Linklaters > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Linklaters > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Administrative and public law Tier 1

Linklaters has a stellar reputation for handling infrastructure projects of national importance. The public law team, which combines its expertise with the firm’s project practice, is able to assist all types of stakeholders, from sponsors to lenders. Recent work includes advising on several major transport projects, especially related to motorways, as well as those in the telecoms area. The team is heavily involved in the energy sector, where it utilises its high-level regulatory expertise; the group is assisting with several of France’s landmark offshore renewables projects, while also advising clients on pressing renewables, nuclear and gas tariffs issues. The team has also been retained by the French state to assist with the launch of its national sponsored hydrogen programme. Recently, the team has also seen new mandates coming in the defence sector. Practice head Pierre Guillot is supported by managing associate Pierre Sikorav.

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 1

Backed by 30 offices worldwide, the banking and finance team at the Paris office of Linklaters marshals combined bench strength to assist major domestic and international financial institutions, insurers and multinational corporates in sectors including real estate, energy, telecoms, automobiles, tourism, tech and logistics with a diverse range of high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. Bertrand Andriani heads the team; he has experience of asset financing, project financings, securitisation and corporate restructurings. Cyril Abtan has expertise in secured and unsecured syndicated loans. Kathryn Merryfield specialises in leveraged and investment grade acquisition finance. Counsel Rhéa Christophilopoulos manages LBOs and real estate financings.

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 1

Headed by DCM expert Véronique Delaittre, the capital markets team at global firm Linklaters has strong experience advising major financial institutions, corporates across such sectors as energy and telecoms, the European Investment Bank and public institutions, on a wide range of matters across the practice space. Supported by Luis Roth, who specialises in securities offerings by foreign private and sovereign issuers involving US investors, the group's comprehensive service extends to hybrid bonds, covered bonds, sustainability-linked bonds, regulatory capital instruments, high-yield bonds and liability management transactions.

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 1

Backed by 30 offices worldwide, the team at the Paris office of Linklaters marshals combined bench strength to assist major financial institutions (European Investment Bank (EIB), Credit Suisse, BNP Paribas) and corporates in fintech, renewables, infrastructure and IT (Meridiam, Accenture), on a wide range of structured finance and securitisation products. Practice head Patrice Doat is a specialist in advising investment banks, private equity and debts funds, project bonds, auto loans, ABCP and receivables securitisation and factoring and car fleet securitisation transactions. Counsel Guillaume Malaty brings expertise to the sale and financing of non-performing loan portfolios, while counsel Agathe Motte departed in January 2022.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 1

Linklaters’ strength is in its cross-border merger control work, with the Paris team working with multiple offices in Europe and globally to advise GrandVision on its €7.2bn takeover by EssilorLuxottica, led by Pierre Zelenko and global vertical restrictions head Charlotte Colin-Dubuisson. Anne Wachsmann is also active in this space as well as cartels, which is another area of strength generally for the practice. With partners in the French team often co-leading with those from other offices or the corporate practice, the team frequently advises on gaining clearance from the European Commission for acquisitions, and Thomas Elkins covers much of the firm’s international M&A, aided by recently promoted counsel Matthieu Blayney. Healthcare is a key sector for the firm, which provides antitrust advice on sales of business and acquisitions of stakes in joint ventures, as well as representing clients in follow-on damages litigation. Counsel Nicolas Zacharie provides additional support.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

Bertrand Andriani leads the practice at Linklaters, supported by experts in the area, namely leading renewables and project finance practitioner François April; Stephen Le Vesconte, who has particular experience handling matters involving natural resources and infrastructure; and Darko Adamovic, who acts in major projects in France and overseas; and Pierre Guillot. It is well regarded for its impressive abilities in advising its renowned clients, including Engie and the EIB, on a broad range of matters resulting from both domestic and international projects, with a particular focus on African and European work. Such matters include providing advice on high-value and complex constructions, sponsorships, acquisitions and takeovers, and financings on projects involving such elements as solar energy, offshore windfarms, green hydrogen, and oil and gas. A recent standout case was its high-profile work for ADRIAN and Global Infrastructure Partners on the €16bn hostile takeover of waste and water management company Suez, involving twelve jurisdictions. Justin Faye was promoted to partner in May 2022.

France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 1

Linklaters‘s IP team excels in multi-jurisdictional patent disputes, often representing major clients collectively in infringement actions, including in regard to SEPs. It is also active in advising on the registration and defence of patents and employee inventions. The team, led by experienced healthcare, mobility and telecoms litigator Pauline Debré, frequently works alongside the firm’s other practice groups to assist with M&A and capital markets transactions, in addition to antitrust issues. Gaëlle Bourout assists pharmaceutical clients and Jean-François Merdrignac advises on enforcement strategies.

France > Project finance Tier 1

The projects team at Linklaters has strong experience in advising its clients, being well-known and often internationally renowned sponsors and lenders such as the European Investment Bank, on high-value and complex projects across the full-range of industry sectors. Its infrastructure and energy work is particularly impressive and includes advice to lenders on all aspects of the financing of the first floating offshore wind asset in the world, to be financed on a limited-recourse basis. Its consistently high-value projects are regularly cross-jurisdictional in nature. Bertrand Andriani leads the team, which is formed of specialist partners in the sector, Stephen Le Vesconte, François April, Darko Adamovic and Pierre Guillot. Counsel Samuel Bordeleau has expertise in advising clients on the development, acquisition, construction, financing and refinancing of their projects in energy and infrastructure.

France > Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 2

Headed by experienced partner Véronique Delaittre, the capital markets team at Linklaters has strength advising key market players in such sectors as healthcare and energy on high-value SPACS and IPOs. The team is supported by Bertrand Sénéchal, who also assists with rights issues and private placements, in addition to regulatory matters. Another key figure is senior associate Cheri De Luca, who is US-qualified and advises on equity-linked bond offerings.

France > Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 2

Linklaters has recently been involved in several landmark cases before the AMF regarding stock market abuse matters. The team notably acted in two matters raising high-stakes issues concerning financial communications. The firm defends companies, investment funds and financial newspapers. Litigators Arnaud de La Cotardière and Jean-Charles Jaïs are the key names.

France > Insolvency Tier 2

Linklaters is well-regarded in the field. The firm assists all types of stakeholders: banks, debt and investment funds, as well as debtors. It is also retained by public institutions, including multilateral banks and the French state (CIRI). Recently, the firm has been handling a high amount of amicable restructuring, notably in the heavy manufacturing industry and automotive sectors. The practice also assists investors with presenting bid takeover offers and also handles insolvency and litigation work. The group is also able to draw on colleagues in the firm's international offices to handle global restructuring cases. The team is co-headed by Aymar de Mauléon de Bruyères and Carole Nerguararian.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 2

Linklaters is a firm fixture on domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions across a wealth of sectors, demonstrating a particularly formidable reputation in the technology, infrastructure, transport and energy sectors. Practice head Bruno Derieux is a market veteran of 20 years who routinely acts on public and private M&A deals, in addition to private equity-backed transactions; he is supported by Pierre Tourres, global co-head of the firm’s automotive/mobility department, as well as public tender expert, Pierre Thomet. At counsel-level, Julien Bourmaud-Danto comes highly regarded, as does Mehdi Boumedine, who is distinctly well-versed in M&A pertaining to the African market.

France > Private equity: LBO Tier 2

Alongside its market-leading M&A practice, Linklaters' private equity team is able to draw on experts from its corporate, tax, infrastructure, restructuring, banking, and competition law teams. Bruno Derieux and Fabrice de La Morandière have substantial experience advising on high-profile public or private M&A transactions, buy-outs, restructurings, and public offerings. Florent Mazeron has strengths in corporate governance issues and the setting up of strategic partnerships and joint-venture agreements.

France > Real estate Tier 2

Françoise Maigrot, noted as ‘one of the best Parisian lawyers’, leads the team at Linklaters, which has a strong ability to handle both domestic and cross-border real estate matters. The practice has the unique ability to collaborate internationally with teams in the wider firm, and also often collaborates in-house with specialists in tax, M&A and restructuring, to provide a full-coverage service to clients. It advises on sale and leaseback investments, negotiations of contracts in construction and development matters and on acquisitions. Though it deals with a variety of assets, significant Parisian office buildings prominently feature in the team’s matters.

France > Tax Tier 2

Linklaters' tax team has a strong repute when it comes to the structuring of large and complex private equity and M&A transactions. The tax team, which often combines forces with the firm’s corporate department, frequently acts for leading investment funds and companies on the structuring of their transactions, including public M&A deals. It is also regularly involved in large fundraising and global companies’ combinations and mergers. The team also has specific know-how in tax project finance, regularly advising on domestic brownfield and M&A renewables transactions. Finally, the practice has a strong presence among banks and financial institutions which it advises on strategic M&A work but also in the field of financing and capital markets deals. The team also has a stand-alone activity, notably in the litigation space. The highly regarded Edouard Chapellier heads the team. Cyril Boussion  is the other key member.  

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 3

Linklaters is routinely engaged by major financial institutions, asset managers and insurers to handle a wide range of matters. Headed by Ngoc-Hong Ma, who was promoted to partner in May 2022, and counsel Laurent Benoit, who specialises in investment management regulation, the group’s comprehensive service extends to assistance with the implementation of EU directives and regulations, ESG developments, Brexit, enforcement and litigation and fintech.

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

Backed by 30 offices worldwide, the TMT team at the Paris office of Linklaters brings strength to advising insurers, financial institutions and multinational corporates in consumer products (Groupe Bel), manufacturing, automobiles, luxury goods and tech, on a diverse spectrum of matters. Headed by data protection expert Sonia Cissé, who was promoted to partner in May 2022, the group assists with matters ranging from cybersecurity and regulatory compliance to crisis management and fintech issues.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 3

Linklaters' litigation team has a broad offering, covering civil and commercial litigation, as well as financial, criminal and securities disputes as well as those with a nexus to Africa. The team acts for a broad range of clients including investment funds and banks as well as industrial, mining and IT companies. The practice is also active in several sensitive criminal proceedings in relation to Gabon. Practice head Arnaud de La Cotardière and Jean-Charles Jaïs are the key names, with counsel Eleonore Hannezo also providing support.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 3

Linklaters primarily manages commercial arbitration disputes while also handling investment ones. The Paris team, which combines forces with counterparts in London and other international offices, handles a diverse range of work, touching upon the mining, energy, healthcare, media and financing sectors, among others. Geographically, it often deals with matters relating to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The practice acts for companies as well as for several African states and is currently managing several matters for Gabon and it recently obtained the setting aside of two sentences before French courts on corruption grounds. The team is headed by the firm’s global co-head of practice Roland Ziadé, who also sits as an arbitrator, and also includes Arnaud de La Cotardière and counsel Andrew Plump. Managing associate Maria Mitaeva is also noted.

France > Employment Tier 3

Linklaters assists a prominent client base encompassing leading financial institutions and banks; for the latter, the practice has recently been instructed to advise on strategic remuneration and code of ethics issues. The employment team is also regularly called upon by the firm's corporate department to assist with large M&A transactions, including coordinating employment issues relating to global transactions spanning several countries, as well as reorganisation and collective redundancy work. On the individual employment law front, the practice also assists with strategic litigation as well as internal investigations following whistleblowing allegations and harassment accusations. The team is headed up by Lionel Vuidard with Géric Clomes also a notable team member.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 3

The group at Linklaters has extensive experience in handling the IP aspects of M&A transactions, ensuring the smooth handover of trade mark portfolios. In addition, the team is also able to advise on a variety of non-contentious IP matters, including strategic partnerships, licensing deals and franchising matters. The firm also represents clients involved in cross-border trade mark disputes, with practice head Pauline Debré frequently representing healthcare and telecoms clients before the French and European courts. Jean-François Merdrignac advises clients from the pharmaceuticals and electronics industries.

Algeria > Foreign firms

Linklaters has vast experience acting for clients in the energy and oil and gas sectors, with recent work including advising on disputes, acquisitions and sales of assets. The team is led by London-based head of the Africa group Andrew Jones and project development and financing expert Bertrand Andriani, who works in Paris and is also the head of the firm's Francophone Africa practice. Senior managing associate Aymeric Voisin has experience in project work and development across the mining and infrastructure sectors, among others.

Morocco > Foreign firms

Based out of Paris, the Francophone Africa practice of Linklaters utilises a strong relationship with local governments and regulators in Morocco to support clients on major deals within the region. In particular, the firm is active on a number of major energy projects in regard to both development and financing. Managing partner Bertrand Andriani leads the group with a focus on project development, for both borrowers and financiers.

Tunisia > Foreign firms

Leveraging its global corporate finance prowess, Linklaters LLP has established an impressive track record of involvement in Tunisia-related deals, with a historical focus on banking and finance, private equity and energy-related matters. Energy and infrastructure specialist Andrew Jones, based in London, co-heads the firm’s Africa group and brings to bear over two decades of experience in working in emerging markets across the continent. From Paris, Bertrand Andriani heads the Francophone Africa desk and is noted for his expertise in banking, energy and infrastructure transactions.