King & Spalding LLP > Paris, France > Firm Profile
King & Spalding LLP Offices
12 COURS ALBERT 1ER
75008 PARIS
France
King & Spalding LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
France > Environment Tier 1
The group at King & Spalding LLP is led by the ‘pragmatic and responsive’ Joëlle Herschtel
, who garners strong praise from clients. Herschtel specialises in environmental and toxic tort litigation, and has demonstrable experience appearing before the French administrative, civil, and criminal courts. The team’s expertise also extends to advisory mandates such as the management of polluted sites, assistance with environmental audits and infrastructure projects, and regulatory advice.
Practice head(s):
Joëlle Herschtel
Testimonials
‘Collaboration is always pleasant thanks to the quality of contact.’
‘Joëlle Herschtel stands out for the quality of her advice and pugnacity in matters of litigation. This ranges from the development of a relevant strategy in a long and complex file or innovative advice for specific questions.’
‘Joëlle Herschtel, as lead lawyer, brings knowledge of technical issues related to soil remediation. This complementary expertise can be a major asset in advising clients effectively. The responsiveness of the team is an asset, as environmental issues can often require rapid action to minimize risks and consequences.’
‘Joelle Herschtel is pragmatic and educational, she helps her clients understand regulatory constraints and makes the best possible decisions.’
‘I have worked for many years with Joëlle Herschtel, who has both in-depth technical knowledge but also extensive experience and a deep knowledge of the world of industry. Her advice is always pragmatic, responsive and adapted to the reality on the ground, which is particularly appreciated.’
‘Joëlle Herschtel is the best lawyer that any company likes to have at its side in the context of administrative disputes, where her experience, her tenacity and her practical knowledge of the relationships between the different stakeholders (authorities, associations, companies) are valuable assets and make all the difference.’
Key clients
EXIDE
Recylex
Saint-Gobain
Veolia
Work highlights
- Represented ARCELORMITTAL MEDITERRANEE in a challenging lawsuit case initiated by residents surrounding the Fos industrial area.
- Represented RECYLEX in a litigation case against SNCF RESEAU, the French railway network company, before the Administrative Court of Appeal and as part of a court-ordered expert appraisal.
France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 2
King & Spalding LLP‘s comprehensive Paris-based practice regularly combines forces with the London and US offices in tackling commercial and investment arbitration cases, acting for many leading international corporations and also some states. The firm has strong experience handling large and challenging cases and is involved in high-stakes Middle Eastern and Algerian commercial arbitration pertaining to oil and gas and construction projects. Its exequatur caseload is also strong and features several recent victories in set-aside arbitration proceedings before French courts. The excellent James Castello and Marc-Olivier Langlois are the practice co-heads, with the highly experienced Laurent Jaeger and counsel Agnès Bizard also noted.Practice head(s):
James Castello; Marc-Olivier Langlois
Other key lawyers:
Laurent Jaeger; Agnès Bizard
Key clients
Société des Parcs d’Alger
Obrascon Huarte Lain S.A.
Government of Turkey
Samsung
9Ren Holdings
OMV Upstream International GmbH
Ms Ritika MEHTA
Ms Vinita AGARWAL
Mr Prenay AGARWAL
Union Fenosa Gas
Edisun Power
Cavalum SGPS, S.A.
ACF Renewable Energy Ltd.
Air Canada
Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Ltd.
Athena Investments
Sapec S.A.
Foresight Group
Pressburg UK GmbH
Bouygues Travaux Public
Work highlights
- Representing numerous clients in 22 investment arbitrations brought under the Energy Charter Treaty against Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania.
- Representing Société des Parcs d’Alger (Algeria) and Emirates International Investment Company LLC (United Arab Emirates) in an ICSID claim originally filed in 2018 against the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria relating to the development of a very large urban park.
- Representing Obrascón Huarte Lain S.A., a listed Spanish construction contractor that, along with two other contractors, brought an ICSID arbitration against Kuwait under the Spain-Kuwait and Italy-Kuwait BITs.
France > Dispute resolution: White-collar crime Tier 3
King & Spalding LLP is involved in several headline cases, notably linked to misuse of company assets and tax fraud accusations. The firm regularly defends senior executives, while also regularly representing companies in a range of matters including counterfeiting, fraud and international sanctions investigations. The Paris-based practice also regularly combines forces with its US counterparts to handle international cases, notably when US authorities are involved. The team also assists NGOs and victims of terrorism and human rights violations. Practice head Jean Tamalet and counsel Aurélie Chazottes are the key names.Practice head(s):
Jean Tamalet
Other key lawyers:
Aurélie Chazottes
Testimonials
‘The team is of high quality. They have excellent records and are combative and innovative.’
‘Aurélie Chazottes is a very impressive lawyer.’
‘A dynamic team, intelligent and fraternal.’
Key clients
Carlos Ghosn
Amine Elbahi
Lagardère Multimédia
Europe 1 Telecommunications SAS
Ellipse (Dubai Papers)
Sea Shepherd global and France
Carbo
Minakem
SDW Group/Stanislas Dewynter
OJB Parachutisme
Work highlights
- Assisting Carlos Ghosn in relation to the French pending criminal procedures for alleged misuse of company assets, aggravated breach of trust, forgery and use of forgeries, and aggravated laundering of company assets.
- Assisting Mr Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd, with regard to the efforts to reassert control over the leadership and direction of Sea Shephard Global and Sea Shephard Conservation Society.
- Assisted former CEO of SDW GROUP, Mr. Stanislas Dewynter, sued for alleged bankruptcy by misappropriation of assets and incomplete or irregular account keeping, abuse of corporate assets, fraud as well as aggravated money laundering.
France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 3
Practice head(s):
Mehdi Haroun
Other key lawyers:
Nora Djeraba
Key clients
Anadarko
Rönesans Endüstri Tesisleri
Panoro Energy
Work highlights
- Representing numerous clients in 22 investment arbitration proceedings brought under the Energy Charter Treaty against Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania.
- Represented Spanish energy company Unión Fenosa Gas in three arbitration proceedings (one investment and two commercial) against the Government of Egypt and its national natural gas company, EGAS, as well as in an ICSID annulment proceeding.
- Assisting Panoro Energy in relation to the extension of the Sfax offshore permit in Tunisia.
France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 4
King & Spalding LLPPractice head(s):
Fernand Arsanios
Testimonials
‘Flexibility and availability, ability to find a solution in complicated negotiation situations and timing constraints .’
‘Very agile while having the network and professionalism of a large American firm. The lawyers are very accessible at any time. Great diversity in the teams .’
‘Fernand Arsanios: very commercial and doesn’t make points just to make them. Gets along very well with the advice of opposing parties in general thanks to his charisma and serenity even during the most tense negotiations.’
Key clients
Batibig
Communication and Renewable Energy Infrastructure CREI
Etix Everywhere Holding France SAS
Fiera Comox Private Credit Opportunities Open-End Fund L.P
Heka Invest
LBO France
Spring Holding SAS
Voltalia
White Peaks Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Spring Holding SAS as borrower on the €925 million syndicated loan financing granted by BNP Paribas, Banque Populaire Rives de Paris, Crédit Industriel et Commercial, Crédit Lyonnais and Société Générale in order to finance the client’s take-private acquisition of Manutan.
- Advised Heka Invest on a €800 million unitranche financing transaction.
- Advising Voltalia on a syndicated ESG financing of €200 million granted by BNP Paribas, Natixis and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.
France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4
King & Spalding LLPPractice head(s):
Vanessa Benichou
Other key lawyers:
Anne Atlan
Testimonials
‘The team is extremely efficient, responsive and always provides very good advice. It is a very experienced team that knows how to take a step back from issues in order to best advise its client and has a particular understanding of the client’s expectations. The work provided is always of high quality and the team knows how to be innovative and listen to the customer, particularly in terms of invoicing.’
‘Vanessa Benichou particularly stands out in that she masters the files she handles and leaves nothing to chance, having previously checked all possible alternatives. Anne Atlan, counsel, is a fine lawyer who supports Vanessa Benichou in cases.’
‘Available, rigour, seriousness and good defense of clients’.
Key clients
La Française Des Jeux
Akram Ojjeh Trust
Motorola Solutions Credit Cie
Provalliance
Hugo Boss France
Veolia Environnement
Deka Immobilien
Caisse De Dépôts Et Placements Du Québec
Flowserve Inc.
Alstom
General Electric
Work highlights
- Representing the Akram Ojjeh Trust in estate litigation regarding a Trust settled in the Cayman Islands.
- Assisting FDJ in a dispute against its former distribution network regarding the termination of an amendment to its contract signed in 2003.
France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 4
Practice head(s):
Laurent Bensaid
Other key lawyers:
Thomas Philip; Agnieszka Opalach
Key clients
ESI Group
Manutan
Almerys
UPS
Adionics
Spie batignolles
IDverde
Sidetrade
Brainwave GRC
Serma Group
France > Private equity: LBO Tier 4
Practice head(s):
Laurent Bensaid
Key clients
Montefiore Investments
Cathay Capital Partners
Almerys
Blackfin Capital Partners
EMZ
Ardian
Spie batignolles
France > Tax Tier 4
King & Spalding LLP‘s tax practice covers a range of issues arising from business transactions, including both public M&A and private equity. The team works closely with the firm’s real estate practice on property acquisitions and equity and debt financing. Aurélia De Viry is experienced in advising private family offices in relation to patrimonial tax; she jointly leads the practice with Olivier Goldstein, who is an experienced tax litigator and is active in the life sciences sector.Practice head(s):
Aurelia de Viry; Olivier Goldstein
Testimonials
‘Ability to deal with all tax matters while being able to be very specific when necessary.’
‘Aurélia de Viry: extremely dynamic, educational, great ability to adapt to the needs of the files.’
‘Responsive and professional ’
‘Availability and ability to search for solutions.’
‘Aurélia de Viry: Available and proactive, solution-oriented.’
Key clients
Brainwave
Almerys
LBO France
Spring Holding SAS
Bridgepoint
Work highlights
- Advised the founder and controlling shareholder of Almerys on the exclusive negotiations with European private equity fund EMZ Partners in connection with a buy-out transaction on Almerys, which valued 100% of its equity at approx. €430 million.
- Advised the three founders and shareholders of Brainwave GRC on the sale of its 100% of the share capital and voting rights of Brainwave GRC to Radiant Logic.
- Advised LBO France on its acquisition of a minority stake in Mazarine Group, alongside Mazarine’s founder and majority owner, Paul-Emmanuel Reiffers, managers of the group, FG Bros, and another private equity lifestyle fund.
Algeria > Foreign firms Tier 1
The Paris-based practice at King & Spalding LLP is a market leader for project work in Algeria and North Africa more broadly, with a transactional offering that focuses primarily on energy and oil and gas matters, as well as complex corporate restructurings and acquisitions. Practice head Mehdi Haroun is licensed to appear before courts in Algeria and splits his focus between transactional and contentious work, with the energy and infrastructure sectors being key areas of strength. Counsel Nora Djeraba has a continuously growing transactional practice, and is especially strong in upstream oil and gas acquisitions, divestitures and developments.
Practice head(s):
Mehdi Haroun
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘This practice’s excellent track record is already proven. They are fully dedicated; their teams are construed in a manner to cover all the needs of a specific case and their work is fully integrated. They are a machine.’
‘The team is from diverse horizons, they are totally dedicated to your case.’
‘Mehdi Haroun: He was, from a formal standpoint, outstanding, notwithstanding the fact that he was particularly competent and vigilant from an academic and operational point of view.’
‘Mehdi Haroun is an exceptional lawyer with an exceptional knowledge of the French and Algerian laws and principles paired with an outstanding strategic management of arbitrations. His experience in construction issues in challenging areas of the world makes him one of the best lawyers in his field.’
Key clients
Baker Hughes GE
Bloom/EIIC
GE Power
Work highlights
- Advising the EIIC group on an ICSID dispute against the Algerian state in relation to the development of a mega leisure park in Algiers.
- Acted for GE Power in a dispute over a $234m power plant project.
Tunisia > Foreign firms Tier 2
King & Spalding LLP’s practice combines transactional expertise in the energy sector with contentious expertise spanning arbitrations and criminal cases. Mehdi Haroun oversees matters from the firm’s Paris office and is frequently instructed by clients from the oil and gas sector. Nora Djeraba‘s practice extends to advisory work on local employment law issues. Practice head(s):
Mehdi Haroun
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Panoro Energy
Work highlights
- Assisting Panoro Energy with the extension of the Sfax Offshore Permit in Tunisia.
King & Spalding LLP > Firm Profile
The firm: Celebrating more than 130 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with 1,200 lawyers in 23 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm also represents hundreds of clients with new ventures and mid-sized companies in emerging industries.
The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognised for the results it obtains, its uncompromising commitment to quality and its dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| International arbitration and litigation | |||
| Contracts and business torts | |||
| Intellectual property | |||
| Patent, trade mark and copyright litigation | |||
| Mergers and acquisitions | |||
| Projects and infrastructure | |||
| Capital markets | |||
| Global disputes | |||
| Government investigations |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mehdi Haroun | View Profile | |
|
Joëlle Herschtel | View Profile | |
|
Jean Tamalet | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 1200+ firmwideLanguages
Arabic Chinese English Farsi French German Hebrew Hindi Italian Japanese Korean Mandarin Portuguese Punjabi Russian Sindhi Spanish Swedish TaiwaneseOther
Contact : Vanessa Benichou (office managing partner) Other offices : Abu Dhabi Other offices : Atlanta Other offices : Austin Other offices : Charlotte Other offices : Frankfurt Other offices : Dubai Other offices : Geneva Other offices : Houston Other offices : London Other offices : Los Angeles Other offices : Moscow Other offices : New York Other offices : Riyadh* Other offices : San Francisco Other offices : Silicon Valley Other offices : Singapore Other offices : Tokyo Other offices : Washington, DC Other offices : Chicago Other offices : BrusselsLegal Briefings
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Assisting clients in the present and anticipating the future
2022 is a pivotal year We are going through unprecedented crises requiring a major evolution of our society. One of King & Spalding’s strengths is to be at the side of our client in this context. So far, more than 330m people have contracted the Covid-19 virus, all variants combined, and at least 6m have …
- Environment
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution: International arbitration
Firm Rankings
- Banking and finance: transactional work
- Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Private equity: LBO
- Tax
- Algeria > Foreign firms
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Tunisia > Foreign firms