Global France Banking & Finance

Clifford Chance's highly 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 projects, equity bridge financing and infrastructure, and are increasingly active in debt refinancing and restructuring matters. The practice has also recently assisted both lenders and borrowers with the implementation of COVID-19-related state-guaranteed loans. The team has a particularly impressive financial services regulation practice, advising leading banks, insurance companies and financial institutions on M&A-related issues, post-Brexit regulations, contentious banking and fintech, with further expertise assisting corporate clients with licensing requirements. The law firm also represents private equity funds and corporations with activity in a variety of sectors such as infrastructure and energy. The practice draws substantial strength from the law firm's excellent network of offices worldwide.

Gide Loyrette Nouel boasts a leading banking and finance practice with solid expertise across the financial sector, covering projects, real estate, asset and acquisition finance. The team's impressive client base comprises mainly key multinational banks. The firm is also recognised for its prominent activity in the financial services regulatory field, advising credit and financial institutions on the structuring, licensing and management of investment funds. The lawyers have further activity assisting banks with banking regulations and issues surrounding Brexit, in addition to advising on state-guaranteed loans issued in the context of COVID-19.

White & Case boasts a leading banking practice with a strong leveraged finance expertise and further strength in debt refinancing matters. The lawyers demonstrate an impressive performance in both domestic and cross-border matters, including involvement in transactions concerning prominent French corporates. White & Case's clients include leading banks and investment companies.

The law firm boasts a well-reputed practice offering expertise on acquisition financing and credit facilities as well as reorganisations. The lawyers also recently assisted with loans guaranteed by the state in the context of COVID-19. 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.

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.

Hogan Lovells 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 a growing expertise regarding ESG compliance. The team is active across a range of industry sectors, including infrastructure and consumer goods.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges' established banking and finance practice is noted for its activity in leveraged finance, financial restructurings and acquisition finance. The team excels in the representation of leading private equity firms. Clients benefit from a cross-practice approach and coordination with teams in other jurisdictions.

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.

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, real estate, 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 and international investment funds and private equity and asset management companies.

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 creation 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.

De Gaulle Fleurance covers a variety of domestic and cross-border mandates from acquisitions to asset finance. The lawyers are also skilled in assisting with restructuring mandates and revolving credit facilities. The practice's clients include banks, domestic corporates and government entities.

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.

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

Shearman & Sterling is active in acquisition financing, with further strength in credit facility matters. The team also has experience coordinating with team members in other key jurisdictions such as the UK, the USA and Luxembourg. The lawyers act for a broad range of clients including banks and corporates.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher enters the rankings for the first time this year. The lawyers are recognised for their work on acquisition and investment finance matters. The practice boasts expertise in unitranche and revolving credit facilities, particularly for private equity clients. Additionally, the team advises third parties and lenders on corporate refinancings.