Public Law
Europe Guide 2024 : France
Band 1
Contact number
+33 1 4405 5252Chambers Review
Clifford Chance is a market-leading firm acting on the structuring of high-profile public infrastructure contracts and the defence of litigation or arbitration arising under the same. The department acts for construction companies, operators and public authorities on large-scale projects including motorways, airports and offshore wind farms. The law firm is experienced in assisting government bodies with the privatisation of state-owned entities, with further activity advising on the regulatory framework in the energy sector.
Work Highlights
- Clifford Chance advised Société du Grand Paris on the public procurement contracts for the design and construction of the eastern and western sections of Line 15 as part of the 'Grand Paris Express' metro network project.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Clifford Chance is very comprehensive and practical, and it can synthesise things very effectively for commercial clients. The team has really unparalleled understandings of how administrative and government bodies work."
"The firm's creativity and imagination stands out to me. It is able to see things well on cases, and has strong expertise."
"The team is able to understand issues quickly and delivers answers. The lawyers are experienced and thoughtful."
"Clifford Chance is very technically solid."
"The team is always very responsive and provides high-quality answers."
"Clifford Chance is very comprehensive and practical, and it can synthesise things very effectively for commercial clients. The team has really unparalleled understandings of how administrative and government bodies work."
"The firm's creativity and imagination stands out to me. It is able to see things well on cases, and has strong expertise."
"The team is able to understand issues quickly and delivers answers. The lawyers are experienced and thoughtful."
"Clifford Chance is very technically solid."
"The team is always very responsive and provides high-quality answers."
Notable Practitioners
David Préat is a highly praised practitioner who is frequently advising on notable concession contracts and public procurement matters across a range of sectors, including transportation, energy and TMT.
"David Préat is the best public lawyer I know. He offers very creative solutions and strategies and is a star in the market."
"He has a good capacity for being creative, and is a very strong lawyer."
"He is an outstanding partner."
Gauthier Martin moves up the rankings this year and boasts strong experience advising across regulatory and contractual issues for clients in the energy and transportation sectors.
"Frankly, Gauthier is an extremely efficient and intelligent individual. He is very pragmatic and solution-orientated, and he very rapidly understands a complex point of law and how to proceed regarding the issues we face."
"We have had brilliant advice once again from Gauthier this year."
"He is capable of summarising and making good decisions."