A leading name in the financial field, Allen & Overy LLP has solid derivatives expertise through Hervé Ekué; he assists financial institutions with various regulatory issues as well as with the establishment of new market architecture around central clearinghouses. Securitisation is another area of strength and Fabrice Faure-Dauphin and counsel Caroline Marion are the key names in this area; they assist banks, financial institutions and issuers on auto ABS and trade receivables transactions.

Jones Day fields a comprehensive derivatives and structured finance practice that serves leading French banks as well as international credit institutions and some companies. In the derivatives field, Alban Caillemer du Ferrage and Qian Hu are sought out to provide strategic regulatory guidance and assistance with complex debt and corporate restructuring and transactions. In the securitisation and structured finance area, Christine Van Gallebaert often advises arrangers and some issuers on mid to large size securisation transactions, spanning a whole range of products including auto lease, project, consumer, mortgage and SME loans. The Paris team also benefits from a strong pan-European platform.

Ashurst LLP has rebuilt a strong offering in the derivatives and structured finance fields. The highly experienced Hubert Blanc-Jouvan leads on derivatives matters, advising many leading international banks on their derivatives projects and regulatory requirements. The arrival of Agathe Motte in early 2022 has considerably enhanced the firm’s French securitisation capabilities. She runs a very busy practice, assisting leading French banks, corporations and fintech companies, and handles a high-level of cross-border work, notably French-German work. The team recently advised on the securitisation of purely digital receivables. Key support is provided by counsel Aurélien Fournier and senior associate Annabel Massey Bratby.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has strong securitisation expertise advising a wide spectrum of key players in the field including top French banks, originators and investors. The team, which leverages the firm’s international network to handle cross-border matters, advises on an array of trade receivable products and transactions and also assists with factoring. Vincent Hatton is an expert in the field; he is supported by senior associate Philippe Desvignes. DCM expert Louis de Longeaux provides guidance to leading corporations on derivatives.

Latham & Watkins has extensive expertise advising asset managers, insurance companies and other financial institutions on complex structured finance and derivatives. The practice notably assists with complex regulatory challenges and transactions, including the purchase of non-performing loan portfolios from French banks, as well as French bank capital relief transactions alongside investor funds or insurers selling credit protection. Thomas Vogel and Suzana Sava-Montanari head the practice. They are supported by associate  Jaime Hall.

Linklaters has considerable securitisation expertise that spans a comprehensive range of products: auto and other consumer loans, ABS and trade receivables as well as acquisitions and related financing of non-performing loan portfolios. The Paris team also works in close combination with colleagues from the firm’s international offices to handle cross-border transactions, assisting both originators and investment banks. Practice head Patrice Doat is highly regarded and is support by counsel Guillaume Malaty. Of note, derivatives expert counsel Vincent Poilleux left in May 2023.

Mayer Brown has solid securitisation expertise, often assisting issuers while also handling work for credit institutions. The Paris team regularly combines forces with US and London-based colleagues to advise on pan-European and international transactions. Its practice covers various assets, including auto-loans, trade receivables, supply chain and art loans, advising on the trading, restructuring and issuing of products and on the setting up of programmes. The team is headed by François-Régis Gonon, with senior counsel Véronique Collin another key name.

Reed Smith's structured finance, DCM and derivatives team handles a comprehensive range of work spanning transactional and regulatory issues on behalf of banks, issuers and investors. The team has recently advised international and financial industry sector clients on derivatives issues linked to the energy and commodities sectors. It also has a solid and diverse securitisation practice covering various assets including classic standard work such as RMBS as well as more innovative transactions. The team is headed by Baptiste Gelpi. Former counsel Florent Rigaud left in 2023.