Europe - France

Latham & Watkins

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Latham & Watkins ranks among the top firms for LBO acquisition finance work and sophisticated loans. The practice, which can seamlessly mix banking, high yield and unitranche expertise, assists leading financial institutions as well as private equity sponsors and several corporates. The Paris team, which regularly collaborates with its London counterparts, also advises on major refinancing deals. Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro supervises a team that includes key names Xavier Farde, Michel Houdayer and Lionel Dechmann.

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Key clients

  • AD Education
  • Ardian
  • Ares
  • Astorg Partners
  • BNP Paribas
  • Bridgepoint Advisers Limited
  • Circet group
  • Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
  • Farallon Capital Europe LLP
  • Fraikin
  • IK Partners
  • Industry Capital Group (ICG)
  • ING Bank N.V., French Branch
  • J.P. Morgan
  • Juvisé Pharmaceuticals
  • Lagardère
  • Loxam
  • Marathon
  • Mediawan
  • Natixis
  • Odéalim
  • Partners Group
  • Pemberton
  • Prosol Group
  • SK Capital
  • Société Générale
  • TA Associates
  • Technology & Strategy
  • Tikehau
  • Vivalto Santé Group

Work highlights

  • Advised the lenders in connection with the refinancing of the existing senior financial indebtedness of Spie SA and entering into a new sustainability-linked senior facilities agreement for an aggregate total amount of €1,200,000,000.
  • Advised BNP Paribas in relation to an amend and extend process in relation to the term loan and revolving credit facility of Albéa Group, a producer and provider of beauty and personal care packaging solutions.
  • Advised TA Associates in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Groupe Odéalim by an investment vehicle co-controlled by TA Associates and Ardian and the refinancing of the existing senior indebtedness of Groupe Odéalim.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Xavier Farde

Hall of fameLatham & Watkins LLP

Xavier Farde is a partner in the Finance Department and is Office Managing Partner of Latham and Watkins' Paris office.Mr. Farde's practice focuses primarily on leveraged finance (senior and mezzanine), banking, and syndicated loans. He also advises on real estate finance.

Leading individuals

Lionel Dechmann

Lionel Dechmann

Latham & Watkins LLP

Lionel Dechmann is a partner in the Finance Department in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. He has extensive experience in financing and is particularly involved in acquisition financing, real estate financing, corporate financing, refinancing, and debt restructuring. He advises financial institutions as well as investment funds and large industrial groups.

Michel Houdayer

Michel Houdayer

Latham & Watkins LLP

Michel Houdayer is a partner in the Finance Department in the Paris office. His practice covers a variety of finance transactions, with a particular emphasis on acquisition finance and private equity. Mr. Houdayer regularly advises leading French and foreign financial institutions, as well as investment funds and corporate borrowers. He primarily advises clients on leveraged finance (senior and mezzanine), banking, and private equity. He is also member of the firm's Opinion Committee.

Next Generation Partners

Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro

Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro

Latham & Watkins LLP

Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro is a partner in Latham & Watkins' Finance Department. She has a wide range of experience representing borrowers, equity sponsors, and lead banks in financing transactions, with a particular emphasis in private equity and LBO financings. Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro received her graduate business law and postgraduate international trade law degrees at the University of Paris, Pantheon-Sorbonne in 2004 and 2005, respectively. She received her postgraduate law degree from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris in 2006.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro

Other key lawyers

Michel Houdayer, Xavier Farde, Lionel Dechnmann