CMS Francis Lefebvre wins praise for its ‘in-depth expertise’ throughout the field of public law, advising key players across the media, transport, energy, infrastructure and telecoms sectors. On the litigation front, the team is recognised for its strength in high-profile administrative and constitutional cases, particularly involving complex issues of EU law. The firm also has robust experience of advising on public procurement and concessions contracts, particularly in the transport and energy spheres (and offers clients access to an online public procurement remedies toolbox). François Tenailleau, Kawthar Ben Khelil and Thomas Carenzi focus on matters concerning public contracts, while Claire Vannini and Eleni Moraïtou are noted for their expertise in litigation.
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Témoignages
Collectés indépendamment par l'équipe de recherche du Legal 500.
‘The team is very available and competent. In case of questions on a different area of expertise, they will look for the person best able to answer in their office. A valuable point: the team puts itself on the level of its clients and has a dialogue with them, unlike many other lawyers who can have a contemptuous attitude and deliver monologues.’
‘Kawthar Ben Khelil has very great expertise in the law of public institutions and public procurement and knows how to measure the degree of risk of the solutions envisaged for a given situation.’
‘The public and administrative law team at CMS Francis Lefebvre, led by François Tenailleau, stands out for its in-depth expertise and its ability to offer innovative legal solutions. Their strength lies in their comprehensive approach, which goes beyond just the legal framework, allowing them to have an overview of the issues. The team demonstrates great responsiveness and availability, particularly during critical phases such as calls for tenders and negotiations, where deadlines are often very tight. Their ability to adapt to time constraints while maintaining a high level of quality is a major asset.’
‘François Tenailleau particularly stands out within the team. His expertise in public business law, particularly in the field of public contracts, is remarkable. He demonstrated an exceptional ability to negotiate this complex concession contract, finding balanced legal solutions that take into account both the client's and the group's constraints.’
‘François Tenailleau has an approach that is not only creative but also very business-oriented. He presents solutions in a practical and clear manner. He is an excellent negotiator.'
'Thomas Carenzi is an excellent lawyer and is very technically skilled. He always does detailed and in-depth work, even within very tight deadlines. He has an impressive work capacity, and is always patient and in a good mood.'
‘The team's main strength, compared to competing teams in other firms, is an excellent mastery by each member of the subject matter, as well as of our sector of activity. This allows for a very high level of responsiveness. Regarding the quality of the service provided, the regular video-conference meetings have saved time, as well as increasing the ease of exchanges.’
‘Kawthar Ben Khelil provided outstanding services, along with other associates working with her, from the very first contact. It has to be emphasized that she was very professional, always courteous, knowledgeable and delivered the necessary product within the agreed timelines.’
Clients clés
- La Banque Postale
- Engie
- Caisse des dépôts et consignations
- Interparking
- Corsica Linea
- Bruker France
- Société d’exploitation des ports du détroit
- Lexmark International
- NGE
- Meridiam
Points forts
- Represented Canal Plus in sanctions proceedings brought by the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication (Arcom) for breach of its obligations under national and EU law.
- Representing Union des Aéroports Français (UAF) in a challenge before the French Constitutional Council to the validity of a new law aiming at taxing alleged excess profits made by major infrastructure operators in France.
- Representing PSTW (a renewable energy producer) in litigation before the Conseil d’Etat against the retroactive modification of public support to renewable energy production by France, in order to cap the extraordinary revenue of the producers in the context of high market energy prices.
Avocats
Meilleurs collaborateurs
Jeunes avocats collaborateurs ou counsels qui se distinguent régulièrement par leur présence dans des dossiers importants du marché, et qui sont identifiés par le marché comme de jeunes talents à suivre.
Responsable de la pratique
François Tenailleau; Claire Vannini
Autres avocats clés
Kawthar Ben Khelil; Thomas Carenzi; Eleni Moraïtou