Orrick > Paris, France > Firm Profile
Orrick Offices
61 rue des Belles Feuilles
75016
France
Orrick > The Legal 500 Rankings
France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 1
Orrick houses a top team for securisation work and is a popular choice for French banks for large and sophisticated transactions. The team notably assists with the setup, restructuring and extension of large securitisation programmes and FCT funds, as well as on the structuring of large public and synthetic securitisation transactions, spanning various assets including auto, trade receivables and LBO loans. The team is headed by the highly regarded Hervé Touraine and also includes Olivier Bernard, who is also an expert in this area. Of counsels Judith Rousvoal and Laure Seror provide additional support.Practice head(s):
Hervé Touraine
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Innovation. Long experience.’
‘The team is well staffed and shows a lot of flexibility and adaptability.’
‘Oliver Bernard combines excellent transactional skills and remarkable regulatory mastery, and knows how to demonstrate flexibility in handling files without compromising on the protection of his clients’ interests.’
‘This team benefits from a high level of expertise and experience in securitization of several types of assets.’
‘Ability to listen to innovative arrangements and implement solutions. ’
‘Olivier Bernard has good listening skills and the ability to propose adapted solutions.’
‘Recognition in the field. Proven competence.’
‘Olivier Bernard stands out for his experience, his calm approach and his ability to resolve complex situations.’
Key clients
Axa Banque
BNP Paribas
BPCE
Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
La Banque Postale
Morgan Stanley
Natixis
Natixis Investment Managers International
Société Générale
Virtuo
Fraikin
Work highlights
- Advising BPCE on the restructuring, extension and increase of the RMBS programme of Groupe BPCE, France’s second-largest banking group.
- Advised BNP Paribas and BNL in respect of a €1.4 billion synthetic securitisation deal for which the European Investment Fund (EIF) has issued a guarantee, guaranteed in turn by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
- Advising BNP Paribas on the restructuring and extension of a securitisation of a portfolio of SME loan receivables in France originated by BNP Paribas and worth circa €2 billion.
France > Administrative and public law Tier 2
Orrick's public law team is fully integrated into the firm’s project and infrastructure department and is strongly involved in the energy fields, where it is notably advising the French state on large offshore wind projects and companies on the negotiation of corporate PPA contracts. The team is also advising sponsors on large Parisian urban rail transport projects, and various sponsors bidding on the awarding of new motorways and large concessions across various other areas. It also provides regulatory support to the M&A team, handles sensitive regulatory and project-related litigation and works on projects in Africa. The team is headed by Geoffroy Berthon and includes senior counsel Noël Chahid-Nouraï and of counsel Constance Boillot.Practice head(s):
Geoffroy Berthon
Other key lawyers:
Noël Chahid-Nouraï; Constance Boillot
Testimonials
‘It’s an excellent team. The team has a pragmatic approach and is one of the few on the market capable of handling public law files in Africa.’
‘Geoffroy Berthon is a talented lawyer. He has a fine and sharp mind and is an excellent technician with a business eye. For me, he is one of the best of his generation.’
‘Dynamic, highly available team, with very good experience in infrastructure projects, an ability to deliver quality work within short deadlines, and to adapt to everyone’s interests. A team particularly suited to complex infrastructure projects, with remarkable value for money. ’
‘Geoffroy Berthon: excellent listening skills, technical in his advice and knowing very well how to qualify his opinions by taking into account all the issues present. Constance Boillot: very great capacity for work and rigorous.’
‘Very good advice, available and professional .’
‘Very good at understanding customer needs’.
Key clients
3i Infrastructure plc
Accenture
Aéroport de Nice-Côte d’Azur
Akiem
Allianz Global Investors
Antin Infrastructure
Ardian
Auchan group
Autorecharge
Azienda Trasporti Milanesi
Bolloré Transport & Logistics
Boralex
Bouygues Construction
Caisse d’Epargne Ile-de-France
Caisse Des Dépôts et Consignations
Dalkia
DIF Capital Partners
EGIS
EOS
Fayat
French Government – Ministère de la Transition énergétique
GIC
IGY (Island Global Yachting)
Iveco
Microsoft
Neoen
Serena
Société Générale
TIIC
Work highlights
- Advising the French government (Ministry for Energy Transition) on the multiannual energy plan related to offshore wind development.
- Advising a bidding consortium on its participation in the tender process launched by Ile-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) for the public service contracts for the operation of lines 15, 16 and 17 of the “Grand Paris Express” metro system.
- Advised the winning consortium comprising Fayat, IGY Marinas and Cannes Marina Invest on the implementation and financial closing of the 30-year concession contract for the renovation and operation of the Vieux Port de Cannes.
France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 2
Orrick is entrusted to deal with a diverse range of cases including major debt restructuring and insolvency proceedings and corporate disputes. The team’s caseload also regularly includes one-of-a-kind disputes and extends to criminal proceedings and compliance and risk prevention. Leading French and international companies as well as investment funds are among its clients. The practice is led by Frédéric Lalance and includes the highly experienced Jean-Pierre Martel, as well as associates Grégoire Piat and Amaury Ginet.Practice head(s):
Frédéric Lalance
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Remarkable cohesion and coordination between the lawyers, consistent quality of the lawyers, excellent strategic sense and great reliability.’
‘Frédéric Lalance, exceptional leader of the team, real role model.’
‘Frédéric Lalance, for the clarity of his advice and his answers, and his ability to guide the client in their choices’
‘Very responsive team.’
‘A very strong and capable team, great strategic vision and attention to detail, excellent familiarity with dispute resolution practices in France.’
‘Frédéric Lalance is an exceptional partner, very knowledgeable and client friendly. Grégoire Piat, senior associate, is extremely diligent and bright.’
‘Strong responsiveness. Very reliable skills/expertise.’
‘Frédéric Lalance and Grégoire Piat are very competent, attentive, show good case management under pressure and with high stakes.’
Key clients
Air Liquide
Anchorage
Arcole Industries
Boussard & Gavaudan
Bpifrance
Bureau Veritas
Carmignac Gestion
Consortium de Réalisation
Coriolis
Crédit Agricole
Diane Wildenstein
DNCA
Dogan Holding / Sabanci Holding A.S. / Limak Yatirim Enerji Üretim Isletme Hizm
Eiffel Investment Group
Elliott
ENEL
Etablissements Peugeot Frères
Kosmos
L’Oréal
Natixis
Nvidia
Officiis Properties
Opel Bank
Production Resources Group
PwC
Rothschild & Co
Schelcher Prince Gestion
SFR
Sonos
Syma
3i Infrastructures
Work highlights
- Representing 15 of the more than 50 defendants – members of families owning the most powerful groups of companies in the Turkish economy (in the energy, telecommunications, media and construction sectors) – against allegations of spoliation.
- Representing the Consortium de Réalisation (CDR) in the Adidas case against Bernard Tapie, his group of companies and their liquidators, in order to enforce the Paris Court of Appeal decision of December 3, 2015, confirmed by the Supreme Court in May 2017, ordering to repay €404 million plus arbitration costs and interests.
- Assisting 5 investment funds (Anchorage, Boussard & Gavaudan, Carmignac Gestion, Eiffel Investment Group and Schelcher Prince Gestion) in the numerous disputes initiated by a few unsatisfied creditors and shareholders against the financial safeguarding plan of ORPEA, an elderly care company.
France > Employment Tier 2
Orrick handles major international employment matters including large-scale restructurings and downsizings. The team is active for clients in a range of sectors and advises major blue-chip companies on high-level and sensitive cases. Emmanuel Bénard, a noted specialist in collective litigation and criminal employment law, leads the team. He is supported by Nadège Owen, who is a trusted adviser to corporate clients on a range of employment issues. Hélène Boukez and Soumaya Ouzzani are other key practitioners of note.Practice head(s):
Emmanuel Benard; Nadège Owen
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘In-depth expertise, ability to deliver quickly, within the requested deadlines, prudent advice.’
‘Emmanuel Benard: high quality of advice, high quality of written legal analysis.’
‘Soumaya Ouzzani: ability to follow cases over long periods of time, creative in legal argumentation.’
‘Very high technicality on questions of social law, both individual and collective, acute political sense.’
‘Emmanuel Bénard: commitment, high added value advice combined with marked pragmatism, global vision.’
‘Special mention for Soumaya Ouzzani, for her unfailing support, ability to explain the complexities of French social law to our internal contacts (Europe / Global). Real availability to support us on a daily basis in our transformation projects.’
‘Professional team, well organized, responsive, rigorous and open to current technologies.’
‘I worked a lot with Soumaya Ouzzani. she is very professional, responsive, proactive and extremely competent. She gives very good advice, and always seeks the right solution to the problem exposed with the objective of securing the file. She listens to her clients and their concerns, provides answers quickly and is very available.’
Key clients
Almaviva
Antin Infrastructure
Aswo
AXA France
AXA GO
AXA IM
Change.org
Clubmed
Crédit Agricole SA
Crédit Agricole Assurances
Dior
Groupe Air France (Air France / Hop !)
Helios
Heycar
Idia
La Banque Postale
Omnipresent
PKF
Snap
Splunk
Venafi
Work highlights
- Advising Air France on its strategic European projects in light of existing collective arrangements.
- Assisting La Banque Postale in various corporate transactions by providing analysis and support for the employment law aspects.
- Assisting Groupe AXA with its most sensitive issues or projects (notably for crisis management, relations with works council and trade unions).
France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 2
Described as a team that ‘always delivers’, Orrick‘s expertise in areas such as project financing, concession agreements and power plant management is brought to bear in an array of major domestic and international mandates. Christophe Lefort, who joined in July 2023 from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, spearheads the firm’s offering. Contractors and financial institutions frequently turn to him for assistance with the construction and financing of energy projects. Public law specialist Geoffroy Berthon, PPP expert Yves Lepage, Foucaud Jaulin, whose practice extends to privatisations in the energy sector, and public contracts authority Constance Boillot are further key contacts.Practice head(s):
Christophe Lefort
Other key lawyers:
Yves Lepage; Geoffroy Berthon; Foucaud Jaulin; Constance Boillot; Carole Schertzinger
Testimonials
‘Orrick stands out from competitors thanks to its powerful strike force of an experienced and qualified team in the energy field. The team is agile and very collaborative.’
‘Foucaud Jaulin and Carole Schertzinger are very attentive to our concerns.’
‘Excellent knowledge of the local African market.’
‘I have worked a lot with Foucaud Jaulin, who is particularly knowledgeable in matters of energy law.’
‘Good Francophone capacity, and knowledge of and experience in West Africa.’
‘The Orrick energy team is a safe pair of hands. They have been performing under very tight deadlines and always deliver. They are analytical, yet can make pragmatic decisions. This team is highly recommended and I could not be more grateful to have them on our side.’
‘Foucaud Jaulin is an excellent energy lawyer. He is very knowledgeable in his field and delivers succinct, commercial advice.’
‘Knowledgeable responsive and time efficient.’
Key clients
Africa50
Ardian
EDF
ENEO
Eranove Group
Gridworks (a subsidiary of British Investment International)
Société Générale
The French government (French Ministry for Energy Transition)
Total Eren
Voltalia
Work highlights
- Advising the French government (the Ministry for Energy Transition) on the framework of the multi-annual energy plan related to offshore wind development.
- Advising Total Eren and Visolar on the project financing of the Villarpando 100 Mwac solar PV plant in the Dominican Republic.
- Assisting Gridworks, Eranove and AEE Power with the conclusion of concession agreements for the development and financing of mini-grids and power generation plants in the cities of Gemena, Bumba and Isiro.
France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 2
Orrick is well-placed to advise startups and investors based in France and abroad on venture and growth capital transactions. The group has a track record providing counsel to software, computing, and e-commerce companies. The practice is co-led by Benjamin Cichostepski, who assists high-potential companies and investors private equity and M&A transactions, and Olivier Vuillod, who stands out for his considerable cross-border transactional expertise.Practice head(s):
Benjamin Cichostepski; Olivier Vuillod
Testimonials
‘Responsiveness and availability.’
‘Olivier Vuillod: availability, clarity of explanations & technical qualities.’
Key clients
Dataiku
Homa Games
Cajoo / Flink
SiPearl
Highland Europe
Tehtri-Security
Battery Ventures and LFX Venture Partners
Volta Medical
Ganymed Robotics
SESAMm
Strapi
XXII
Regate
Kaliz
Immortal Game
EDF Pulse
Upfront
Mistral AI
Work highlights
- Advised Dataiku on its $200m Series F financing.
- Advised Upfront on its investment in the $175m financing of Ynsect.
- Advised Mistral AI on its $113m Series Seed financing.
France > Project finance Tier 2
Orrick's practice regularly advises domestic and international clients on the financing of projects undertaken in France, Francophone Africa, and Latin America. The team’s broad expertise extends from projects involving renewable power generation plants – namely wind, hydro, and solar – to railways, highway concessions, airports, ports, and social infrastructure. The team is directed by Christophe Lefort, who specialises in the construction and financing of major energy and infrastructure projects. Yves Lepage majors on the financing of PPP, infrastructure, and power generation projects. Carine Mou Si Yan left the firm in December 2023.Practice head(s):
Christophe Lefort
Key clients
Africa50
AMP
Ardian
Bouygues Construction
Colas
EGIS
ENEO
Eramet
Eranove Group
Fayat
Gridworks
Groupe ADP
IGY
Société Générale
Total Eren
Vinci Airports
Vinci Concessions
Voltalia
Work highlights
- Advised the consortium formed by FAYAT, RAZEL-BEC (FAYAT Group) and Egis in connection with a public-private partnership contract for the construction and operation of 14 toll stations on Cameroon’s main road axes.
- Advised several lenders of the consortium in the bidding process for the A412 motorway concession launched by the Ministère de la Transition Ecologique.
- Advised Total Eren and Visolar on the project financing of the Villarpando 100 Mwac solar PV plant in the Dominican Republic.
France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 3
Orrick has a stellar reputation in antitrust litigation and follow-on damages claims, frequently representing clients before the FCA and the French courts of the highest levels; its recent caseload includes acting for the claimants in high-profile private enforcement actions against Google and Orange. The team also advises on FCA investigations, merger control (including multi-jurisdictional filings) and complex state aid issues, where Marie-Laure Combet is considered a go-to adviser. The highly experienced Patrick Hubert and Malik Idri, an expert in follow-on damages claims, are also noted.Practice head(s):
Patrick Hubert
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Expertise and high level of skills.’
‘Marie-Laure Combet stands out for her empathy, skill and availability.’
‘The team’s in-depth expertise makes them unique – in particular, in contrast to a number of other law firms, they are truly collaborative across the different practices and offices. This means that they are able to provide outstanding quality advice to clients.’
‘I’ve always been incredibly impressed by Marie-Laure Combet. In particular, she has outstanding expertise in state aid matters and is a go-to name in the Paris market for advice on the most complex state aid matters. Marie-Laure works exceptionally hard to provide her clients with the highest quality legal advice. She is also outstanding at communicating complex legal matters in a very easy and clear manner.’
‘Excellent team! Patrick Hubert and Malik Idri stand out.’
Key clients
Ardian
AXA REIM France
iQera
GS1
Randstad
Royal Mail Group Ltd
SFR
Dalkia
Biogaran (Servier Group)
Chantiers de l’Atlantique
Saint-Gobain
Figec
Safran
Terreal
Work highlights
- Successfully represented Saint-Gobain Isover in an investigation by the FCA regarding an allegation of anticompetitive practices, resulting in the complete dismissal of the case.
- Representing Smart AdServer SAS in a damages claim against Google following the €220 million fine imposed by the FCA.
- Represented SFR in an approximately €3 billion damages claim against Orange for anticompetitive practices, following a decision of the FCA, in a landmark case before the Paris Commercial Court.
France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 3
Orrick is particularly noted for its strength in the renewables energy, infrastructure, tech and finance sectors, where the firm regularly assists key clients on their strategic deals. The team is at ease handling cross-border transactions, notably in the US, as well as complex public and private M&A deals, and also handles private equity transactions. The practice is headed by Patrick Tardivy and also includes Olivier Jouffroy and new arrival Marine Jamain, who was formerly with Clifford Chance, and joined in September 2023.Practice head(s):
Patrick Tardivy
Other key lawyers:
Olivier Jouffroy; Marine Jamain; Gergana Rodriguez-Bacarreza
Testimonials
‘Very high technicality. experience and good management of complicated situations.’
‘Extremely competent and available.’
‘Olivier Jouffroy stands out for his accessibility and level of knowledge and experience.’
‘Strengths: excellent knowledge of law and the energy sector, rigor of analysis, speed of execution, great negotiation skills (dealmaker spirit).’
‘The team is reliable, available, creative and adaptable.’
‘Responsiveness and precision. ’
‘Very flexible and innovative team both in the approach to transactions and in the management of fees.’
Key clients
3i Group Plc
Alan
Almaviva Capital / Almaviva Santé
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Ardian
Auchan
Axa IM
Bouygues SA
BT Group Plc
CNP Assurances
DIF Capital Partners
EDF Invest
Eurofiber
L’Oréal
Pasqal
Ratp
Saur
Safran
Societe Generale
Stokke AS
Veolia Environnement
Work highlights
- Advised Ardian Infrastructure in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in the capital of GreenYellow from French mass-market retailer Groupe Casino, Tikehau Capital and Bpifrance.
- Advised NYSE-listed French company Sequans Communications on its contemplated takeover by Japan-listed Renesas Electronics Corporation.
- Advised Antin Infrastructure Partners on its acquisition of a controlling stake in Power Dot, a Portugal based EV charging infrastructure operator.
France > Private equity: LBO Tier 3
Practice head(s):
Patrick Tardivy; Olivier Jouffroy
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Marine Jamain is very responsive and professional.’
Key clients
3i Group
Almaviva Capital (a Wren House portfolio company)
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Aptean (a portfolio company of TA Associates)
Ardian Infrastructure
Axa Investment Managers
CNP Assurances
DIF Capital Partners
EDF Invest
Eurofiber (a portfolio company of Antin)
Impax Asset Management
NXMH
Pasqal
Proximis
Safran
Saur (a portfolio company of EQT)
Société d’investissement Bastide – SIB
Société Générale
Stokke AS (a portfolio company of NXMH)
Sunfunder
Work highlights
- Advised Ardian Infrastructure on the acquisition of a majority stake in the capital of GreenYellow from French mass-market retail giant Groupe Casino, Tikehau Capital and Bpifrance.
- Advised EDF Invest on its acquisition of a 27% stake in US datacentre operator DataBank alongside co-investor Swiss Life AM.
- Advised Antin Infrastructure Partners, a France based private equity firm, on its acquisition of a controlling stake and further investments in Power Dot, a Portugal based EV charging infrastructure operator.
France > Insolvency Tier 4
Since April 2023, Orrick's restructuring and insolvency practice witnessed significant growth, due to the addition of practice leader Aurélien Loric, formerly with Eversheds Sutherland (France) LLP. Loric's arrival revitalised the practice, reaffirming its capabilities in this domain. Bolstered by a global network, the team serves as the preferred legal counsel for clients dealing with distressed situations, leveraging its expertise in highly regulated industry sectors, such as financial services and private equity. Notable expertise is also provided by Francois Wyon, who advises stakeholders in both amicable and judicial contexts.Practice head(s):
Aurélien Loric
Other key lawyers:
François Wyon
Testimonials
‘Professionalism, true understanding of the subjects, technicality and agility.’
‘Aurélien Loric is fast, professional and a good leader. François Wyon is professional and trustworthy.’
‘Great ability to understand and adapt to complex contexts.’
‘A cohesive and tight restructuring team, which is among the most reliable on the market.’
‘Aurélien Loric has perfect mastery of constraints and financial issues.’
‘François Wyon is very good at understanding the situation and the objectives pursued by the different classes of affected parties. Very high availability and ability to reassure clients.’
‘The team is united and proactive.’
Key clients
Alcentra
Anchorage Capital Group
Attestor Limited
Boussard et Gavaudan
Carmignac
Davidson Kempner
DIIS Group
DNCA
Ecofi
Eiffel Investment Group
Fidera
Financière Arbevel
Schelcher Prince Gestion
Zencap Asset Management
Work highlights
- Advised Alcentra and Fidera as part of an investor group (including Atream) in the implementation of a September 2022 agreement (originating from a March 2022 agreement) with Pierre et Vacances.
- Advising a steering committee consisting of five French and foreign financial institutions that coordinates over fifty creditors (comprising domestic and foreign par lenders, as well as hedge funds) with a collective unsecured debt of approximately €2 billion in the financial restructuring of Orpea S.A., a prominent player in the nursing home sector in France and Europe.
- Advising a group of secured creditors including Attestor Limited and Davidson Kempner, in the financial restructuring of Casino Group, a leading food retailer, with more than 11,500 stores worldwide across France and Latin America.
France > Real estate Tier 4
Orrick is equipped to handle real estate development and financing mandates, in addition to property acquisition and related disputes. Key department figures include Patrick Tardivy, Olivier Jouffroy, Jessie Gaston and Geoffroy Berthon. Paul Loisel, previously at White & Case LLP, joined the firm in June 2023 and adds expertise in the structuring and financing of energy and real estate projects. Ex-practice co-head Carine Mou Si Yan left the firm in December 2023.Practice head(s):
Patrick Tardivy; Olivier Jouffroy; Jessie Gaston; Geoffroy Berthon
Key clients
3i European Operational Projects Fund (3i EOPF)
3i Group Plc
Alcentra Limited
Alliages et Territoires
Allianz Global Investors
Almaviva Capital
Antin Infrastructure Partners
AXA Investment Managers – Real Assets
BPCE
Château La Coste
CDC-CDC Habitat-Icade Promotion
Equinix Hyperscale 1 Holdings BV
Fayat
Fidera Limited
Island Global Yachting
LBO France
Société Générale
Work highlights
- Advised AXA IM Alts on the acquisition from Nexity of a 12 hectare site in Bry-sur-Marne and Villiers-sur-Marne, home to a film and TV recording complex.
- Advised the winning consortium led by Fayat and Island Global Yachting on the tender process for the €635m 30-year concession contract to renovate and operate the maritime real estate at Vieux Port de Cannes.
- Advised Icade Promotion, Caisse des Dépôts (Banque des Territoires), and CDC Habitat on the consultation launched by Solideo (the Olympic Works Delivery Company) for the financing and development of Block D of the Olympic Village for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris.
France > Tax Tier 4
Orrick handles a range of matters spanning disputes, investigations, M&A and private equity transactions, reorganisations, as well as matters related to warranties and indemnities. Highly regarded tax litigator Laurent Olléon heads the practice and leads on the team’s tax controversy matters. Jessie Gaston is also a name to note and is well versed in handling private equity corporate transactions and attendant tax risk. Anne-Sophie Kerfant left the firm in early 2024.Practice head(s):
Laurent Olléon
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A tax team specialising in tax litigation, dealing with extremely complex subjects with almost unique expertise on the market. The work is based on a real partnership with the client, made of dialogue and in-depth exchanges, with a great open-mindedness and a remarkable strength of proposal.’
‘The strength of the team lies in its ability to analyze, anticipate and propose alternative solutions.’
‘Technical ability and responsiveness’
‘Jessie Gaston was very responsive and pre-active in co-ordinating global advice for our client and managing other stakeholders. Technically her feedback was also very clear and addressed our questions in a timely manner.’
‘On the tax law side, the Orrick team knows how to make itself quickly available when we need a consultation. The team is responsive and competent.’
‘Orrick is a renowned firm that is among the best in the world in my opinion. The quality of service provided is always excellent and is delivered on time. Orrick’s strengths and assets are its responsiveness, flexibility, high level of professionalism, excellent quality of advice, and an exceptional level of negotiation with our investors and portfolio companies.’
‘Dynamic and flexible team, always attentive to meet the needs of its clients.’
Key clients
3i Infrastructure
AIG Europe
Akiem
Alan
Anaplan
Antin Infrastructure
Ardian
Axa-REIM France
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
BNP Paribas
Boralex
Bouygues Construction
BPCE Group
Cajoo Technology SAS
Cisco Systems
Claranova
Dassault Systèmes
Dataiku
DIF Infrastructure
EOS Holding
Eurofiber
Groupe Vendome
Hachette Livre
Intermarché
L’Oréal
LVMH
Maybourne Hotels Group
Natixis
On.to
Pasqal
Renault
RTE
SEB Group
Sequans Communications
Stokke AS
Sellsy
SIACI Saint Honoré
SNCF
Société Générale
Sorare
Tenergie
Tokio Marine hcc
Vivendi
Wildenstein
Work highlights
- Advises VMWare on the French tax and comp and benefits consequences of its merger with Broadcom.
- Advised Ardian Infrastructure on the €1.4 billion acquisition of a majority stake in GreenYellow from Groupe Casino, Tikehau Capital and Bpifrance.
- Representing BNP Paribas Arbitrage in a major corporate income tax dispute covering matters of high complexity: tax credits on foreign income, withholding tax on the so-called “CumCum” transactions, deemed distributions and transfer pricing.
France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 5
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Voigt & Collegen
Safran (Groupe)
GE Renewable Energy
Lincoln Electric
Adria
Vicat
Barrick
Solek Holding SE
EEPro GmbH
Marchi Energia S.r.l.
Work highlights
- Representing a group of Dutch investors in a $2 billion ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Croatia in relation to an alleged expropriation.
- Acting for Voigt & Collegen in a case pursuing remedies against Spain for changes to its renewable energy tariffs after both Spain and Italy changed their policies.
- Representing a group of investors in an ICSID arbitration against Romania under the Energy Charter Treaty.
Orrick > Firm Profile
The firm: Founded in San Francisco 150 years ago, Orrick is a leading global law firm with a particular focus on serving companies in the technology, energy, infrastructure and financial sectors. The firm is recognised worldwide for delivering the highest quality, commercially oriented legal advice.
France – Our Paris team, known as Orrick Rambaud Martel, is one of the premier international law practices in France. Our team is called on by the largest French and international financial institutions, infrastructure funds, CAC 40 companies, high-growth startups and international companies. Clients turn to our team on the deals, projects and disputes that are shaping the French economy.
Our leadership in the French market dates back a decade, when we combined with Rambaud Martel, one of Paris’s pre-eminent corporate law firms.
Corporate and tech: We have played a role in many of the most innovative French corporate transactions of recent years. We advised Alstom’s board on the $13.5bn sale of the company’s power generation business to General Electric, one of the most complex and closely watched M&A transactions in France, which was named European M&A “deal of the year” by IFLR. The Peugeot family turned to our Corporate team for a $3.4bn (€3bn) capital raise that involved a joint venture with China’s Dongfeng Motor Group. And L’Oréal sought our advice on its $6.8bn (€6bn) stock buyback.
We’re also the leading firm in France’s tech market, advising on venture financings and some of the most noteworthy strategic combinations. The French digital marketing software company Neolane called on us for its $600m sale to Adobe. We advised the restaurant booking platform La Fourchette on its acquisition by US-based service TripAdvisor. And when aerospace, defense and security multinational Thales acquired Bay Area data protection solutions provider Vormetric, it turned to us.
Energy and infrastructure: Our Paris team is recognized for pioneering work in the energy and infrastructure sector. Recent examples include an innovative sea urbanization project that will increase the size of Monaco, the first bond-financed public-private partnership in France for the Cité de la Musique, and the first project finance transaction in France under the new Juncker Plan for the ports of Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer. We’ve also advised on many French renewable energy projects, including the financing and acquisition of wind farms and solar power facilities.
Africa: Our Africa practice is based in Paris and London. The team advises governments, corporations, private equity funds, major development banks and other lenders on project financings and M&A and private equity transactions. We play an active role in some of the most significant and innovative projects underway on the continent. We represented the Golar Group’s affiliates in a floating liquefaction project in Cameroon – the first in Africa and one of the first in the world. In addition, we play a role in virtually every major mining project underway in Africa. We are also helping our clients develop Africa’s telecoms infrastructure, tech and fintech markets. Where necessary, we act for our clients in dispute resolution, and we have prevailed in some of the largest international arbitration matters in the market.
Finance: Our finance teams act for the leading French and international banks, alternative credit providers, private equity funds, and other corporate borrowers.
Our structured finance and securitization partners have advised on many groundbreaking transactions in France and Europe, including in the area of covered bonds, corporate structured bonds, and the establishment of dedicated origination and refinancing platforms. We also participate in drafting securitization and structured finance legislation and regulations in France. A member of our team is a founder and General Secretary of the Paris Structured Finance Institute (IFSP).
In addition, our Paris lawyers have advised companies on some of the most significant recent restructurings. We advised EuroDisney’s board on a €1bn restructuring. Club Med turned to us for guidance on a $1.1bn take-private transaction. And we guided leading wine and spirits company Belvédère Group in negotiating a comprehensive restructuring. We also advised Davidson Kempner on the restructuring of the bank debt of aviation industry leader Latécoère.
Dispute resolution and employment: We regularly appear before France’s highest courts and before arbitral tribunals, such as the International Chamber of Commerce, the Swiss Chambers of Commerce and the London Court of International Arbitration. In what The American Lawyer called a “mega win,” our Paris team recently secured a €440m judgment for the French government entity Consortium de Réalisation in a highly publicized case known as “L’Affaire Tapie.” We also act for the Republic of Guinea in investor disputes, including a $5bn ICSID arbitration brought by the mining giant BSGR – one of the largest pending arbitrations in the world.
Our employment team is especially known for representing international companies in French employment matters, including employee representation, collective bargaining, collective redundancies, and mergers and acquisitions. We have a strong record in collective litigation.
Our office and our community: Located in the heart of the city on Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, our Paris office occupies a building that previously served as the headquarters of the French Employers’ Federation (MEDEF). Through our long-standing partnership with the European American Chamber of Commerce, we regularly host conversations with leaders of Europe’s civic, cultural and business institutions.
Our Paris lawyers provide pro bono counsel to individuals and nonprofit organizations such as the World Wildlife Federation, RARE, Planet Action, and the Institute for Brain and Spinal Cord Disorders, a research center that one of our lawyers has helped lead since its inception. As part of our Orrick Cares initiative, our Paris team runs together in races that benefit causes such as Action Against Hunger, the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre and breast cancer research.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Office Leader | Emmanuel Bénard | ebenard@orrick.com | +33 (0)153537500 |
Deputy Office Leader | Jessie Gaston | jgaston@orrick.com | +33 (0)153537500 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Emmanuel Bénard | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Olivier Bernard | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Geoffroy Berthon | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Noël Chahid-Nouraï | Senior Counsel | View Profile | |
Mr Benjamin Cichostepski | Partner | View Profile | |
Mrs Nicole Dolenz | Partner | View Profile | |
Mrs Jessie Gaston | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Malik Idri | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Foucaud Jaulin | Partner | View Profile |
Comparative Guides
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Italy: Bribery & Corruption
Published: June 2023
Authors: Alessandro De NicolaMarco Dell’AntoniaRiccardo Caselle
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Bribery & Corruption laws and regulations applicable in Italy.
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Germany: TMT
Published: July 2023
Authors: Dr Christian SchröderTobias Lantwin
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of TMT laws and regulations applicable in Germany.
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Italy: Corporate Governance
Published: March 2024
Authors: Alessandro De NicolaMarco Dell’AntoniaFederico Urbani
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Corporate Governance laws and regulations applicable in Italy.
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United States: Data Protection & Cybersecurity
Published: April 2024
Authors: Heather EganSulina GabaleThora JohnsonEmily S. TabatabaiShannon YavorskyBianca Giulia Ponziani
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Data Protection & Cybersecurity laws and regulations applicable in United States.
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United Kingdom: Data Protection & Cybersecurity
Published: April 2024
Authors: Kelly HagedornAnna O'Kelly
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Data Protection & Cybersecurity laws and regulations applicable in United Kingdom.