Edouard is a corporate lawyer specialising in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and public company representations.
Edouard has advised a large number of leading French and international groups and investment funds for over 20 years, primarily on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, restructuring/reorganisation and stock exchange law (market operations and advice to listed companies). He acts in a wide range of sectors including in infrastructure, telecommunication, renewable energies, construction, consumer goods, facility management, financial institutions, and asset management.
Edouard is acknowledged by renowned legal directories, among which are Chambers Europe/Chambers Global, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers.
Édouard advises and assists both French and international clients. Chambers Global 2024 states "Edouard Thomas regularly acts for transportation and telecommunications clients on inbound and outbound transactions. "I think Edouard Thomas has an excellent balance between technical skills and commercial abilities. He tries to see the client's options and move forward with commercial issues. He always tries to get the deal over the line. He is extremely hard-working and always available." "Edouard Thomas is collected and strategic; that is the reason we picked him for our deal." "Edouard Thomas was always extremely efficient." "Edouard Thomas is a good lawyer with good commercial skills". He is ranked for Chambers Global 2024 for Corporate/M&A in France.
Background
Edouard is a graduate of the New York University School of Law and he also holds a degree in business law, a DESS in international business law and a DJCE from the University of Aix-en-Provence and a diploma in comparative law from University College London. He is a member of the Paris and New York Bars.
Experience & expertise
Selected matters
- Cellnex, Europe’s leading operator of wireless telecommunications infrastructures, on:
- its €5.2 billion acquisition of French Towers Hivory from Altice France and Starlight Holdco (KKR), accompanied by an additional investment of €0.9 billion over the next 8 years (up until 2029) for the roll-out of 2,500 new sites
- its acquisition of the network of c. 7,000 Play sites and telecommunication infrastructures in Poland after Play had been acquired by Iliad
- its strategic partnership with Bouygues Telecom for the roll-out, marketing, and operation of a 31,500-kilometre fibre optic network throughout France, as well as for the financing (via bank and shareholder contributions) required for the planned investment in this project of a billion euros
- (i) its acquisition of 10,700 sites and telecommunication infrastructures in France, Italy and Switzerland from Iliad and Salt, for a total consideration of c. €2.7bn as well as (ii) the agreements in relation with the development of built-to-suit programmes for the construction of 4,000 new sites (for €1.35bn)
- Eurazeo, a major player in asset management on private markets, on its investment in regional data center provider Etix Everywhere, through the Eurazeo Transition Infrastructure Fund
- Marguerite Fund Advisers on its investments in three concession projects aiming to finance, implement and maintain FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) projects in the French Alsace, Haute-Garonne and Grand Est regions
- Holding d'Infrastructures Gazières (a joint venture between the CDC group and CNP Assurances) on the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Elengy (LNG terminal operator) by GRT Gaz (European leader in the transport of natural gas), two subsidiaries of the ENGIE group
- Alkion Terminals France, a subsidiary of InfraVia Capital Partners, on its acquisition of LBC Tank Terminal's activities in chemicals and oil storage terminals across France, Spain and Portugal
- Spie Batignolles on the acquisition of a majority stake in several medium companies in the building and construction sector
- Caisse d'Epargne Provence-Alpes-Corse (CEPAC) on its acquisition of Banque de la Réunion, Banque des Antilles Françaises and Banque de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon from BPCE International, followed by the merger within CEPAC of the acquired entities
Sectors
