Banking & Finance | France

A&O Shearman has a well-known banking and finance practice covering a wide spectrum of matters. The team advises on cross-border debt refinancings, leveraged acquisitions, and project and real estate finance, and displays further capabilities in investment-grade financings. The team has demonstrable experience assisting international banking and finance clients with the establishment of French affiliates. The lawyers also have experience coordinating with team members in other key jurisdictions such as the UK, the USA and Luxembourg.

Gide Loyrette Nouel boasts a leading banking and finance practice with solid expertise across the financial sector, covering acquisition finance, corporate finance and refinancings. The team's impressive client base comprises mainly key multinational banks. Its offering caters to clients seeking expertise within leveraged finance and for syndicated loan facilities.

Latham & Watkins' market-leading banking and finance practice possesses remarkable strength in leveraged finance and acquisition finance matters, and offers further expertise in high-yield bonds and debt refinancings. The team represents different types of lenders, including banks, private equity sponsors and alternative debt providers, as well as borrowers, particularly in the private equity space. Clients benefit from the team's cooperation with the law firm's corporate and tax departments. Latham & Watkins additionally has a strong capacity to cover matters involving multiple jurisdictions thanks to its global presence.

Bredin Prat is a well-reputed French firm known for its corporate finance expertise, with significant activity in debt restructuring, acquisition finance and syndicated loans. The team advises a range of leading corporate clients hailing from the energy, telecommunications, healthcare and retail sectors in addition to financial institutions. The practice collaborates closely with the firm's leading M&A, tax and antitrust departments.

Clifford Chance's well-reputed banking and finance department boasts notable expertise in leveraged and acquisition finance mandates. The lawyers are additionally skilled across a number of other areas including equity bridge financing and infrastructure, and are increasingly active on debt refinancing and restructuring matters. The practice draws substantial strength from the law firm's excellent network of offices worldwide.

Freshfields boasts a well-reputed practice offering expertise in acquisition financing and credit facilities as well as reorganisations. The banking and finance practice additionally handles leveraged financing transactions. The team frequently acts on cross-border mandates, often alongside its international offices. Its clients hail from the retail, pharmaceutical, infrastructure, engineering and energy sectors, in addition to a number of banks, private equity houses and asset managers.

Hogan Lovells is a well-reputed finance team and specialises in leveraged acquisition finance and debt refinancing matters, acting for a range of leading French banks and asset managers. The practice also has experience acting on unitranche and bridge financings, as well as growing expertise regarding ESG and sustainability performance indicators.

Linklaters is well respected for its services across the banking spectrum, advising lenders and borrowers on acquisitions, real estate, corporate restructurings and refinancings as well as bond financing matters. The law firm represents a portfolio of clients comprising leading banks, private equity houses and major corporates. Its lawyers offer capabilities in both French and English law and collaborate with the firm's network of international offices.

De Pardieu Brocas Maffei offers notable capabilities across the full range of banking and finance matters, including debt refinancing, as well as LBO acquisition financing and syndicated finance. Its solid client base consists of leading international and French banks, in addition to credit institutions. The lawyers provide a full-service offering for clients through cooperation with the firm's real estate, tax and corporate teams.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer boasts strong experience in a range of areas including acquisition finance and syndicated lending, with further expertise in debt refinancing. The team also frequently acts on bridge financing matters. The law firm assists both domestic and international borrowers and lenders with cross-border operations. Its impressive client roster includes leading investment banks and domestic corporates.

Paul Hastings possesses a solid team with a particularly strong focus on leveraged finance and LBO financing transactions. The practice is additionally well versed in acquisition finance, fund finance and structuring, as well as in handling cross-border work. Its lawyers' varied client base consists of asset management companies, private equity houses and leading financial institutions.

Ashurst offers assistance on acquisition finance, leveraged finance and direct lending mandates. Its varied client portfolio comprises international financial institutions, investment managers and large corporations. The team routinely advises on cross-border mandates alongside the firm's London, New York and Luxembourg office.

Goodwin is active on acquisition and leveraged finance mandates, with further expertise in debt refinancing. The lawyers chiefly act for leading French and international banks and private equity companies on both domestic and cross-border transactions. The law firm demonstrates knowledge of a variety of industry sectors, including telecoms and retail.

Jones Day has notable expertise in corporate, structured and leveraged finance. The practice boasts further experience in debt refinancing and state-guaranteed loans. The lawyers act for a range of domestic and foreign banks as well as asset managers and leading French corporates. The team draws on the firm's global network of offices for cross-border matters.

Mayer Brown acts on transactions involving leveraged finance and offers further experience in debt refinancing matters. Its lawyers are adept at handling multi-jurisdictional instructions. Mayer Brown's client base consists of high-profile international investment funds and private equity and asset management companies.

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.

Dentons boasts a strong presence in fund finance, with further expertise assisting with equity bridge facilities and debt refinancing. The law firm's clients come from various sectors and include banks, investment funds and corporations, in addition to international financial institutions. The lawyers regularly collaborate with the firm's London and Luxembourg offices to cover multi-jurisdictional transactions.

DLA Piper enters the rankings this year on the back of positive market feedback. The team is well equipped to handle acquisition, corporate and structured finance mandates. The law firm is particularity adept at handling cross-border matters and acts for a roster of French and international financial institutions, as well as corporates.

McDermott Will & Schulte is recognised for its experience in domestic transaction finance. Its lawyers have additional expertise advising lenders on LBO financings and equity bridge facilities. Clients benefit from the department's cross-practice approach with the firm's corporate and tax teams.

Nabarro Béraud Avocats boasts a dedicated team acting on unitranche financings for direct lenders and sponsors. The lawyers are sought after by clients for domestic corporate finance matters.

Proskauer Rose boasts experience in acquisition finance and debt refinancing mandates. The lawyers act for a number of leading private equity houses, both domestic and international.