Linklaters > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Linklaters > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 1

Linklaters houses top banking and finance capabilities in Paris with complementary expertise available in its London and other European offices. The team has a strong involvement working alongside leading French and international investment banks while also regularly acting for borrowers on large complex loan financing and refinancing. It also thrives in the acquisition finance arena, regularly working on large equity bridge loans and financing of public offer facilities. The team is also retained by lenders and borrowers undertaking large pan-European property portfolio acquisition, especially in the logistics sector. Key names in the team include Cyril Abtan, Kathryn Merryfield and recently promoted partner Rhéa Christophilopoulos. Counsel Lauren Hanley provides further support.

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 1

Linklaters fields a team in Paris with both French and US capabilities and is routinely sought out by leading financial institutions and issuers. The firm has particular experience assisting clients with large bond debt issuance including ESG-linked ones. The group's workload also includes liability management and US issuances. Practice head  Véronique Delaittre is a key name for French DCM work, and Luis Roth and Cheri De Luca are experts in US-related DCM work.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 1

Linklaters fields a sizeable EU and competition law team, with deep expertise across the full spectrum of merger control cases, abuse of dominance and cartel investigations, state aid issues and follow-on damages litigation (where the firm has a growing practice, acting for both claimants and defendants). The group is well equipped to take on both French and EU law mandates, frequently joining up with the Brussels and other offices to handle multi-jurisdictional cases. Anne Wachsmann is well regarded for her broad practice, with significant recent experience in high-profile merger control matters, while Pierre Zelenko and Thomas Elkins have been active in major cases in the food and beverages, banking and automotive sectors, among others. Nicolas Zacharie and Matthieu Blayney provide key support. Charlotte Colin-Dubuisson left the firm in early 2024.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

Described as a ‘cornerstone of the energy sector in Europe’, Linklaters‘ far-reaching practice includes advice on energy regulatory and competition issues, project finance and structured products. The team is additionally praised for having the ‘full range of services needed to develop, finance, build and operate renewable energy projects in Africa and other parts of the world’. Practice head Bertrand Andriani draws frequent praise for his involvement with the development and financing of energy projects in France. François April is equipped to advise on mandates involving renewables and infrastructure assets. Global project finance transactions are firmly in the wheelhouse of Stephen Le Vesconte. Pierre Zelenko is regularly tasked with major merger control matters, while Bruno Derieux‘s practice centres on corporate work in sectors including energy and infrastructure.

France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 1

Linklaters' patents practice, led by litigation expert Pauline Debré, has extensive experience in representing major clients in national and cross-border patent disputes, often spanning multiple jurisdictions. The client base includes healthcare, mobility, and telecoms sector entities. Gaëlle Bourout garners praise for her expertise in advising on patent litigation.

France > Project finance Tier 1

Distinguished by its ‘great ability to understand the expectations and issues faced by the client’, the team at Linklaters handles all aspects of project structuring and financing. Its expertise cover the gamut of sectors, and it has particular strength with regards transportation, renewables, and infrastructure projects. The group is led by Bertrand Andriani, who has vast knowledge of major infrastructure and energy project financings in France and Francophone Africa. Additional key figures include François April, Stephen Le Vesconte, Justin Faye, and the ‘particularly efficient’ Samuel Bordeleau. Darko Adamovic left the firm in July 2023.

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 2

Linklaters has considerable securitisation expertise that spans a comprehensive range of products: auto and other consumer loans, ABS and trade receivables as well as acquisitions and related financing of non-performing loan portfolios. The Paris team also works in close combination with colleagues from the firm’s international offices to handle cross-border transactions, assisting both originators and investment banks. Practice head Patrice Doat is highly regarded and is support by counsel Guillaume Malaty. Of note, derivatives expert counsel Vincent Poilleux left in May 2023.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 2

Linklaters' litigation team is entrusted with the management of a range of cases, spanning commercial, financial, corporate, civil and criminal liability litigation in France, in addition to handling high-stakes cases in Africa. The practice represents a prominent client base of French and international companies and investment funds, across various industry sectors in major commercial disputes, including top antitrust follow-on cases and commercial relationship disputes linked to inflation. The team’s involvement also extends to regulatory disputes, notably in the stock-market area. Practice head Arnaud de La Cotardière and Jean-Charles Jaïs are strong names, while counsel Eleonore Hannezo provides additional support.

France > Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 2

Linklaters has extensive experience advising companies, investment funds and financial newspapers in dealing with stock-market breach investigations led by the AMF. In addition, the firm is also regularly retained to act in stock-market battles pertaining to major M&A and squeeze out transactions. Arnaud de La Cotardière and Jean-Charles Jaïs are the key names.

France > Insolvency Tier 2

Linklaters’ team boasts expertise in the field of restructuring and insolvency, regularly tackling intricate restructurings on both domestic and international fronts. Their counsel extends to a diverse client base, including shareholders, management, creditors, investors, and debtors. Co-heading the practice is Aymar De Mauléon, a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in insolvency and restructuring. His involvement in high-profile restructurings, such as Casino, Orpea, and Rally, is complemented by his proficiency in insolvency-related litigation. Collaborating as co-head is Carole Nerguararian, who engages across the full spectrum of processes, spanning from out-of-court to judicial proceedings, specialising in cross-border financial and operational restructuring; leveraging the firm’s international network to handle global cases effectively.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 2

Linklaters’ IP department, led by Pauline Debré, places a robust emphasis on trade mark litigation, demonstrating proficiency in both national and cross-border cases. The team also possesses valuable experience in managing the IP facets of M&A transactions, ensuring seamless transitions for trade mark portfolios. What sets this team apart is its systematic cross-practice approach, fostering close collaboration with colleagues in competition, arbitration, corporate, tax, and public law, providing a distinct advantage over other IP boutique firms. Notably, the team maintains a close synergy with our antitrust experts across Europe and the US, responding effectively to the increasing significance of antitrust considerations in commercial strategies, particularly within the pharmaceutical and telecommunications sectors.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 2

Linklaters has a very strong bench that allows the firm to handle a wide range of matters, from public and private M&A to strategic partnerships and corporate reorganisations. The firm has a strong domestic practice and is also adept at handling cross-border deals. It advises a prominent French and international client base of companies and investment funds. The team has a core focus on the large-cap market and regularly advises on strategic transactions, spanning sectors including insurance, automobile, retail and infrastructure. The practice is headed by Bruno Derieux, who will be joined in summer 2024 by Hubert Segain from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. The team also includes Pierre Tourres, Pierre Thomet, Nicolas Le Guillou and Alain Garnier. Mehdi Boumedine was promoted to partner in 2023.

France > Private equity: LBO Tier 2

The practice at Linklaters is frequently instructed by private equity houses seeking assistance with primary and secondary buyouts, restructurings, refinancings and consortium deals. Practice co-head Bruno Derieux specialises in public and private M&A, corporate governance issues, and buyouts, with particular experience in the infrastructure and energy segments. Alongside him, corporate all-rounder and 'exceptional talent' Florent Mazeron garners praise for his 'very strong legal and diplomatic skills'.

France > Real estate Tier 2

Praised as ‘exceptional in all respects, both in terms of legal mastery and negotiation skill’, the team at Linklaters is well-placed to handle real estate matters such as disposal, planning, zoning, development, construction, investment, commercial leases and sales. Françoise Maigrot steers the practice and shines on complex transactions which involve real estate, corporate, regulatory, financial and tax elements. The group’s strong associate ranks include active practitioners Saadoun Alioua, Camille Lapeyre and Marine Hennequin, who ‘stand out from their colleagues for their commitment, availability and their broad expertise’.

France > Tax Tier 2

The tax practice at Linklaters is well regarded for its broad expertise in transactions, including M&A, LBOs, corporate reorganisations and real estate deals. On the finance front, the team advises on acquisition financings, structured financings, investment fund structuring, issuance of publicly traded securities and IPOs. Clients span an array of domestic and international companies, private equity firms, investment banks and financial institutions. The practice is led by Edouard Chapellier, whose expertise lies in the structuring and launch of private equity and real estate investment funds. Cyril Boussion is also an active member of the team.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 3

Linklaters hired Fanny Mahler, who was previously with Magenta, in September 2023 to head its practice after former practice head Pierre Guillot left the profession. Mahler joins a stable and cohesive public law team that includes counsel Pierre Sikorav. The public law team is an essential component of the firm’s thriving project practice and the team works hand-in-hand with its project finance colleagues on large transport and energy projects in France and Africa. The public law team also has strong regulatory advice that notably provides key guidance to leading companies on Russian sanctions and foreign investment authorisations.

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 3

Linklaters assists a diverse client base of French and international banks, asset management funds and insurers, providing key guidance on a large array of financial regulations and key support during M&A deals undertaken in the financial services sector. Regulatory enforcement is also dealt with. Derivatives, asset management, fintech and ESG are key areas of involvement, while the French team can also rely on a strong European platform. The team is led by Ngoc-Hong Ma and counsel Laurent Benoit.

France > Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 3

Linklaters handles ECM, equity linked and US and international capital markets work on behalf of issuers and underwriters. Luis Roth is an expert at advising on securities offerings involving US investors. Of note, Bertrand Sénéchal left the firm early 2024.

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

Linklaters' data protection offering encompasses advice on the implementation of GDPR compliance programmes, data management strategies and the conduct of GDPR audits. The unit is also well placed to advise on personal data breach responses. ‘Excellent technician’ Sonia Cissé leads the team and frequently leverages her TMT expertise to advise on a wide range of data protection issues, including those related to new technologies such as AI. Clémentine Richard and Faustine Piechaud provide key support.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 3

Linklaters is particularly active in cases concerning Africa (Gabon and Senegal) and the Middle East, dealing with mining, natural resources, energy and construction-related issues. The Paris team, which regularly combines forces with colleagues from the firm’s other international offices, also handles M&A arbitration disputes and is present in cases pertaining to various other parts of the world including Portugal and Latin America. The team mainly acts in commercial arbitration but also manages some investment disputes while exequatur proceedings is another field of expertise. Practice head Roland Ziadé is the key figure in the team, while senior litigator Arnaud de La Cotardière and counsels Andrew Plump, Maria Mitaeva and Claudia Cavicchioli also contribute.

France > Employment Tier 3

Linklaters handles standalone employment matters as well as the labour aspects of M&A transactions for major international companies. The team is notable for its expertise in reorganisation matters, downsizing, collective lay-offs, voluntary departure plans, collective agreements, negotiations, and employee representatives’ consultation. Industry veteran Lionel Vuidard leads the practice alongside Géric Clomes.

France > Private equity: Fund formation Tier 3

Linklaters‘ ‘extensive’ team is equipped to handle the structuring and creation of private equity vehicles, UCITS, ETFs, and debt funds, in addition to handling related corporate, regulatory and tax aspects. The group is jointly led by Ngoc-Hong Ma, who advises private equity funds on regulatory aspects of fund management; and tax and investment management specialists Edouard Chapellier and Cyril Boussion, the latter of whom is lauded as an ‘excellent technician and excellent negotiator’.

Algeria > Foreign firms

With practitioners based in Paris and London, Linklaters continues to act on significant transactions in Algeria and offers abundant strength across a multitude of key practice areas, including corporate, finance and dispute resolution. The firm is increasingly active in a number of key economic sectors, including mining, renewable energy, fintech and digital infrastructure. Practice head Bertrand Andriani has over three decades of experience handling major project financings, insolvencies and corporate restructurings. Counsel Aymeric Voisin is also a name to note; he specialises in complex projects in the mining, infrastructure, industrial and agribusiness sectors.

Morocco > Foreign firms

Linklaters operates in the Moroccan market through its Paris office. Led by Andrew Jones and Bertrand Andriani, the firm handles cross-border acquisitions, project finance, and joint ventures for both international and domestic clients. Pierre Tourres provides advice on cross-border M&A deals for large international businesses.

Tunisia > Foreign firms

From large-scale energy projects, to distribution and joint venture agreements, Linklaters LLP's transactional prowess is brought to bear on matters for clients including private equity firms, financial institutions and telecoms companies. London-based Andrew Jones heads up the team alongside Paris-based Bertrand Andriani. The latter’s project financing expertise extends to secured and unsecured syndicated loans. Justin Faye is well placed to assist with the financing and development of energy and infrastructure projects.