Michel Houdayer is a partner in the Finance Department in the Paris office. His practice covers a variety of finance transactions, with a particular emphasis on acquisition finance and private equity. Mr. Houdayer regularly advises leading French and foreign financial institutions, as well as investment funds and corporate borrowers. He primarily advises clients on leveraged finance (senior and mezzanine), banking, and private equity.
He is also member of the firm's Diversity Leadership Committee.
Recognition
Mr. Houdayer is recognized as a Leading Individual. The Legal 500 EMEA 2022
Mr. Houdayer is recognized as a Leading Individual. Chambers Europe 2022
Mr. Houdayer is recognized as a Leading Individual. The Legal 500 EMEA 2020
According to interviewees, Mr. Houdayer stands out for his experience in the French banking and finance area. Chambers Europe 2020
Mr. Houdayer is recognized as a Next Generation Lawyer by The Legal 500 EMEA 2019.
Commended for his experience in the field and for his ability to "pick out the key points” when handling complex matters. Chambers Global 2017
Praised by clients as "a great and calm adviser, who quickly understands matters." The Legal 500 EMEA 2016
Known for his “flexible and constructive” approach to negotiations. Chambers Global 2016
Mr. Houdayer’s recent experience includes representing:
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TA Associates on the partial sale of Odealim, a leading French insurance brokerage firm for real estate professionals
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The arrangers in connection with the €600 million refinancing of Keolis, one of the world leaders in shared mobility
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ICG and the Domus group in the context of the incurrence by Domus of an additional facility to finance two build-ups
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Burger King France in its revolving credit facility, concurrent with a €625 million bond offering, to refinance existing debt
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Ardian Expansion, a world-leading private investment house, on its acquisition of a majority stake in Artefact
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Sagard in its acquisition of Ginger, the French leader in prescription engineering
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DLPV Software in connection with an incremental note notice for an aggregate principal amount of €150,000,000 for the purposes of financing permitted acquisitions and refinancing part of the group's financial indebtedness
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Dali Midco in connection with an incremental note notice for an aggregate principal amount of €70,000,000 for the purposes of financing permitted acquisitions and refinancing part of the group's financial indebtedness
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Groupe Odealim in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Artémis Ambitions
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The banks in connection with Holding Socotec, a company that provides commercial services, to refinance existing debt
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Alain Afflelou SA, a manufacturing company, in the refinancing of existing debt
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Hestiafloor 2 in the context of the repricing of the Facility B and incremental facility for the purposes of financing build-ups
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TA Associates in connection with the financing of the acquisition of the DLPV Software
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Burger King in its sale of Quick, one of the leading burger fast food chains
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The cross-holders coordinating committee in connection with the financial restructuring of the Europcar group
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The mandated lead arrangers in connection with the (i) financing of the acquisition of the Babilou group by Babar Bidco (ii) refinancing certain existing indebtedness of the Target Group and (iii) financing general corporate purposes of the Group
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Motion Equity Partners in connection with the financing of the sale of 100% of the securities of Altaïr Group to Eurazeo
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Alcentra European Direct Lending in connection with the financing of the acquisition of the BVA Group, the third largest French market research and consulting firm
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Ardian in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Finaxy, a top 10 insurance broker in France, from Equistone Partners
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The underwriters on €2.378 billion high yield bond / term loan B financing for Banijay’s acquisition of Endemol Shine
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The lenders in connection with the financing of the acquisition by Cobepa of a majority stake in Gerflor, manufacturer and marketer of vinyl flooring solutions and wall finishes for resilient floors and wall coverings, from ICG
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J.P. Morgan as initial purchaser in connection with the offering of €200 million senior secured notes due 2025 by IM Group
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Platinum Equity in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Biscuit International, leading European manufacturer of private label sweet biscuits from Qualium Investissement
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The banks in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Domidep by I Squared Capital
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Fraikin in cnnection with the financing of the acquisition of VIA Location, long-term rental with or without drivers car rental company
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KKR and the founders of Webhelp, one of the world’s leading providers of customer experience and business process outsourcing (BPO) in the financing of the €2.4 billion sale to GBL
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The mandated lead arrangers in connection with the refinancing of the existing financial indebtedness of the Ceva Group, a veterinary pharmaceutical laboratory, for a total amount of €2.150 billion
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Intermediate Capital Group in its sale of StellaGroup to PAI Partners
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The banks in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Ibersnacks and Agromaiz, producers and suppliers of snacks in France and Spain by Apax Partners
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TA Associates in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in Odealim Group, a France-based insurance broker
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Groupe Bertrand in connection with Burger King France and Quick refinancing of existing debt
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Citic Capital Partners Limited in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Axilone, manufacturer of premium plastic and metal packaging for global cosmetics, perfume and beauty care brands
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Cobepa in connection with the financing of the acquisition from ICG of the entire share capital and voting rights of Augusta SAS, the holding company of the Staci group, a French leading specialist logistic company
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Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs in connection with the €6.1 billion term loan bridge facility financing the Unibail-Rodamco’s acquisition of Westfield, a leading Australian-based shopping center group
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Intermediate Capital Group in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Domus Group, provider of services to elderly people including nursing homes, residential facilities and home care
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Deutsche Bank and UBS in connection with the financing of Advent International’s acquisition of Circet, a leading France-based networks and telecommunications group
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The banks in connection with the refinancing of the existing financial indebtedness of the Socotec group
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Silverfleet Capital in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Coventya, one of the world’s leaders in specialty chemicals
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BNP Paribas, HSBC France, ING, Natixis and Société Générale in connection with the financing of Spie’s acquisition of SAG group, leading service and system supplier for electrical power, gas, water, and telecommunication networks
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Morgan Stanley in connection with Oberthur Technologies' refinancing, and financing of Morpho acquisition
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Air Liquide in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Airgas, supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases
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Goldman Sachs in connection with Technicolor's revolving credit facility
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J.P Morgan in connection with the financing of Ephios Bondco PLC's acquisition of Labco S.A
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Société Générale in connection with the financing of Galileo Global Education's acquisition of Studialis, an operator of schools
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BNP Paribas SA, Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, HSBC France, ING Bank France, Natixis, Société Générale and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation on the refinancing of the Spie debt, to back its IPO
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BNP Paribas in respect of the debt refinancing of the French automobile maintenance and repair operator Feu Vert
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Bridgepoint and Infront, the Swiss-headquartered sports marketing and media company, on the refinancing of Infront's debt