Known for its top-tier practice in public law litigation, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has considerable expertise in both economic and general public law matters, with unique capabilities in foreign direct investment, state aid and regulatory issues. Practice head Thierry Laloum is a reputable practitioner in general public law work such as litigation, projects and FDI, with additional capabilities in public infrastructure and renewables. The group also includes Anne-Laure Barel, who is highly experienced in disputes arising from the performance of administrative agreements, and Virgile Chanel, who is another key practitioner for both general public law matters and administrative agreements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Excellent knowledge of public economic contracts.’
- 'The teams are made up of highly skilled professionals, capable of supporting us on complex issues.’
- ‘Thierry Laloum possesses extensive expertise in public business law and demonstrates his skills particularly in negotiation and litigation strategy. Virgile Chanel is also highly competent, especially in understanding economic issues, and very precise in his work.’
- ‘Willkie's public law team is simply the best on the French market.'
- ‘Thierry Laloum has always known how to surround himself with and train excellent collaborators, which allows him to spread his brilliant ideas.’
- ‘Thierry Laloum has held a unique position among public law attorneys for many years. His creativity, technical expertise, and personal involvement in cases make him the go-to lawyer for all major public procurement matters.’
Key clients
- Vinci Autoroutes
- Vinci Airports
- Eiffage (APRR / AREA)
- Aéroport de Toulouse Blagnac
- Aéroport de Lyon
- Aéroport de Nice
- Voltalia
- Voltalis
- SPD / SEPD
- CDC
- Bouygues Construction
- Meridiam
Work highlights
Advising APRR and AREA, Lyon airport, Toulouse airport, Nice airport and the Port of Calais on the challenge of the new tax on specific operators of long-distance transport infrastructure, involving proceedings before the Constitutional Court and the Conseil d’État.
Assisting Voltalia, an international player in renewable energies, in connection with the implementation and financing of three solar and two wind power plants projects.
Advised the Banque des territoires in the context of the acquisition of a minority stake by the Caisse des dépôts et consignations in TagEnergy France Investment 2 SAS, which holds all the share capital and voting rights of Cernay Energy Storage SAS, a company dedicated to the construction and operation of France’s largest capacity-renewable electricity storage project.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Thierry Laloum
Other key lawyers
Anne-Laure Barel; Virgile Chanel