White & Case LLP > Paris, France > Firm Profile

White & Case LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Administrative and public law Tier 1

Major sponsors, private operators and engineering corporations regularly turn to White & Case LLP for its expertise in high-level infrastructure projects. The firm has recently been retained to advise on one of France’s largest military accommodation projects. It is also very active in the transport area where the team has been advising on regional rail network market opening issues, on new large motorway projects and on several regional airport concessions. Energy is another key area and the team is advising on several of France’s landmark renewables offshore projects. It also assists several key clients in dealing with regulatory issues and also handles public law aspects linked to corporate deals in the energy sector. The highly regarded Jean-Luc Champy and François-Guilhem Vaissier head the practice, which also includes counsels Quirec de Kersauson and new arrival Ximena Vásquez-Maignan, who joined in 2022 from her previous position as head of the general legal affairs office at the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and adds further expertise in the nuclear energy sector.

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 1

The Paris banking and finance group at global firm White & Case LLP harnesses the bench strength of its experienced team to advise major domestic and multinational financial institutions, insurers, private equity funds, debts funds and corporates on a diverse range of high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. Headed by practice area authority Raphaël Richard, the group assists with leveraged acquisitions, real estate finance, structured and corporate finance and syndicated lending. Denise Diallo, who is a New York and Paris-qualified lawyer, specialises in unitranche financings and revolving facility agreements. Neeloferr Roy joined from Linklaters in March 2022.

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 1

The Paris debit capital markets group at global firm White & Case LLP harnesses the bench strength of its experienced practitioners to advise major domestic and multinational financial institutions, corporates, insurers and sovereigns on high-value EMTN programmes, high-yield bonds, hybrid bonds and regulatory capital deals. Philippe Herbelin heads the capital markets team and is backed by Séverin Robillard, who is a leading name in the DCM space. Of counsel and market authority Cenzi Gargaro brings expertise to debt securities and sovereign bond issues. Other key figures include US-qualified lawyer Max Turner (who assists with Yankee and high yield bonds), Grégoire Karila (who focuses on hybrid debt/regulatory capital and ESG financings) and Thomas Le Vert. January 2022 saw the promotion of Olga Fedosova to partner and Tatiana Uskova to counsel.

France > Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 1

White & Case LLP is well known for its high-end IPO work, ability to link up with its global offices on cross-border deals and its deep bench. It is frequently instructed by major domestic and multinational financial institutions, corporates, insurers and sovereigns. Headed by Séverin Robillard, an expert in matters involving share distribution and preferential subscription rights, the group's active client base spans the transport, automotive, pharmaceutical, real estate and energy sectors. Thomas Le Vert has experience in rights issues, ABB placements and IPOs. Philippe Herbelin, an authority in this area, handles complex transactions in the energy space. Max Turner specialises in placements in the US market. The team was further bolstered by the promotions Olga Fedosova to partner and Tatiana Uskova to counsel in early 2022.

France > Compliance Tier 1

White & Case LLP’s highly experienced team is able to guide clients through a large of array of compliance issues, such as international sanctions, anti-money laundering requirements and compliance monitoring. The firm has a strong presence among leading financial institutions, which it advises on high-profile work including assisting them before the French banking regulator and the French Anti-corruption Agency. The team also assists leading corporations with compliance issues as well as during AFA compliance investigations. The practice also has strong experience assisting clients with conducting internal investigations pertaining to a range of accusations. Jean-Pierre Picca and Jean-Lou Salha are the practice heads. Ludovic Malgrain left the firm at the end of 2022.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 1

White & Case LLP has impressive capabilities and its expertise in construction disputes is unparalleled on the market. The firm handles an outstanding caseload in that area, representing companies and states in many of the world’s largest infrastructure projects: canal, port, bridge and highways as well many hydroelectric, nuclear and other energy-related construction facilities and infrastructures. In addition to handling construction work in the energy field, the team also manages a considerable amount of other types of energy-related disputes, including sensitive gas price review arbitrations. The team has a large global coverage and is active in disputes in Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. It also handles a range of diverse commercial arbitration disputes including commercial partnerships and telecoms-related matters. The stellar team is headed by the legendary Michael Polkinghorne and includes high-profile names Christophe von Krause, Charles Nairac  and Andrew de Lotbinière McDougall, as well as the highly regarded John Willems, Nicolas Bouchardie, Kirsten Odynski, Elizabeth Oger-Gross, Noor Davies, Lucas De Ferrari and  Samy Markbaoui.

France > Insolvency Tier 1

White & Case LLP is retained to handle large debt and complex debt restructuring mandates. The team often advises investors and investment funds but can also assist the various stakeholders. The practice stands out for its comprehensive range of expertise thanks to its ability to draw on a high-level of complementary expertise available within the firm’s banking, capital markets and litigation departments. The group has been retained recently to handle a highly complex mandate concerning a publicly listed company, and recently advised investors on a high-profile real estate takeover asset deal. Practice head Saam Golshani and Alexis Hojabr are key names.

France > Project finance Tier 1

François-Guilhem Vaissier co-leads the practice at White & Case LLP, alongside Jean-Luc Champy and Amaury de Feydeau, noted for his ‘precise knowledge of the law and the market’. The team advises reputable sponsors and arrangers on high-value projects across the spectrum of industry sectors. It is particularly active in renewable energy, notably advising on significant offshore windfarms, which is a growing area of focus for the team. Recent standouts included its assistance to the French government on the South Brittany floating offshore windfarm and its oversight of a major hydrocarbon asset in Algeria. In addition to its impressive domestic and European work, the team is well-experienced in handling cross-border matters, namely being Africa-based projects. Transcontinental work, a further key facet of the practice, often involves complex hydropower projects, solar farms and thermal power plants.

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 2

Headed by global financial institutions advisory partner Emilie Rogey, the Paris banking and finance regulatory team at White & Case LLP continues to grow, bringing strength to advising major financial institutions, fintech companies, insurers and corporates in tech on a broad span of matters. Its recent work includes advising on the licensing of new regulated entities and changes in activities, regulatory aspects of M&A transactions, compliance issues and regulatory litigation.

France > Construction Tier 2

The practice at White & Case LLP works collaboratively with in-house teams to offer clients a broad-reaching scope of support on construction matters; international arbitration specialist Charles Nairac co-leads the cohort alongside François-Guilhem Vaissier. It is well-regarded for its advisory work and is notably experienced assisting on joint ventures between contractors from a variety of jurisdictions, and on projects across multiple industries, from nuclear to rail. It is also well-equipped to represent clients involving contractual re-negotiations, as well as damages and delays during projects; namely, the team’s work for WeBuild regarding the $5.5bn expansion of the Panama Canal, demonstrates its abilities in handling multi-faceted and high-profile work.

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 2

The Paris derivatives and structured finance team of global firm White & Case LLP provides a comprehensive range of services to major financial institutions (Barclays, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole J.P. Morgan, Société Générale), corporates (Air France-KLM, Engie, LVMH, Michelin, Peugeot, Vinci), insurers (AXA, CNP) and sovereigns (Republic of Gabon, Republic of Cameroon). The team is led by Séverin Robillard, a specialist in capital markets securities offerings, and supported by counsel Emmanuel Lebaube, who brings strength to complex securitisations involving consumer loans, auto loans, mortgage loans and credit cards. Tatiana Uskova was promoted to counsel in January 2022.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 2

White & Case LLP is entrusted to deal with complex litigation. The team handles a wide range of cases and is frequently retained to handle financial and securities disputes, acting for leading investment funds. The litigation team also regularly handles debt restructuring and insolvency-linked disputes, playing a role on some of the largest cases in that area, and also manages several heated disputes in the estate succession area. The team also acts in international litigation and has a strong reputation for cases in the retail sector, including unfair competition and consumer issues. Diane Lamarche directs the practice, to which competition and distribution partner Yann Utzschneider is another key contributor.

France > Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 2

White & Case LLP’s practice has a strong focus on corporate governance and stock market activism issues. The practice regularly acts on behalf of leading publicly listed companies, as well as investment funds in that area. It also manages mandates concerning stock market battles and stock market abuse investigations. Diane Lamarche heads the team.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 2

White & Case LLP’s January 2021 hire Jérémie Marthan handles merger control for billion-euro acquisitions where he works closely with the firm’s corporate team and is assisted by senior associate Rahel Wendebourg. Practice head Yann Utzschneider takes on European Commission and FCA investigations, as well as litigation brought by authorities and competitors, including follow-on damages actions. Counsels Mickaël Rivollier, who represents clients in litigation into anticompetitive practices; Costanza Mussi, who was promoted in January 2021; and Estelle Jégou are other key names.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 2

The energy practice at White & Case LLP ably handles a broad array of matters for its clients. François-Guilhem Vaissier, who is experienced in dealing with major projects in France and Francophone Africa, co-heads the team, alongside Michael Polkinghorne and Marc Petitier. The team advises on significant acquisitions, contract negotiations, and in bids for major projects; its matters are often cross-border and involve high values, particularly in the renewables sector. Jean-Luc Champy has significant expertise in offshore wind projects. A standout recent case for the team was its representation of Oxy in a negotiation between major players in the market, including Occidental and TotalEnergies, relating to a key hydrocarbon asset in Algeria.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 2

White & Case LLP is a go-to for both French-listed and multinational companies, and has been particularly active within the financial services, insurance, automotive and energy sectors of late. The practice is home to Hugues Mathez, a specialist in M&A, group restructurings, carve-outs, disclosure matters and corporate governance; he jointly heads the department alongside Saam Golshani, an expert in all-manner of corporate transactions who is especially accomplished within the technology field. Marc Petitier has provided support on a number of multibillion-euro transactions, including one of Europe’s largest de-SPACs.

France > Private equity: LBO Tier 2

White & Case LLP's cross-practice team combines expertise in M&A, finance, capital markets, tax, employment, and real estate to service a spectrum of clients on complex private equity transactions. The team is particularly skilled in debt restructurings, de-SPACing, IPOs, and stressed and destress M&A transactions. Saam Golshani leads the practice, and is supported by key lawyers Marc Petitier, Nathalie Nègre-Eveillard, and Xavier Petet.

France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 2

White & Case LLP regularly acts as counsel on some of the most high-profile growth transactions in the French market, working with both companies and investors. The practice advises clients on the full spectrum of venture capital and growth transactions including pre-investment due diligence, seed capital, growth stage financings, and exit. Team co-lead Saam Golshani specialises in private equity and M&A with a focus on the tech sector, and fellow co-head Guillaume Vitrich has expertise handling complex transactions in Europe and Africa.

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

Headed by IT expert Bertrand Liard and GDPR implementation specialist Clara Hainsdorf, the Paris-based data protection and data privacy group of global firm White & Case LLP assists financial institutions (Natixis, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole) and corporates in tech (Meta), food (Nestlé), manufacturing (Saint-Gobain), electronics (Celestica) and media, on a wide range of matters across the practice area. These include privacy and cybersecurity policies and audits, privacy claims and disputes, data processing and data transfer agreements, due diligence and privacy aspects of investigations and e-discovery.

France > Dispute resolution: White-collar crime Tier 3

White & Case LLP is able to combine strong white-collar criminal law and compliance capabilities with a global network. The Paris team has a strong presence acting for leading French banks, particularly in relation to fraud committed by employees or other parties or cyberattacks. The team also defends large French and international companies, corporate executives and individuals. It is acting in several high-profile ongoing tax fraud and money laundering investigations. The practice also handles corporate and commercial related criminal law cases and assists clients facing regulatory investigations, particularly by the French stock market authority. Jean-Pierre Picca and Jean-Lou Salha are the practice heads. Former practice head Ludovic Malgrain left the firm at the end of 2022.

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 3

White & Case LLP's practice is led by Bertrand Liard and Clara Hainsdorf and advises clients including Meta on regulatory matters focused on consumer protection, infringement and unfair competition. It consistently advises its clients on digitalisation projects, the acquisition of Cloud services and the negotiation of IT contracts and agreements, and transitional agreements and GDPR-related matters on high-value projects.

France > Tax Tier 3

White & Case LLP's tax team provides key support to the firm’s corporate practice, where it advises on large M&A and private equity deals. The tax team is also in high demand in the capital markets and banking fields. It recently worked on complex transactions, including advising on Europe’s largest de-SPAC deal in the entertainment sector and on large IPOs. The tax practice also works with the restructuring and real estate departments and is increasingly involved alongside investors regarding investments made in tech companies. The practice is co-headed by Alexandre Ippolito and Estelle Philippi.

France > Employment Tier 4

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France > Real estate Tier 4

White & Case LLP’s practice has a strong reputation for its work in pure real estate matters, and frequently acts in connection with the financing of significant real estate portfolios. It also represents clients in matters involving acquisition and development of considerable value, often in collaboration with other specialist teams within the broader firm, predominantly working within domestic contexts. Franck Peter and Brice Engel co-lead the team.

Morocco > Foreign firms Tier 1

White & Case LLP frequently advises on headline mandates across Morocco and the wider Francophone Africa region. While active across a number of sectors, including disputes, project development and project finance are particularly key areas, with the team acting for some of the biggest companies and financial institutions, both in the region and internationally. Paris-based Paule Biensan has led on some of the biggest work in the region, with an extensive track record in project finance.

Algeria > Foreign firms Tier 2

White & Case LLP has longstanding experience in advising on complex disputes in North Africa. The firm advises high-profile international clients in the construction, infrastructure, energy and oil and gas sectors, with recent work including high-value disputes, financing work and contract negotiations. The team is led by Mukund Dar, partner and head of the Africa interest group, and Christophe Von Krause, a commercial arbitration specialising in energy, construction and M&A, among other areas.

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration

White & Case LLP leverages its extensive client relationships and networks across Latin America to provide high-level investment and commercial arbitration support across the region. With more than three-decades’ experience in the Latin American market the ‘committed’ international arbitration team ‘works hand-in-hand’ with clients, doing so ‘with the greatest rigour’; as a result, it has built significant scale in the region. This has enabled the practice to take on a broad range of arbitration disputes across multiple sectors, with particular strength in energy, natural resources, financial services, technology and transportation matters. The ‘deeply impressive and knowledgeable‘ Jonathan Hamilton   in Washington DC fronts the firm’s Latin American arbitration practice, with the highly respected global head of international arbitration Abby Cohen Smutny providing further senior leadership input. ‘Excellent professionals’ Ank Santens   and Rafael Llano  (based in New York and Mexico City, respectively), are praised for their ‘deep knowledge’ and are among the many senior names on a deep roster of talent. Silvia Marchili, who divides her time between Houston and Miami, focuses on complex investment and commercial claims, while Washington DC-based Francisco Jijón  handles ICSID and UNCITRAL-governed matters and also handles commercial arbitration and litigation in various forums and arbitrations before US courts. Jorge Mattamouros  in Houston is best known for his work in Brazil’s oil and gas sector. The practice has expanded its senior ranks with the promotion of Lucas De Ferrari  (in Paris) and Sven Volkmer (in New York) to the partnership; and that of Mariele Coulet Díaz  to counsel in Mexico City. A strong pipeline of counsel and associate-level talent includes rising star Michelle Grando  and Alejandro Martínez de Hoz  in Washington DC; Estefania San Juan  in Miami; and Madrid-based Ignacio Madalena  (primarily on Spain-LatAm related matters). Since research concluded, San Juan has been raised to the partnership, effective October 2022.

Angola > Foreign firms

With experienced practitioners across Europe, the US, Latin America and Asia, White & Case LLP‘s cross-practice Angola group is sought after for advice on project development, credit facilities and arbitration proceedings. London-based partner Mukund Dhar leads the practice and is particularly active in African jurisdictions, where he often advises on oil and gas projects. In Paris, François-Guilhem Vaissier is a key project development and finance lawyer, while Charles Nairac and Christophe Von Krause are recommended for international disputes and investor-state arbitration.

Spain > Dispute resolution