Orrick > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Orrick > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 1

Orrick houses a top team for securisation work and is a popular choice for French banks for large and sophisticated transactions. The team notably assists with the setup, restructuring and extension of large securitisation programmes and FCT funds, as well as on the structuring of large public and synthetic securitisation transactions, spanning various assets including auto, trade receivables and LBO loans. The team is headed by the highly regarded Hervé Touraine and also includes Olivier Bernard, who is also an expert in this area. Of counsels Judith Rousvoal and Laure Seror provide additional support.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 2

Orrick's public law team is fully integrated into the firm’s project and infrastructure department and is strongly involved in the energy fields, where it is notably advising the French state on large offshore wind projects and companies on the negotiation of corporate PPA contracts. The team is also advising sponsors on large Parisian urban rail transport projects, and various sponsors bidding on the awarding of new motorways and large concessions across various other areas. It also provides regulatory support to the M&A team, handles sensitive regulatory and project-related litigation and works on projects in Africa. The team is headed by Geoffroy Berthon and includes senior counsel Noël Chahid-Nouraï and of counsel Constance Boillot.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 2

Orrick is entrusted to deal with a diverse range of cases including major debt restructuring and insolvency proceedings and corporate disputes. The team’s caseload also regularly includes one-of-a-kind disputes and extends to criminal proceedings and compliance and risk prevention. Leading French and international companies as well as investment funds are among its clients. The practice is led by Frédéric Lalance and includes the highly experienced Jean-Pierre Martel, as well as associates Grégoire Piat and Amaury Ginet.

France > Employment Tier 2

Orrick handles major international employment matters including large-scale restructurings and downsizings. The team is active for clients in a range of sectors and advises major blue-chip companies on high-level and sensitive cases. Emmanuel Bénard, a noted specialist in collective litigation and criminal employment law, leads the team. He is supported by Nadège Owen, who is a trusted adviser to corporate clients on a range of employment issues. Hélène Boukez and Soumaya Ouzzani are other key practitioners of note.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 2

Described as a team that ‘always delivers’, Orrick‘s expertise in areas such as project financing, concession agreements and power plant management is brought to bear in an array of major domestic and international mandates. Christophe Lefort, who joined in July 2023 from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, spearheads the firm’s offering. Contractors and financial institutions frequently turn to him for assistance with the construction and financing of energy projects. Public law specialist Geoffroy Berthon, PPP expert Yves Lepage, Foucaud Jaulin, whose practice extends to privatisations in the energy sector, and public contracts authority Constance Boillot are further key contacts.

France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 2

Orrick is well-placed to advise startups and investors based in France and abroad on venture and growth capital transactions. The group has a track record providing counsel to software, computing, and e-commerce companies. The practice is co-led by Benjamin Cichostepski, who assists high-potential companies and investors private equity and M&A transactions, and Olivier Vuillod, who stands out for his considerable cross-border transactional expertise.

France > Project finance Tier 2

Orrick's practice regularly advises domestic and international clients on the financing of projects undertaken in France, Francophone Africa, and Latin America. The team’s broad expertise extends from projects involving renewable power generation plants – namely wind, hydro, and solar – to railways, highway concessions, airports, ports, and social infrastructure. The team is directed by Christophe Lefort, who specialises in the construction and financing of major energy and infrastructure projects. Yves Lepage majors on the financing of PPP, infrastructure, and power generation projects. Carine Mou Si Yan left the firm in December 2023.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 3

Orrick has a stellar reputation in antitrust litigation and follow-on damages claims, frequently representing clients before the FCA and the French courts of the highest levels; its recent caseload includes acting for the claimants in high-profile private enforcement actions against Google and Orange. The team also advises on FCA investigations, merger control (including multi-jurisdictional filings) and complex state aid issues, where Marie-Laure Combet  is considered a go-to adviser. The highly experienced Patrick Hubert and Malik Idri, an expert in follow-on damages claims, are also noted.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 3

Orrick is particularly noted for its strength in the renewables energy, infrastructure, tech and finance sectors, where the firm regularly assists key clients on their strategic deals. The team is at ease handling cross-border transactions, notably in the US, as well as complex public and private M&A deals, and also handles private equity transactions. The practice is headed by Patrick Tardivy and also includes Olivier Jouffroy and new arrival Marine Jamain, who was formerly with Clifford Chance, and joined in September 2023.

France > Private equity: LBO Tier 3

France > Insolvency Tier 4

Since April 2023, Orrick's restructuring and insolvency practice witnessed significant growth, due to the addition of practice leader Aurélien Loric, formerly with Eversheds Sutherland (France) LLP. Loric's arrival revitalised the practice, reaffirming its capabilities in this domain. Bolstered by a global network, the team serves as the preferred legal counsel for clients dealing with distressed situations, leveraging its expertise in highly regulated industry sectors, such as financial services and private equity. Notable expertise is also provided by Francois Wyon, who advises stakeholders in both amicable and judicial contexts.

France > Real estate Tier 4

Orrick is equipped to handle real estate development and financing mandates, in addition to property acquisition and related disputes. Key department figures include Patrick Tardivy, Olivier Jouffroy, Jessie Gaston and Geoffroy Berthon. Paul Loisel, previously at White & Case LLP, joined the firm in June 2023 and adds expertise in the structuring and financing of energy and real estate projects. Ex-practice co-head Carine Mou Si Yan left the firm in December 2023.

France > Tax Tier 4

Orrick handles a range of matters spanning disputes, investigations, M&A and private equity transactions, reorganisations, as well as matters related to warranties and indemnities. Highly regarded tax litigator Laurent Olléon heads the practice and leads on the team’s tax controversy matters. Jessie Gaston is also a name to note and is well versed in handling private equity corporate transactions and attendant tax risk. Anne-Sophie Kerfant left the firm in early 2024.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 5