Stephenson Harwood has solid credentials in the field of asset finance, particularly shipping where the highly experienced Alain Gautron advises lenders and borrowers on the market’s largest transactions. Through Yann Beckers, the firm also offers solid general banking and finance expertise that covers acquisition finance and complex fund financing deals on behalf of leading private equity funds. Other names to note are structured finance expert Jeremy Grant, who advises on emerging market financing, and new hire Florent Rigaud, who joined in June 2023 from Reed Smith and is a project finance specialist.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Skilled, responsiveness, availability and good technique'.
‘Alain Gautron demonstrates a capacity for permanent adaptation and a remarkable availability at all times. ’
‘Exceptional service and a great firm to work with. Responses are always provided in a timely fashion and always broken down to make it possible to understand the legal aspects. Good guidance also on commercial matters.’
‘Hugo Le Ridou and Florent Rigaud: exceptional lawyers, extremely helpful, knowledgeable and extremely valuable.’
‘A very competent and very responsive team which has been able to perfectly integrate the specificities of its client's sector of activity, its mode of operation as well as its needs and which knows how to have a proactive and protective attitude of its client's interests. A performance well above the market.’
‘Florent Rigaud is an excellent lawyer both technically and relationally, who has been able to build real credibility and a solid and lasting relationship of trust with his client. Responsiveness and proactivity well above average. A real pleasure to work with him. I can't recommend him enough.’
‘Responsive. Innovative. Ingenious. Reliable.’
‘Yann Beckers: client oriented, very personable and competent in financing documentation.’
Key clients
- Five Arrows Managers
- Sienna Private Credit (Ex-Acofi)
- Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
- Bpifrance
- Access Capital Partners
- Arkéa Banque Entreprises & Institutionnels
- BPCE
- Natixis
- Eurazeo
- Touax
- Société du Grand Paris
- Crédit Industriel et Commercial (CIC)
- Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC)
- Accor
- Compagnie du Ponant
- Caisse d’Epargne Languedoc-Rousillon (CELR)
- JP Morgan Asset Management
- BNP Paribas
- Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection
- JSC Halyk Bank
Work highlights
- Advising major banks on a large-cap asset financing deal in the field of transport.
- Advising Olympique Lyonnais on the financing of the construction of the LDLC Arena.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alain Gautron, Yann Beckers, Jeremy Grant, Florent Rigaud