HFW > Paris, France > Firm Profile
HFW Offices
25-27 RUE D'ASTORG
75008 PARIS
France
HFW > The Legal 500 Rankings
France > Aviation Tier 1
HFW‘s Paris aviation team covers transactions, regulatory work and dispute resolution, regularly acting in high-profile, complex litigations involving multiple jurisdictions. Following its appointment to AXA’s global panel and French panel, the team has acted as counsel for AXA XL in several crashes and damage claims in Africa. Based in Paris and Brussels, Pierre Frühling leads the aviation team with Jean-Baptiste Charles who joined the partnership in 2020. Whilst usually acting on behalf of airlines, the firm has more recently received instructions from lessors.Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Excellent collaboration between the different lawyers of HFW, which is very reassuring for the clients.’
‘Excellent communication skills.’
Key clients
Aeromexico
Air Corsica
Air Tahiti Nui
Aircalin
Allianz AGCS
All Nippon Airways
Arkia Israeli Airlines
AXA XL
Cathay Pacific
CMA CGM
Corsair
Croatia Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Delvag
El Al
Global Aerospace
Goshawk
Hi Fly
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Korean Air
La Réunion Aérienne
Mont Blanc Helicopteres / HBG Group
Latam
Saudia
Vietnam Airlines
Wizz Air
Work highlights
- Representing the leading French aviation insurer AXA in several crashes and damage claims in Africa.
- Representing Air Corsica in court in successfully defending a legal challenge against a French Public Service Obligations scheme.
- Acting as counsel to the leading French aviation insurer Global Aerospace in several liability matters including damages to a military Airbus during maintenance in Spain.
France > Insurance Tier 1
Acting for major insurers such as AXA, Zurich and General, as well as underwriters, brokers, policyholders and other intermediaries involved in high-value cross-border claims, the insurance and reinsurance team at the Paris office of global firm HFW continues to lead in the marketplace. Headed by seasoned insurance litigator Pauline Arroyo, the group’s expertise covers product liability, professional indemnity and public liability insurance coverage and claim litigation. The management of third party disputes is another area of strength. Guillaume Brajeux advises on industrial risks while Iris Vögeding specialises in matters involving the transport, renewables, pharmaceuticals and food sectors. Olivier Purcell brings experience to complex international arbitration.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I would like to point out the collaboration with Iris Vögeding, HFW France. She is a very focused lawyer and knows how to explain complicated legal issues and their meanings to her clients. She is also available for discussions regarding general legal aspects without having a concrete mandate.’
‘Very responsive team with multiple areas of expertise allowing agility and fluidity in case management.’
Key clients
AXA France
AXA XL
Covea / MMA
Ergo Versicherung
Generali
Helvetia
Hiscox
Zurich
France > Shipping Tier 1
Led by Guillaume Brajeux, HFW‘s shipping experts have got ‘indisputable legal competence’. The practice has an international full-service capacity in both wet and dry shipping. Handling travel agency liability and personal injury claims, Stéphanie Schweitzer has specialist insight into the cruise and tourism industry. Providing top-level assistance in complex litigation and arbitration, Stanislas Lequette and Vincent Bénézech often take on shipping matters in West African countries. Commercial yachting matters are another area of strength. Mona Dejean stands out at associate level.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They have a practical and pragmatic way of working and of approaching conflicts.’
‘I have worked on several occasions with Stanislas Lequette and have got very good experiences, also with Mona Dejean.’
‘The team is available and responsive.’
‘Stéphanie Schweitzer listens, assimilates the operational constraints of the client, and offers solutions.’
‘The team has partners with different levels of seniority and experience, but always of indisputable legal competence.’
‘Timothy Clemens-Jones: very experienced, very good lawyer. Stanislas Lequette: excellent lawyer and very good contact with his clients.’
Key clients
AXA XL
BMRP
CMA CGM
Cogeas
Corsica Linea
Helvetia
Ingepar (BPCE Group)
Jifmar
Gard
Skuld
The Shipowners’ Club
The Swedish Club
North of England
SMBE
France > Aviation finance Tier 2
HFW has had extensive experience in large-scale fleet restructuring for French airlines, particularly throughout the pandemic period. Testament to its expertise, the firm has been continuously instructed by Air Corsica in the negotiation of several transactions, including the sale and leaseback of two Airbus A320ceo with Lixxbail. Advising clients on their industry breakthrough activities, the team has assisted shipping company CMA-CGM with the launch of its air cargo activity. Pierre Frühling handles both aviation transactions and disputes as well as aviation finance in Paris and Brussels.Practice head(s):
Key clients
Air Austral
Air Corsica
Air Tahiti Nui
Aircalin
Bank of America
Cargolux
CMA CGM
Corsair
Croatia Airlines
Goshawk
Hi Fly
KUWAIT INTERNATIONAL BANK K.S.C.P.
Mont Blanc Helicopteres / HBG Group
Vietnam Airlines
Work highlights
- Advised Air Corsica in several important fleet transactions in 2020-2021 to keep the company profitable in spite of the Covid crisis.
- Assisted the French ship-owner CMA CGM with launching its air cargo activity in 2021.
- Advised Goshawk in the context of the Restructuring proceedings of Lion Air opened before the Commercial Court of Paris on 21 June 2021.
France > Shipping finance Tier 2
HFW‘s expertise covers the full range of shipping finance matters, including asset finance, ECA financings, acquisition finance, and financial restructuring. The firm regularly acts as counsel for world-leading shipowners, banks, private and public financial institutions, and maritime service providers. Jean-Marc Zampa has developed over 20 years of specialised expertise in complex financial transactions and has renowned experience in big-ticket ship financings under the French tax lease structure, coupled with export credit cover for cruise vessels and container ships. Senior associate Olivier Challine is valued for his ‘pragmatism’ and ‘professionalism’.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Rigour, sense of client interest, ability to write and find innovative solutions.’
‘Olivier Challine: availability, sense of organisation, pragmatism, professionalism.’
Key clients
CMA CGM
Ingepar (BPCE Group)
Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB)
CIC
Société Générale
France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 4
HFWPractice head(s):
Jean-Marc Zampa; Diane de Moüy
Testimonials
‘Rigour. Understanding and supporting of clients’ needs.
Key clients
Airbus Bank
APAX Partners
Banco Santander
Banque Populaire Val de France
BRED Banque Populaire
BNP Paribas
Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi France
Bpifrance Financement
Caisse d’Epargne
Crédit Agricole Centre France
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
CCV Beaumanoir
Genting Hong Kong
HFW > Firm Profile
The firm: HFW is a global, sector-focused law firm providing expert advice to clients in aviation, commodities, construction, energy and resources, insurance and reinsurance, and shipping.
The firm prides itself on the deep industry expertise of its lawyers, and its entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative culture. HFW has over 600 lawyers operating in 20 offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
Areas of practice: The Paris office is known for advising clients in insurance, reinsurance, industrial risks, energy, international trade, commodities, construction, aviation and shipping sectors. It has a strong reputation in the field of commercial litigation and arbitration, and also a strong transactional practice, that focuses on corporate and commercial law, corporate/energy, and banking and finance (asset finance, acquisition finance, export finance and debt restructurings).
The Paris office lawyers advise on national and cross border matters and have solid experience of working in Africa, in particular in North and West Africa.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Admiralty | Guillaume Brajeux | ||
Admiralty | Stanislas Lequette | ||
Aviation | Jean-Baptiste Charles | ||
Aviation | Pierre Frühling | ||
Aviation | Stephanie Schweitzer | ||
Banking and finance | Diane de Moüy | ||
Banking and finance | Timothy Clemens-Jones | ||
Banking and finance | Jean-Marc Zampa | ||
Commercial litigation | Pauline Arroyo | ||
Commercial litigation | Vincent Bénézech | ||
Commercial litigation | Guillaume Brajeux | ||
Commercial litigation | Jean-Baptiste Charles | ||
Commercial litigation | Stanislas Lequette | ||
Commercial litigation | Oliver Purcell | ||
Commercial litigation | Iris Vögeding | ||
Construction | Pauline Arroyo | ||
Industrial risk | Pauline Arroyo | ||
Industrial risk | Guillaume Brajeux | ||
Industrial risk | Olivier Purcell | ||
Industrial risk | Iris Vögeding | ||
Insurance and reinsurance | Pauline Arroyo | ||
Insurance and reinsurance | Guillaume Brajeux | ||
Insurance and reinsurance | Olivier Purcell | ||
Insurance and reinsurance | Iris Vögeding | ||
International arbitration | Vincent Bénézech | ||
International arbitration | Guillaume Brajeux | ||
International arbitration | Timothy Clemens-Jones | ||
International arbitration | Stanislas Lequette | ||
International arbitration | Iris Vögeding | ||
International trade | Vincent Bénézech | ||
International trade | Timothy Clemens-Jones | ||
Logistics | Guillaume Brajeux | ||
Logistics | Jean-Baptiste Charles | ||
Logistics | Stephanie Schweitzer | ||
Shipping and transport litigation and arbitration | Guillaume Brajeux | ||
Shipping and transport litigation and arbitration | Stanislas Lequette | ||
Shipping and transport litigation and arbitration | Stephanie Schweitzer | ||
Travel and leisure | Stephanie Schweitzer |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 615 at this office : 38Languages
Arabic English German Italian Slovak SpanishOther
Other offices : Brussels Other offices : Dubai Other offices : Geneva Other offices : Hong Kong Other offices : Houston Other offices : London Other offices : Melbourne Other offices : Perth Other offices : Piraeus Other offices : São Paulo Other offices : Shanghai Other offices : Singapore Other offices : Sydney Associations : Abu Dhabi Associations : Beirut Associations : Jakarta Associations : Kuwait Associations : Riyadh Associations : Singapore- Aviation finance
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