Clifford Chance > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Clifford Chance > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Administrative and public law Tier 1

Clifford Chance is a first port-of-call for largescale and challenging work and notably a top reference for high-profile public procurement, concession and PPP projects. The firm is involved in many of the country’s largest initiatives, notably in the rail, airport and motorway sectors including many Parisian landmark urban rail projects. The energy sector is key strategic area for the team which is advising on many of France’s landmark offshore wind projects. The team’s regulatory expertise is also highly regarded and sought after in relation to several new ambitious initiatives led in the nuclear, hydrogen and e-batteries areas. Leading sponsors, lenders and governmental ministries are clients. The team is co-headed by David Préat and Gauthier Martin. Counsel Jean-Baptiste Merigot de Treigny is another key name.

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 1

Clifford Chance offers the full spectrum of expertise in relation to banking, finance and insurance regulations, assisting top banks and insurers. The team notably helps with licensing and prudential supervision and, when combining forces with the firm's top corporate expertise, it has particularly strength advising on top M&A deals in the field of financial services. It also advises on internal reorganisation, and new financial innovations such as ESG, digital bonds, digital payments and other new fintech developments. Frédérick Lacroix is a top name in the field. Counsel Hélène Kouyaté provides additional support.

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 1

Clifford Chance  is entrusted by the world’s leading banks and top French financial institutions, while also regularly handling work for borrowers and debt funds. The team covers a large spectrum of structured and complex banking financings, including acquisition finance. project and infrastructure financing. It regularly advises on the granting of large loans and corporate refinancing, and recently worked on a major refinancing pertaining to large infrastructure vehicles. Co-heads of practice Thierry Arachtingi and Daniel Zerbib are among France’s most renowned banking and finance law experts. Pierre-Benoit Pabot Du Châtelard is another strong element, while counsels Maroussia Cuny and Chloé Desreumaux provide additional support.

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 1

Clifford Chance's powerhouse Paris DCM practice combines UK, US and French law expertise that serves both leading corporations and financial institutions. The team advises on the largest DCM bond issuance, from the most standard to the most complex ones and encompassing hybrid bonds, liability management, exchange offers and sustainable linked transactions. It is regularly seen at the forefront of market innovations, including advising in 2023 on the issuance of a digital Climate Awareness Bond. The Paris office’s workload is very often of an international nature (pan-European, emerging markets) and its members regularly collaborate with the firm's other European offices. Cédric Burford is the standout name within the practice, co-heading the team alongside the experienced Alex Bafi and Jonathan Lewis. They are supported by a solid bench of counsels including Auriane Bijon and Andrew McCann.

France > Compliance Tier 1

Clifford Chance assists clients with the development and implementation of compliance programmes relating to anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and anti-competitive behaviours, in addition to conducting due diligence reviews and international investigations. With additional experience defending companies and individuals in regulatory enforcement actions and criminal prosecutions, the team has seen an increase in matters concerning EU, UK and US sanctions. Thomas Baudesson, who handles domestic and cross-border litigation and enforcement cases in the financial services, automotive and aeronautical sectors, jointly leads the team alongside Charles-Henri Boeringer, who assists clients in criminal proceedings, as well as fraud, corruption, money laundering and market abuse offences. Of counsel Dominique Laymand is another key contact in the group.

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 1

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 1

Clifford Chance remains at the forefront of the market for high-stakes commercial disputes, often raising complex consumer and distribution law aspects. For instance, the firm is regularly retained by leading digital and non-digital retailers to assists with high-profile disputes brought against competitors, key suppliers, consumer associations and regulatory agencies. The team is also entrusted to deal with complex governance and shareholders conflicts, as well as M&A-related disputes, notably in the healthcare and banking sectors. Its range of work is comprehensive and also includes complex international litigation. The practice is jointly headed by Thomas Baudesson, Diego de Lammerville and Thibaud d’Alès. Counsel Geoffroy Pascaud also contributes.

France > Dispute resolution: White-collar crime Tier 1

Clifford Chance has extensive experience managing high-stakes international corruption, money laundering and tax fraud cases, but can also deal with a wider variety of cases including securities offences. The team stands out for its ability to handle complex cross-border cases involving other foreign investigation authorities, and is among the Paris-based firms that have signed the most deferred prosecution agreements (CJIP) with the PNF on behalf of its clients – in 2023 it concluded two more very sizeable ones. Its enforcement expertise goes-in-hand with strong internal investigation and compliance know-how. The team acts for leading corporations as well as many leading French and international banks, and can also assist individuals. Heads of practice Thomas Baudesson and Charles-Henri Boeringer are excellent. They are supported by counsel Alice Dunoyer de Segonzac.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 1

Clifford Chance is active in high-profile mandates across the full range of EU and competition law, representing leading French and international clients from the technology, pharmaceutical and energy sectors, to name but a few. The team is highly experienced in merger control before the French, EU and other national regulators (with additional strength in related foreign direct investment clearances) and has also played a key role in prominent recent antitrust investigations by the FCA. David Tayar has a wealth of expertise in competition law, particularly in handling large-scale merger control cases involving multi-jurisdictional filings, and Katrin Schallenberg, who works closely with the Brussels team, is well regarded for her advice on both national and EU matters.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

The cross-practice team at Clifford Chance assists clients across the globe with a range of major projects, including wind projects, hydrocarbon pipeline projects and battery power projects. Work relating to clean hydrogen is a notable focus and the team assists stakeholders throughout the clean hydrogen value chain. Anthony Giustini is a key contact at the firm and has a strong focus on project development and financing transactions in the energy transition sector. David Préat is well versed in public law matters. Laurent Schoenstein excels in M&A work such as the acquisition of offshore wind parks. Finance expert Richard Tomlinson is sought out by both sponsors and lenders for assistance with transactional work in the EMEA region. Nikolaï Eatwell, Delphine Siino Courtin, Milica Zatezalo-Falatar, Daniel Zerbib, Gauthier Martin, Marianne Pezant, Emmanuel Mimin, Pierre-Benoît Pabot du Châtelard and Benjamin De Blegiers are further key members of the ‘high-calibre’ cohort.

France > Media and entertainment: Sports Tier 1

Clifford Chance’s dedicated sports group counts international and national sporting bodies, investors, clubs and banks among its key roster of clients. At the forefront of several groundbreaking deals and with a balanced litigation and advisory practice, the team has strong capabilities in the sale of exploitation rights, TV rights, sponsorship and the organisation of major sporting events, from regulatory compliance to financing and infrastructure. Recent highlights include representing the French Tennis Federation on the tender of sale of domestic TV rights of Roland Garros. The team is led by Yves Wehrli, who is a leading expert in the sports industry. Thibaud d’Alès specialises in litigation, representing major clients before arbitration tribunals and high courts, and Gauthier Martin is another name of note.

France > Private equity: Fund formation Tier 1

The 'innovative, responsive, and available' team at Clifford Chance is a strong choice for fund structuring and fundraising mandates, particularly with regard to French, Luxemburgish and pan-European funds. The team's expertise encompasses the gamut of funds work and the group is led by the 'ultra-skilled' Xavier Comaills, who garners praise for his availability and focuses on fundraising, secondary portfolio transactions, and the structuring of a variety of funds. Marie Preat, who has built specialisms in many of the same areas as Comaills, was promoted to the partnership in 2023. Elodie Cinconze is the key contact at of counsel level.

France > Project finance Tier 1

Clifford Chance's project finance group is praised by clients for its 'in-depth' knowledge and, is well-placed to assist clients with the financing of high-profile domestic and international projects. The practice is jointly led by a group of eight practitioners, comprising Anthony Giustini, Nikolaï Eatwell, Delphine Siino Courtin, Richard Tomlinson, Milica Zatezalo-Falatar, Daniel Zerbib, David Préat, and Gauthier Martin. Corinne Duvnjak specialises in both development and finance transactions across the renewables space, while Courtin frequently advises lenders on solar projects in Chad, Burkina Faso, and Mozambique. Banking and finance expert Zerbib is well-versed in financing transactions concerning greenfield and brownfield projects, and Martin maintains a French public law focused practice, advising sponsors on biomass power plant and seaport projects.

France > Real estate Tier 1

Noted for their ‘availability and professionalism’, the lawyers at the real estate team at Clifford Chance handle all aspects of real estate work, including real estate investments, acquisitions, sales, leasebacks, financings and restructurings. The group’s workload is spread across all major asset classes, including office, retail, residential and logistics. Clients include asset managers, non-bank financial institutions, professional services firms, REITs and corporations. Alexandre Couturier and François Bonteil co-lead the ‘business-oriented’ team and focus on real estate transactions and financings. David Gérard supports the partners with transactional and property managment mandates.

France > Aviation Tier 2

The aerospace and defence practice at Clifford Chance leverages the firm’s global network to advise on both domestic and cross-border aviation matters, ranging from transactional and compliance matters to cybersecurity and disputes. Dessislava Savova focuses on strategic industrial contracts and joint ventures, complemented by particular expertise in matters regarding technology. Compliance, investigations and white-collar crime are at the core of Thomas Baudesson‘s activity in the aviation sector, while Fabrice Cohen is noted for his experience in transactions and securities law.

France > Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 2

Clifford Chance often assists leading banks and financial advisers in ECM transactions and also regularly advises issuers. The Paris team, which combines French and US law capabilities, has been particularly active recently advising on deals concerning the German, French, Dutch and Belgium stock markets and is also experienced in advising on share capital increases via private placement deals. Through US securities expert Alex Bafi, the team also handles innovative Rule 144A IPO transactions. The experienced Aline Cardin and counsel Olivier Plessis are other key team members. Anne Lemercier offers collective employees’ shareholder share plan advice to leading companies.

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

Compliance projects, cyber security and strategies concerning emerging technologies are core pillars of Clifford Chance‘s offering. Compliance investigations and matters that fall at the intersection between data protection, consumer law and antitrust are further strengths. Practice head Dessislava Savova, who is praised for her ‘expertise in new technologies’, frequently advises on data protection issues in a global context. Grégory Sroussi is equipped to lead on multi-jurisdictional projects, while Alexandre Manasterski‘s data protection expertise comes to the fore on advisory work for strategic partnerships and digital transformation projects.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 2

Clifford Chance houses a high-level and diverse commercial arbitration practice, spanning many industry sectors and geographical areas. The group is notably involved in managing highly strategic cases in the aviation sector but is also regularly retained to act in large mining cases in relation to Africa and Brazil. The team also assists clients in dealing with matters raising commercial and corporate issues, spanning the construction, defence, IT, banking and the renewable energy sectors. The practice's set of expertise also encompasses complex exequatur and sanctions-related cases including a number of Russian-linked matters. The practice is jointly headed by the highly experienced Jason Fry and Simon Greenberg, who are assisted by counsels Sandrine Colletier, Karolina Rozycka, Marie-Isabelle Delleur and Alexis Foucard.

France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

The ‘responsive and professional’ team at Clifford Chance exhibits skill across a broad range of areas, including M&A, allegations of abuse of dominance, and employment disputes concerning claims of employer negligence. The group advises a number of notable clients, including Cinven, Sofinnova Partners, and Teva Santé. All co-leading the team, Thomas Baudesson has longstanding expertise in product liability litigation; David Tayar regularly advises clients on merger control investigations, and restrictive arrangements; Dominique Laymand maintains a compliance and ethics focused practice; and Olivier Gaillard focuses on commercial contracts and consumer law issues.

France > Private equity: LBO Tier 2

The group at Clifford Chance has ‘very good sectoral knowledge coupled with strong commercial acumen’ and is routinely instructed by mid-cap and large-cap private equity houses, infrastructure funds, and financial institutions. The department is jointly led by Fabrice Cohen, who handles both cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. Alongside him, Benjamin De Blegiers has notable experience in infrastructure-related transactions. Emmanuel Mimin is an additional key contact.

France > Tax Tier 2

At Clifford Chance, the practice covers all tax aspects of corporate, real estate and finance transactions, including M&A, real estate and private equity funds structuring, real estate investments, LBOs, joint ventures, financing transactions and tax litigation. Its client roster features investment firms, French corporates, financial institutions and sovereign funds. Eric Davoudet specialises in the tax aspects of property investments, REITs, OPCIs and real estate investment funds. Davoudet jointly leads the practice alongside Alexandre Lagarrigue whose expertise lies in LBOs, M&A transactions and group reorganisations.

France > Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 3

Clifford Chance is the key adviser to credit rating agency Standard & Poor, which it regularly assists with AMF-led investigations into stock-market law breaches, including those pertaining to the disclosure of financial information. The firm also occasionally acts for companies and individuals facing AMF investigations. The practice is jointly headed by  Thomas Baudesson, Diego de Lammerville and Charles-Henri Boeringer.

France > Insolvency Tier 3

Clifford Chance’s restructuring and insolvency team is a recognised global authority, featuring experts spanning key European jurisdictions, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Its reputation stems from its proficiency in handling intricate, cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters, encompassing all aspects, including financing, litigation, market regulation, real estate, and employment law. Delphine Caramalli leads the team, with strong support from Marie Crumière, having recently made significant contributions to cases in the French market, including the Orpea group and Getir BV.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 3

Clifford Chance houses a large corporate team able to handle domestic and global transactions on behalf of French and international corporations, active in sectors including retail, energy, financial services and pharmaceutical. Through managing partner Mathieu Rémy, the team is well-known for advising on M&A in the financial services sector, while Benjamin De Blegiers is an expert in deals concerning infrastructure and Gilles Lebreton's workload spans deals in multiple sectors. Fabrice Cohen, Emmanuel Mimin, Marianne Pezant  and Laurent Schoenstein are other key names.

France > Employment Tier 4

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 4

Clifford Chance

Tunisia > Foreign firms

Clifford Chance‘s francophone Africa practice assists clients ranging from financial institutions to oil and gas companies and investment funds with a broad range of mandates. Renewable energy projects, major restructurings and private equity transactions stand out as areas of activity for the team. Casablanca-based partner Ouns Lemseffer has a strong track record in project financings, notably in North and West Africa. She co-leads the practice alongside the Paris-based duo of Delphine Siino Courtin and Corinne Duvnjak, who have longstanding experience of assisting with energy and infrastructure projects. Also in Casablanca, Mustapha Mourahib and Frédéric Giancarli are additional names to note.

Mozambique > Foreign law firms

Clifford Chance LLP primarily handles inbound transactions for a diverse client base, including commercial and development banks, private equity funds, and public institutions, as well as industrial conglomerates, energy and oil and gas companies, and construction firms. Leading the Mozambique practice are Gibbs Johnson, a Dubai-based consultant, and Russell Wells, located in London. Johnson is an expert in energy and infrastructure project finance, particularly in Mozambique’s electricity sector, while Wells spearheads the firm’s global energy and resources sector group, bringing extensive experience in commercial, corporate, and finance matters within the oil and gas and power industries. Delphine Siino Courtin, stationed in Paris, is an expert in renewable energy and infrastructure, and is adept at representing lenders in Mozambican solar projects.