Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has announced that Guillaume Ansaloni, previously partner at De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés, has joined the finance team as a partner in the firm's Paris office.

Guillaume focuses his practice on structured finance work and, in particular, project finance. He has also acquired considerable experience in corporate law through handling M&A and private equity transactions. Guillaume advises both financial institutions and companies operating in the energy, infrastructure, industrial and communications sectors.

Commenting on the move, Guillaume stated:

"I am delighted to be joining Watson Farley Williams's finance team. Their expertise is widely acknowledged in the marketplace and I am very excited at the prospect of being part of the firm's entrepreneurial culture. the synergy between the different teams and practices as well as the firm's prospects for development made it an attractive choice."

Prior to joining Watson Farley & Williams, he spent seven years at the Paris law firm of De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés, being promoted to partner in 2011.  The holder of a doctorate in law from the University of Paris II and masters' degrees in business law and corporate legal counsel, he began his career with law firm Lamy-Lexel before moving to Fidal.

Laurence Martinez-Bellet, WFW Paris Office Managaing Partner and Head of the Finance team, commented:

"Guillaume's arrival is very much in line with the growth in our specialist asset and project finance practice. We are very happy to welcome Guillaume as his expertise will complement and enhance our existing offer. The team was also recently strengthened by the recruitment of two associates, Lamia Benzine and Ruth van Lare and by paralegal, Miruna Paceag."

In addition, Guillaume is the co-author of a book on the legal issues and bankability of transactions in the project finance sector and is a regular contributor to legal journals.  He also teaches at the University of Paris-Descartes.

Founded in 1982, Watson Farley & Williams has 14 offices in 11 countries with a total of 133 partners and over 450 lawyers. In the 2013/2014 fiscal year, the law firm reported an income of £117 million (US$183 million).