Stephenson Harwood hires Stéphane Salou from Norton Rose
International law firm Stephenson Harwood has boosted its Paris office with the hire of new partners Alain Gautron and Stéphane Salou and two associates (Serge Rastorgoueff and Linda Bessa) from Norton Rose. Both Alain Gautron and Stéphane Salou are market leaders in their respective sectors of asset finance and tax, with unparalled experience in French tax lease structures. They join partners Richard Pearson and Edward Campbell, who specialise in asset and project finance in the shipping, offshore, aviation and renewable energy sectors.
The Paris office acts for a range of banks and other financial institutions, leasing companies, airlines, rail and shipping companies. Last year the office recorded a 15% increase in revenues, another double digit growth increase from the previous financial year. The office has also recently been strengthened by the recruitment of associates Alexia Russell, a senior associate who brought with her significant rail finance experience, and Michelle Mills, both from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Richard Pearson, Managing Partner of Stephenson Harwood’s Paris office, said “Alain and Stéphane are unequivocally the leading individuals in their respective markets and their practices perfectly complement both our existing offering in Paris and the firm’s international finance practice as a whole, allowing us to further develop our relationships with the French banks and numerous corporate clients across a range of sectors including shipping, aviation, rail and other projects. In addition, Stéphane’s tax capability gives us a solid foundation to develop a French corporate practice. “.
Sharon White, Chief Executive of Stephenson Harwood, commented “Clients are attracted to Stephenson Harwood because we are an international firm – and we need to reinforce our offering through a deeper, broader international presence in Europe & Asia. Part of our strategy is to develop our international offices to offer a wide range of services to the firm’s banking and international corporate clients in important locations. The expansion of our Paris office is a key part of our strategy to expand our international presence and I’m delighted to welcome Alain, Stéphane and their team of associates to the firm.”
Alain Gautron is an asset finance and leasing lawyer and regularly acts on behalf of large continental European financial institutions and lessors. He was head of Norton Rose’s shipping finance practice in Paris and represents banks and ship owners, in particular cruise lines and LNG operators. Alain has particular experience in structured financings, either in the form of complex tax structures (quirats, GIE Fiscaux, Loi Girardin), export credit financings, or more classical credit financings. He also advises on port financing matters, maritime regulatory issues and oil pollution compliance standards. Alain is recognised for his “excellent expertise” in Chambers and Partners 2009. Prior to joining Norton Rose in 2005, he was head of banking & finance at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and a partner at Watson, Farley & Williams.
Stéphane Salou is a tax lawyer and his practice focuses primarily on French and international corporate tax, French VAT and structured finance. Stéphane is particularly active in the tax structuring of domestic and cross-border tax-based leasing of equipment and French real estate for lessees and for French and foreign equity investors. Stéphane is recognised by Chambers and Partners 2009 as a leader in his field. Prior to joining Norton Rose in 2007, he was Managing Partner of the Paris offices’ at both Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and Watson, Farley & Williams.