Clifford Chance's powerhouse Paris DCM practice combines UK, US and French law expertise that serves both leading corporations and financial institutions. The team advises on the largest DCM bond issuance, from the most standard to the most complex ones and encompassing hybrid bonds, liability management, exchange offers and sustainable linked transactions. It is regularly seen at the forefront of market innovations, including advising in 2023 on the issuance of a digital Climate Awareness Bond. The Paris office’s workload is very often of an international nature (pan-European, emerging markets) and its members regularly collaborate with the firm's other European offices. Cédric Burford is the standout name within the practice, co-heading the team alongside the experienced Alex Bafi and Jonathan Lewis. They are supported by a solid bench of counsels including Auriane Bijon and Andrew McCann.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Excellent team, completely bilingual and qualified in French and UK law, which is unusual in Paris.’
‘Cédric Burford, Andrew Mc Cann, Alexander Tollast: excellent advice, responsive, competitive and all 3 bilingual French English and qualified in French law and UK law’
‘Very responsive team, made up of complementary profiles, with extensive experience in capital markets allowing it to respond positively to all types of financial products. The reputation of the Clifford Chance firm lives up to the level of services provided by Cédric Burford's team, which is excellent.’
‘Cédric Burford has constantly and for more than 20 years instilled in his team this spirit of rigor, quality, discretion, efficiency and conviviality which characterizes him and makes his charm and his success as well as that of his entire international team . Alexander Tollast and Andrew McCann are very talented lawyers, with rich and varied experience on all subjects linked to capital markets, discreet and terribly efficient but always in all circumstances pleasant and friendly.’
'A dynamic, diverse and competent team supported by the most up to date IT tools.'
'French and UK law qualified Cédric Burford is always available and ready to find solutions to the most complex subjects,'
Key clients
- RCI Banque
- Société Générale
- Natixis
- Crédit Agricole CIB
- BNP Paribas
- International Banks
- Goldman Sachs
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Bank of China International Holdings Ltd
- Citigroup
- European Investment Bank
- HSBC
- J.P. Morgan
- Morgan Stanley
- National Bank of Abu Dhabi
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Corporates
- Accor
- Alstom
- Carmila
- Carrefour
- Dassault Systèmes
- L'Oréal
- Quadient
- Pernod Ricard
- Technip Energies
- Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
- Vinci
- Volvo
- Thales
- Investment Management
- Tikehau Capital
- Government Authorities
- The Government of Sultanate of Oman
- Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
- Agence Française de Développement
Work highlights
- Advised the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the issuance of its first GBP-denominated natively digital bond and on the issuance of its first euro-denominated digital bond on a private blockchain.
- Advised L'Oréal in the context of the bond financing of the acquisition of Aēsop.
- Advised Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield SE ("URW") in the context of its exchange offer.
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alex Bafi, Cedric Burford, Jonathan Lewis