Watson Farley & Williams LLP offers a wealth of experience in both French and English law, frequently assisting financial institutions in multijurisdictional financing matters, including work related to Export Credit Agencies financing and ship construction projects. The team is also recommended for advice on cruise and cargo ship financings, French tax lease, and EU-ETS regulations. Practice co-head Alexia Russell is a key contact for investment clients in the need of support with asset financing, leasing and project finance, while fellow head Laurence Martinez-Bellet‘s focus areas extend to advice on joint venture. Philippe Monfort is another key name, and also co-heads the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is very responsive and able to manage complex amendments for multiple vessels on a compressed timeline.'
- ‘Alexia Russell is very personable and able to provide useful advice on challenging matters.'
- ‘A top-quality team.’
- ‘Philippe Monfort is remarkably efficient.’
- ‘WFW has provided an excellent service to us. The service is seamless, irrespective of which staff are working on our transactions and they are responsive, good at managing the documentation process and the transaction closing process, keeping us fully informed at all times.’
Key clients
- Atlante Gestion
- BNP Paribas
- Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
- Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A.
- Crédit Industriel et Commercial
- Crédit Mutuel Impact
- CVC DIF
- Eurazeo Investment Manager (EIM)
- InfraVia Capital Partners
- SACE S.p.A
- SIMEST S.p.A
- Warba Bank
Work highlights
Advised BNP Paribas as agent, Italian export credit agency SACE S.p.A, SIMEST S.p.A. and a syndicate of ten banks on the financing, backed by SACE, granted to Carnival Corporation & plc for the construction of three next generation cruise vessels which will be built at Italian shipyard Fincantieri and delivered in 2029, 2031 and 2033 respectively.
Advised Warba Bank on the first cross-border private placement Sukuk issued by Norfra, a liquified natural gas carrier based in France and controlled by Norway’s Knutsen Group.
Advised Crédit Industriel et Commercial on an innovative structure for the financing through optimised leasing of six new sailing cargo ships for TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport).
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Alexia Russell; Laurence Martinez-Bellet; Philippe Monfort