Public law boutique firm CABANES Avocats is a leading reference for large and complex public procurement contracts, a field in which it stands out for its ability to combine top advisory and contentious skills. The practice is entrusted by a leading client base made up of private operators and public entities including major cities and regions to advise on the awarding of and related litigation linked to some of France’s largest public contracts across various industry sectors including rail and major public utilities. The team also works on major road, bridges and industrial plant construction projects. Christophe Cabanes ranks among France’s leading names in the field, while Vincent Michelin is another top name. Benoît PoldermanCharlotte Pezin and Jérémie Couette are other names to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is made up of very good lawyers. Smooth communication, responsiveness and effective collaboration. A firm that listens to its clients.’
  • ‘Very competent firm in public and administrative law. Great availability, very high quality of listening and advice and remarkable pugnacity. ’
  • ‘The team is exceptional. The customer has unfailing support at all times. The availability of the team, its listening skills, its involvement are total. The quality of the relationship with clients is exceptional. The firm never gives up, especially in the most difficult times. It is a team that you can count on at all times.’
  • ‘Christophe Cabanes and Charlotte Pezin: their availability is total, including weekends or holidays, they never leave the customer without a response. Their humility and their ability to listen are extremely valuable qualities and they make very complex questions accessible to everyone. Christophe and Charlotte are references in their field. It's a pleasure to work with them, it's a comfort and it's totally reassuring to have them on your side. ’
  • ‘Vincent Michelin stands out for his acumen, his sense of service and his creativity in finding solutions.’
  • ‘Jérémie Couette: very responsive, always attentive and proactive. ’
  • ‘Charlotte Pezin has real abilities to adapt to the particularities of public organisations. She is available and responsive.’
  • ‘Perfect knowledge of public law, remarkable support.’

Key clients

  • Bouygues Construction
  • Bouygues Travaux Publics
  • Derichebourg Environnement
  • Alstom
  • Alstom Aptis
  • Colas
  • Bombardier
  • Saur
  • Vinci Construction
  • Dalkia
  • Clear Channel
  • Sodexo
  • Stereau
  • S-PASS
  • Europe Service Propreté
  • Evesa
  • Saferail
  • Ville de Paris
  • Présidence de la République
  • Métropole de Bordeaux
  • Métropole de Nice
  • Métropole de Lille
  • Métropole d’Aix Marseille
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
  • Etablissement public du Mont Saint-Michel
  • Région Occitanie
  • Région Ile-de-France
  • Région Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur
  • Université Sorbonne
  • Grand Port Maritime de Marseille
  • Etablissement Public Paris Terre d'Envol
  • Ile de France Mobilités
  • Ville de Nice
  • Ville de Bordeaux
  • Chateau de Versailles
  • Tour Eiffel
  • Dijon Métropole
  • Région Bourgogne
  • Hopitaux de Marseille

Work highlights

  • Representing a consortium including Bouygues Travaux publics and Vinci Construction in litigation regarding the construction of the “Route du Littoral”, one of the most important infrastructure projects in Europe (value: 1.66 billion euros).
  • Successfully represented the Prime Minister's Office in a dispute relating to consultancy and survey contracts.
  • Successfully represented Clear Channel in the challenge by JC DECAUX of the awarding of the concession contract of street furniture before the Paris administrative tribunal.

Lawyers

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Practice head

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Christophe Cabanes, Vincent Michelin, Benoit Polderman, Charlotte Pezin, Jérémie Couette