Clifford Chance's project finance group is praised by clients for its 'in-depth' knowledge and, is well-placed to assist clients with the financing of high-profile domestic and international projects. The practice is jointly led by a group of eight practitioners, comprising Anthony Giustini, Nikolaï Eatwell, Delphine Siino Courtin, Richard Tomlinson, Milica Zatezalo-Falatar, Daniel Zerbib, David Préat, and Gauthier Martin. Corinne Duvnjak specialises in both development and finance transactions across the renewables space, while Courtin frequently advises lenders on solar projects in Chad, Burkina Faso, and Mozambique. Banking and finance expert Zerbib is well-versed in financing transactions concerning greenfield and brownfield projects, and Martin maintains a French public law focused practice, advising sponsors on biomass power plant and seaport projects.

Distinguished by its ‘great ability to understand the expectations and issues faced by the client’, the team at Linklaters handles all aspects of project structuring and financing. Its expertise cover the gamut of sectors, and it has particular strength with regards transportation, renewables, and infrastructure projects. The group is led by Bertrand Andriani, who has vast knowledge of major infrastructure and energy project financings in France and Francophone Africa. Additional key figures include François April, Stephen Le Vesconte, Justin Faye, and the ‘particularly efficient’ Samuel Bordeleau. Darko Adamovic left the firm in July 2023.

The ‘very dedicated and hardworking’ team at Ashurst LLP regularly assists commercial banks, project sponsors, infrastructure funds, and governments with the financing of energy, natural resources and infrastructure projects. The group advises clients on a range of domestic, and international projects based in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The practice is co-led by financing specialists Mark Barges and Tom Longmuir. Longmuir is known for his focus on transactions in frontier markets, while Barges has deep knowledge of both conventional and renewable energy projects. The ‘attentive and very dedicated‘ Samia Khennous and Cédric Gamambaye Dionmou, are key names of note.

DLA Piper maintains its strong track record for handling mandates concerning the development and structuring of projects, and project contracts and financing for its broad client base of lenders, and borrowers. The team’s workload concerns a wide variety of projects, including social and transport infrastructure, in addition to wind, hydroelectric, solar, and geothermal energy. The team is jointly led by project finance specialists Eric Villateau and Jérôme Pentecoste, who both have notable expertise in public-private partnerships (PPP).

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s group is well-equipped to handle the financing, structuring, and development of projects across an array of sectors, including renewable energy and power, oil-and-gas, natural resources, transport, and telecoms. Leveraging its international network, the team handles projects in France, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Co-leading the team, Michaël Armandou assists a broad client base of industrial sponsors, lenders, and institutional investors, while Régis Oréal‘s primary area of focus is the financing of renewables projects. Ex-practice co-head Eric Fiszelson departed in November 2022.

The project finance team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regularly assists clients with issues regarding greenfield and brownfield project acquisitions and project development and financing transactions. The group is known for its vast knowledge of energy, power, telecoms, natural resources and infrastructure projects. Practice head Amir Jahanguiri specialises in the development and financing of public and social infrastructure projects, including highways, airports, and hospitals. Antoine Bouzanquet‘s primary areas of expertise are financing mandates within the telecoms, transport and energy sectors.

The practice at A&O Shearman is well-placed to advise on a wide variety of project financing mandates across the oil-and-gas, mining, transportation, renewables, and infrastructure sectors. The practice is headed by Lachlan Poustie, who specialises in assisting development sponsors, commercial lenders, and export credit agencies on the financing of infrastructure and energy projects. Kate Buchanan primarily assists financiers with renewable energy projects.

A&O Shearman's ‘highly professional and highly technical’ group handles a broad range of infrastructure and renewable energy mandates, and is noted for its deep transactional, and contentious expertise. The team regularly acts for a varied client list of banks, credit agencies, construction companies, and government bodies. Driss Bererhi steers the practice and is supported by public law expert Romaric Lazerges; energy specialist Alexandre Ancel; and Adrian Mellor, who is adept at handling financing mandates. Amine Bourabiat and Tzvetomira Pacheva are key contacts within the practice.

The team at Asafo & Co. is known for its expertise in project finance and development mandates on the African continent. The group is frequently instructed by governments, sponsors and investors seeking support with renewable energy and infrastructure projects, as well as those relating to the mining and petrochemicals sectors. The practice is jointly led by transactional specialists Simon Ratledge and Pascal Agboyibor, who co-founded the firm.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's practice handles an array of domestic and international project financings across a range of industries, namely mining, renewables, oil-and-gas, and wastewater. Sovereign and state-owned companies, development finance institutions and foreign governments routinely feature on the group’s client roster. The ‘brilliant, responsive’ Barthélemy Faye leads the team, specialising in the financing and acquisition of energy and natural resources projects across the African continent.

The team at Dentons regularly acts for a diverse range of clients, including  contractors, investment funds, and public authorities. The firm is noted for its expertise in renewable energy, infrastructure, and public transport projects. Practice co-head Marc Fornacciari specialises in PPP mandates, while Jean-Marc Allix's primary areas of expertise are domestic and cross-border financings for public facilities and energy projects.

The practice at Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP is known for handling the financing and development of infrastructure projects, with particular focus on projects across the Africa. The team acts for a varied client list of contractors, sponsors, and lenders in mandates concerning transport, infrastructure and renewables projects. The practice is co-headed by acquisition, project and structured finance specialist Olivier Fille-Lambie, and with Bruno Cantier, who handles PPP mandates in Francophone African Regions.

Jones Day's practice is well-versed in matters involving the financing of infrastructure, renewable energy, waste, and transportation projects. The group is jointly led by energy and infrastructure project specialist Rémy Fekete; Nicolas Brice, who has broad expertise in concession contracts, and infrastructure and utilities-related PPPs; regulatory expert Philippe Delelis; and Florent Bouyer, who is known for his expertise in capital markets transactions. Sophie Chevallier left the team for an in-house position in October 2023, while Carine Mou Si Yan joined the practice in December 2023 from Orrick.

Regularly acting for financial institutions and investment funds, Norton Rose Fulbright assists clients with the full gamut of matters involving the financing, transfer and acquisition of projects. Since publication, Anne Lapierre, Arnaud Bélisaire and Simon Cudennec left the firm.

The project finance offering at Pinsent Masons LLP assists clients with a broad range of projects across the renewable energy, nuclear, and oil-and-gas, and transport infrastructure sectors. The group has vast experience in assisting clients with projects based in France and Francophone Africa, and has extensive contentious capabilities. Eran Chvika heads up the team and has broad expertise in the structuring, development, and financing of energy projects.