'A long-established team in the energy sector in France and worldwide’, Simmons & Simmons leverages its global footprint and integrated teams to advise clients in the mining, oil and gas, infrastructure and energy sectors. The team has strong cross-border expertise and is especially present in Africa. Practice head Yves Baratte is noted for his ‘exceptional technical skill’ in mandates. Moussa Sanoussi is also a key contact.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘In my opinion, the team's strength lies in its experience and diversity. Furthermore, the team is very responsive, available, and able to adapt easily and meet client demands.’
- ‘Yves Baratte – an excellent lawyer, always provides insightful analysis and a deep understanding of the political and legal environment of Francophone African countries. Yves also demonstrates remarkable flexibility, allowing him to adapt to the specific characteristics of certain mining and energy projects within a context that is often very challenging and constantly evolving. We have also frequently collaborated with other members of his team, particularly Moussa Sanoussi.'
- ‘A long-established team in the energy sector in France and worldwide. They are among the firms and teams best positioned to address all the challenges and issues in the sector: corporate, investment, regulatory, arbitration, and financing! Professional, efficient, and highly technical (especially Yves Baratte), with a rare level of industry and country knowledge. All of this sets Simmons apart, which also boasts a very broad client base, enabling its teams to understand a wide range of styles and challenges.’
- ‘Yves Baratte is a lawyer of exceptional technical skill. Attentive to his clients' needs, he possesses a profound mastery of contract law and complex, lengthy negotiations with diverse stakeholders worldwide. His unparalleled reliability and over 20 years of experience in the field contribute to his excellent reputation.’
- ‘The team is distinguished by its strong cohesion, high level of expertise, and pragmatic approach to cases. It is characterized by excellent internal collaboration and highly valued responsiveness.'
- ‘Yves Baratte stands out for his comprehensive understanding of cases, combining legal analysis, strategic insight, and practicality. He accurately identifies risks while highlighting opportunities. His rigor and ability to formulate concrete proposals enhance the quality of decisions made. Always constructive, he doesn't hesitate to challenge existing approaches to improve outcomes. His critical thinking and proactive approach make him a major asset to the team.’
Key clients
- First Quantum Minerals Ltd
- Encavis AG
- KfW
- Africa Legal Support Facility
- eni
- Fortescue Metals Group
- Black & Veatch
- Tutume Metals
- Brookfield Infrastructure
- CHEMAF SA
- Rapid Critical Metals
- Robex Resources
Work highlights
Advised a leading German family office on the sale of eleven wind farms in France, with a combined capacity of 127MW, to a consortium comprising TTR Energy and Amundi Energy Transition.
Advised First Quantum Minerals on negotiations for the long-term purchase of more than 400MW of renewable energy (wind and solar) for its mining operations in Zambia.
Advising a German fund on a portfolio of ten solar projects in France.
Lawyers
Leading partners: Mining, oil and gas and natural resources
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Yves Baratte