Linklaters > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Linklaters > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 1

Linklaters ‘s large team, which combined top French and UK law expertise, heavily assists leading French and international banks on the granting of complex and large financings including syndicated and bilateral loans, RCF and super RCF facilities, as well as bridge and ESG loans. The practice regularly advises on complex debt refinancing and large acquisition finance deals, including public tender offers.  Finally, the team also assists corporations and investment funds, especially in the real estate finance sector where it has strong knowhow - it recently completed a high volume of refinancing and amend and extend work in that area.  Cyril Abtan, Kathryn Merryfield and  Rhéa Christophilopoulos are all excellent partners. They are supported by counsel Lauren Hanley and managing associate Fanny Allouche .

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 1

Linklaters runs a busy practice, often advising top banks and leading financial institutions while assisting major French issuers with very large debt issuances. The team advises on a large array of transactions, including ESG, tender offer and convertibles and Tier 1 notes. In addition to its excellent French practice, the Parisian based team is also recognised for its US law expertise, regularly assisting banks with Rule 144A and Regulation S transactions conducted by leading French banks and corporations. The team is headed by the excellent   Véronique Delaittre  and Luis Roth  who advises on US law work. US qualified associate  Cheri De Luca provides support.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 1

Acting for a host of leading French and international clients, Linklaters‘ large and versatile team in Paris is able to cover the full range of EU and competition matters. The group, which can also draw upon the experience of the firm’s offices in Brussels and other locations, is skilled in large-scale merger control cases at EU and national level, with growing strength in FSR filings. Its expertise in complex cartel, vertical restraints and abuse of dominance investigations by the French and European regulators, and state aid cases is also well established, while antitrust damages actions are another fast-growing area of activity. Highly regarded practice heads Anne Wachsmann, Pierre Zelenko and Thomas Elkins are mainstays on landmark EU and competition cases in the French market. Nicolas Zacharie and Matthieu Blayney are further names to note.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

Linklaters’ ‘agile’ energy sector team offers lenders and sponsors a deep bench of experts on complex, cross-border, and high-value financing and M&A mandates. Bertrand Andriani heads the practice and, alongside Justin Faye, regularly advises lenders on project financing matters, particularly concerning the construction and operation of landmark battery gigafactories. François April brings further experience within the green infrastructure space, demonstrating a stand-out engagement on complex sponsor-side financing and refinancing mandates. Stephen Le Vesconte is a key contact on global deals, with deep expertise acting for lenders, project companies, and state authorities in the debt and equity financing of renewable, alternative, and conventional energy assets. Samuel Bordeleau specialises in project finance matters in the renewable energy and electricity segments.

France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 1

Leveraging its status as an international law firm, Linklaters services some of the world’s leading companies in technology, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. The firm regularly handles litigation, infringement proceedings, acquisitions, and IP-related agreements. Lauded by clients for being an expert litigator and outstanding team leader, practice head Pauline Debré is noted for handling complex patent litigation for clients in the healthcare, mobility, and telecommunications sectors. Under her helm is Gaëlle Bourout, who is noted for her in-depth expertise and outstanding drafting skills and is qualified for both the Paris bar and for the European Patent Office. Jean-François Merdignac and Laetitia Nicolazzi are stanchions of the firm’s practice with the ‘dynamic’ Nicolazzi leading on many litigation matters and Merdrignac handling the IP issues that come alongside M&A transactions.

France > Project finance Tier 1

The ‘highly qualified, dynamic, innovative’ team at Linklaters is a strong choice for project structuring and financing work alike. Core areas of expertise include transportation, oil and gas, renewables and telecoms financings.  Bertrand Andriani steers the group; his broad practice takes in project finance, insolvency and corporate restructuring. Also noted are François April, who focuses on the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors; Stephen Le Vesconte, who deals with project development, financing and M&A; Africa group lead Justin Faye; and ‘high-flying team leader’ Samuel Bordeleau, who specialises in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects in France and abroad.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 2

As part of the firm’s energy and infrastructure department, Linklaters‘ public law team particularly stands out for its ‘strong expertise‘ in regulatory and state aid issues relating to the financing and development of large-scale renewable energy and gigafactory projects. The team is also adept at handling public procurement tenders and administrative litigation, and is increasingly active in foreign investment regulation. Counting leading financial institutions and private companies among its clients, the firm is also taking on a growing number of strategic mandates for the French state. Fanny Mahler, whose practice spans the energy, infrastructure, transport and telecoms spheres, leads the team, while Pierre Sikorav provides key support in public contracts, regulatory and litigation matters.

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

Linklaters is well placed to handle the full gamut of data protection and privacy issues including litigation, transactional and regulatory issues. Practice head Sonia Cissé advises on the data aspects of cyber security and fintech, and also has expertise in assisting with commercial contracts, sourcing and complex procurement transactions ,regulation of data and networks, e-commerce, cybersecurity security and telecoms projects and interweaves these aspects into her data advice, GDPR compliance and personal data breach work.

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 2

Linklaters is renowned for its high-level securisation expertise to which leading banks and financial institutions, often acting as arrangers or investors, turn to for their large transactions. The range of work spans RMBS, auto loans, auto leases and other consumer loans and ABS securitisation transactions, while the team is also acknowledged for its rare expertise in the field of insurance risk securitisation. The practice also regularly advises on portfolio transactions include sales and investments relating to non-performing loans (notably linked to SMEs). Practice head Patrice Doat is highly regarded and ably supported by counsel Guillaume Malaty.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 2

Linklaters‘ litigation team regularly handles high-stake mass and civil liability proceedings pertaining to financial products as well as antitrust follow-on cases, alongside major financial institutions and companies. The practice also assists companies with contractual disputes and bankruptcy related cases, while also providing support in high-stake regulatory proceedings in the antitrust, securities and energy sectors. Finally, the team also handles some white-collar work as well African related disputes. Practice head Arnaud de La Cotardière and Jean-Charles Jaïs are both seasoned experts. Eleonore Hannezo was made to partner in Spring 2024.

France > Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 2

Linklaters is mandated by companies, investment funds and financial newspapers to assist with AMF investigations regarding stock-market rules offenses, notably pertaining to financial communication issues. The firm also assists clients with takeover disputes involving the AMF. Arnaud de La Cotardière and Jean-Charles Jaïs are the key names.

France > Employment Tier 2

With an impressive roster of international clients, Linklaters has developed a strong reputation in standalone advisory and litigation employment matters. The team leverages a global network to assist in a wide range of cross-border matters concerning reorganisation, M&A-related employment matters and mass employment litigation. Team lead Lionel Vuidard harnesses decades of high profile litigation experience, whilst Géric Clomes specialises in strategic cross-border and multi-jurisdictional work for international clients such as banks, private equity funds and corporates.

France > Insolvency Tier 2

Linklaters houses a broad restructuring and insolvency offering, ranging from pre-insolvency proceedings through to liquidation, although it has a particularly strong record in complex, high-profile financial restructuring deals. The firm’s client base is equally extensive, including debtors, creditors, sponsors, shareholders and managers (with notable expertise in advising funds). Expert in cross-border financial and operational restructurings Carole Nerguararian is a key member of the team. Former practice head Aymar De Mauléon left the firm in 2025.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 2

Linklaters regularly advises international clients on their cross-border trademark proceedings. Led by Pauline Debré, the team also seamlessly integrates with the firm’s other departments and subsequently often advises on the IP aspects of financing and M&A deals. Clients include tech and software conglomerates, pharmaceutical companies and French automotive suppliers. Jean-François Merdrignac is adept at negotiating and drafting various agreements including those pertaining to joint ventures, R&D and collaboration agreements, and sponsorship agreements.

France > Private equity: LBO Tier 2

Linklaters' private equity team regularly assists French and international private equity houses with transactions including primary or secondary buyouts, infrastructure buyouts, IPOs, restructurings and refinancings. Leadership of the practice is shared between Bruno Derieux and Florent Mazeron. Derieux specialises in M&A and private equity transactions involving the infrastructure and energy sectors; Mazeron handles private equity and corporate governance issues, as well as the setting up of strategic partnerships and joint-venture agreements. A recent mandate of note saw the group advise French hydrogen mobility provider Kouros Investment on a new funding round of €200m.

France > Real estate Tier 2

Headed by Françoise Maigrot, Linklaters’ recent caseload encompasses property asset management, disposals, and investments. Maigrot is knowledgeable about environmental and planning law, while Cyril Abtan is well versed in real estate financing. Saadoun Alioua and Farah Alabed are often engaged on leasing matters, while Camille Lapeyre is well regarded in the renewable energy sector.

France > Tax Tier 2

With a strong footing in the transactional market, Linklaters has extensive expertise in taxation relating to M&A and capital markets transactions. On the finance front, the group is also skilled at acquisition financings, structured financings, investment fund structuring and issuances of publicly traded securities. Edouard Chapellier sits at the head of the practice and specialises in the structuring of LBO, M&A and real estate transactions. Cyril Boussion ably supports the practice with specialist knowledge in the tax structuring and launch of private equity, infrastructure and real estate investment funds.

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 3

Linklaters offers a solid coverage in the financial services space of banks, asset management firms and fintech issues, which the return of the highly experienced Marc Perrone (ex Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP ) early 2025 should strengthen further.  The team provides regulatory and compliance advice (MiFID II), assists with the launch of new financial services offers and also regularly provides support to the M&A practice. Finally, the practice also assists clients with regulators-led investigations. Ngoc-Hong Ma and counsel Laurent Benoit. are the key names in the practice.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 3

Linklaters ' solid Parisian-based practice is proficient at handling investment and commercial arbitration disputes, and regularly combines forces with colleagues based in the firm’s other international offices. The team is busy managing work in relation to Africa (Gabon, Senegal) and the Middle East, spanning various industry sectors such as oil and gas, construction, mining and M&A. The team also regularly deals with award enforcement proceedings before French courts, including handling sensitive matters raising corruption allegations. International corporations as well as some African states are clients. The team is headed by Roland Ziadé , who is supported by counsels  Andrew Plump, Maria Mitaeva and Claudia Cavicchioli.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 3

Linklaters ‘ all around corporate expertise spans public and private M&A as well as private equity deals. The firm assists a prominent client base of French and international companies including financial institutions undertaking large domestic and cross-border transactions, spanning various industry sectors such as the financial services, automotive, retail and infrastructure fields. The team is large and able to handle a high volume of work. It is co-headed by Bruno Derieux and Hubert Segain who joined in July 2024 from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.. Other key names in the team includes Pierre Tourres, Pierre Thomet, Alain Garnier , Nicolas Le Guillou,  Florent Mazeron  and Julien Bourmaud-Danto  who was promoted to partner in 2024.

France > Private equity: Fund formation Tier 3

The team at Linklaters specialises in the structuring and formation of private equity vehicles, funds of funds, ETFs and debt funds, as well as related regulatory, corporate, and tax mandates. Leadership of the practice is shared between tax and investment specialists Edouard Chapellier and Cyril Boussion; and Ngoc-Hong Ma, who has particular expertise in advising investment funds, private equity houses and financial institutions on the regulatory environment surrounding fund management.

Algeria > Foreign firms

Linklaters LLP advises on transactions and disputes across sectors such as oil and gas, banking, and infrastructure in Algeria. The team, based in Paris and supported by lawyers across Europe, works closely with multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government entities. Bertrand Andriani, managing partner in Paris, is an expert in project financing and development in Francophone Africa, with notable activity in Algeria. Roland Ziadé is a specialist in litigation and arbitration and has experience with Algerian disputes.

Tunisia > Foreign firms

Linklaters’ Tunisian office which is stationed in Paris is jointly led by Justin Faye and Bertrand Andriani. Faye is highly experienced in project finance across the energy, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors, and Andriani specialises in project development and financing. Aymeric Voisin co-heads the firm’s mining division and he is often engaged in minerals projects as well as infrastructure and decarbonisation transactions.

Ghana > Foreign firms

Linklaters is active in a range of corporate, financial and contentious matters in Ghana. Under the leadership of Paris-based Justin Faye, the team often acts as counsel to clients in the oil and gas, mining, power, consumer goods, telecoms and sports sectors in the country. The group is also strong in handling mandates from entities in the commodities space. Robert Cleaver, who is based in the firm’s London office, has an excellent reputation for his experience in advising on M&A and equity capital markets matters, and Singapore-based Adrian Fisher is well versed in handling technology transactions and data privacy matters. Andrew Jones has retired from practice.

Morocco > Foreign firms

Operating from its Paris office, Linklaters LLP relies on its strong relationships with local firms and counsel and on-the-ground presence during major deals to deliver its services in Morocco. Bertrand Andriani, head of the firm’s Francophone Africa division, has been recognised for his project development and project financing expertise. Litigation and arbitration specialist Roland Ziadé is an asset to the team with his knowledge of OHADA law as well as local law and procedure. Ziadé often acts as an arbitrator in cases involving Moroccan companies.

Angola > Foreign firms

Linklaters LLP is involved in domestically and internationally significant matters in the infrastructure, finance, energy and TMT sectors. The practice is jointly led by Justin Faye and Francisco Ferraz de Carvalho and works on concession agreements, export financing and revolving credit facilities. The Paris-based Faye runs the firm’s Africa group and is involved in several multi-jurisdictional transactional matters, while Carvalho, based out of Lisbon, specialises in finance and energy cases in Lusophone countries.

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration

Linklaters LLP has achieved considerable growth in international arbitration over the last five years. In Latin America, it has represented clients in cases against El Salvador and Peru, as well as defending the Dominican Republic in arbitration under ICSID's Additional Facility Rules brought by Sargeant Petroleum under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). In commercial arbitration, the firm benefits from the presence of 'exceptional lawyer' Christian Albanesi, the former managing counsel at the ICC International Court of Arbitration; Albanesi is praised for his cross-examination skills. In addition to investor-state disputes, he has established the team as a presence in the construction and infrastructure disputes segment, ass well as for post-M&A conflicts. London partner Matthew Weiniger KC has a huge global reputation and frequently leads Latin America-related cases. Adam Lurie provides further senior level expertise, along with Roland Ziadé in Paris. Named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.