Jones Day turns to Herbies for hire of Paris energy team

He will be joined by fellow Herbert Smith lawyers Denis Bandet, Akshai Fofaria and Etienne Dinner.

The announcement comes days after Herbert Smith’s Paris international banking and finance head Georges Dirani was named global general counsel of BNP Paribas (26 April 2010). 

The team has experience of advising on structuring and financing projects across Europe and Africa, specialising in negotiating joint venture and financing agreements.

Vandomme, who has 20 years’ experience in the oil, gas and power production sectors, said his ambition was for the team to become one of the premier practices for large-scale energy investments in Europe and Africa.

Of counsel Bandet focuses on the petroleum, gas and electricity sectors, as well as alternative energies and the carbon market, while counsel Fofaria has been closely involved in the construction and development of nuclear power stations in England and France.

Associate Diner specialises in the renewable energy sectors, particularly wind and solar energy.

Wesley Johnson, the partner in charge of Jones Day’s Paris office, said: “With Laurent Vandomme’s and his team’s experience in this sector, particularly in France and Africa, we’re well placed to respond to all the needs of our European and international clients.”