Firm Profile > Shearman & Sterling LLP > Paris, France

Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 1

Shearman & Sterling LLP's Paris office houses half of the firm's global arbitration team. The 50-lawyer Paris based practice handles leading commercial and investment arbitration disputes involving every part of the globe. It manages a very strong Arabic (Algeria and Egypt especially) and African caseload, and also handles a growing volume of work involving Asian parties - the firm was retained by the Chinese state to represent it in its first ICSID arbitration. The practice advises state entities, state-owned companies, investors and private corporations. The team is notably managing landmark multibillion-dollar disputes in relation to the energy, gas price and construction sectors. The practice was also recently involved in strategic M&A related disputes and is also handling a high-profile ICSID annulment proceeding before an ICSID ad hoc committee. Emmanuel Gaillard and Yas Banifatemi jointly head the firm's global practice. Other key members include Coralie Darrigade, Maude Lebois, Mohamed Shelbaya and Jennifer Younan. Newly promoted partner Benjamin Siino has particular expertise handling award enforcement cases.

International arbitration

Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 2

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s practice is well versed in both underwriter and issuer-side mandates. However, it is best known for its close relationships with corporate issuers and the firm notably represents around 60% of CAC 40 companies. Department head Hervé Letréguilly is ‘extremely knowledgeable’ and has strong experience in equity and equity-linked offerings and IPOs. Talented counsel Séverine de la Courtie is recommended for her record in advising French and European issuers on the full range of public and private offerings. The firm also stands out for its leading employee offering practice, which is led by Sami Toutounji, who is a leader in equity plans.

Mergers and acquisitions Tier 2

Shearman & Sterling LLP is active in domestic and cross-border transactions, with complex international transactions requiring cooperation with the firm's offices abroad standing out as a particular strength. The team's expertise spans public and private M&A and joint ventures. Acting for sellers, buyers and the management from a variety of sectors, including the banking, healthcare and pharmaceutical, TMT and energy sectors, the team has a versatile offering. Practice head Guillaume Isautier, Nicolas Bombrun and of counsel Cyrille Niedzielski are key figures. Former counsel Marie Pouget joined AyacheSalama in September 2019.

Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 3

Shearman & Sterling LLP handles real estate financing, structured financing, leveraged and acquisition finance both domestically and internationally. It frequently acts for French and international financial institutions, corporations, sponsors, debt funds and investment funds on such matters, and also assists with direct lending deals for hedge funds and other alternative lenders. The practice's sole partner Pierre-Nicolas Ferrand has considerable experience of acting for French and international arrangers and investors in asset, real estate, renewable energy and acquisition finance transactions. Counsel Lachlan Poustie joined from Allen & Overy LLP and he handles project finance for development finance institutions, sponsors, commercial lenders and export credit agencies.

Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 3

Shearman & Sterling LLP

Tax Tier 3

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s compact team provides key support to the firm’s other practices on complex M&A, private equity, finance and capital markets transactions. The team also advises leading corporations on their tax restructuring projects. Practice head Niels Dejean, counsel Anne-Sophie Maes and associate Charles Filleux-Pommerol make up the strong team. Recent highlights include advising a leading French bank on the tax aspects of a significant transaction and assisting a company with its IPO.

Insolvency Tier 4

Shearman & Sterling LLP's Pierre-Nicolas Ferrand assists debtors and banks in refinancing and restructuring situations. The practice is involved in several major matters in the textile sectors and is also managing several cross-border cases.

Algeria > Foreign firms Tier 1

With a strong litigation team 'driven by' Emmanuel Gaillard, Shearman & Sterling LLP’s practice is ‘distinguished by its skills, diversity, technicalities and control’ of a variety of practice areas in Algeria. The firm has considerable experience in a range of spheres: international arbitration, M&A transactions, public international law, and project finance among others. Its diverse client roster includes companies from the energy and natural resources, construction, infrastructure and telecoms sectors, with expertise assisting public bodies and the Algerian state. Yas Banifatemi, Coralie Darrigade, Maude Lebois and Benjamin Siino are other names to note.