Philippe Druon | Paris | Hogan Lovells

Philippe Druon

Partner Corporate & Finance

Languages

English, French

Druon Philippe

Philippe Druon
Druon Philippe
  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights and events

Philippe Druon, head of the Paris' Restructuring and Special Situations practice, is a leading figure in the French restructuring market. 

Philippe has over 25 years' experience as a bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer in the context of insolvency proceedings as well as solvent restructurings.

Philippe helps French and foreign companies and investment funds on crisis management and restructurings in and out of court. He has played an important role representing major companies, their shareholders or creditors across a number of sectors, including: transport, logistics, the chemical industry, paper production, shipping, the automotive industry, oil & gas and IT.

A proven litigator, Philippe has been involved in numerous matters regarding liability arising from bankruptcy matters. He has also been actively involved in the representation of banks and investors in lawsuits regarding the liability of company directors in the context of bankruptcy proceedings.

Philippe also has extensive experience in acting for listed and unlisted companies in complex distressed M&A.

Philippe has a long track record of success. Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, Philippe practiced for 18 years at an international U.S law firm, where he represented debtors in their most prestigious matters such as Air Liberté, Eurotunnel, Heart of La Défense, Banque Lehman Brothers, General Motors France, Vivarte, Sequana, Westinghouse or Bourbon, among others.

Every year since 2005, Philippe has been ranked Band 1 by Chambers. He is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers Europe 2019 with the following accolade: "Philippe Druon is revered as a "top practitioner" by several sources. One client highlights his "deal-making approach," adding that he "facilitates negotiations and really looks to improve the situation". He goes beyond the purely legal aspects and into the business aspects. He has a very good knowledge of the restructuring market in France."

Philippe is a visiting Professor at University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, where he teaches financial restructuring law.

Representative experience

Advising a world leader in marine services for offshore oil and gas, facing financial difficulties in the restructuration of its equity and its debts (€3 billion).
Advising a French specialist paper producer company in the context of its judicial reorganization and liquidation proceedings.
Advising an investment firm in its capacity of unitranche creditor, (€125 million), in relation to the restructuring of its equity and its debt, while under a conciliation proceeding.
Advising a leading manufacturer of recycled and speciality papers in the context of its liquidation proceedings and regarding the sale of its subsidiaries and/or assets.
Advising a French mass-retail group in relation to the restructuring of a Spanish JV company that it owns jointly with a Spanish group.
Advising a global investment firm in relation to the refinancing of its portfolio companies.
Advising a e-commerce retailer in relation to the acquisition of a diversified industrials company's assets within the framework of its reorganization proceedings.
Advising a leading investment firm which owns the two third of a French industrial group's €300 million of debts.
Advising a leading investment firm which wants to acquire the debts and assets of the holding company of a real-estate group.
Advising an oil & gas company in the context of its financial and operational difficulties.
Advising an international pharmaceuticals company in relation to the planned sale of one of its losses making division.
Advising a French turn-around fund in its planned take over the assets of an energy supplier company, facing financial difficulties.
Assisting a leading paper producer company in Europe in its reorganization proceedings, and the refinancing of its debts.

Credentials

Education
  • Master degree in Business Law, Université Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, 1993
Bar admissions and qualifications
  • Paris
Memberships
  • Member of the "Association pour le Retournement des Entreprises" (ARE – French turnaround association).
  • Member of the "Association des Investisseurs en Retournement" (AIR – French turnaround association for investors).

Recognition

Band 1 in Restructuring/Insolvency

Chambers Europe

2021
"Leading Individual" in Insolvency

Legal 500 EMEA France

2021
500 Leading Global Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyers

Lawdragon

2020
"Lawyer of the Year" in Restructuring

Best Lawyers

2020
Lawyer of the Year in Restructuring

Option Droit & Affaires

2020
Insolvency (France), Hall of Fame

Legal 500 EMEA

2020
Insolvency (France), Recommended

Legal 500 EMEA

2020
Recommended in Restructuring and Insolvency

Euromoney - Banking, Finance & Transactional Law Expert Guides

2020