Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP stands out for its financing expertise in the upper- to mid-cap sphere. The group is well-versed in advising prominent private equity sponsors and private debt funds on mid- to upper mid-cap unitranche acquisition financing deals. The team also assists banks with corporate financing and debt refinancing deals. Paul Lombard heads the practice, in which Thomas Binet and counsel Ralph Unger are the other key practitioners to note.
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.
- ‘The team stands out primarily for its in-depth knowledge and a nuanced understanding of specific challenges. Their approach is both rigorous and pragmatic, with excellent business acumen and a genuine ability to anticipate clients' needs.'
- ‘Paul Lombard is a lawyer of exceptional quality, both technically impeccable and possessing excellent strategic judgement. He is a true trusted partner, with a rare ability to combine legal rigor, pragmatism, and business acumen.'
- ‘Paul Lombard and Ralph Unger: their responsiveness is exceptional and their efficiency remarkable. A perfect mastery of market standards and ability to anticipate needs, propose pragmatic solutions, and manage projects with a high level of rigour. The service provided is consistently of excellent quality.’
- ‘Great team, very available, very technically skilled, well-staffed. Always very well supported by them.’
- ‘Thomas Binet: quality of work, responsiveness, agility.’
- ‘Paul Lombard is very responsive and committed.'
- ‘Paul Lombard is a leading player in unitranche financing and enjoys an excellent market position. His in-depth knowledge of the sector and its key players allows him to provide clients with expert advice and unparalleled negotiating power.’
- ‘A highly competent team specializing in midcap/upper midcap in France and internationally.’
Key clients
- Ardian
- Arey
- Barings
- BlackRock Private Debt
- BNP Paribas
- CACIB
- CVC
- Eurazeo
- Five Arrows
- GSquare
- Hayfin
- H.I.G. Whitehorse
- IK Partners
- Latour Capital
- Macquarie Capital
- Montefiore
- Motion Equity Partners
- PAI Partners
- Société Générale
- Tikehau
Work highlights
Advising Barings on the unitranche financing of the acquisition of Groupe Premium by Blackstone and Eurazeo.
Advising IK Partners on the portability of the existing financing in the context of the disposal of the Ascentiel Group to COBEPA.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Paul Lombard
Other key lawyers
Thomas Binet; Ralph Unger