LAWYER PROFILE
Bertrand Montembault

Bertrand Montembault

Global 2026

Chambers ranking badge
Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 5 practice areas

About

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Practice Areas

- Projects

- Corporate

- Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Finance

- Mergers and Acquisitions

- Project Finance

Career

Bertrand is a partner based in our Paris office. Bertrand is an experienced projects and corporate lawyer with knowledge in Francophone Africa. Bertrand has over 30 years of experience helping clients on various aspects of their operations and projects in Francophone Africa, mainly in the energy and natural resources sectors. He lived and worked in Gabon for two years prior to joining the firm and has an excellent knowledge of Francophone Africa's local and regional legal and regulatory systems, including OHADA and CEMAC, and a strong network of local contacts. Bertrand was ranked in 12th position of Jeune Afrique's Top 100 Legal Powerlist of the most influential lawyers in French-speaking Africa in 2022. Chambers Global has recognised Bertrand as a leading lawyer for Africa-wide Projects & Energy since 2014 and he is also ranked by Chambers Global for Africa-wide Corporate & Commercial: OHADA lawyers. Bertrand is based in Paris but has also worked in South Africa – spending two years in our Johannesburg office in 2016-2018 – and Gabon, where he was based for over two years in the early part of his career when he worked in the Libreville office of a leading global tax and audit company. Bertrand is a member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators and AFDEN (French Association for Energy Law), and a former honorary associate of the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy at Dundee University. He also lectures regularly at various universities and schools. He is a native French speaker and speaks English fluently.

For additional information on Bertrand’s professional background, please visit: https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/our-people/b/bertrand-montembault

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Projects & Energy: Mining & Minerals - Africa-wide

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
Paris-based Bertrand Montembault has significant experience advising on projects throughout francophone Africa. He is particularly highlighted for the depth of his knowledge in the mining sector, with further experience in oil and gas.

Corporate/Commercial: OHADA Specialists - Africa-wide

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Bertrand Montembault handles matters across the OHADA region, with a strong focus on corporate and projects work. He is based in Paris and has a particularly strong following of clients in the oil and gas, and mining sectors.

Projects & Energy - Africa-wide

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial
Paris-based Bertrand Montembault has significant experience advising on projects throughout francophone Africa. He is particularly highlighted for the depth of his knowledge in the mining sector, with further experience in oil and gas.

Projects & Energy: International - France

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Bertrand Montembault remains active in the energy and natural resources sectors, specialising in mining matters in francophone Africa.

General Business Law - Gabon

Expertise Based Abroad
Gabon, expertise based abroad in France

Individual Editorial

Bertrand Montembault is based in Paris and a renowned expert in francophone Africa. He is esteemed for his deep understanding of the Gabonese market and has in-depth knowledge of OHADA, UEMOA and CEMAC. He is often called upon by clients to assist with infrastructure and energy projects, in addition to commercial and tax matters.

Projects & Energy: International - France

Foreign Expert
Foreign expert in Africa-wide

Individual Editorial

Bertrand Montembault remains active in the energy and natural resources sectors, specialising in mining matters in francophone Africa.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Bertrand Montembault's sense of sharing, listening and exchanging on the issues we handle together is very high.

    Corporate/Commercial: OHADA SpecialistsChambers Global Guide
  • Bertrand is very detail-oriented and reliable.

    Projects & Energy: InternationalChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP (253)

Africa-wide

Australia

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership