Linklaters has a very strong bench that allows the firm to handle a wide range of matters, from public and private M&A to strategic partnerships and corporate reorganisations. The firm has a strong domestic practice and is also adept at handling cross-border deals. It advises a prominent French and international client base of companies and investment funds. The team has a core focus on the large-cap market and regularly advises on strategic transactions, spanning sectors including insurance, automobile, retail and infrastructure. The practice is headed by Bruno Derieux, who will be joined in summer 2024 by Hubert Segain from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. The team also includes Pierre TourresPierre Thomet, Nicolas Le Guillou and Alain GarnierMehdi Boumedine was promoted to partner in 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Availability, expertise and experience’
  • ‘Excellent team, ultra professional and sharp. In-depth understanding of the situations to be managed and informed advice. Smooth collaboration, total availability in case of need/emergency.’

  • ‘Pierre Tourres is absolutely exceptional.’

  • ‘Strong business orientation and competence across the entire chain from M&A to completion, including financing, intellectual property or competition law. Very good availability.’

  • ‘The team has an excellent level of expertise to carry out complex operations.’

  • ‘Nicolas Le Guillou demonstrates formidable efficiency in complex negotiations with great responsiveness.’

  • ‘Effective. Proactive.’

  • ‘Nicolas Le Guillou: commercial and deal orientated, helpful in driving process forward and highlighting key issues for the client without getting bogged down in smaller points.’

Key clients

  • LeasePlan
  • Nexans
  • Stellantis
  • Hillenbrand
  • Plastic Omnium
  • Groupement Les Mousquetaires
  • Aptar Group
  • Genfit
  • Unibel
  • Alliance Electronics
  • Acrotec
  • Sanofi Aventis Group
  • Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance
  • CACEIS
  • Barclays
  • Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring
  • Caisse Fédérale du Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe (CFCMNE)
  • Vauban Infrastructure Partners
  • NW Storm
  • DP World
  • Atlas Arteria
  • Otium Capital
  • Kouros Investment
  • Qatar Investment Authority
  • Peninsula Capital and Florac
  • Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ)
  • EQT Infrastructures
  • Extendam

Work highlights

  • Advised the shareholders of LeasePlan, a TDR-led consortium, on its successful combination with ALD, Société Générale's car leasing division, for €4.8bn.
  • Advised Nexans on its entry into exclusive negotiations with Syntagma Capital to acquire its Telecom Systems division.
  • Advised Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance and Stellantis on the signing of a binding agreement for the acquisition of 6 European subsidiaries of ALD and LeasePlan.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Bruno Derieux, Hubert Segain

Other key lawyers

Pierre Tourres, Pierre Thomet, Alain Garnier, Florent Mazeron, Nicolas Le Guillou, Mehdi Boumedine, Julien Bourmaud-Danto