the first ever 100-year euro-denominated bond issue and Michelin on its share capital increase. Philippe Herbelin, ‘a reference in both the domestic and international equity field’, heads the 26-lawyer practice. In the ECM area, Séverin Robillard is an ‘excellent and very sharp lawyer with strong experience’, and Luis Roth provides US law expertise. Gilles Endréo is an authority in the DCM space where he heads the team, and Bertrand Andriani leads on structured finance. Cenzi Gargaro maintains a very broad practice and is also recommended.

Within Commercial litigation , Linklaters LLP is a second tier firm,

Linklaters LLP’s practice is recommended for its ‘availability, responsiveness and knowledge of the legal environment applying to investment banks’. Arnaud de La Cotardière is ‘a very experienced litigator pursuing a pragmatic approach to legal issues’. The firm advises leading companies and financial institutions in complex matters, most notably M&A-related litigation.

Within International arbitration Other recommended firms

Within Stock market litigation, Linklaters LLP is a first tier firm,

Linklaters LLP mainly represents financial institutions, and Arnaud de La Cotardière is recommended.

Within White-collar crime, Linklaters LLP is a second tier firm,

Linklaters LLP provides ‘good results, rigour; a combative approach’. ‘Homme de confiance’ Kiril Bougartchev is well connected and has strong know-how in the financial field. He is handling sensitive cases for leading companies.

Within EU competition and distribution, Linklaters LLP is a first tier firm,

Linklaters LLP’s 18-lawyer practice is of ‘exceptional quality’. The group is led by the outstanding Olivier d’Ormesson, Anne Wachsmann and Pierre Zelenko, a partner whose ‘high legal competence and permanent dedication to clients’ are remarkable. The firm advises on landmark merger control, antitrust and state aid cases at EU and national levels. It obtained a phase II clearance advising long-term client Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations on Transdev and Veolia Transport’s merger and is representing Air France in appealing the European Commission’s decision in a major cartel case.

Within Employment Other recommended firms

Within Environment Other recommended firms

Within Insolvency, Linklaters LLP is a second tier firm,

Linklaters LLP’s ‘very good team’ is led by Aymar de Mauléon de Bruyères and also includes Cécile Dupoux. This comprehensive practice’s recent instructions include representing PricewaterhouseCoopers as Lehman UK Real Estate’s administrator in the Cœur Défense case.

Within Legal market overview,

The market’s elite are French firms Bredin Prat, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier, De Pardieu Brocas Maffei A.A.R.P.I and Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.; British firms Allen & Overy LLP, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Linklaters LLP; and US firms Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, White & Case LLP and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

Within Mergers and acquisitions, Linklaters LLP is a second tier firm,

Linklaters LLP’s ‘excellent’ and ‘reliable’ team of 50 lawyers advises leading French companies and international corporations on strategic transactions, such as GDF Suez’s takeover of International Power. Practice head Fabrice de la Morandière is recommended along with Marc Loy, Thierry Riguet, Pierre Tourres, Bruno Derieux and Alain Garnier, who is praised for his ‘business acumen and willingness to find creative solutions to intricate problems’.

Within Private equity, Linklaters LLP is a first tier firm,

Linklaters LLP advised on most of the market’s landmark transactions in 2011, including advising CVC Capital on its investment in Delachaux. Fabrice de la Morandière, Vincent Ponsonnaille and David Swinburne are leading figures in the area.

Within Energy Energy

Within Project finance, Linklaters LLP is a first tier firm,

Linklaters LLP provides ‘a very high level of service’ and a strong ‘capability to identify issues and propose solutions to conclude a deal’. The 19-lawyer team is led by Bertrand Andriani, who is ‘one of the market’s most experienced lawyers’ and valued for his ‘combination of technical advice and personal authority’. Other key figures include Simon Ratledge; François April, who has ‘strong experience in the renewables field’; and Paul Lignières, who is among ‘the market’s best public law experts’. The practice frequently represents lenders on large mandates. It is also advising on key transport projects in France, including acting for Réseau Ferré de France on the South Europe Atlantic high-speed railway project.

Within Real estate, Linklaters LLP is a second tier firm,

Françoise Maigrot heads Linklaters LLP’s eight-lawyer practice, which advises investors and corporate occupiers on sales, acquisitions, and leasing. The team had a busy year assisting Beacon Capital Partners with various transactions including the sale of the Europe Avenue building. Medica and Invesco Real Estate are also clients.

Within Tax, Linklaters LLP is a second tier firm,

Linklaters LLP’s six-lawyer practice has outstanding expertise in taxation relating to M&A, capital markets and finance. The ‘very impressive’ Edouard Chapellier heads the team, and counsel Thomas Perrot is ‘a responsive lawyer, very knowledgeable on all financial tax matters’.