Firm Profile > Clifford Chance > Paris, France

Administrative and public law Tier 1

Clifford Chance is one of France's most renowned firms in the field of public law contracts. The ten-lawyer team is appointed by private operators and governmental entities to advise on the structuring of the country's largest concession and procurement contracts. The practice is currently advising on most of France's largest ongoing public greenfield infrastructure projects, especially in the transport area and in relation to the Grand Paris urban project initiatives. It is also the go-to firm to deal with strategic contract performance issues. The team is managing high-end contentious work in that area in relation to major airport and rail projects. Finally, the team also has strong regulatory and general public law expertise. It is advising the French government on a major privatisation project and also acts for operators involved in landmark offshore renewables projects, advising on a pipeline project and on nuclear energy matters. Star partner David Préat co-heads the team with the highly promising Gauthier Martin who recently made partner. Also involved is newly promoted counsel Jean-Baptiste Merigot de Treigny. Marion Roquette-Pfister joined Norton Rose Fulbright in early 2018.

Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 1

Clifford Chance continues to secure a significant share of financial institution restructurings, including recent work for major global banks. Over the past year, the team also kept busy keeping clients up-to-date with Brexit-related issues, as well as advising on the rapidly evolving fintech regulatory environment. Frédérick Lacroix heads the financial services and asset management practice and advises on French and EU laws regarding the full range of banking and investment services, including fintech. Structured finance head Jonathan Lewis is noted for his involvement in advising on the resolution of the euro area sovereign debt crisis. Counsel Sébastien Praicheux recently left to join DLA Piper.

Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 1

'Probably the best finance team in Paris for its exceptional technical skills, its business-oriented vision and its capability to cover a very wide range of sectors', says a client of Clifford Chance. The firm focuses mainly on large-cap and upper mid-cap transactions and has a strong focus on acquisition and leveraged finance, infrastructure finance, corporate lending, equity bridge financing and transactions involving high-yield bonds. It acts for lenders, borrowers and sponsors on transactions under English and French law. The key contacts are Thierry Arachtingi, who handles acquisition and real estate finance; Daniel Zerbib whose work focuses on the infrastructure and energy sectors; and Nikolaï Eatwell who has a broad practice in the energy sector.

Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 1

Clifford Chance advises on an array of debt capital markets products and liability management transactions for French and multinational banks and issuers. The group’s adeptness in both French and English law, and its strong international capability generally, is a recurring theme among sources, and it acts on a steady stream of cross-border matters. Alex Bafi heads the US capital markets practice in France and has a strong record in advising investment banks and corporations on international securities offerings, including investment grade Rule 144A Yankee bond offerings. Cédric Burford, who advises on English and French law transactions, is also a key figure and has recently acted on debt and equity-linked bond issues and debt issuance programmes. Structured finance head Jonathan Lewis and counsel Auriane Bijon are also recommended. Andrew McCann was recently promoted to counsel.

Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 1

Clifford Chance wins a significant share of European IPOs and its Paris team plays a central role in securing that work. The group also handles a steady stream of rights issues, share capital increases, convertible bonds, block trades and equity derivatives. In addition, the team has niche strength in employee share schemes, with the recent arrival of counsel Ekaterina Zaboussova-Celsa from Shearman & Sterling LLP boosting its offering in that area. Alex Bafi spearheads the US equity capital markets practice in France and routinely advises both issuers and underwriters on equity transactions. French-law qualified Aline Cardin specialises in advising French and European issuers on both French and international public offerings and private placements. Anne Lemercier, who focuses on compensation and benefits, is also recommended.

Compliance Tier 1

Clifford Chance advises leading French and international corporations on the setting up of Sapin II anti-corruption and anti-bribery compliance programmes, and also offers guidance on risk assessment. The firm has been assisting many high-profile clients facing French Anti-corruption Agency (AFA)-led controls and assisted them with internal investigations regarding corruption and other accusations. The practice is playing a front part in the groundbreaking Airbus corruption domestic and international investigation case. EU and competition compliance and investigation expertise are further strengths of the team. Thomas Baudesson and Charles-Henri Boeringer are the key contacts. Associates Sophie Levy and Rachel Scott also deserve a mention.

Derivatives and structured finance Tier 1

Clifford Chance’s comprehensive structured finance practice spans the full suite of securitisations, repackaging, derivatives and factoring, with growing activity in the use of structured finance techniques to access alternative market funding. Leveraging its ability to draw upon French, English and US lawyers, the group is also distinguished by its handling of a significant volume of transactions governed under foreign law. It also consistently works alongside other departments in the firm to advise on multi-disciplinary deals. Jonathan Lewis leads the structured finance team and counts financial institutions, supranational organisations, European institutions, corporates and private equity funds among his clients. Julien Rocherieux, noted as a ‘talented younger partner’, is also a key contact for transactional matters. Frédérick Lacroix heads the regulatory side of the practice.

Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 1

Clifford Chance is particularly adept at dealing with highly sensitive commercial and consumer related litigation, with a 14-lawyer practice that also regularly advises leading investment funds, banks and corporates in M&A-related disputes. The practice represents leading French and international retailers in high-stake disputes with competitors and the French government, and is also well versed at handling mass-consumer disputes. The firm's caseload includes  several sensitive product liability disputes, notably in the healthcare sector and it also takes on industrial litigation. Thomas Baudesson, Diego de Lammerville and Thibaud d’Alès are in charge of the practice, with Gaëlle Merlier promoted to counsel. Key former team member Jean-Pierre Grandjean left to set up Grandjean Avocats alongside former counsel Marguerite Aynès.

EU, competition and distribution Tier 1

Clifford Chance runs a very comprehensive practice. The 14-lawyer team shows high-level proficiency working on domestic and EU merger control filings pertaining to large-scale M&A transactions. The practice is also involved in several high-profile cases dealing with sensitive post-merger control issues. On the antitrust front, the practice is equally strong and advising on several headline domestic and EU cases. It is notably acting in a number of highly significant matters regarding IP and antitrust issues, and IT competition matters regarding the use of data. David Tayar and Katrin Schallenberg are in charge. Of counsel Michel Petite is another very experienced team member. Senior associate Emily Xueref-Poviac provides key support.

Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

Clifford Chance offers the full range of expertise and is thus able to advise all types of stakeholders, from corporations to international financial institutions, ECAs, French and international banks, as well as governmental entities. The stellar practice is as strong in domestic work as it is in cross-border mandates. In France, the team advises on several of the market's largest greenfield and brownfield renewable energy projects, M&A and financing transactions, and also impresses with its regulatory expertise. Internationally, the group has a very strong presence in francophone Africa where it advises on some of the largest traditional power and renewables energy projects. Other cross-border work involved key projects in Kosovo, Serbia and Armenia. Finally, the practice is also experienced in advising on highly strategic pipeline projects. The practice is co-headed by the highly regarded project and finance partners Anthony Giustini, Delphine Siino Courtin, Nikolaï Eatwell, Richard Tomlinson, Laurent Schoenstein and Daniel Zerbib, as well as public law experts David Préat and Gauthier Martin, and international arbitration specialists Jason Fry and Simon Greenberg.

Media and entertainment: Sports Tier 1

Clifford Chance's managing partner and corporate law expert Yves Wehrli has extensive experience assisting leading names in the industry with their most strategic matters. He notably advises professional federations on the organisation of major sports events, regulatory issues and the sale of TV broadcastings rights. Wehrli recently advised the French Tennis Federation on the sale of the television broadcasting rights for the Roland Garros Grand Slam tournament from 2021 to 2023. The practice is also one of the French Professional Football League's main advisers and recently sought Wehrli's advice regarding the sale of TV rights. Dispute resolution partner Thibaud d’Alés also contributes.

Private equity: Fund formation Tier 1

Clifford Chance specialises in French, Luxembourgish and pan-European funds, and has longstanding experience advising on a wide variety of funds, including LBO, mezzanine, infrastructure, real estate and secondary funds as well as funds of funds. Additionally, the team is very active in secondary transactions. Highly complex fund structurings are the group's mainstay, often involving large-cap target values. With the firm's wide geographical reach and full-service offering, the group is able to draw on other departments to offer its clients seamless service, both in France and abroad. Xavier Comaills heads the team, which also includes Marie Préat who made counsel in May 2019.

Project finance Tier 1

Clifford Chance combines leading domestic and international project expertise. The firm advises all types of stakeholders, including French and international banks, international development banking institutions, private operators and sponsors, as well as government entities. In France, the practice advises on the development and financing of the country's largest energy, transport and other public infrastructure projects. Abroad, the team has a very strong presence on landmark renewables and power projects in Africa, but is also involved in several renewables projects in Eastern Europe. The firm also acts on on several port infrastructure and highly strategic pipeline project. The practice unites 28 Paris-based lawyers led by project finance partners Anthony Giustini, Nikolaï Eatwell, Delphine Siino Courtin, Richard Tomlinson and Daniel Zerbib, as well as public law experts David Préat and Gauthier Martin. Also recommended are counsels Milica Zatezalo-Falatar and Peter Cuthbert.

Real estate Tier 1

Clifford Chance 's 11-lawyer team has high-end expertise assisting leading real estate investors and fund sponsors with the market's largest transactions. The outstanding practice recently stood out out by advising on many of France's most prominent office-tower transactions through its key involvement in the Tour Majunga, Tour Ariane, Tour Prisma, Tour Blanche and Tour Aurore deals in Paris-La Défense. The team also worked on large domestic and cross-border portfolio transactions and notably provided assistance on two major hotel asset deals. Finally, the practice completed work in the logistic and retail sectors and advised on the setting up of major property funds, including the establishment of the first two investment funds dedicated to Grand Paris urban development projects. François Bonteil and Alexandre Couturier are in charge. Also involved are counsels Anne-Sophie Plé and Karen Bortolotti. Leading complementary tax expertise is also available.

Aviation Tier 2

Clifford Chance has a strong, multi-disciplinary team able to act on a range of aviation-related matters, including acquisitions, joint ventures and cooperation, procurement, service agreements, and complex litigation. The practice has a strong focus on aerospace and defence industry clients, including a long-term and wide-ranging partnership with Airbus and subsidiaries, while the firm's global reach enables it to act on a number of cross-border and multijurisdictional matters. The practice is jointly led by Fabrice Cohen, Dessislava Savova and Yves Wehrli, who are particularly experienced in cross-border corporate and M&A transactions.

Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

Clifford Chance assists with data protection and cybersecurity matters alike. The practice is part of the firm's wider commercial, tech and data team and specialises in matters requiring cross-border advice and a cross-practice approach, frequently assisting with clients' strategic projects. In combination with the group's wide sector range, including the automotive, financial services, insurance, energy and aerospace and defence sectors, the practice is able to take on high-stakes matters and provides a one-stop-shop for transactions, major compliance projects, complex commercial contracts and day-to-day data protection and cybersecurity advice. It also stands out for the firm's apps - 'Clifford Chance Cyber Assist' and 'Clifford Chance Dawn Raids' - which assist clients with cyber incidents and dawn raids. Dessislava Savova is the head of the practice. TMT expert Grégory Sroussi made counsel in May 2019.

Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 2

Clifford Chance represents companies, banks and individuals in a range of stock-market litigation including market abuse cases and investigations. Recent mandates include successfully acting for Fountain Legend in a dispute relating to a public tender offer initiated for the shares of Baccarat, defending a credit rating agency in several sensitive cases and also handling the very first investigation and enforcement proceedings launched by ESMA, the new European regulator for credit rating agencies. Thomas Baudesson, Diego de Lammerville and Charles-Henri Boeringer co-head the practice.

Dispute resolution: White-collar crime Tier 2

Clifford Chance is at the front line in the market's groundbreaking Airbus case in which the firm is acting for the aerospace constructor in facing criminal investigations jointly conducted by French, UK and US authorities. The team is also defending several leading French, US and Chinese banks as well as private banks in a range of matters, including a high-profile tax fraud case and a French Ponzi scheme. The firm is also handling various fraud cases for companies and investment funds, and managing a long-running and high-profile drug product liability case. Thomas Baudesson and Charles-Henri Boeringer head the practice.

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Clifford Chance's recent highlights include defending Pfizer before French courts in several high-profile product liability cases regarding the company's various vaccines and drug products, including a major vaccine class action. Dispute resolution partner Thomas Baudesson is recommended, along with counsel Gaëlle Merlier whose expertise encompasses regulatory and product liability work. Olivier Gaillard brings further regulatory expertise to the team, while competition law expert David Tayar is active in several sensitive patent-related antitrust cases for a major pharmaceutical company.

Mergers and acquisitions Tier 2

Clifford Chance has a varied practice, with particular strengths in infrastructure M&A and cross-border transactions. The group is well versed in transactions in highly regulated sectors, including TMT, and is mainly visible in large-cap transactions, both in private and public M&A. It is frequently sought out to handle jumbo-cap matters and also acts on an impressive string of complex small-cap work. The real estate sector is another area of expertise. Fabrice Cohen, Gilles Lebreton, Marianne Pezant, Laurent Schoenstein, Thierry Schoen and Mathieu Rémy form the heart of the practice. Counsel Olivier Jouffroy is also noted. Benjamin de Blégiers joined Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in April 2019.

Private equity: LBO Tier 2

Clifford Chance impresses with its wide sectorial range; track record as adviser on large buy-out transactions in the French market; high volume of transactions; ancillary strengths in financing, fund formation, tax structuring and M&A; and cross-border strength. Core sectors include the consumer goods and retail sectors, the healthcare and telecoms sectors, the financial services sector as well as the aerospace and defence sectors. Fabrice Cohen and Marianne Pezant are the practice heads. Gilles Lebreton and Laurent Schoenstein are other key contacts. Infrastructure specialist Benjamin de Blégiers joined Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in April 2019.

Tax Tier 2

Clifford Chance's practice has a strong focus on transactional tax. The team regularly advises on the structuring of the market's largest property and M&A transactions, together with its colleagues from the firm's corporate department. The practice was recently involved in many landmark deals, especially in the property sector, where it played a key part on many prime office tower and portfolio transactions. The team also has a strong expertise in advising on fund formation and fundraising, especially in relation to the property sector. In addition, it handles tax litigation, including a high-profile tax reassessment dispute with high financial stakes. Eric Davoudet and Alexandre Lagarrigue lead the team, of which counsel Jitka Susankova is also a key member.

Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 3

Clifford Chance is handling a high volume of ICC cases, a good portion of which involve representing a leading aeronautic company. The practice, which is active in investment and commercial arbitration, is also representing the government of Taiwan in facing its first-ever investment treaty arbitration case. In addition, the team is managing a diverse caseload, dealing with the mining, finance and construction industries, involving various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa and the Middle-East. Jason Fry jointly heads the firm's global international arbitration practice. Simon Greenberg is another key name, while counsels Sandrine Colletier and Louis-Alexis Bret also provide strong support.

Employment Tier 3

Clifford Chance's seven-lawyer has deep expertise assisting French and international industrial companies with the implementation of large-scale restructuring, collective redundancy and site closure projects, especially in the automotive sector. François Farmine's team is handling several key matters in that area., including high-stake mass litigation. The practice also handles discrimination and other types of employment issues. Cécile Zorro joined the firm as counsel in 2018, arriving from her own practice to strengthen the team's senior ranks.

Insolvency Tier 4

Clifford Chance recently strengthened its practice through the hiring of the well-regarded Delphine Caramalli who arrived from insolvency boutique Bremond & Associés. She joins forces with Reinhard Dammann and counsel Gilles Podeur who regularly advise banks and judicial liquidators. The firm has notable expertise handling cross-border restructuring work or involving trustees and security-law issues.  is another