Mr François April > Linklaters > Paris, France > Lawyer Profile
Linklaters Offices

25 RUE DE MARIGNAN
75008 PARIS
France
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Mr François April

Work Department
Energy & Infrastructure
Position
François is widely regarded as a leading renewables and energy & infrastructure practitioner in France. A Partner in the Energy & Infrastructure practice in the firm’s Paris office, François focuses on project financing in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. He also has in-depth knowledge of infrastructure assets, including airports, ports and roads and power distribution.
François advises sponsors, investors (including investment funds) government entities and lenders on all aspects of projects, including finance and contractual arrangements, as well as regulatory issues, on projects in France, Francophone Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Canada, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. He is actively involved with the firm’s initiatives surrounding Canada, including developing and maintaining Canadian client and institutional relationships.
Career
2008 to date: Partner, Linklaters, Paris
2007 – 2008: Counsel, Linklaters, Paris
2001 – 2007: Managing Associate, Linklaters, Paris
2001: Managing Associate, Linklaters, London
1997 – 2001: Associate, Linklaters, London
1994 – 1997: Associate, Office of the General Counsel, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Languages
English, French, Spanish
Memberships
François is a member of the Regional Council of the University of Ottawa in Paris.
Avocat au Barreau de Paris
Advocate, Quebec, Canada
Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Education
1993 – 1994: University College, London LL.M
1988 – 1991: University of Ottawa, Canada LL.L
Lawyer Rankings
France > Industry focus: Energy
(Hall of Fame)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 > Project finance
(Hall of Fame)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.
Lawyer Rankings
- Hall of Fame France > Project finance
- Hall of Fame France > Industry focus: Energy
- Industry focus: Energy France
- Project finance France
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Banking and finance: transactional work
- Capital markets: debt capital markets
- EU, competition and distribution
- Industry focus: Energy
- Intellectual property: Patents
- Project finance
Firm Rankings
- Administrative and public law
- Data privacy and data protection
- Derivatives and structured finance
- Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation
- Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation
- Employment
- Insolvency
- Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs
- Private equity: LBO
- Real estate
- Tax
- Banking and finance: Bank regulatory
- Dispute resolution: International arbitration
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Private equity: Fund formation