Drawing on the firm’s international network, Bird & Bird maintains a telecoms offering that spans advice on the construction of new networks, including associated regulatory and public law matters, commercial contracts and disputes in the sector. The team acts for electronic communication network operators and investors in France and globally, overseeing both infrastructure projects and transactions on their behalf. Willy Mikalef has unique expertise in the satellite field, and is instructed by clients on issues ranging from data protection and privacy law to licensing and network access matters. He leads the group alongside commercial contracts specialist Stéphane Leriche. Mélanie Bercot is sought after for assistance with the drafting of wholesale network contracts, as well as B2C and B2B contracts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Competence, experience, responsiveness.’
Key clients
- Government of the Central African Republic
- Aircall
- Agency for the Development of Digital Activities of the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Infranity
- Selafa Mja
- Dauphin Telecom
- Guadeloupe Regional Council
- OHB System AG
Work highlights
Assisted the Government of Central African Republic and the National Regulatory Authority in strengthening telecoms regulation activities on market analysis, cost modelling, numbering resource management and the national internet domain.
Advising Infranity on the acquisition of a co-controlling stake in Etix.
Assisted the Agency for the Development of Digital Activities of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the context of the development of a master plan for broadband infrastructure and the completion of feasibility studies for the Central African Backbone Fibre Optic Project.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
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
Stéphane Leriche; Willy Mikalef
Other key lawyers
Mélanie Bercot