Department profile
Baker McKenzie

Banking & Finance

France Guide 2026 : France

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Baker McKenzie

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About

Provided by Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie's Banking & Finance team in Paris is renowned for its cross-border activities in particular advising our clients on Trade & Export Finance, Project Finance, Acquisition Finance, Syndicated Lending and Fund Finance.

The team's expertise in Export Finance continues to be increasingly important in France. With Export and Structured Trade Finance playing a key role in providing essential liquidity to leading French manufacturers. Our extensive representation of French banks in cross-border deals covered by Bpifrance, Euler Hermes, SERV and other ECAs is increasingly high profile, particularly on the African continent, where the team has been consistently recognised as having a market leading practice. 

The team is further renowned for its strong presence in bank-to-bank syndicated lending.  In addition, the team is heavily involved in the new area of Sustainable Finance, working with leading banks in providing ESG linked loans to banks and corporates seeking to access this new area of financial investment.  Finally, the tream has a leading practice in fund financing, particularly in refinancing LBO loans.

Clients (6)

  • Afreximbank
  • Ardian
  • Bank of America
  • BNP Paribas
  • MUFG
  • Société Générale

Industries (6)

  • Finance
  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Energy
  • Mining & Infrastructure
  • Telecoms

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - France

Band 5

What the Team is Known For

Baker McKenzie's solid banking practice utilises its international offices and associated firms across Europe, Africa and Asia to advise on multi-jurisdictional mandates. The team regularly handles syndicated lending and project finance, with particular skill in export finance transactions. The lawyers act for a number of leading French and international banks.

À propos de l’équipe

La solide pratique bancaire de Baker McKenzie s’appuie sur ses bureaux internationaux et les cabinets partenaires en Europe, en Afrique et en Asie pour conseiller sur des dossiers cross-border. L’équipe travaille régulièrement sur des prêts syndiqués et des financements de projets, avec une compétence particulière dans les opérations de financement à l’exportation. Les avocats interviennent pour le compte de plusieurs grandes banques françaises et internationales.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Baker McKenzie acted for bioMérieux on a EUR600 million dual currency and ESG linked financing.

  • Baker McKenzie a conseillé bioMérieux dans le cadre d'un financement de EUR600 millions à double devise et lié aux critères ESG.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team at Baker McKenzie is highly responsive with detailed knowledge of the market.

    Banking & Finance respondentFrance

  • The lawyers at Baker McKenzie work efficiently to meet tight timelines. It is a very helpful team and handles the documentation process smoothly without any issue.

    Banking & Finance respondentFrance

  • Baker McKenzie has a global presence. As a result, the exchanges between the Paris office and other offices involved in our cases are extremely fast and fluid, which makes our cases progress quickly.

    Banking & Finance respondentFrance

  • Baker McKenzie has extensive knowledge on the market. The lawyers are able to bring opposite views together and find a compromise efficiently.

    Banking & Finance respondentFrance

  • Le cabinet Baker McKenzie possède une connaissance approfondie du marché. Ses avocats sont capables de concilier les points de vue divergents et de trouver un compromis efficacement.

    Banking & Finance respondentFrance

  • L'équipe de Baker McKenzie est très réactive et a une connaissance approfondie du marché.

    Banking & Finance respondentFrance

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Michael Foundethakis
    Michael Foundethakis

    Michael Foundethakis

    Michael Foundethakis is qualified to practise in France, the Republic of Ireland and the UK. He advises on project finance as well as structured trade and export finance. He has particular strength in cross-border work, with clients including leading international financial institutions and activity involving African jurisdictions.

    Michael Foundethakis est inscrit au barreau en France, en Irlande et au Royaume-Uni. Il conseille sur des financements de projets ainsi que des financement structuré de commerce et d'exportations. Il a une expertise particulière dans les dossiers transfrontalier, avec des clients comprenant des institutions financières internationales de premier plan et une activité impliquant des juridictions africaines.

    • He is hugely sophisticated and international. He has been at the top of his game for a long time, but remains approachable and open.

      Banking & Finance respondentFrance

    • We had a very good experience in our collaboration with Michael, he knows how to make himself available when we need answers on complex subjects.

      Banking & Finance respondentFrance

    • Michael Foundethakis has both the technical knowledge in terms of the latest wording and how to best draft a document, but also has the emotional intelligence for the relationship aspects.

      Banking & Finance respondentFrance

    • Michael performs at a high level of professionalism and efficiency. He is able to provide very useful legal advice to lenders, and also showed a good commercial sense while providing suggestions.

      Banking & Finance respondentFrance

    • Michael Foundethakis can work across cultures and adapt.

      Banking & Finance respondentFrance

    • Michael Foundethakis a à la fois les connaissances techniques récente en matière de formulation et de rédaction de documents, mais aussi l'intelligence émotionnelle nécessaire pour les aspects relationnels.

      Banking & Finance respondentFrance

    • Michael fait preuve d'un grand professionnalisme et d'une grande efficacité. Il peut fournir des conseils juridiques très utiles aux prêteurs et a également démontré un bon sens des affaires dans ses suggestions.

      Banking & Finance respondentFrance

    • Michael Foundethakis est capable de travailler dans un contexte multiculturel et de s'adapter.

      Banking & Finance respondentFrance
    • Notre collaboration avec Michael a été très fructueuse ; il sait se rendre disponible lorsque nous avons besoin de réponses sur des sujets complexes.
      Banking & Finance respondentFrance

    • Il est extrêmement sophistiqué et international. Il est au sommet de son art depuis longtemps, mais reste accessible et ouvert.

      Banking & Finance respondentFrance
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Ranked Individuals at Baker McKenzie (1)

France

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