Dispute resolution: International arbitration

Project finance

Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 2

Shearman & Sterling LLP is recognised for its work in asset and real estate finance where it undertakes several large LBOs and acquisition financings every year. Representing both domestic and international financial institutions, as well as corporates, sponsors, debt funds and investment funds, the team is routinely instructed on several high-value transactions. A good example of this is its work advising the mandated lead arrangers on the financing of the acquisition of a portfolio of 31 hypermarket and supermarket properties valued at €465m. The group's partnership has also grown in size with the promotion of project finance specialist Lachlan Poustie, who represents a number of development finance institutions and is dual qualified in England and France. Pierre-Nicolas Ferrand leads the group focusing on LBO, real estate and asset financings.

Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 2

The practice at Shearman & Sterling LLP stands out due to its clear international orientation, its frequent involvement in the development of French capital market law, its dedicated employee shareholding practice under the lead of Sami Toutounji, and its broad range of expertise. Practice head Hervé Letréguilly and his team assist with IPOs (including the market's most high-profile mandates), rights offerings and hybrid securities, as well as on equity-linked transactions. A stand-out feature of the practice is its experience in advising the French state on block trades. In addition, its particularly close ties with colleagues from the London and New York office allow for smooth advice across borders.

Mergers and acquisitions Tier 2

'Ideal for advancing a deal', Shearman & Sterling LLP's industry sector strength in financial institutions, TMT, healthcare and energy, combined with its expertise across the full range of transactions, make it a comprehensive practice for clients. Matters on which the department is particularly rated include public and private M&A, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and tender offers. Many of the team's top mandates also have a significant cross-border element, with the firm's offices in UK, Germany and Italy working seamlessly with the Paris-based practice. Guillaume Isautier is in charge, assisted by Nicolas Bombrun. Adding to the group's bench strength, Thomas Philippe was hired from Mayer Brown in October 2019.

Tax Tier 2

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s team handles a varied caseload, both as a stand-alone practice or complementing the M&A, private equity, financing, capital markets and international arbitration departments. The practice advises leading private equity funds and leading corporations as well as banks. It recently advised on many large transactions, including assisting Verallia with its high-profile €3.5bn IPO. It also worked on a complex structuring matter for Lyon’s Chamber of Commerce mixing public and private law tax issues. Increasingly the practice assists clients with tax audits and handles tax-related litigation. Practice head Niels Dejean, counsel Anne-Sophie Maes and associate Charles Filleux-Pommerol are highly recommended.

Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 3

Algeria > Foreign firms Tier 1

The Paris-based international arbitration team at Shearman & Sterling LLP is often instructed by the Algerian government in disputes. Yas Banifatemi and Benjamin Siino successfully acted for the Algerian government in a dispute against Orascom TMTI, involving an award by an international arbitral tribunal. Gaillard and Maude Lebois also successfully defended a claim against the Algerian state by a Spanish construction group. Coralie Darrigade represents companies and states in arbitrations.