Clifford Chance boasts a comprehensive offering in the field of derivatives and structured finance with the Parisian team able to leverage on the firm’s international platform (notably the London office). The sizeable team has a strong following among French banks while also assisting other international financial institutions and some corporations. In the structured finance front, the practice handles domestic, pan-European and African work, spanning factoring, securitisation and rare transactions such as the setting up of ABCP conduits. In the derivatives space, the team notably advises on the hedging aspects of corporate and project finance transactions. The practice is co-headed by the highly experienced Jonathan Lewis, Julien Rocherieux and Frédérick Lacroix . Also recommended are senior counsel Fabien Jacquemard and counsel Sophie Guilhem-Ducléon .

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • Jonathan Lewis and Sophie. Guilhem-Ducléon are both very hard working and good at thinking out of the box.

  • ‘Fabien Jacquemard: high-level and unwavering involvement in each case. He is available, responsive and always adopts a constructive and practical approach. His talent as negotiators ensures the most adequate legal protection.'

  • ‘Good listening skills.’

  • ‘Fabien Jacquemard is particularly available, understands clients' needs and responds to them. Frédéric Lacroix listens to clients.'

  • ‘Good quality advice and availability of teams.’

  • ‘Fabien Jacquemard : very good knowledge of securitization and derivative products.'

  • ‘Jonathan Lewis is a top notch lawyer who truly understands the needs of clients.'

  • ‘The team is competent, efficient and very attentive to customer needs. '

Key clients

  • Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB)
  • IFC and Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF)
  • Standard Bank
  • KfW
  • Allianz
  • BNP Paribas
  • Deutsche Bank
  • ING
  • Intesa Sanpaolo
  • Bpifrance
  • Euler Hermes
  • SACE
  • Infranity
  • AXA IM
  • BPCE
  • CIC
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Barclays
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Weinberg Capital
  • Siparex
  • Crédit Foncier de France
  • Hitachi
  • Keensight
  • Amundi
  • EDF
  • TotalEnergies
  • Engie
  • Natixis
  • Elior

Work highlights

  • Advised BNP Paribas Factor S.A.  on a multi-jurisdiction factoring programme for Atos SE and various subsidiaries of Atos SE.
  • Advised Elior on the implementation of a new securitisation programme of trade receivables in several European countries.
  • Advising Natixis on the refinancing of a portfolio of 5 French Prime Assets.

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.
Fabien Jacquemard
Clifford Chance
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Julien Rocherieux
Clifford Chance

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jonathan Lewis, Julien Rocherieux, Frédérick Lacroix

Other key lawyers

Fabien Jacquemard, Sophie Guilhem-Ducléon