Bird & Bird

Jean-Claude is a partner in our Banking & Finance practice and is the head of the Aviation, Space & Defence practice in Paris.

Jean-Claude is a partner in the Banking and Finance department and is responsible for the aerospace and defence practice in the Paris office. Jean-Claude has developed a rare expertise and in-depth knowledge of the defence and aerospace sector, providing legal advice on numerous projects, including satellites and communication systems. His role in the negotiation of several high-profile projects, such as the Skynet refinancing, the UK FSTA and MFTS projects and the Galileo programme, gives him a deep understanding of the specifics of such projects, including technology, obsolescence, licensing, intellectual property and defence procurement. He has also acquired a rare expertise in negotiations with the European Investment Bank and with governments in the framework of repayable advances.

Before joining us in 2018, Jean-Claude was Vice President Legal Affairs at Airbus Group in Paris, responsible for Finance and Projects. In his 12 years at EADS and Airbus Group, he has developed rare expertise and inside knowledge of the aerospace and defence industry, having advised on numerous technology and defence projects including satellites and communication systems. He was involved in the negotiations for a number of landmark projects, including the Skynet refinancing, FSTA, Galileo and MFTS, which has given him expert knowledge of the specific features of projects of this nature, including technology, obsolescence, licenses, IP and defence procurement.

He also negotiated for the Airbus Group, all their banking and debt and capital market programmes (EMTN, US 144A, convertible or exchangeable bonds, etc.) and acquired a rare expertise relating to negotiations with the European Investment Bank and with Governments for the implementation of reimbursable advances.

Before Joining Airbus, Jean-Claude worked as French lawyer and English Solicitor for nearly 10 years, in particular with White & Case and Clifford Chance in Paris and Tokyo, where he advised financial institutions and borrowers in relation to structured or corporate finance transactions, complex acquisition financings (private equity, LBO, mezzanine financings, etc.) and in relation to international projects (wastewater, power plants, pipelines, infrastructures, real estate, etc.) where he advised various stakeholders (multilateral organisations, senior or subordinated lenders, equity providers, sponsors, etc.), in particular in relation to the negotiation of finance documentation, direct agreements and intercreditor agreements.

Jean-Claude is a former Commercial Court Judge in France. He is the editor of the International Bank and Other Guarantees Handbooks (Middle East, Africa and Europe Volumes) - Kluwer.

Jean-Claude is a reserve air force officer.

He speaks french and english.

Jean-Claude holds an MBA from ESSEC Business School, graduated the Paris Political Studies Institute (Sciences Po) and holds a law degree from the Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne University.