The leading shipping finance practice at Stephenson Harwood is noted for its expertise in finance law, corporate law, labor law, and tax law surrounding the maritime industry. Counting a stellar client roster of major French banks on its client roster, the team is involved in significant vessel financings, restructurings, and transactions in the French market. Alain Gautron heads the team, and advises banks and other financial institutions on export credits, while Ezio Dal Maso specialises in non-contentious work concerning financing, ownership structuring, and ship registration. Other key members of the team include Hortense Atthenont-Duret, who handles shipping and asset finance matters.    

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The Stephenson Harwood shipping finance team, led by Alain Gautron, is clearly one of the best in France.'

  • 'Alain Gautron is always very involved in transactions and makes himself very readily available. Hortense Atthenont-Duret has strong negotiating skills with very good adaptation to the challenges of the parties involved.'

  • 'Outstanding knowledge, commercial approach, and timely deliverance.'

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Key clients

  • BNP Paribas
  • Compagnie du Ponant
  • Caisse d’Epargne Languedoc-Roussillon
  • Caisse d’Epargne Bretagne Pays de Loire
  • Accor
  • Rubis Energie
  • Fimar
  • Corsica Ferries
  • Crédit Industriel et Commercial
  • Ingépar
  • Caisse d’Epargne CEPAC
  • Caisse d’Epargne Ile de France
  • Socatra
  • JP Morgan Asset Management
  • Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
  • Banque Populaire Grand Ouest
  • Acta Marine

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.
Hortense Atthenont-Duret
Stephenson Harwood
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Alain Gautron

Other key lawyers

Ezio Dal Maso, Hortense Atthenont-Duret