Francophone Desk

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Pillsbury has extensive experience working with companies that are active in French-speaking markets, providing clients strategic counsel wherever they operate.

Team members possess a deep understanding of the legal systems, business customs and nuances of individual francophone countries, affording clients tailored services that meet the unique requirements and objectives of each project. We advise all companies, from startups to global enterprises, as they navigate the complexities of doing business in multiple languages.

Our wide-ranging experience in French-speaking markets extends to a majority of the firm’s practices, with particular strength in M&A, private equity, capital markets and finance transactions, intellectual property matters, international arbitrations and cross-border disputes, and a host of regulatory concerns. We also leverage long-standing relationships with leading local counsel to fully meet client needs.

Representative Experience

Represented multiple French banks over decades, including BNP Paris, Crédit Agricole – Corporate and Investment Bank, Natixis S.A., Société Générale and Crédit Industriel et Commercial, among others, across multiple business lines including corporate and asset-based lending, bank merger & acquisitions, regulatory matters, derivatives, creditor’s rights and commercial litigation.
Represented Airbus SAS for almost two decades in numerous practice areas, including finance, corporate, regulatory, litigation and trade/sanctions.
Represented Bombardier in various litigation, finance and regulatory matters.

Represented a French manufacturer of rocket motors for tactical missiles with the negotiation of subcontracts with Lockheed Martin for tactical missiles to be delivered to the French government.

Represented Believe SAS, a French company which offers a range of digital music, video streaming, and mobile services, in its acquisition of TuneCore, a digital music distribution and publishing administration company based in the United States. Pillsbury performed the IP due diligence in expanding their content business into the U.S.

Represented French defense and technology company Thales SA in the contested €150 million sale of its electronic payment unit to Hypercom.

Represented French energy company Toreador Resources in its oil exploration joint venture with Hess Oil France SAS, a subsidiary of Hess Corporation, including $120 million work program.

Represented French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis in the €183 million sale of its stake in French chemicals company Rhodia in an institutional placement.

Represented Platinum Equity and French company WFS Global Holding in a high-yield notes offering to fund WFS’s acquisition of CAS Group Intermediate Holdings.

Represented Rabbit Hole Spirits LLC on the sale of a majority interest in the company to French beverage company Pernod Ricard.

Represented Air Algérie in the acquisition and U.S. Ex-Im Bank supported financing of multiple Boeing aircraft.

Advised a consortium of lenders in the project financing of the construction of an offshore gas platform for a Côte d’Ivoire sponsor, with a French parent company, from the drafting and negotiation of the financing term sheet and facilities agreement to agreeing amendments and consents during the term of the financing.