The Legal 500

Within Administrative and public law, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a second tier firm,

Jean-Yves Ollier now heads Allen & Overy LLP’s six-lawyer practice after Noël Chahid-Nouraï joined Orrick Rambaud Martel. Counsel Romaric Lazerges also plays a key role in the team, which manages large transport infrastructure and renewable energy projects, mainly representing sponsors and lenders. Highlights included advising the winning consortium on the new South-Europe-Atlantic train line. Recent litigation matters include acting for longstanding client TV channel M6.

Within Banking and finance, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a second tier firm,

Orrick Rambaud Martel’s 30-lawyer department handles lending, acquisition finance, property finance and litigation, and stands out for its very strong export and asset finance practice. The team assisted HSBC with financing CVC Capital Partners’ acquisition of shares in Delachaux. Other clients include BNP Paribas and Natixis. David Syed, Pascal Agboyibor, Diane de Moüy and Jean-Marc Zampa are the key figures.

Within Capital markets, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a second tier firm,

Orrick Rambaud Martel advises a high number of major issuers, including public entities, on public debt offerings. Louis de Longeaux has ‘real expertise’ in corporate-side advice in the field of DCM. The team has built a strong client base, working on the EMTN programmes of clients such as Danone, Vivendi, Areva and SNCF. Richard Parolai and Pascal Agboyibor, a ‘general corporate lawyer with an in-depth knowledge of securitisation law’, run a notable securitisation practice.

Within Construction Other recommended firms

Within Commercial litigation , Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a first tier firm,

Orrick Rambaud Martel is handling major financial, commercial and corporate disputes including disputed successions. The key partners are Frédéric Lalance, who chairs the firm’s European litigation group, as well as Dominique Bordes, and Jean-Pierre Martel, who is among the most respected advisers at the French Bar. Clients include top companies, auditors and financial institutions. The team obtained a favourable judgement from the French Supreme Court in the high-profile MATIF case. Sophie Scemla is now at Heenan Blaikie.

Within International arbitration, tier 4

Orrick Rambaud Martel manages numerous ICC cases including major energy, construction and gas disputes in Africa and Europe. These included representing Vivendi in its ICC dispute with Deutsche Telekom and Elektrim. The team is jointly led by William Laurence Craig, George Rigo and Laurent Jaeger, who co-heads the firm’s global practice. Partners represent parties in cases but are also regularly appointed as arbitrators.

Within Stock market litigation, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a first tier firm,

Orrick Rambaud Martel’s Jean-Pierre Martel, is a leading option for complex and strategic matters. Frédéric Lalance is also frequently involved in cases.

Within White-collar crime Other recommended firms

Within EU competition and distribution, tier 4

Orrick Rambaud Martel’s Philippe Rincazaux advises major groups on EU and French merger control and antitrust matters. The team successfully represented Total in the alleged jet fuel cartel in La Reunion and in proceedings regarding the LPG market.

Within Employment Other recommended firms

Within Insolvency, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a third tier firm,

Orrick Rambaud Martel shows ‘excellent responsiveness’ and ‘great creativity’, and was reinforced by the addition of the renowned Philippe Hameau from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. Also recommended are Saam Golshani, who has excellent negotiation skills, and Matthieu Grollemund, a ‘very commercial’ lawyer and ‘great networker’ particularly recommended to Anglophone clients. The firm advises hedge funds, creditors and debtors, and acted for a pool of foreign banks in Partouche’s restructuring.

Within Mergers and acquisitions, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a third tier firm,

Orrick Rambaud Martel’s 12-partner practice acted on various high-profile matters in 2011, notably advising Rhodia’s board of directors on Solvay’s takeover bid. ‘Extra-sharp star partner’ Jean-Pierre Martel is recommended, as are Simon Charbit, whose technical ability and business acumen are highly regarded, and Alexis Marraud des Grottes. Arnaud Larrousse joined Bird & Bird.

Within Private equity Other recommended firms

Within Energy Other recommended firms

Within Project finance, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a second tier firm,

Orrick Rambaud Martel recently hired Noël Chahid-Nouraï, a leading public law expert for large projects in France, from Allen & Overy LLP to supplement the expertise of Jérôme Pentecoste. On the financing side, the team’s key experts are Yves Lepage, Pascal Agboyibor and Louis de Longeaux. The team advises public entities and sponsors such as Bouygues on large infrastructure projects in France, whereas for projects in Francophone Africa it often assists government entities and lenders. Among several power plant projects, it is advising the government of Cameroon on the Yassa-Dibamba project. Its renewable energy team represents clients such as Auxifip and Compagnie du Vent.

Within Real estate, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a third tier firm,

Orrick Rambaud Martel represents numerous German funds and English and Middle Eastern investors, and advised Benson Elliot on the €138m refinancing of its Opera Portfolio. The team includes Catherine Saint Geniest, Alfred Fink and finance expert Hervé Kensicher, who shows ‘thoroughness and efficiency’. Patrick Gerry joined Simmons & Simmons LLP.

Within Shipping finance Other recommended firms

Within Tax Other recommended firms