Jean-Claude Petilon

Jean-Claude Petilon is a partner in the firm's Paris office. He is dual qualified in French and US law.

Jean-Claude has specialized in projects related to Africa for more than 25 years and was the founder of the African department of Coudert Brothers and headed the Paris African practice of Dewey & LeBoeuf. He has expertise principally in the areas energy (petroleum electricity/water power projects), mining, privatizations (both as an advisor to governments and private operators), drafting legislation and regulations, telecommunications, infrastructure, ICC and ICSID arbitration, and project financing.

Jean-Claude has acted for African governments and has assisted in the restructuring of institutional sectors such as energy, tourism, public enterprises, transportation and telecommunications. He also has extensive experience in acting for major mining and petroleum companies in negotiating international contracts and special tax regimes and in obtaining financing for the implementation of their projects.

Jean-Claude is recognized as an expert in such publications as Chambers Global, European Legal Experts, Legal 500 the International Who's Who guides, and Privatization Public Private Partnership Review.

Selected Experience

• Sillenger secures partnership exploration contract with the Republic of Benin
• Tuscany International Drilling acquires Caroil SAS

News

• Mining is Our Middle Name: Fasken Martineau helps Sillenger secure partnership exploration contract with the Republic of Benin
• Droit-Inc, the Financial Post and Law in France mention Fasken Martineau as the recipient of Who's Who Legal's Mining law firm of the year award

Honours and Awards

• Recognised by Chambers Global 2011 as a leading lawyer within 'Corporate/Commercial' and 'Projects & Energy' (Africa). Jean-Claude is also recognised as a regional expert within the fields of 'Projects: International Projects' and 'Corporate/M&A' (France). Considered a "leading expert on francophone Africa" and "one of the best in the market"; clients praise him for "knowing everyone and everything related to the mining sector." 
• Recognised by Who's Who Legal 2011 as a leader in the fields of Mining and Oil and Gas.  
• Listed in Legal Experts 2011, published by Legal Business, as an authority in Project Finance/Energy.