Norton Rose Fulbright > Paris, France > Firm Profile
Norton Rose Fulbright Offices
PARISEIGHT
40 RUE DE COURCELLES
75008 PARIS
France
Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings
France > Aviation finance Tier 1
Praised for its ‘incredible industry knowledge’, Norton Rose Fulbright remains a leading outfit in aviation finance, where the firm covers the full range of matters including regulatory matters and new financing structures. Financial institutions, operating lessors and airlines regularly turn to the practice to handle cross-border transactions and day-to-day operations. George Paterson
heads the team and is noted for his experience acting for banks and export credit agencies as well as airlines in a wide array of financing matters. Insurance supported financings, syndicated lending and tax-based structures are amongst the competencies of counsel Sébastien Allain. Alex Wass is a further key partner in the practice, while Marc Hamilton moved to the firm’s Dubai office in 2023. Practice head(s):
George Paterson
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very good efficiency and communication. Perfect work.’
‘Flexible, deep market knowledge, excellent interpersonal skills.’
‘The team has incredible industry knowledge. They are always ready to give advice and go the extra mile. The team is also very client friendly and it’s a please to work with them on a daily basis.’
‘Sebastien Allain is very practical and always finds a solution, even in tough spots. His ability to present complex issues in a simple manner is a core competence of the team.’
Key clients
CACIB
Société Générale
Toronto Dominion Bank
BNP Paribas
JP Morgan
Bank of America
Citibank
UKEF
Euler Hermes
BPI France
Natixis
Export Development Canada
Crédit Industriel et Commercial
Work highlights
- Advised the Airbus ECAs and Société Générale in the financing of ten A321neo Aircraft for Pegasus Airlines.
- Advised Natixis on the Balthazar-supported limited recourse financing of 3 A220-300s to Goal/KGAL on lease to Air Baltic.
- Advised Société Générale on a sustainability-linked loan to Air France for the financing of one A350 aircraft.
France > Compliance Tier 1
Norton Rose Fulbright boasts ‘excellent expertise’ across a range of mandates, from business ethics, fraud prevention and anti-corruption to human rights, sanctions and export controls, compliance integrity programmes, whistleblowing and internal and government-led investigations, among others. Key sectors of expertise include financial services, energy, healthcare, transport and technology. Praised as ‘one of the top compliance lawyers in Europe’, Christian Dargham leads the team and has considerable experience in matters concerning business ethics, in addition to internal investigations. Solène Sfoggia, who advises on anti-corruption, human rights and fraud prevention matters, is another key contact in the group. Practice head(s):
Christian Dargham
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Christian Dargham is one of the top compliance lawyers in Europe, with impressive capabilities to analyse risks.’
‘Excellent expertise.’
‘Christian Dargham is a star in this space.’
‘Great availability and excellent responsiveness.’
‘Christian Dargham’s advice is pragmatic.’
‘In-depth and practical knowledge of the implementation of the Sapin II law.’
‘Availability, accuracy and precision. I also appreciated the pragmatism of the recommendations. The team demonstrates real expertise, coupled with empathy, and this makes NRF a partner of choice.’
‘Christian Dargham stands out for his attentiveness and availability, his humanity and rigour.’
France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1
The ‘excellent team‘ at Norton Rose Fulbright keeps on top of developments in the market such as corporate PPAs, hydrogen and e-mobility batteries. The unit is well placed to leverage its project finance experience, construction capability and regulatory prowess to handle major projects in Francophone Africa. Anne Lapierre frequently wins plaudits for her renewable energy procurement expertise. She co-heads the practice alongside project development expert Arnaud Bélisaire and Simon Cudennec, whose energy projects practice focuses on projects in Africa. The firm’s domestic and international client base includes industry players, investment funds and government entities. Practice head(s):
Anne Lapierre; Arnaud Bélisaire; Simon Cudennec
Other key lawyers:
Véronique Bruel; Ismael Sinaceur; Pierrick Ferrero; Mehdi Ait-Said
Testimonials
‘The energy team has a real advantage through its size and the specialist lawyers who are exclusively dedicated to energy.’
‘Anne Lapierre has perfect knowledge of the issues and stakeholders.’
‘Arnaud Bélisaire can adapt to any type of project.’
‘Ismaël Sinaceur stands out for his rigour and ability to deliver.’
‘Excellent team in the energy field.’
‘Arnaud Bélisaire is an excellent lawyer. Always available and brings innovative ideas to negotiations.’
‘Great advisers with depth of knowhow and commercial and legal understanding.’
Key clients
Total Energies
ENGIE
Shell
INELFE SAS (RTE and REE)
Treis Partners Advisory Limited
African Development Bank (AFDB)
BpiFrance and Auxifip
Infinity
Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production
Investindustrial Investment Holding Sarl
Energy Infrastructure Partners
TDF
L’Oréal Fund for Nature Regeneration represented by Mirova
Proparco
STOA
Swedfund
Tullow Oil Plc
CNOOC
TTR Energy
BPCE SA
Work highlights
- Advised EIP Race Renewables 2 Holdings Sarl in relation to the acquisition of a 30% stake in Boralex, which operates a portfolio of renewable projects in France with a total capacity of 1,055 MW.
- Advising the lenders on a senior financing of circa €174.3m arranged by the African Development Bank for the development of a hydropower production project in Côte d’Ivoire.
- Advised on the financing by Bpifrance of the construction of the Kernebet wind farm, which is made up of four turbines with a total capacity of 8.6MW.
France > Shipping finance Tier 1
The global shipping practice at Norton Rose Fulbright collaborates with insurance companies, ship owners, and banks, offering comprehensive services to the cruise and ferry, industrial shipping, and offshore energy sectors. Led by banking lawyer and export credit financing expert Christine Ezcutari, the team specialises in high-value finance and leasing deals, complex restructurings, ship sales, acquisitions, and charter transactions. It also handles regulatory, antitrust, corporate, and dispute matters as part of its broader services. Ayaka Millet brings expertise in French law and international financing transactions, including export financing, infrastructure, and acquisition finance.Practice head(s):
Christine Ezcutari
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Crédit Agricole CIB
ABN Amro Bank N.V.
UniCredit Bank AG
The Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited
Citibank N.A.
Société Générale
Work highlights
- Advising Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, ABN Amro Bank N.V. and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB on a French tax lease financing of five LNG vessels for JP Morgan Global Transport Income Fund.
- Advised Crédit Agricole CIB on a financing under a French tax lease scheme of four service operation vessels for Acta Marine France.
- Advised UniCredit Bank AG and the Export-Import Bank of China on a sinosure-covered financing of four Ro-pax vessels currently under construction at Guangzhou Shipyard International Company in China.
France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2
Marta Giner-Asins leads the team at Norton Rose Fulbright, which advises a diverse client base of biological laboratories, healthcare providers, and international pharma companies. The group handles a number of mandates, including drug market access and pricing, and anti-gift-related matters relating to hospital partnerships. Giner-Asins is noted for her antitrust expertise, having represented numerous pharma companies before both French and European competition Authorities, and in dawn raids. Technology and IP specialist Nadège Martin is noted for her expertise in the creation of health data lakes, in addition to regulatory compliance with CNIL standards, while Christian Dargham handles product liability disputes and investigations. Marion Roquette-Pfister left the firm in early 2024. Practice head(s):
Marta Giner-Asins
Other key lawyers:
Christian Dargham; Karine Montagut; Nadège Martin
Testimonials
‘The team is relentless in their dedication to their clients. Diverse teams, provided their services with care and were pragmatic.’
Key clients
Pfizer
Sanofi
Abbott
Medtronic
SYNLAB
Ramsay Santé
Embecta
Work highlights
- Advised Ramsay Santé as to the eligibility of the debts to be assigned by a pool of circa 50 entities of the group Ramsay Santé for an amount of circa EUR 150m held on the French Health Authorities as part of the COVID-19 revenues compensation scheme put in place by the French Government for the benefit of private acute care groups to such assignment for financing purposes to a private bank (Natixis).
- Assisted PFIZER France in the negotiations with the French public authorities for the implementation of a new legal system for the marketing, pricing and reimbursement of gene therapies in France.
- Advised SYNLAB, an international leading group of biological laboratories, in the context of negotiations with the French Social Security Agency regarding invoicing controls and we especially assisted them in drafting a transactional protocol with the French Health Insurance.
France > Industry focus: IT and internet Tier 2
Norton Rose Fulbright offers a full range of services in the IT and internet field, with a focus on transactions, data protection and cybersecurity. Catering to major international clients, the firm has recently moved into the area of soft IP in order to consolidate its existing software-related practice. The group is led by Nadège Martin, capably assisted by Geoffroy Coulouvrat.Practice head(s):
Nadège Martin
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Creativity, excellent knowledge of the IT sector.’
Key clients
Megaport
Morgan Stanley
BNP Paribas and affiliates
Suez
Crédit du Maroc
Pfizer
Beaumanoir
Work highlights
- Represented a company specialised in environmental services in a dispute related to the failure of a strategic global IT project.
- Advised a financial institution on the acquisition of a piece of land in the Sandbox metaverse, in the form of an NFT.
- Advised an insurance company on a project aimed at designing a disruptive artificial intelligence platform to support distributors of insurance services worldwide.
France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 3
Norton Rose Fulbright's financial regulatory group is closely integrated with the firm's derivatives practice and is led by Roberto Cristofolini, who divides his time between Paris and Casablanca, and Sébastien Praicheux. The group acts for major French and international banks, asset management companies, insurance groups and corporate companies. Its workload includes advising on European regulations, assistance with regulatory licensing and passporting, and anti-money laundering requirements, among other matters.Practice head(s):
Roberto Cristofolini; Sébastien Praicheux
Other key lawyers:
Célestine Barthout
Testimonials
‘A smooth processing of files.’
‘An efficient, available, responsive and very competent team.’
‘Sébastien Praicheux stands out for his listening skills, his professionalism, his experience and his technical skills. ’
‘Very rich and in-depth experience of the regulatory banking framework. A team of experts on requests for approval from the ACPR.’
‘Roberto Cristofolini has exceptional experience in regulatory matters coupled with a methodical and thoughtful approach.’
‘Team is very attentive to the context and needs of its customers, pragmatic and business oriented advice with excellent knowledge of regulations.’
‘Sébastien Praicheux and Célestine Barthout: know how to adapt to their clients, understand their requirements. They have a very great mastery of their subject, a very great expertise but do not hesitate to ask their colleagues when the subject is beyond their competence. They know how to create a real relationship of trust.’
‘Roberto Cristofolini – a very good specialist in banking regulation.’
Key clients
Crédit Industriel et Commercial (CIC)
Crédit Agricole S.A
Cardif
BNP Paribas Group
La Diversité du Cinéma Français
Société Générale S.A.
Cardif Vita S.p.A.
Work highlights
- Advising CIC on regulatory aspects of derivatives, repurchase and securities lending agreement.
- Advising French and international insurance group Cardif, subsidiary of BNP Paribas, on regulatory aspects of derivatives and repurchase transactions and documentation.
- Advising Diversité du Cinéma Français, issuer of tokens dedicated to financing movies.
France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 3
Norton Rose Fulbright is a strong name in the asset finance field, particularly among leading banks undertaking deals in the transport, project and commodity trading areas, including in relation to Africa. The hiring of the highly regarded Kamel Ben Salah, formerly with Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I., added property finance expertise to its offering. The team also regularly advises banks on the granting of credit facilities to major corporations and handles some acquisition finance work. The team is headed by transport asset finance specialist Christine Ezcutari. Other key names in the team include Alexandre Roth and Janet Butterworth.Practice head(s):
Christine Ezcutari
Other key lawyers:
Alexandre Roth; Kamel Ben Salah; Janet Butterworth
Testimonials
‘The Paris office is very well qualified, especially in the field of international financing transactions with BPIAE coverage, and gives clear advice’.
‘Alexandre Roth has excellent knowledge concerning BPIAE loan coverage and LMA based loan documentation.’
‘Alexandre Roth is very responsive and supportive.’
Key clients
HSBC CONTINENTAL EUROPE
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
Bpifrance Assurance Export
BNP Paribas
Oikocredit international
Natixis Corporate and Investment Bank
MUFG bank
Gunvor SA
Triodos
Mercuria Energy Trading SA
CA Indosuez (Switzerland) SA
Work highlights
- Advised HSBC CONTINENTAL EUROPE, BNP PARIBAS, LCL, BECM, SOCFIM on the refinancing of an existing bank debt amounting to €444m and the partial financing of general corporate needs of the borrowers (including SLL-compliant capex works) amounting to €30m.
- Advised HSBC as lender on a committed guarantee facility to Alstom Holdings.
- Advised Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank with respect to the financing and subsequent syndication of 100 electric buses manufactured by BYD Europe BV to be operated by Nobina Finland, with a guarantee by Nobina AB in Sweden.
France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3
Compliance and strategy relating to privacy and security risk management, local and cross-border issues connected with sensitive business data, and the handling of data security incidents are core pillars of Norton Rose Fulbright‘s data privacy and data protection offering. Nadège Martin heads up the team. Her broad practice encompasses expertise in data sharing agreements and data export solutions. Geoffroy Coulouvrat receives frequent plaudits for his handling of major cyber incidents.Practice head(s):
Nadège Martin
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team stands out for its agility, efficiency and innovation.’
‘The team gives practical advice.’
‘Great personal skills and a good assessment of the risks.’
‘We have a very good relationship with this multidisciplinary team. Very accessible, relevant and workable answers.’
‘Nadège Martin stands out for her listening skills, rapid handling of issues, and relevant, practical analyses.’
Key clients
Schneider Electric
Pfizer
Beaumanoir
TotalEnergies
Work highlights
- Assisted on a privacy impact assessment for a company specialised in the consumer market in respect of the profiling activities of its customers’ various interactions with the brands of the group.
- Assisted a UK provider of software as a medical device on the launch of its HCP and patient portal and application in France, and advised on the applicable requirements under data protection and public health regulations.
- Assisted companies from various industry sectors (including technology, insurance and energy management) with the management of data breaches resulting from the cyber attack that exploited the MOVEit vulnerability.
France > Insurance Tier 3
Under the leadership of Bénédicte Denis, Norton Rose Fulbright has a robust corporate and regulatory offering in the insurance sphere, with experience of handling cross-border mandates alongside its international offices. Core areas of expertise include advising leading French and international insurers and reinsurers on M&A and joint ventures, as well as reinsurance matters, the distribution of insurance products and policy reviews.Practice head(s):
Bénédicte Denis
Other key lawyers:
Christian Dargham; Simon Lazzari
Testimonials
‘This is a team with an excellent understanding of the insurance market and its regulatory landscape. They are truly experts in (re)insurance regulation and understand the regulators in Europe well.’
‘Individuals with excellent expertise. Legal work product is clear, well organized and easy to tailor for a lay audience.’
Key clients
Allianz, Allianz Africa, Allianz Partners
Covéa
AXA Partners
Bridgepoint
Europ Assistance
AIG
AmTrust
CCR Re
La Mondiale Europartner
BNP Paribas Cardif
France > Tax Tier 3
The tax team at Norton Rose Fulbright is well regarded for its tax structuring advice for M&A and private equity transactions, restructurings and financings. In addition, it assists clients with the structuring of large assets, including mortgaged and distressed debts. Key industry sectors the team focuses on include real estate, financial services, private client, energy, transport and technology. Practice head Antoine Colonna d’Istriais highly regarded in the field. Mathieu Jung is an active member of the practice.
Practice head(s):
Antoine Colonna d’Istria
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR)
Société Générale
BNP Paribas
Crédit Agricole CIB
Natixis
TotalEnergies SE
123 IM/Sandaya
Kerry Group Plc
Icen Risk
Sequens
Blue Orange Capital
Telamon
Work highlights
- Advising Kerry Group plc on the sale of its sweet ingredients business to IRCA.
- Advising Icen Risk on the insurance of various tax risks.
France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 4
Representing major French and international clients in the pharmaceuticals, energy, food and beverages, and financial sectors, Norton Rose Fulbright demonstrates strength in cartel investigations and litigation before the French and European courts and competition authorities. The team also handles merger control notifications (including to the Moroccan Competition Council) and advising on distribution and compliance issues. An expert in the life sciences sector, Marta Giner Asins leads both the French and Moroccan competition teams.Practice head(s):
Marta Giner Asins
Other key lawyers:
Arnaud Sanz; Michel Pflieger
Testimonials
‘The team is professional, pleasant and collaborative.’
‘Very competent, available and agile. They know when to involve the different members of the team depending on the different stages of a file, particularly in terms of seniority. Billing on a fixed price basis which allows for effective cost control. Furthermore, the involvement of each member of the team makes it possible to optimize costs.’
Key clients
Pfizer
HSBC
Sanofi
TotalEnergies
Microsoft
Yazaki
Medtronic
Moët Hennessy
Carlsberg
Roche Diagnostic
Work highlights
- Acted for HSBC before the European Court of Justice in the landmark Euribor cartel case.
- Representing Carlsberg and its French subsidiary Kronenbourg in the context of ongoing proceedings before the FCA for alleged participation in an anticompetitive agreement with numerous other companies and professional organizations not to communicate on the absence of bisphenol A (BPA) in their products.
- Assisting Microsoft’s EMEA competition law team with competition compliance issues.
France > Insolvency Tier 4
Norton Rose Fulbright's restructuring and insolvency practice offers comprehensive guidance on financial restructuring and insolvency matters, including cross-border cases and international arbitration disputes. Led by Philippe Hameau, a veteran with over 30 years of experience in litigation, the team brings a wealth of expertise from its leading partners. They have recently advised clients across diverse sectors, such as manufacturing, commodities, finance, and retail.Practice head(s):
Philippe Hameau
Other key lawyers:
Alexandre Roth; Guillaume Rudelle
Testimonials
‘Good quality of work and an excellent practice.’
Key clients
Fibre Excellence
GFG Alliance
HELIOT Europe
Société Générale
Work highlights
- Advising Paper Excellence and its subsidiary, Fibre Excellence, in the context of Fibre Excellence’s restructuring.
- Representing and assisting GFG Alliance as part of the difficulties it faced in France as a result of the bankruptcy of Greensill.
- Advising HELIOT Group as part of its bid to takeover part of the activities of the French insolvent IT company Sigfox.
France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 4
Practice head(s):
Nadège Martin
Other key lawyers:
Clément Monnet
Testimonials
‘NRF’s IP team is highly responsive with a pragmatic approach.’
‘We appreciate Clément Monnet’s responsiveness, availability and willingness to always look for pragmatic solutions.’
Key clients
Arval Service Lease SA
BNP Paribas SA
BGL BNP Paribas (Luxembourg)
Renishaw
Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)
Crédit Agricole SA
Adler Modemärkte AG
IsarCare Holding GmbH
LocalCover
Nickel (Financières des paiements électroniques)
Work highlights
- Managing the worldwide TM portfolio of BNP Paribas SA and advising and representing BNP Paribas SA for its all pre-contentious and contentious issues related to trade mark issues (FR and EU).
- Advised and represented the client Adler Modemärkte AG, a German retailer, with the enforcement of its “Adler” trade mark against a French influencer who wanted to file and use a similar trade mark to launch a new brand of clothes.
- Advised and represented the client Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), the world’s leading provider of analytics software, solutions and services, in trade mark opposition proceedings notably against the French trade mark applications FICONOT and FICODEV.
France > Project finance Tier 4
Regularly acting for financial institutions and investment funds, Norton Rose Fulbright assists clients with the full gamut of matters involving the financing, transfer and acquisition of projects. The group is jointly led by the firm’s global energy lead, Anne Lapierre; energy and infrastructure specialist Arnaud Bélisaire; and Simon Cudennec, who noted for his expertise in the financing of renewable energy projects in regions across Francophone Africa. Practice head(s):
Anne Lapierre; Arnaud Bélisaire; Simon Cudennec
Key clients
Total Energies
African Development Bank
BpiFrance
Auxifip
Africa Finance Corporation
FMO
The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund Limited
The OPEC fund for international development
Treis Partners Advisory Limited
MASEN
Work highlights
- Assisted Masen with all phases of the tender for the development and operation of a 200MWac photovoltaic power plant combined with a battery energy storage system to be built in Midelt, Morocco.
- Advised the lenders on the €174.3m senior financing of a hydro power project in Côte d’Ivoire, arranged by the African Development Bank.
- Assisted Bpifrance with financing for the construction of a wind farm in France named Kernebet developed by TTR Energy and held indirectly by Hexagon Renewable Energy.
France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 6
Norton Rose FulbrightPractice head(s):
Bénédicte Denis
Other key lawyers:
Karine Montagut; Jean-Claude Rivalland; Pierre François
Testimonials
‘A very good M&A team which has just been strengthened with the arrival of Jean-Claude Rivallan.’
‘The team is very well versed acting for international clients on French mandates.’
‘Pierre François is an assured and polished adviser. He effortlessly assures his client, both the local French team and the international team based in the UK.’
Key clients
Mann+Hummel
Crédit Mutuel
Allianz and Allianz Africa
Abeille Assurances
Comgest Global Investors
HSBC
Real Alloy
SIG PLC
Ramsay Santé
Work highlights
- Advising Mann+Hummel on the disposal of its non-filtration business to Mutares.
- Advising Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale on the cross-border reorganisation of its German corporate banking business by integrating Banque Européenne Crédit Mutuel’s German corporate business into TARGOBANK AG.
- Advising Real Alloy in the context of the disposal of their operations across the UK, Norway, Germany and France.
France > Real estate
France > Derivatives and structured finance
Tunisia > Foreign firms Tier 2
Morocco > Banking, finance and capital markets
Norton Rose Fulbright is a market leader in operations, project financing, financial restructuring, and corporate lending transactions. Alain Malek leads the Morocco and North African practice. Malek is a seasoned practitioner with a strong track record handling cross-border transactions across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, with particular expertise in the insurance, energy, and telecoms sectors. Additionally, Roberto Cristofolini specialises in banking and stock exchange law in Morocco and France and recently advised the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Morocco on the private equity funds adopted by the Council of Government.Practice head(s):
Alain Malek
Other key lawyers:
Roberto Cristofolini
Key clients
HPS
Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance
Banque Marocaine pour le Commerce et l’Industrie
Banque centrale Populaire
Société de Dessalement d’Eau d’Agadir (SEDA)
Work highlights
- Advising Hightech Payment Systems (HPS) with respect to an increase in capital reserved to managers and employees of the group, via the subscription of stock options.
- Acted with the World Bank Group (acting under its Joint Capital Markets Program – J-CAP) to advise the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Morocco on bill n°58-22 amending and supplementing law n°41-05 on private equity funds (OPCCs), adopted by the Council of Government on 8 March 2023.
- Advised Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) and Banque Marocaine pour le Commerce et l’Industrie (BMCI) on the financing of the acquisition by Helios of a majority stake in the T2S Medtech group.
Morocco > Commercial, corporate and M&A
Norton Rose Fulbright‘s Casablanca office has particular strength within the infrastructure, transport, telecoms, and construction sectors. Notably, the firm also has a strong antitrust and compliance practice. Co-leading the team is Alain Malek, based in Casablanca, whose expertise is reflected in his high-profile clients. Malek is currently advising the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Digital Economy in an investment agreement with several Chinese construction corporations. Working alongside Malek is practice co-head Roberto Cristofolini, who focuses on corporate law and finance.Practice head(s):
Alain Malek; Roberto Cristofolini
Testimonials
‘The team has a very pragmatic, business-oriented approach. They have a very good knowledge of local practice and the expectations of the local competition authority. ’
‘The team delivered results on time, and they were very thorough in the details ’
‘Easy to access, very responsive.’
Key clients
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Digital Economy
Group Cimat
Brookfield Corporation
Wafa Assurance
KPMG France
KPMG International
Stellantis
BNP Paribas (BNPP)
Credit Agricole Consumer Finance (CACF)
Santander
Cameco Corporation
Work highlights
- Advising Brookfield and Cameco Corporation in the filing of their joint acquisition of Westinghouse Electric Company with the Moroccan competition council; this transaction is international in scope and relates to the nuclear energy sector.
- Advised Wafa Assurance in the context of the sale by Crédit Agricole SA of its 10% stake in Crédit du Maroc to Holmarcom.
- Provided legal assistance in the first cartel investigation launched by the Morocco Competition Council.
United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending)
Advising on the full range of conventional and Shariah-compliant financing deals, Norton Rose Fulbright regularly acts for some of the largest regional banks and financial providers, and show notable proficiency in real estate, logistics and energy. Practice head Mohammed Paracha is a competent cross border adviser whose recent work highlights include financings for major property, hospitality, residential and office space developments, while Nicholas Robinson is a key figure for both regional and international banks and possesses a wide portfolio of work. Robin Balmer advises on a variety of project financing mandates, while counsel Seya Rahnema has a considerable Islamic financing offering. A spate of hires and partner relocations have strengthened the Dubai offering, with Hamed Afzal – previously of Akin – and Marc Hamilton joining in November 2022 and March 2023, respectively. Between them, they bring strong expertise in debt capital markets and regional asset financing. Practice head(s):
Mohammed Paracha
Other key lawyers:
Hamed Afzal; Marc Hamilton; Nicolas Robinson; Robin Balmer; Seya Rahnema
Testimonials
‘The firm provides a hands on approach, value add services, and proactiveness.’
‘I work with Robin Balmer. He brings a unique commercial acumen and understanding of local law requirements to the table. He is very practical and solution oriented. He has attained the rank of a trusted advisor within my business.’
Key clients
HSBC
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation
ABC International Bank PLC
SMBC International Bank
Mashreq bank
National Bank of Egypt
Emirates NBD
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Société Générale
BNP Paribas
Commercial Bank of Dubai
Citi Bank
Global Trading and Shipping WLL
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
Work highlights
- Advising HSBC Advising on a US$1.1bn sustainability linked dual tranche Murabaha financing to Al Ahli United Bank in Bahrain.
- Advising APICORP on a dual tranche Murabaha financing to Al Ahli United Bank in Bahrain.
- Advising ABC International Bank PLC on a bespoke transaction to split an existing £143m real estate development facility into a senior and mezzanine tranche.
Norton Rose Fulbright > Firm Profile
Norton Rose Fulbright’s Paris office is a major player in the French market and delivers a full range of legal services to local and international clients across a range of industry sectors: financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; transport; technology; life sciences and healthcare; and consumer markets. We practice French and English law and are strong in banking and finance, including asset finance, corporate, M&A and securities, public law, securities regulation and enforcement, antitrust and competition, real estate, tax and employment and labor.
We assist public and private organizations and are able to draw upon multidisciplinary and cross-border resources to suit the legal requirements of each specific matter. Since 1990, we have been particularly active in Francophone Africa. We are one of the key international practices in North Africa through our Casablanca office, acting on numerous energy, infrastructure and resources projects, both on behalf of sponsors and public and private lending institutions, in sub-Saharan French-speaking Africa.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Head of Banking and Finance; Head of Paris | George Paterson | george.paterson@nortonrosefulbright.com |
Lawyer Profiles
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South Africa: Pharmaceutical Advertising
Published: December 2023
Authors: Natasha Naidoo
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Pharmaceutical Advertising laws and regulations applicable in South Africa.
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France: Lending & Secured Finance
Published: March 2024
Authors: Alexandre Roth Lorraine Viard
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Lending & Secured Finance laws and regulations applicable in France.
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United Kingdom: Banking & Finance
Published: March 2024
Authors: Hannah Meakin Matthew GregorySimon Lovegrove Uzmah Yunis Lizzie Cox Hishaam Khan
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Banking & Finance laws and regulations applicable in United Kingdom.
- Aviation finance
- Compliance
- Industry focus: Energy
- Shipping finance
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Banking and finance: Bank regulatory
- Banking and finance: transactional work
- Data privacy and data protection
- Insurance
- Tax
- EU, competition and distribution
- Insolvency
- Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs
- Project finance
- Tunisia > Foreign firms