Department profile
Baker McKenzie

Banking & Finance

Global 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 (1)

  • We advise clients from a broad range of industries including finance; manufacturing; healthcare; energy, mining & infrastructure; and 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.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

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

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

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

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

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

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

  • 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 respondentGlobal

  • 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 respondentGlobal

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.

    • 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 respondentGlobal

    • 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 respondentGlobal

    • 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 respondentGlobal

    • 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 respondentGlobal

    • Michael Foundethakis can work across cultures and adapt.

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

France

Members

Provided by Baker McKenzie

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