Clifford Chance‘s key assets are a large international network and an in-depth expertise in the energy, infrastructure, retail and financial services industries. A go-to-practice in France for the most strategic M&A infrastructure deals, especially in the energy sector, the team’s recent involvements also extend to major consolidation and reorganisation deals in the French banking sector. Benefiting from a strong presence in the private M&A field, the practice is also proficient in public M&A, as seen recently by its involvement in several take-private and squeeze-out transactions. The practice is co-headed by key experts Mathieu Rémy, Lebreton, Aline Cardin, Catherine Naroz, Marianne Pezant and Laurent Schoenstein. Also recommended are Alexandre Merle, Benjamin Saada, and Marion Tual. Benjamin De Blegiers left the firm in April 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘A highly organised team with a remarkable range of services, diligence, and insightful advice. Excellent understanding of the client's very specific business. Adaptability to the company's unique culture, with innovative ideas for structuring the transaction. Highly skilled in transaction management for complex operations. The client feels understood and supported during times of crisis, with innovative and consistently business-oriented solutions provided.’
- ‘They are always on top of things, they are fierce in the protection of clients’ interests, have a very good grasp of international M&A practices, which makes for a smoother experience when dealing with an international institutional investor.’
- ‘Deep bench strength, seamless international coordination, and flawless execution on complex cross-border matters. Key strengths include sector expertise in finance, infrastructure, energy, and TMT, high availability, partner-led service, and disciplined project management. Service is proactive, solution-oriented, and consistently clear.’
- ‘Gilles Lebreton and Alexandre Merle bring stand-out knowledge in French Public M&A, always precise yet pragmatic, and with speed and efficiency.’
- ‘Catherine Naroz is an excellent practitioner who finds solutions to difficult situations and demonstrates a real talent for negotiation.’
- ‘Matthieu Remy: excellence in the strategic management of complex deals, comprehensive vision and ability to anticipate legal developments impacting our sector, outstanding availability, talent for transforming complex legal issues into concrete operational solution, inspiring leadership reflected in the cohesion and efficiency of the entire team. Alexandre Merle, senior counsel: outstanding technical expertise in M&A, exemplary responsiveness and personalised case management’.
Key clients
- TotalEnergies
- Airbus
- Brookfield
- Crédit Agricole
- La Banque Postale
- Scor
- Eiffage
- Ardian
- APG Asset Management N.V.
- EQT
- Suez
- 3i
- Valorem
- Dovista
- KKR
- Reed Société Générale Group
- Sibanye Stillwater
- Qatar Investment Authority
- Tencent
- Exclusive Networks
Work highlights
Advising EQT, through its EQT Transition Infrastructure strategy, on its entry into exclusive negotiations with the founders of Waga Energy and certain historical shareholders (Starquest Capital, Tertium, Noria, SWEN Impact Fund for Transition and ALIAD) to acquire a majority stake in Waga Energy and launch a mandatory tender offer for 100% of the company followed, if legal conditions are met, by a squeeze-out.
Advised Crédit Agricole S.A. on the acquisition by Crédit Agricole S.A. of Santander’s 30.5% stake in CACEIS, its asset servicing provider. Following completion of the transaction, Crédit Agricole S.A. controls 100% of the share capital of CACEIS.
Advising Valorem, its founders and reference shareholder 3i Infrastructure plc on an approximately €550m deal including the sale by 3i Infrastructure plc of its entire stake of c. 33% in Valorem to AIP Management for approximately €309m, and a fundraising by Valorem of approximately €200m from a consortium composed of AIP Management, IDIA and Bpifrance.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
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Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Marion Tual
Practice head
Aline Cardin; Gilles Lebreton; Catherine Naroz; Marianne Pezant; Mathieu Remy; Laurent Schoenstein
Other key lawyers
Alexandre Merle; Benjamin Saada; Marion Tual