CHAMBERS

• Projects & Energy: Domestic – Band 3 BCTG Avocats

• Projects & Energy (Paul Elfassi) – Band 2 Paul Elfassi has extensive expertise in French energy regulatory matters, and regularly advises domestic corporates. He also has experience assisting investment funds with acquisitions of energy portfolios. He is described by clients as “one of the leading lawyers in renewable energy,” and they add: “He is an extremely good negotiator.”

LEGAL 500

• Energie – Tier 2 BCTG Avocats has established itself as one of the few firms to turn to for high-stakes regulatory and permit authorisations relating to renewables projects in France. The firm acts in a high number of disputes in that area, including most of France’s landmark offshore wind projects in which the practice secured excellent results. The practice assists a large and prominent client base, notably wind and solar energy players. Lately, the team assisted clients with the development of new clean energy projects, such as self-consumption, hydrogen and ‘agrivoltaic’ projects (which combined a solar operation and agricultural activities). Corporate PPAs, and contract and corporate matters are other areas of strength. Star partner Paul Elfassi and the excellent Catherine Dupuy-Burin des Roziers and Diane Mouratoglou are the heads of the practice. M&A partner Alain de Rougé and public law counsel Nelsie Bergès are also noted.
• Environnement – Tier 3
• Public law – Tier 4 BCTG Avocats is known as one of the few go-to-firms for high-stakes permit authorisations pertaining to renewables projects. The practice handles a high volume of work in that area and is involved in many of France’s landmark offshore projects, including disputes. The practice also provides regulatory expertise, foremost in the energy sector, but also in other sectors such as the telecoms and healthcare sectors. Public contract work is also handled. The practice primarily acts for private sector companies. Practice head Paul Elfassi and counsel Nelsie Bergès are the key contacts. In early 2022, the firm recruited Ludovic Babin from Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP, extending the firm’s range of expertise to public contract law.

BEST LAWYERS

• Administrative Law
• Energy Law
• Environmental Law
• Public Law
• Regulatory Practice

DECIDEURS

• Renewable energy law (Inescapable)
• Renewable energy law (Essential)
• Environmental litigation (Excellent)
• Water and sanitation law (Highly regarded)
• Waste law (Well-known practice)
• Energy: market regulation (Excellent)
• ICPE, polluted sites and soils, industrial wasteland (Excellent)

• Local authorities & mixed economy (Reputed practice)
• Administrative contracts and related litigation (Strong reputation)
• Public domain (Excellent)
• Market regulation (Highly regarded)
• Urban planning and development (Reputed practice)

• Natural resources and renewable energies (High profile)

WHO’S WHO LEGAL

• Paul Elfassi