Banking & Finance | Europe

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.

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 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 project, real estate, asset and acquisition finance. The team's impressive client base comprises mainly key multinational banks. The lawyers have further activity advising on state-guaranteed loans issued in the context of COVID-19.

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.

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.

Bredin Prat moves up the rankings this year and 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 its leading corporate, tax and competition departments.

De Pardieu Brocas Maffei offers notable capabilities across the full range of banking and finance matters, including debt refinancing, real estate and asset finance, 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.

The law firm boasts a well-reputed practice offering expertise in 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.

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 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.

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.

Herbert Smith Freehills boasts strong experience in a range of areas including acquisition finance and syndicated lending, with further expertise in project finance as well as 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.

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.

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.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher has a recognised practice advising on acquisition and investment finance matters for domestic and international clients. 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.

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.

McDermott Will & Emery 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.

"The firm stands out for its ability to find solutions that are both acceptable from a business standpoint and legally sound. We particularly appreciate the advice of the firm, which always knows how to find the right balance in the negotiation, the right angle of approach, and knows how to assess in detail the degree of risk induced by a point of documentation or an aspect of the operation. This then allows us to make informed decisions."