Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s restructuring and insolvency team, comprising a diverse group of lawyers, offers comprehensive counsel on all facets of restructuring and insolvency deals. The practice services clients in the telecommunications, technology, and investment funds sectors, adeptly handling a broad spectrum of high-profile, multi-jurisdictional insolvency matters. Additionally, the team plays a pivotal role in assisting the French government with the granting and restructuring of state-sponsored loans. Under the leadership of corporate debt restructuring specialist Pauline Bournoville, the team has experienced substantial growth in recent years, particularly in its role on the creditors’ side, an expansion fuelled by noteworthy new instructions from both French and foreign banks.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very responsive and a complementary team, both in restructuring advice and documentation.'
'A proactive team, providing solutions and able to take the lead, when the situation requires it, in place of the client's advice.'
‘Pauline Bournwille is very committed and goes to the front in negotiations always with mastery. Very good, clear and transparent communication with its creditor clients.'
'Emma Bonnefoi is a young lawyer in the making.'
Key clients
- Banque Fiducial
- BNP Paribas Group
- BPCE/Natixis Group
- Crédit Agricole Group
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- ENGIE Group
- FRENCH STATE (Délégation Interministérielle aux Restructurations d’Entreprises – Interministerial delegation for corporate restructuring & insolvencies)
- HSBC Continental Europe
- Louis Pasteur Group
- SEWAN
- Société Générale Group
Work highlights
- Advising the French State (Interministerial Delegation for Corporate Restructuring - Délégation Interministérielle aux Restructurations d’Entreprises) on the negotiation of 100 M€ public debts owed by Ascoval and France Rail industry for the rehabilitation proceedings of the group.
- Advising a sum of the entities of the BPCE Group, notably Caisse d'Epargne et de Prévoyance Grand Est Europe, Caisse d'Epargne CEPAC, Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes (CERA), Banque Palatine, Caisse d'Epargne Loire Champagne and Caisse d'Epargne Ile de France (CEIDF) on the restructuring of the Marne & Finance Group's indebtedness within the frame of pre-insolvency proceedings.
- Advised the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Lunar Aircraft Trading Company 3 Limited, two lessors of aircrafts, in the context of rehabilitation proceedings of two French companies (lessees) members of the Lion Air Group.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Pauline Bournoville