Florent Rigaud joins Stephenson Harwood as partner

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has strengthened its asset finance practice with the arrival of partner Florent Rigaud, who joins the firm in Paris.

Florent's practice covers all types of asset finance transactions for aircraft, railway, satellites and other large mobile assets. He advises domestic and international commercial banks, owners and lessors on secured and unsecured debt financings, operating, finance and tax-based lease structures, export credit agency-supported financings, aircraft sales, purchases and lease novations. Florent also advises on project finance for major domestic and cross-border transactions covering a wide range of sectors. Florent was admitted to Paris Bar in 2009, and joins the firm from Reed Smith.

"Florent's arrival maintains the growth of our partnership here in Paris," said Nicolas Demigneux, Stephenson Harwood's Paris office managing partner. "Not only does his arrival align with our strategic ambition to strengthen our expertise in the transportation and trade sector, Florent's practice dovetails with those of our other aircraft finance partners across the firm, and enhances our award-winning international aviation finance practice."

"Florent's strong client base and expertise will boost our well-established market reputation in asset finance, and in particular in the aviation finance space," said Tammy Samuel, head of finance Stephenson Harwood. "He also brings a wealth of knowledge of project finance work which enhances our platform and complements our existing capabilities."