The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Shearman & Sterling LLP is a second 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, Shearman & Sterling LLP is a first tier firm,

Shearman & Sterling LLP earned instructions on the market’s few major ECM transactions in 2011, and also completed some major high-yield work in 2010 and 2011, such as advising Labco on its high-yield notes offering. Practice chair Sami Toutounji also advises CAC 40 companies on employee offerings. Hervé Letréguilly, Bertrand Sénéchal and Robert Treuhold are outstanding advisers.

Within International arbitration, Shearman & Sterling LLP is a first tier firm,

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s dedicated, 42-lawyer practice includes some 19 nationalities in its ranks, and attracts top-end commercial and investment cases from all over the world (Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America). Its clients include leading corporations and state entities in large-scale disputes, notably in the energy and construction sectors. The practice is representing Yukos’ former majority shareholders in a groundbreaking dispute with the Russian Federation; and Sonatrach in a UNCITRAL proceeding against Anadarko and Maersk. Practice head Emmanuel Gaillard is a market-leading figure, and the team also includes Philippe Pinsolle, Todd Wetmore, Fernando Mantilla-Serrano and Mark McNeill. The firm also has a ten-lawyer group, headed by Yas Banifatemi, which specialises in public international law matters and advising state entities and international organisations on a whole range of issues including treaty disputes, UN sanctions and state succession matters.

Within Environment Other recommended firms

Within Insolvency Other recommended firms

Within Mergers and acquisitions, tier 4

Shearman & Sterling LLP has a following among banks, including key client Société Générale, and is also involved in deals in the technology sector. The practice has experience handling transactions in North Africa, and advised the Algerian government on its acquisition of Djezzy. Practice head Cyrille Niedzielski, Guillaume Isautier and John Madden are the key figures. Mathieu Remy and Jacques Naquet-Radiguet joined Clifford Chance and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, respectively.

Within Energy Energy

Within Project finance, Shearman & Sterling LLP is a second tier firm,

Shearman & Sterling LLP is recommended for large power, energy, mining and infrastructure projects in Africa, including advising AES on the Dibamba oil-fired power plant project in Cameroon. The firm reinforced its expertise by hiring Christophe Asselineau, who previously led Simmons & Simmons LLP’s practice. Asselineau has ‘remarkable skills’ in the energy and mining fields, particularly on the sponsor side. Pierre-Nicolas Ferrand advises the firm’s banking clients.

Within Tax, Shearman & Sterling LLP is a third tier firm,

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s three-lawyer practice is led by the ‘remarkable’ Niels Dejean, who is capable of assisting with the full range of tax matters albeit the team’s main focus is transactional matters.