Office

Paris
15 rue de Laborde
75008 Paris

Partner

Stéphane Vernay

Partner

Stéphane Vernay

Office

Paris
15 rue de Laborde
75008 Paris

Practices

Stéphane Vernay is a partner in the Gide's "Projects" (Finance & Infrastructure) team in Paris. With over 30 years of experience, he specializes in major construction, concession and partnership projects in the energy, natural resources, transport, defense, and aerospace sectors.

More specifically, He intervenes in the development, structuring and financing of projects. He advises developers, financial institutions, and public authorities. Familiar with sovereignty and export control issues, he developed a particular expertise in the aerospace and defense industry.

Stéphane regularly advises EDF on its EPR/EPR 2 nuclear plant projects in India, the UK, China, the Czech Republic, and Poland, as well as on several hydro, solar and wind power projects. He also advised MSC on its acquisition of Bolloré Africa Logistics and is advising the group on several transactions in Europe and Africa. He intervenes for Naval Group, which he advised regarding the Australian Future Submarine Program, as well as for Ariane Group which he advised on several industrial projects.

Stéphane has also worked in the Beijing and Hong Kong offices of Gide for over 12 years. He is a co-author of the book, "Négociation vécue par les professionnels - Partage d'expérience autour du traité pratique de négociation" (Editions Larcier, 2021). He is member of the Paris Bar since 1994.

Awards

  • Chambers Global/France 2025

    Projects & Energy: International

    Band 2

    Stéphane Vernay is very skilled and very committed. He's also able to go beyond a legal counsel role by taking into account the ecosystem in which the matter exists.

  • Chambers Global/Europe - France 2024

    Projects & Energy: International

    Band 3

    Stéphane Vernay's diverse practice encompasses transactional and development project matters across various countries in Africa, notably in relation to the shipping sector. He is particularly active in the energy sector, including nuclear and hydropower projects.

  • Chambers Global/Europe - France 2024

    Projects & Energy: International (Foreign Expertise)

    Spotlight

    Stéphane Vernay's diverse practice encompasses transactional and development project matters across various countries in Africa and Asia." "He is a great lawyer.”

  • Legal 500 EMEA - France 2024

    Industry Focus: Energy

    Hall of Fame

    Stéphane Vernay has an unwavering commitment to excellence, adaptability to dynamic market changes, and a collective focus on delivering superior service.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - France 2024

    Project Finance

    Leading Individual

    Stéphane Vernay benefits from recognised expertise and stands out for its flawless support on particularly complex files. It can rely on the expertise of all the firm’s lawyers thus ensures perfect project management.

  • Best Lawyers - France 2025

    Best Lawyers

    Stéphane Vernay is recognised in the following practice : Energy Law.

  • IFLR1000 - France 2024

    Banking & Finance

    Highly Regarded

    Stéphane Vernay is recognised in the following practice : Project Finance.

  • IFLR1000 - France 2024

    Project Development

    Highly Regarded

    Stéphane Vernay is recognised in the following practice : Project Development.

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