A&O Shearman ‘s comprehensive capital markets and financial expertise also spans derivatives and structured finance, with the firm often advising leading French banks. In the derivatives space, the team advises on OTC credit derivatives, rates, FX, equities and commodities as well as on compliance and regulatory issues (new EMIR regulations), and recently worked on the derivatives aspects linked to the debt restructuring of leading publicly listed French corporations. On the securitisation front, the practice assists banks with work spanning various class of assets such as auto ABS, RMBS and synthetic securitisation. The practice is co-headed by Hervé Ekué on the derivatives side and Fabrice Faure-Dauphin for securitisation advice. Counsel Caroline Marion provides support.

Clifford Chance boasts a comprehensive offering in the field of derivatives and structured finance with the Parisian team able to leverage on the firm’s international platform (notably the London office). The sizeable team has a strong following among French banks while also assisting other international financial institutions and some corporations. In the structured finance front, the practice handles domestic, pan-European and African work, spanning factoring, securitisation and rare transactions such as the setting up of ABCP conduits. In the derivatives space, the team notably advises on the hedging aspects of corporate and project finance transactions. The practice is co-headed by the highly experienced Jonathan Lewis, Julien Rocherieux and Frédérick Lacroix . Also recommended are senior counsel Fabien Jacquemard and counsel Sophie Guilhem-Ducléon .

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP 's excellent Parisian team seamlessly combines forces with the firm’s other international offices to handle complex cross-border and pan-European work. The practice impresses by its high-level securitisation expertise, advising leading banks and originators on large auto loan, leasing and RMBS transactions. The highly regarded Sharon Lewis and the excellent Laura Asbati  are absolute references in the abovementioned area. Additionally, Katia Merlini is also a strong name for derivatives work, advising many leading French and international banks. Counsels Reza Mulligan, Ailsa Davies   and Julie Toux  provide strong support.

 

Ashurst LLP stands out for its ability to cover both derivatives and structured finance work, offering both French and UK law expertise in Paris. The team is entrusted by leading French and international financial institutions, asset managers, fintechs and funds to assist with a full range of structured products and derivatives issues. The team notably works alongside international banks on the establishment and updating of new structured products and repackaging programmes. The practice is co-headed by experienced derivatives expert  Hubert Blanc-Jouvan and Agathe Motte who is quickly becoming a reference on French securitisation matters. Counsel Aurélien Fournier and Annabel Bratby provide key support.

CMS Francis Lefebvre is recommended for its excellent securitisation know-how that covers a high diversity of assets and products (including synthetic securitization, non-performing loans and energy receivables), often assisting arrangers and credits institutions with the setting up and amend of programmes. The team also has a strong knowledge of covered bonds and also provides some advice on derivatives. Grégory Benteux and Alexandre Bordenave are excellent references in the field of securitisation, while Marc-Etienne Sébire and counsel Pauline Larroque advise on derivatives.

Under the leadership of Vincent Hatton , Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is regularly retained by leading French banks to advise on major and large trade receivables and other commercial receivable assets securitisation programmes and financing. The practice also assists funds, asset managers, insurance companies and corporates, while its range of involvement also extends to factoring and non-performing loans transactions. Additionally, DCM and banking and finance expert Louis de Longeaux provides guidance to leading corporations on derivatives, while of counsel Philippe Desvignes. provides key support.

Linklaters is renowned for its high-level securisation expertise to which leading banks and financial institutions, often acting as arrangers or investors, turn to for their large transactions. The range of work spans RMBS, auto loans, auto leases and other consumer loans and ABS securitisation transactions, while the team is also acknowledged for its rare expertise in the field of insurance risk securitisation. The practice also regularly advises on portfolio transactions include sales and investments relating to non-performing loans (notably linked to SMEs). Practice head Patrice Doat is highly regarded and ably supported by counsel Guillaume Malaty.

Gibson Dunn regularly assists banks and companies with the derivatives aspects linked to public M&A and project financing work as well as advising them on large debt restructuring situations. The team also provides guidance to banks on regulatory requirements, while its range of expertise covers equity, FX derivatives and margin loans. The team is co-headed by Darko Adamovic  and of counsel Vincent Poilleux  .

Latham & Watkins is noted for its solid equity derivatives expertise among banks and financial institutions. The Parisian team, which regularly leverages on the firm’s international platform, also regularly assists international credit protection agents regarding corporate loan portfolio investments. The practice is headed by Thomas Vogel with Suzana Sava-Montanari  the other key member in the practice. Associate Jaime Hall provides support.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s Sébastien Praicheux has recognised expertise in the derivative field where he assists leading French banking institutions as well as investment firms and some UK institutions in dealing with regulatory and derivatives requirements including linked to digital asset derivatives clearing. He is ably supported by associate Celestine Barthout.

Reed Smith's Baptiste Gelpi focuses at assisting banks, financing institutions and some originators with structured finance and securitisation transactions, spanning commercial and media receivables notably.

 

Simmons & Simmons‘  French and UK qualified Asdrig Bourmayan is acknowledged by leading French financial institutions for the quality of her derivatives expertise. She is regularly retained by banks to assist with OTC derivatives while also advising on other structured finance transactions. The practice also welcomed factoring expert Pascal Jouannic from Dentons at the end of 2024.

 

White & Case LLP 's comprehensive banking and finance and debt capital markets offering also includes derivatives and securitisation expertise. The practice assists leading financial institutions and fintech companies. Grégoire Karila  is the key contact, with senior associate senior associate Charles Linel  providing support.