Private Equity
Europe Guide 2024 : France
Band 3
Contact number
+33 1 4405 5252Chambers Review
Clifford Chance has a sizeable and multidisciplinary team offering a full service to clients. The law firm is noted for its strength in high-end private equity transactions. It is experienced in representing financial investors in different industry sectors, which includes healthcare, infrastructure and energy. The team is capable of handling cross-border matters, with particular expertise in jurisdictions such as the USA, the UK, Luxembourg and Germany. The lawyers routinely collaborate with the firm's highly reputed tax, real estate and finance teams.
Work Highlights
- Clifford Chance acted for DIF Capital Partners on its investment into Qair Group.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The firm has lawyers who have both a very good theoretical knowledge of the law but also a proven practice. This means that the partners are very high-level experts. The firm being multidisciplinary, it is also able to work on complex subjects, calling on experts from other departments in some cases."
"We work a lot with Clifford Chance and appreciate the global reach and service."
"It is a big team that got to know us very well over the years. I like that the lawyers are versatile with good speed of execution, and we don't need to re-explain things."
"The firm has lawyers who have both a very good theoretical knowledge of the law but also a proven practice. This means that the partners are very high-level experts. The firm being multidisciplinary, it is also able to work on complex subjects, calling on experts from other departments in some cases."
"We work a lot with Clifford Chance and appreciate the global reach and service."
"It is a big team that got to know us very well over the years. I like that the lawyers are versatile with good speed of execution, and we don't need to re-explain things."
Notable Practitioners
Benjamin de Blegiers enters the rankings this year. He is highly recognised for his advice to infrastructure investment funds on M&A transactions.
"Benjamin de Blégiers will take time to resolve issues for the clients. He provides a softer touch and has a great manner with the clients. He is very empathetic and also very strong technically."
"Benjamin is a very good deal-maker and is very strategic. I have never seen to date a lawyer that can interact so well with his client, thinking strategically with you and when issue arise."
"He is one of the lawyers that knows the infrastructure sector the best in Paris."
Fabrice Cohen handles acquisitions and LBO exits for leading private equity funds.
"I have always had good experiences with him. He is very hands-on and personally reviews everything his team is sending us. As a partner himself, he is very involved; we know that it will be error-free and stamped with the highest quality. He recommends options to us and his negotiation skills are good."
"He is commercial but also detail-oriented, he strikes a good balance and gives good advice on negotiations."
"Fabrice Cohen has strong technical expertise and excellent execution on complex transactions."
Gilles Lebreton handles both domestic and cross-border acquisitions, acting for a client base of insurance companies, corporates, infrastructure and private equity funds.
"He is extremely serious, precise, accurate, sharp; he knows a lot, not only technically but also in terms of market knowledge. Also on the relationship, he is a deal-maker; he is here to facilitate and he is very available, and with the counterparty he is smooth, delicate and serene."
"He is very technical, with a very strong ability to synthesise complex subjects and provide effective solutions. He has great experience in his field, it is a real pleasure to work with Gilles."
Ranked Lawyers at
Clifford Chance LLP
France