Firms To Watch: Environment

Alerion extended its environmental offering with the promotion of Fahima Gasmi to the partnership in May 2022, building on her complementary experience in real estate to advise on site acquisitions and development.
Co-founded by former Eversheds Sutherland (France) LLP practitioner Louis-Narito Harada in May 2021, boutique public law firm HK Legal is establishing a strong reputation for both contentious and non-contentious environmental work.
Launched in May 2022 with the hire of Marie-Laetitia de la Ville-Baugé from Baker McKenzie, Valmy Avocats' environment practice provides projects advice and litigation support to clients in sectors from agriculture to infrastructure.

Firms in the Spotlight Environment

Vivien & Associés

Vivien & Associés logo

Vivien & Associés offers competitive legal services and representation across a broad range of key practice areas:

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CHASSANY WATRELOT & ASSOCIES

CHASSANY WATRELOT & ASSOCIES logo

A FULL-EXPERTISE HUMAN RESOURCES LAW FIRM   Founded in 1987, Chassany Watrelot & Associés (CWA) is one of the main French law firms whose activity is exclusively dedicated to employment law and all other legal areas related to human resources management (insurance law, tax law…).

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Environment in France

DS Avocats

The environment team at DS Avocats is led by Patricia Savin, who has extensive experience in environmental law matters, from biodiversity and brownfield development to sustainability and the circular economy. The practice also advises on related issues such as health and safety and hygiene, and coordinates with the firm’s real estate department to assist on development and redevelopment projects. Yvon Martinet is a key contact for industrial risk work, while Raphaël Romi has expertise in renewable energy. Grégory Gutierrez, Laura Ceccarelli-Le Guen and Gwladys Beauchet are also noted.

Practice head(s):

Patricia Savin


Other key lawyers:

Yvon Martinet; Frédéric Lévy; Grégory Gutierrez; Raphaël Romi; Laura Ceccarelli-Le Guen; Gwladys Beauchet


Testimonials

‘Excellent team. Very specialised in the environment in the broad sense and in CSR, including social aspects, and therefore very complete with regard to the challenges facing large companies.’

‘Expertise and responsiveness.’

‘Strength of advice and analysis of possibilities.’

‘Laura Ceccarelli-Le Guen stands out for her advice and opening up solutions.’

‘Gwladys Beauchet keeps great proximity to the client. Listening. Reliability of work and appach. Excellence and professionalism. Very dynamic.’

Key clients

FNAC DARTY


VIVESCIA BRENNE


SNETOR


ROCHE SAS


EUCLASE SAS


GINKGO ADVISOR


SCCV SAINT OUEN HERITAGE


EIFFAGE


Work highlights


  • Advised FNAC DARTY Participations during an environment audit.
  • Assisted EIFFAGE Construction and EIFFAGE Aménagement in the context of various construction projects involving waste issues (excavated earth from earth-moving operations, traceability of construction site waste, and on-site waste storage).
  • Assisted ROCHE in litigation following a summons for forced intervention within the framework of an expropriation procedure.

Foley Hoag

Under the leadership of Carine Le Roy-Gleizes and Corentin Chevallier, the ‘exceptional‘ environment team at Foley Hoag advises clients across the chemicals, agricultural, mining and energy sectors. Core focus areas include project and compliance support, site re-development, and litigation before the administrative, civil and criminal courts. Le Roy-Gleizes is well regarded for issues including waste management, soil contamination and sustainable development, while Chevallier is a key contact for clients in mining and extraction. Frédéric Scanvic is also noted, as is ‘proactive‘ counsel Pauline Leddet-Troadec.

Practice head(s):

Carine Le Roy-Gleizes; Corentin Chevallier


Other key lawyers:

Frédéric Scanvic; Pauline Leddet-Troadec


Testimonials

‘The people of Foley Hoag are always attentive to our problems, and proactive. They are available, responsive, competent, and never haughty or condescending. The team does not content itself with imposing laws and rules, but knows how to make them understandable to people unfamiliar with legal jargon.’

‘Foley Hoag’s environmental team is very competent in terms of polluted sites and soils. We asked them to offer us an innovative solution and they fulfilled the mission perfectly.’

‘The Foley Hoag team is exceptional, particularly in its commitment to the client.’

‘The teams working on the files know how to quickly identify the industrial problems in order to deal with them and respond to them as well as possible.’

‘From the start, the team had a remarkable ability to listen. Carine Le Roy-Gleizes and Corentin Chevallier were able to respond to our questions with both legal knowledge and real-life examples. The firm was also able to seek outside resources in order to respond to specific issues.’

‘Carine Leroy-Gleizes is undoubtedly one of the best lawyers in Paris in environmental law. Even though she is a partner, she continues to handle her files herself and to be very rigorous and conscientious. I trust her implicitly.’

‘Pauline Leddet-Troadec is one of the best experts in French environmental law. Proactive and reactive, her infallible support is particularly valuable for our company.’

‘Carine Leroy-Gleize and Pauline Leddet-Troadec are extremely involved in cases and have remarkable expertise in environmental law. They stand out for their pragmatism and their ability to build a strategy with us.’

Key clients

ENGIE


Mines de potasse d’Alsace (MDPA)


LAFARGE


KALHYGE (groupeNEHS)


NORTHROP GRUMMAN


RTE


GIE OSIRIS


STAUB


ELECTROLUX


SEQENS


ELIS


BASF


GIE OSIRIS


TEREGA


SHELL


B+T


ERAMET


Work highlights


  • Representing Mines de Potasse d’Alsace (MDPA) in an environmental dispute regarding StocaMine site, an underground hazardous waste storage site in a former potassium mine located in Alsace.
  • Advised ENGIE’s different business units regarding biodiversity issues, mining law issues, waste issues and remediation issues, and assisted on the environmental law aspects of the sale of a portfolio of 70 sites.
  • Representing Lafarge France in high-stakes disputes related to the management of excavated soils generated by the digging of the West-East underground subway line in the Paris Region (Eole project).

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is well regarded in public, energy and environmental law, with a ‘professional, dynamic‘ team headed by experienced partner Jean-Nicolas Clément. The firm’s expertise spans advisory and contentious matters, covering major transactions in M&A and real estate, regulatory and planning, and litigation on issues from chemicals to noise. Clement is strong in industrial environmental law and nuclear and renewable energy, including wind and solar. Associate Alice Bouillié is also recommended, and has an increasing focus on offshore wind.

Practice head(s):

Jean-Nicolas Clément


Other key lawyers:

Alice Bouillié


Testimonials

‘A team with great expertise, with a deep knowledge of environmental law.’

‘The team is professional, dynamic and capable of responding in a precise, rigorous and creative manner to the essential issues that environmental law represents today.’

‘Expertise, experience, and availability. This team demonstrates great innovation in explaining legal, economic and operational issues.’

‘I have been working with Jean-Nicolas Clément for almost 30 years and the quality is always there.’

‘Jean-Nicolas Clément demonstrates great professionalism and remarkable personal commitment. He shows great talent in the management of litigation cases, in a field of changing law, whose rules are not fixed and without established case law. A big congratulations!’

Key clients

Prologis


ENYM


Vinci Autoroute


TotalEnergies


Paris Saint Germain Football Club (PSG)


Agence Nationale de Gestion des Déchets Radioactifs (ANDRA)


Eqiom


Umicore


ExxonMobil


Nintendo


Work highlights


  • Represented concessionaire Vinci Autoroute in the defence of various environmental authorisations and permits in the context of the Grand Contournement Ouest of Strasbourg motorway project.
  • Assisting and defending a subsidiary of TotalEnergies following a claim brought by the national French rail operator SNCF Réseau over pollution of a chemical origin that was identified in the railway tunnel of Marseille.
  • Assisting ANDRA for over ten years on building the only French underground site for the storage of radioactive waste (project CIGEO).

Jones Day

Part of the firm’s global government regulation group, Jones Day‘s environment, health and safety team has particular strength in transactional support and litigation, advising clients including major multinationals on matters relating to product safety, chemicals and crisis management. Practice head Françoise Labrousse has broad experience in and deep knowledge of national and EU environmental law. Chemical regulation specialist Elodie Simon and pollution and health risks advisor Armelle Sandrin-Deforge were both promoted to the partnership in January 2023.

Practice head(s):

Françoise Labrousse


Other key lawyers:

Armelle Sandrin-Deforge; Elodie Simon


Key clients

Framatome


Cascades Inc.


DataBank Holdings Ltd.


Suez


Sanofi


PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising Framatome on its acquisition of the Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear Instrumentation and Control business in France, China and the Czech Republic.

King & Spalding LLP

King & Spalding LLP is home to ‘distinguished‘ environment practice head Joëlle Herschtel, who has a strong reputation in matters ranging from the management of polluted and former industrial sites to environmental audits and EU regulatory advice. She is a specialist in environmental and toxic tort litigation, and has experience appearing before the national and European courts up to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

Practice head(s):

Joëlle Herschtel


Testimonials

‘The strong points of the team are excellent mastery of the cases both in litigation and in advice, a strong anticipation of the needs of the client while integrating the most modern legal tools, and knowledge of the latest legislative developments. The environment files handled by the team, both in advice and in litigation, are of great complexity and have a dimension requiring a perfect mastery of administrative law in general as well as extensive expertise in civil law.’

‘Joëlle Herschtel is particularly distinguished within this team. She has unique experience and expertise in the field of the environment and administrative litigation, which enables clients to deal with very complex litigation, to interact with the administrative authorities at the highest level on vital subjects relating to the existence and the continuation of their activity, or even to negotiate key transactions concerning subjects related to environmental liabilities.’

‘Their knowledge of the industrial sector as well as their experience with administrative authorities make their legal advice very pragmatic and efficient.’

‘Joëlle Herschtel is one of the best lawyers in the environmental law sector, being both excellent in administrative litigation and as advisor within complex projects. She is always responsive and very combative in defending the client’s best interests.’

Key clients

EXIDE


Recylex


Saint-Gobain


Veolia


Work highlights


  • Representing ARCELORMITTAL MEDITERRANEE in a challenging lawsuit initiated by residents surrounding the Fos industrial area.
  • Representing RECYLEX in litigation against SNCF RESEAU, the French railway network company, before the Administrative Court.

LPA-CGR avocats

Renowned for its ‘very strong legal expertise in the field of environment‘, LPA-CGR avocats fields a ‘dynamic‘ team with experience advising major corporate clients on both standalone and transactional matters. Frédérique Chaillou heads the practice, and has broad expertise in advisory, transactional and contentious work. Fabrice Cassin focuses on the renewable energy sector, while senior counsel Vincent Sol has broad experience. Of counsel Anne Delorme is also noted, with a practice covering waste, soil pollution and chemicals.


Practice head(s):

Frédérique Chaillou


Other key lawyers:

Fabrice Cassin; Vincent Sol; François Versini-Campinchi; Anne Delorme


Testimonials

‘LPA-CGR has very strong legal expertise in the field of environment, both in terms of administrative law and private law. Gives the client the benefit of real feedback and practical advice. A real strategic contribution.’

‘A dynamic team that knows how to work on projects. Demonstrates great flexibility and agility. Expert competence in environmental law and negotiation, with a constructive approach that always goes in the direction of the outcome of the project while protecting the interests of the client. Has a multidisciplinary team that allows the same firm to be consulted on a complex case involving several legal issues such as energy and town planning. Knows how to say when they do not have the competence on a subject and manages in a very ethical way all questions of conflict of interest.’

‘Excellent expertise in environmental law. Dynamic, close to the client and listening to them by proposing innovative and agile solutions to meet very ambitious objectives in terms of volume, complexity and within tight deadlines. Constructive spirit, progress, conflict resolution that drives negotiations and projects forward. Provides advice as needed. Compliance with commitments and flawless ethics.’

‘Frédérique Chaillou and Anne Delorme are experts in their field: simple, available, efficient. They have a perfect mastery of the subjects entrusted to them.’

‘Competence, availability, flexibility. Great quality of service and very reasonable rates.’

‘Frederique Chaillou and Anne Delorme stand out. 

‘LPA-CGR’s ability to quickly mobilise and coordinate its various departments, each an expert in their field, is a real advantage, particularly in complex cases.’

‘Of course, Frédérique Chaillou is an expert in the field of the environment and pollution and formidable negotiators; they know the sector and its players perfectly. They also show listening skills, patience and pedagogy throughout the project.’

Key clients

AIR LIQUIDE


ADP


ARKEMA


BOLLORE


CROWN


DALKIA


ENGIE


RENAULT


RIO TINTO


SOLVAY


VEOLIA


Atmos Avocats

The environment team at Atmos Avocats has experience in environmental, public, planning, construction and real estate law, and advises on projects and developments as well as on more general environmental law matters. Alexandre Moustardier and Marie-Pierre Maitre head the practice, with each bringing broad expertise. In addition to its non-contentious work, the firm is also competent in litigation, including regular representation before the administrative courts.

Practice head(s):

Alexandre Moustardier; Marie-Pierre Maitre


Other key lawyers:

François Braud; Julien Girard


Key clients

LafargeHolcim


Albioma


Vicat


Carrières Nivet


Brenntag


Vinci Immobilier


Ponticelli


Nemera


Bosch


Airbus Group


Bic group


PMC Isochem


Air Liquide


Dastri


Kerry


Barjane


Minéraux Industrie France


BCTG Avocats

Paul Elfassi heads the environmental department at BCTG Avocats, which is especially well known for its work on renewable energy projects. This work extends from initial advice and permitting through environmental assessments to waste management and judicial and administrative litigation. Elfassi has broad knowledge of regulatory law, and particular expertise in impact studies relating to protected species, biodiversity and water. Also noted is counsel Nelsie Bergès, who supports on the full range of matters.

Practice head(s):

Paul Elfassi


Other key lawyers:

Nelsie Bergès


Testimonials

‘BCTG Avocats stands out for its expertise and perfect knowledge of the renewable energy sector.’

‘Paul Elfassi stands out for his way of identifying the client’s needs and for his legal technicality in renewable energy law. Nelsie Bergès is essential on current affairs.’

Key clients

EDF RENOUVELABLES Group


NEWMONT MINING


TOTAL Group


PORT ATLANTIQUE LA ROCHELLE


VALOREM


TOTAL EREN


VOLTALIA


JPEE


VSB ENERGIES NOUVELLES


WPD


Work highlights


  • Advised Parc Eolien Offshore de Provence Grand Large (PGL) on the financing of the first floating offshore wind farm project off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, near Marseille.
  • Assisted the Grand Port of La Rochelle in the awarding of the public contract to modernise the port and increase its capacities, and advised on regulatory and environmental matters including litigation.

David Desforges, Avocat à la Cour

Highly regarded environmental law expert David Desforges garners high praise from peers and prominent clients for his breadth and depth of experience in the field, his ‘attentive‘ manner and his ‘meticulous research‘. He handles predominantly transactional work and regulatory advice, for domestic and international clients, in sectors ranging from retail and real estate development to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Practice head(s):

David Desforges


Testimonials

‘Listening, friendliness, and speed in processing requests.’

‘David Desforges is very attentive. He knows how to take the time to understand the challenges in society as well as the impact of future decisions. His step-by-step approach allows the client to understand and define blocking points. And his meticulous research enables clients to get past these blockages despite complex European regulations. His support and kindness facilitate the client’s understanding and acceptance.’

Key clients

BELGIAN SCRAP METAL


BRITA


SONEPAR


PIMCO


OSTIUM


INVISTA


MAGYAR


INVENSYS


SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT


AXENS


COMET FRANCE


ALUMINIUM FRANCE EXTRUSION


Work highlights


  • Advised Seche Environnement on the environmental and compliance aspects in relation to the acquisition of All’Chem, a move enabling SECHE to broaden its range of services.
  • Advising consumer electronics manufacturers on the new French rules governing product-related environmental claims and carbon neutral advertising.
  • Advising an online distributor of professional equipment on the set-up of a voluntary green label scoring system.

FIDAL

The environmental law department at FIDAL is especially notable for its nationwide reach, with twelve offices across France. Clients seek the firm out for advice on issues including waste management, renewable energy, environmental liability and the circular economy. Christophe Puel heads the practice at the national level from the Paris office; Thibaut Geib is particularly recommended for his work on infrastructure projects and planning.

Practice head(s):

Christophe Puel; Thibaut Geib


Other key lawyers:

Bruno Wertenschlag; Astrid Rebillard; Antoine Carpentier


Testimonials

‘For each health and safety or environmental subject, FIDAL offers a suitable team according to the necessary expertise and is a force to suggest possible options and solutions. Excellent knowledge of our activity and the sites concerned. Ease of communication with our teams. Availability and responsiveness. Simple and effective communication.’

‘On these particularly sensitive subjects which affect the environment, we benefited from the effective support of Thibaut Geib, who involved the necessary complementary expertise of the firm, in particular a criminal lawyer.’

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher’s environment team provides advice to domestic and international clients on strategic and compliance matters, in addition to support on transactions and developments and in litigation. Notable areas of expertise for the firm include the circular economy and waste management, where team lead Marie-Léonie Vergnerie is especially experienced. Public law department head Emmanuel Paillard is a key contact for international clients, in particular UK and US-based insurers seeking advice on environmental liability matters in France. Counsel Paul Peyret is also noted.

Practice head(s):

Marie-Léonie Vergnerie


Other key lawyers:

Emmanuel Paillard; Paul Peyret; Camille Fromentin; Jean-Pierre Malili


Key clients

ARIANEGROUP


ENGLOBE FRANCE


EURECAT


HEMA


ITW


MOBIVIA


OLYMPUS


QAIR


SAFRAN


SWEN CAPITAL PARTNERS


Allen & Overy LLP

Allen & Overy LLP‘s public and environmental team is led by Romaric Lazerges, who has broad experience and also heads the firm’s global public law group. Counsel Arthur Sauzay leads on environmental matters, with expertise on issues including ESG, the circular economy and climate litigation.

Practice head(s):

Romaric Lazerges


Other key lawyers:

Arthur Sauzay; Luc Lamblin


Testimonials

‘Very competent and available team, whose expertise has been key in carrying out the company’s missions.’

‘Availability, professionalism, and personal commitment in the tasks and missions entrusted.’

‘The team is available and proactive on the subjects dealt with by the company. The work is precise, complete, and legally sharp, which is very appreciable.’

Key clients

Air Liquide


Ipsen


Natixis


Work highlights


  • Advised Ipsen on its entry into exclusive negotiations with the pharmaceutical laboratory Mayoly Spindler in relation to the divestment of its consumer healthcare (CHC) business.

August Debouzy

August Debouzy handles a range of environmental issues through its broader public law offering, with experience in matters ranging from the circular economy to permitting and pollution. The practice is led by Vincent Brenot, who has expertise in real estate and M&A transactions in addition to standalone environmental matters.

Practice head(s):

Vincent Brenot


Other key lawyers:

Hélène Billery; Emmanuel Weicheldinger


Testimonials

‘The team is of a very high standard with a high level of expertise on new, complex environmental subjects with multiple operational consequences.’

‘Vincent Brenot is a remarkable lawyer, with a very strong capacity for commitment and proposal, to help identify a clear path to follow to resolve issues. It is a real pleasure to work with Vincent on environmental subjects with increasingly high stakes.’

‘August Debouzy demonstrate a good knowledge of French environmental law. The key attributes are their pragmatic approach to issues and the service which they provide to clients, which is first-class.’

‘Vincent Brenot is a standout lawyer. Astute and intelligent, with a keen understanding of the dynamics of how businesses operate. Vincent is forward-thinking and proactive in his approach, seeking solutions in a practical context.’

Key clients

McDonald’s France


Nike


Spie Batignolles


EDF


SNCF


SNCF Réseau


SNCF Mobilités


Ynsect


Sequens


GDE-ECORE


LVMH


Volta Inc


Work highlights


  • Advising McDonald’s France on circular economy matters to adapt to the new French legal framework.
  • Assists Envision AESC with the environmental law aspects of the implementation in France of a gigafactory project for the production of battery modules.
  • Advised Seqens on the mining law aspects of its sale by Eurazeo to SK Capital Partners.

Baker McKenzie

The environment team at Baker McKenzie advises a solid roster of corporate clients on issues including waste management and contract drafting. The practice is led jointly by Arnaud Cabanes, who has particular expertise in greenhouse gases, pollution and industrial site decontamination, and experienced administrative and public lawyer Emmanuel Guillaume.

Practice head(s):

Arnaud Cabanes; Emmanuel Guillaume


Other key lawyers:

Francis Donnat


Testimonials

‘Great consistency of the team. Homogeneity of the level of skills of the team members.’

‘Francis Donnat stands out.’

Key clients

ADP (Aéroports de Paris)


Electricité de France (EDF)


Landis+ Gyr


Schmolz + Bickenbach


Shell


Leggett & Platt (Spécitubes)


MSD (Merck Sharp Dohme)


Nyrstar


UAF


Work highlights


  • Advised UAF (Union of French Airports) in litigation against a decision made by ACNUSA, the national administrative authority in charge of regulating mainly sound pollution around airports.
  • Continuing to represent Shell in a dispute with Lyondellbasell regarding legacy environmental damage at a refinery chemical plant in Berre, near Marseille.

CMS Francis Lefebvre

Led by Céline Cloché-Dubois, CMS Francis Lefebvre‘s environment team advises on matters ranging from waste management and pollution clean-up to the ecological transition. The team works with lawyers from departments including corporate, energy and project finance, and has experience in transactional due diligence in addition to regulation and litigation.

Practice head(s):

Céline Cloché-Dubois


Other key lawyers:

Marc-Etienne Sébire; Clotilde Laborde; Anne Plisson


Testimonials

‘As soon as I have a complex question in terms of environmental law, I contact Céline Cloché-Dubois. In addition to exceptional responsiveness, she, and of course the members of her team, is very competent. Her answers are always written in such a way that they are practical and understandable to non-lawyers.’

Key clients

VEOLIA


ZEHNDER Group


USLEEP


SIEMENS


KSB


FUCHS Lubrifiant France


ENGIE


WAGA Energy


PHOTOSOL


Work highlights


  • Advised Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy on the sale of a 3.9GW portfolio of onshore wind projects worth €580m to SSE Renewables.
  • Advised Waga Energy on the financing of six newWagaBOX projects; units that produce biomethane.
  • Advised USLEEP on the negotiation of a commercial lease agreement for its first warehouse in France.

Fairway A.A.R.P.I.

At Fairway A.A.R.P.I., experienced partner Juliette Bril heads a team with ‘unique expertise in environmental law‘, covering both transactional work and standalone advice on issues from biodiversity to waste and pollution. The firm’s client base includes major multinationals, and the team has particular experience advising on matters relating to data centres.

Practice head(s):

Juliette Bril


Other key lawyers:

Sophie Gaide


Testimonials

‘The Fairway service is tailor-made. The size of the team allows this quality of service. Very high reactivity, seriousness, high reliability, high degree of requirement, knowledge, skill, negotiation. Pragmatism, pedagogy, result orientation to find solutions to our ICPE and Environmental Law issues.’

‘Juliette Bril and her team have unique expertise in environmental law in Paris.’

‘Reactivity, excellent environmental knowledge, intelligence of contracting in the spirit of being able to conclude deals.’

‘Juliette Bril and Sophie Gaide are very involved, available and have an excellent understanding of environmental law issues. Their responsiveness is very appreciated during the negotiations of mergers and acquisitions operations.’

‘Legal team with a very good knowledge of environmental subjects linked to industrial or logistic use.’

‘Very high reactivity, very serious, high reliability, high degree of knowledge, competence, negotiation. Juliette Bril is very pragmatic, educational, and always has a solution to ICPE problems. She is result-oriented, gets to the bottom of things, and perfect in her role! The material is difficult and Juliette’s expertise is a major asset. There is no weak point.’

Key clients

VGP


Stellantis (former PSA group)


Nidec Leroy Somer


Nutrimaine


STAM EUROPE


McDonalds


ADIM (Vinci Construction’s affiliate)


Amundi


Générale du Solaire


Technicolor


Axa real estate


Aviva Investors Real Estate


Icade


Crossbays


Work highlights


  • Advised VGP NV, a Belgian real estate investment fund, in the acquisition of former industrial sites to develop logistic and industrial activities in Petite Couronne.
  • Advised McDonald’s on the implementation of the Environmental Regulation on waste and reusable materials in its restaurants in France.
  • Advised Cloud HQ on the acquisition of plots of land to develop a data centre in Lisses and in the issuance of ICPE operating permits and buildings permits.

Frêche & Associés

An independent firm focused on real estate, planning and public law, Frêche & Associés fields a ‘competent and attentive‘ environmental team with ‘very complete knowledge of the subject‘. The firm assists with permitting, due diligence, and administrative, civil and criminal litigation. Practice head Thomas Garancher has particular expertise in nuclear law.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Garancher


Other key lawyers:

Pascale Pessoa


Testimonials

‘The environmental law team at Frêche et Associés is very competent and attentive to meeting the needs of its clients.’

‘Very complete knowledge of the subject, makes it accessible to clients both in writing and orally, with a lot of humility, and availability.’

‘Thomas Garancher offers remarkable services.’

Herald Avocats

Herald Avocats‘ environment team has particular expertise advising major energy companies on regulatory compliance, audits, and site sales, purchases and development. Christophe Bourdel co-heads the practice with William Azan, while France-Olivia Kwan, who was promoted to counsel in July 2022, has broad experience in real estate and environmental law.

Practice head(s):

Christophe Bourdel; William Azan


Other key lawyers:

France-Olivia Kwan


Kalliopé

Kalliopé‘s environmental and ecological transition team has experience advising on issues including real estate transactions and developments, waste and soil pollution. Practice heads Jocelyn Duval and Lorenzo Balzano have expertise in infrastructure and renewable energy projects and the rehabilitation of polluted sites, respectively.

Practice head(s):

Lorenzo Balzano; Jocelyn Duval


Other key lawyers:

Noémie Lenormand


Testimonials

‘Kalliope is competent in very technical subjects for very demanding clients. They stand out for clarity, precision, and the pragmatic and innovative nature of the solutions offered, as well as responsiveness.’

‘Jocelyn Duval is available, and able to quickly understand the questions and issues.’

‘The strengths of this team are a very good knowledge of the regulations coupled with solid experience. This allows them to deliver concrete and pragmatic solutions while protecting their client’s interests.’

Key clients

VINCI AIRPORTS


NEOEN


CORNING


LAFARGE


EUROPIPE


ENERYO NOVENERGIA


AXA REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT MANAGERS


VEOLIA


STATE OF CHAD


REGION ILE DE FRANCE


EDF (RE)


SPIRIT IMMOBILIER


EUROCAPE


Communauté d’agglomération des Portes de l’Isère (CAPI)


Work highlights


  • Assisted CAPI in connection with a legal action relating to pollution on public domain caused by a truck delivering chemicals products.
  • Assisted Aéroports du Grand Ouest in connection with a recourse launched by the municipality of Saint-Aignan against the environmental authorisations regularising the administrative situation of Nantes Airport.
  • Assisted Corning on the structuring of real estate and environmental aspects of the acquisition of an industrial business from a major industrial company.

PARADIGMES

Evguenia Dereviankine‘s environmental, customs and logistics practice at PARADIGMES advises on goods throughout their entire life-cycle, from conception and design through to distribution and disposal. In the environmental sphere, Dereviankine is particularly notable for her work in waste management, which covers regulation, taxes and disputes.

Practice head(s):

Evguenia Dereviankine


Testimonials

‘The team shows a strong interest in the client’s business and is able to quickly understand the client’s constraints in order to provide solutions adapted to their needs.’

‘Small team, which allows for proximity and live exchange. The firm also knows the clients’ fields of activity very well and knows what is expected. Very operational team.’

‘A quality of analysis and an excellent rendering as and when. Flawless availability and above all an exceptional success rate compared to colleagues, for our business. Transparency, efficiency and results are always there.’

Seattle Avocats

The environmental law practice at Seattle Avocats is especially well regarded for its work in climate litigation, acting for a client base of prominent NGOs and public authorities. François de Cambiaire and Emmanuel Tordjman head the team alongside Sebastien Mabile, a prominent litigator who focuses on the intersections between climate, biodiversity and the law.

Practice head(s):

Sébastien Mabile; François de Cambiare; Emmanuel Tordjman


Testimonials

‘Seattle is distinguished by a strong commitment to serving its clients and the environmental causes it defends. These commitments are combined with unfailing professionalism and fine technical expertise in environmental law.’

‘Beyond an excellent technical mastery of legal matters, the team quickly grasps the problems and provides them with effective answers in the interest of the client.’

‘Seattle Avocats is one of the few firms in Paris to be able to deal with complex and constantly evolving subjects such as the environment and the climate. Its approach distinguishes it from its competitors.’

‘In addition to an excellent legal analysis of the issues, Sébastien Mabile has a very good knowledge of professional networks. His listening skills, his working method and the high quality of his legal expertise make him a remarkable professional.’

‘A dynamic, pragmatic, friendly team, with a lot of energy and the desire to find solutions that are out of the ordinary. Each lawyer has expertise in their field, complementary to each other.’

‘Emmanuel Tordjman knows his subject perfectly, super enthusiastic in case management, always with a pragmatic and often innovative approach to cases and to tailor-made solutions. Sébastien Mabile is very competent, humble and efficient. Very pragmatic. A finder of innovative solutions.’

Key clients

Rouen Normandie Metropole


Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux


Calanques National Park


French Office for Biodiversity


National Forests Office


Port-Cros National Park


Ecrins National Park


Amazonian national park of French Guyana


France Nature Environnement


Veolia Eau


Surfrider Foundation


Client Earth


Government of French Polynesia


Indigenous People Representatives Organizations of Brasilian and Colombian Amazon


Mighty Earth


Guyane Nature Environnement


Office of the Environment of Corsica


WWF-France


Notre Affaire à Tous


Amnesty International France


La Reunion – Regional council


New York City


City of Paris


Work highlights


  • Representing a coalition of 16 local authorities and six NGOs in ongoing litigation against TotalEnergies asking the courts to order TotalEnergies to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to a level consistent with the objective of the Paris Climate Agreements.
  • Acted for the Office of the Environment of Corsica in criminal litigation against three poachers for ecological damage.
  • Acting for the Office National des Forêts in a civil suit regarding water pollution from a gold mine against a mining company in French Guiana.

Soulier Avocats

With particular expertise in the chemical and pharmaceuticals sectors, Soulier Avocats advises French and international companies on a broad range of environmental matters, including permitting and administrative litigation. Founding partner Jean-Luc Soulier heads the practice, and Laure Marolleau provides key support.

Practice head(s):

Jean-Luc Soulier


Other key lawyers:

Laure Marolleau