Eric Villateau > DLA Piper > Paris, France > Lawyer Profile

DLA Piper’s energy department possesses deep expertise on project development, transactional, and regulatory matters within the energy transition. Practice co-head Ruxandra Lazar is regularly entrusted by France- and Africa-based corporates, energy companies, industry associations, and state bodies on public law and regulatory matters in the natural resources space. Jérôme Pentecoste brings further experience in public law mandates and assists major domestic energy operators concerning the development and regulation of renewable energy assets. Eric Villateau acts for lenders and sponsors in high-value and complex project and bond financing mandates concerning domestic and cross-border renewable energy and battery projects.

The practice group at DLA Piper is well-versed in advising sponsors, investors, corporations, financial institutions and regulatory bodies on the financing and development of renewables, oil-and-gas, waste-to-energy, social infrastructure and transport projects. Leadership is shared between infrastructure PPP specialist Eric Villateau; and Jérôme Pentecoste, who has particular experience in renewable financings. Recent months have seen the team advise on the financing of energy recovery facilities for waste management in the Toulouse metropolitan area; and the financing of a photovoltaic energy storage station in Nouvelle-Calédonie.

DLA Piper offers a good market coverage advising banks and debt funds. The team has a strong mid to upper-mid cap corporate financing and LBO financing practice, including unitranche, bridge loans and RCF facilities. Additionally, the firm houses strong real estate expertise that covers various property assets as well as solid domestic and African project finance capabilities. The practice is headed by real estate finance expert Erwan Lacheteau  and includes the talented Sophie Lok and Romain Guénin, while Eric Villateau focuses on project financing work.