Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co's Paris office has appointed new, five-strong public law team from international law firm Watson Farley & Williams.

Partners Jérôme Pentecoste and Emmanuel Paillard join the firm, along with associates Julie Vuagnoux and Paul Peyret and assistant Sonia Gomez.

Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co chief executive David Fennell said:

"The new team is one of the very best public private partnership (PPP) and public law teams in the market and its appointment complements both our international ambitions and our firmwide strategy."

Jérôme Pentecoste has worked with public authorities, private operators and financial institutions for 20 years, and has extensive experience of PPP. Advising key players in the life sciences, telecoms, defence, transport and energy sectors, Jérôme's strengths tie in well with the firm's sector specialisms. He specialises in the financing of public infrastructure projects including French and cross-border PPP, public service delegations, emphyteutic administrative leases, rentals with purchase options, energy performance contracts and leasings.

Emmanuel Paillard, meanwhile, is an expert in administrative law, public procurements and public private partnerships. He has 15 years' experience working in construction, real estate, regulatory, town planning and environmental law, and has assisted both lenders and sponsors on many large-scale renewable energy projects. He also acts on litigation cases regarding regulatory and transactional disputes.

Julie Vuagnoux has extensive knowledge of public contract and regulatory law, urban planning, PPP projects and the private financing of public assets and renewable energy. Paul Peyret specialises in administrative law and public contracts and has expertise in public procurement and PPPs.

Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co's 14-partner Paris office advises on a comprehensive range of issues including corporate, real estate, funds, tax, finance, dispute resolution, IP, commercial, projects and employment.