Projects & Energy: International
Europe Guide 2024 : France
Band 1
Contact number
+33 1 5357 7070Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills' well-respected team offers expertise in domestic and international projects in the oil and gas, mining and renewable energy sectors as well as telecommunications, social infrastructure and railways. The practice handles project developments and financing issues, as well as transactions, joint ventures, regulatory and contractual matters. The law firm has a particular strength in African and European solar mandates, often collaborating with its international offices. The team represents project developers, sponsors and lenders.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised Hainan Mining on its USD117 million investment in the Bougouni lithium project in Mali.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Herbert Smith Freehills' advice is very useful."
"Herbert Smith Freehills provides very good commercial advice and is very protective of its clients."
"There are a number of challenging items in our jurisdictions but the team has responded and reacted quickly, adding value."
"It is a great comfort knowing I can pick up the phone and speak to the team straight away without any forewarning and it will be able to give some very sensible, clear and helpful initial thoughts."
"The client service is excellent and I am very pleased with the team's work."
"Herbert Smith Freehills' advice is very useful."
"Herbert Smith Freehills provides very good commercial advice and is very protective of its clients."
"There are a number of challenging items in our jurisdictions but the team has responded and reacted quickly, adding value."
"It is a great comfort knowing I can pick up the phone and speak to the team straight away without any forewarning and it will be able to give some very sensible, clear and helpful initial thoughts."
"The client service is excellent and I am very pleased with the team's work."
Notable Practitioners
Michaël Armandou is recognised for his practice encompassing project finance and development in the fields of energy and infrastructure. He assists both international and domestic lenders and borrowers.
"Michaël Armandou is very social, available and provides very good advice."
Dual-qualified in France and the UK, EMEA managing partner Nina Bowyer continues to develop a strong practice advising on natural resource mandates across Europe and Africa. She routinely handles sales, acquisitions and investments of oil and gas companies and power projects.
"Nina Bowyer is one of the smartest, most hard-working, switched-on, dedicated partners I have worked with."
"She knows her stuff and is commercial. She manages to think of all possible scenarios within a few minutes and is able to come back with clear guidelines highlighting risks or tipping points."
Head of department Rebecca Major earns a higher position in the rankings this year and is qualified in English and French law. She has a diverse project practice that spans renewable energy and mining investments. She additionally handles transactions in the oil and gas sector and assists with matters in Europe, Africa and Asia.
"Rebecca Major is a brilliant lawyer who is reactive, hard-working and very client-oriented. She is 100% reliable and I know I can call her up when I need something."
Joining the rankings this year is Mathias Dantin who leverages his expertise to assist French corporates and lenders with the development of renewable energy, mining and oil and gas mandates. His practice also encompasses regulatory issues.
"Mathias Dantin allowed us to understand the context of the market well."
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
France