Projects & Energy: International | France

Clifford Chance's projects and energy teams form part of an international powerhouse with excellence in the development and financing of infrastructure and energy projects on a global scale, covering the domestic French market, Europe, Asia and Africa. The teams are well versed in domestic projects and energy transactions. Clifford Chance's lawyers possess notable expertise in key fields such as oil and gas, renewable energy, mining and transportation. The team assists lenders, borrowers, sponsors and developers, as well as governmental entities. The practice is particularly present on complex matters involving large groups of lenders. The team leverages significant international resources thanks to its worldwide network of offices.

Gide Loyrette Nouel's well-regarded department has strong domestic and global activity, with a particular presence in Africa. The team represents states, corporates and lenders. The lawyers are regularly appointed on projects in a variety of sectors including natural resources, transport infrastructure and renewable energy. The team's expertise includes PPPs and project financing, with additional experience in contractual and M&A matters. The law firm leverages significant public law expertise to assist clients with domestic matters.

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, and 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.

Linklaters has a renowned projects practice that operates on an integrated basis with the law firm's other teams around the globe. The team advises on project development and financing, concessions, and regulatory, corporate and administrative matters, and is also well placed to assist with high-value asset refinancings. The team is active in the infrastructure, oil and gas, transport, mining and renewable energy sectors, primarily advising on projects across Europe and Africa, as well as within France. The practice can boast a varied client portfolio consisting of construction companies, energy developers and financial institutions.

Hogan Lovells moves up the rankings this year due to excellent market recognition. The firm enjoys a strong reputation in the French market for assisting with infrastructure and energy projects across Europe and Western Africa. The team has additional experience in oil and gas and renewable energy as well as transportation infrastructure. The practice acts mainly for financial institutions and energy suppliers, boasting further strength in corporate and litigious matters.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher's solid team provides transactional, financing and advisory assistance in the transport, social infrastructure and energy sectors. The practice offers noteworthy expertise in local mandates as well as those involving African jurisdictions and Turkey. The law firm assists bidders with tender proceedings and also acts for sponsors on project developments. The team's clients include both private and public entities, as well as local and international financial institutions. The lawyers have an increased presence and recognition in the domestic market.

Ashurst frequently handles the development and financing of renewable and natural resource energy projects across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The practice also has expertise in transport infrastructure matters. The lawyers advise on public and private projects, including concessions and PPPs, and offer further strength in regulatory issues. The team regularly collaborates with lawyers from its international offices.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is primarily active on projects across francophone Africa, with particular experience assisting with matters in Senegal. The practice advises on a variety of mandates in the areas of infrastructure, renewable energy and natural resources. The lawyers assist with project development and project finance, as well as joint ventures, M&A, disputes and restructuring cases. The law firm's clients include governments, state entities, large corporates and project developers.

Mayer Brown is recognised for its capabilities advising clients on a wide array of matters in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Its expertise in renewable energy attracts domestic and international clients. The law firm demonstrates prowess in handling cross-border mandates, with a strong presence in Africa.

White & Case has a noteworthy team that focuses on an array of projects concerning renewable energy, transport infrastructure and natural resources, with particular strength in project financing. The lawyers act across various jurisdictions in Africa, especially in French-speaking countries. The practice's client portfolio includes lenders, corporate clients, private equity firms and state-owned entities. The team also acts on a number of utilities projects and concession contracts.