Clifford Chance assists many of the world’s largest financial institutions with banking, finance, and insurance regulatory issues, offering licensing and prudential guidance. The team also advises on regulatory issues regarding strategic financial services M&A deals, payments, ESG, fintech, derivatives, clearing, and contentious work. Also particularly active in the clearing field, the team has recently handled cutting-edge work advising on the first clearing services for Bitcoin index derivatives offered in France. Important team members include Frédérick Lacroix and Hélène Kouyaté. Louis-Auguste Barthout left the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Frédéric Lacroix has clear strategic vision of medium and long-term regulatory challenges, and an ability to effectively mobilize appropriate resources depending on the issues. Excellent knowledge of key institutions and stakeholders in the sector, a major asset for companies like ours.'
- 'We would highlight Hélène Kouyaté, who did an outstanding job. Her deep expertise, responsiveness, and calm, solution-oriented manner were invaluable throughout the process. Hélène and her colleagues distinguished themselves by their accessibility, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate issues before they arose. These qualities gave us confidence and ensured that our matters were handled with the highest standard of care.’
- ‘Relevance and depth of analysis. Respect for deadlines. Organization and follow-up of files.’
- ‘Highly available, very adaptable and inventive in complex fields.'
- ‘Clifford Chance LLP combines outstanding technical expertise with a pragmatic, solutions-driven approach. The team is highly responsive, commercially minded, and works seamlessly across jurisdictions, offering clients a consistent “one-firm” experience. Compared to other firms, Clifford Chance stands out for its depth of talent, ability to mobilize resources quickly, and strong international cohesion.’
- ‘The individuals we have worked with at Clifford Chance stand out for their combination of technical excellence, commercial judgement, and proactive approach. They are not only highly skilled lawyers but also trusted advisors who understand our business priorities and provide clear, practical guidance.'
Key clients
- Crédit Agricole
- BNP Paribas
- Bank of America
- HSBC
- Morgan Stanley
- ING
- Goldman Sachs
- Citi
- JP Morgan
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Six
- Banque centrale de compensation
- Amundi
- Cathay Capital
- MutuiOnline
- Adyen
- Mollie
- Futures Industry Association
Work highlights
Advising Crédit Agricole S.A. on the acquisition of Santander’s 30.5% stake in CACEIS.
Advising SIX Group AG on its acquisition of the Aquis Exchange plc group, including its wholly owned subsidiary, Aquis Exchange Europe.
Advising Morgan Stanley SE and BNP Paribas on the entry with Wendel into a prepaid 3-year forward sale of Bureau Veritas shares representing 6.7% of share capital, together with an option to retain partial share price upside.
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.
Practice head
Frédérick Lacroix; Jonathan Lewis
Other key lawyers
Hélène Kouyaté