Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has strong know-how advising companies or banks on the setting up of credit facilities, including ESG-linked and revolving credit facilities. The comprehensive practice also regularly advises on acquisition finance deals, while its range of expertise also encompasses emerging markets and asset-based financing. Many leading French and international banks are clients. Louis De Longeaux is the key name within the team, with the highly experienced Régis Oréal also a key member. The team is headed by Vincent Hatton and also includes Michaël Armandou. Of note, the team strengthened further its ranks in early 2024 after re-hiring Laure Bonin from August Debouzy.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'High level advice to borrowers for syndicated financing'.
- 'Louis de Longeaux is an excellent professional, calm, serious, pragmatic, who has a keen sense of compromise. He has developed leading expertise in impact loans (sustainability-linked loans).'
Key clients
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Devialet
- Essor
- Financière Mauffrey
- InnovaFeed
- JP Morgan
- Kering
- Lisi
- RTE
- Australia New Zealand Bank (as panel firm)
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- BNP Paribas (as panel firm)
- BPCE – Natixis group (as panel firm)
- Bpifrance
- Citi
- Crédit Agricole (as panel firm)
- European Investment Bank
- International Finance Corporation
- JPMorgan
- Société Générale (as panel firm)
- Arkema
- Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
- Air Liquide
- Airbus
- Alten
- Bureau Veritas
- Compagnie des Alpes
- Danone
- Elo (Auchan)
- EssilorLuxottica
- JCDecaux
- L'Oréal
- Maisons du Monde
- Monoprix
- Onet
- Orange
- Proparco
- Safran
- Schneider Electric
- SEB
- Société Foncière Lyonnaise
- Stellantis
- Tarkett
- Vinci
- Worldline
Work highlights
- Advised L'Oréal on the financing of the acquisition of Aesop, the major Australian luxury cosmetics brand.
- Advised Schneider Electric on the financing of its takeover bid over Aveva, a company listed on the UK market.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Vincent Hatton