Corporate
The corporate department, led by Nicolas Barberis, Guy Benda, Xavier Comaills,
Bertrand Delaunay,
Yann Gozal and Frédéric Pinet, advises on
major private equity transactions on the Paris market, as
well as on numerous stock market and merger and acquisition
transactions. The team also has expertise in restructuring.
International finance
The international finance team is led by Julien Bacus, James Collis, Hassan Javanshir, Laurent
Mabilat and Diane
Sénéchal. We advise on major French acquisition finance
transactions, acting for both financiers and investors. We also
have expertise in project finance (concessions/PPP), real estate
finance and structured finance (in particular CDOs).
Real estate
The real estate department, led by Philippe None, advises managers of
real estate investment funds and other investors in complex
transactions (including the purchase of real estate or real estate
portfolios, and outsourcing) and their financing. Together with
lawyers in our tax department, we advise on the tax aspects of real
estate transactions. In addition, we have wide expertise in
planning law, environmental law and commercial leases.
Energy, transport and infrastructure (ETI)
The ETI team is headed by Michel Lequien and is involved
in numerous public-private partnership projects in France within
different sectors including transport, accommodation (hospitals and
other public buildings), and waste-to-energy. We advise sponsors
(construction companies and operators), lenders and public
authorities. We also advise on international projects in the water
and energy sectors.
Litigation
The litigation and arbitration team, led by Jean-Pierre Farges and
Eric Bouffard, advises
on litigation and arbitration disputes in areas including stock
exchange regulation, banking and finance, public law and
procurement contracts, restructuring, outsourcing, industrial
risks, insurance and reinsurance, and national debt.
Restructuring and insolvency
Ashurst's restructuring and insolvency team is led by Jean-Pierre Farges. The team
advises banks, distressed companies and investors on legal and
financial restructurings. We are probably unique in our ability to
draw on the experience of specialists in banking, litigation,
corporate and employment law. In addition, we are one of the few
law firms in Paris advising investment funds on litigation matters
relating to major restructurings.
Competition
Christophe Lemaire and his team undertake a wide range of work
advising on the competition aspects of mergers (at a national
and EU level), cartels (both French and European), state aid and
monopolies. Our competition litigation practice represents clients
in disputes before the national French authorities as well as
the Commission and the European Court of Justice.
Tax
The tax department is led by Catherine Charpentier and Nadine Gelli. We work
closely with lawyers in our corporate, international finance and
real estate departments to advise on the tax aspects of mergers and
acquisitions and LBO transactions, acquisition finance, project
finance and structured finance transactions as well as on the tax
aspects of complex real estate transactions. The team also
has expertise in share schemes.
Fund formation
The fund formation practice in Paris is led by Xavier Comaills and Catherine Charpentier. The practice
advises a domestic and international clientele on, among others,
French and foreign private equity investment funds. Along with our
leading position in private equity and corporate finance, we are
one of the very few firms able to advise on all types of
fundraisings, including LBO funds, mezzanine funds, venture capital
funds, infrastructure funds, funds of funds as well as debt, real
estate and secondary funds. In addition, the team also provides
comprehensive advice on a wide variety of onshore and offshore
funds and related incentive schemes, from initial structuring
through to closing and winding-up.
Employment
The employment team advises French and international clients on a
wide variety of employment, social security, employee benefits and
pensions matters. We work closely with the corporate and tax teams
on all acquisition and restructuring transactions. Our technical
expertise enables us to act both as adviser and litigation
specialist in all areas of employment law.