Our areas of expertise: Financing of real estate assets (offices, logistic premises, healthcare premises, managed residences, co-living, hospitality, retail and residential premises, data centers, etc.) Financing of real estate developments (sales off plan (VEFA)/property development contracts/other) Financing the acquisition of companies (in particular LBOs) Bank or bond, senior or mezzanine, corporate or mortgage financing Environmental social and governance financing (green loan with ESG criteria) Debt restructuring, whether on a voluntary or contentious basis, and at all stages of insolvency proceedings (ad hoc, conciliation, safeguard, judicial reorganization or liquidation proceedings).
David specializes in banking and finance, he mainly concentrates on real estate financing operations (acquisitions or development of business, retail, logistics, hotel or residential assets). David assists investors (land, funds, institutional, family offices, developers) as well as banks and insurance companies. David also advises in debt restructuring and restructuring of companies in difficulty.
He advises creditors regarding insolvency procedures as well as in negotiations and in prevention against issues with their debtors.
Legal 500 2024 says that “‘David Franco (Leading Individual – Real Estate Finance) is an excellent finance lawyer, with a very good network that he shares with clients.”
– Real estate finance
– Debt restructuring
– Insolvency procedures
– Trusts
Before joining Fairway, David spent over 6 years in both the real estate and restructuring departments at De Pardieu Brocas Maffei law firm. Before this, he worked in the banking department at the law firm Allen & Overy from 2001 to 2006.
Postgraduate degree in Banking and Finance Law, University Paris I – Panthéon-Sorbonne (1998)
Once David leaves Fairway, he will travel around the world. To eat a bife de lomo in Buenos Aires’ La Cabrera, to see Easter Island’s Moaï again, to attend an opera in Sydney and to walk for hours on China’s Great Wall.
Legal 500 2024 – Leading Individual – Real Estate Finance: ‘David Franco is an excellent finance lawyer, with a very good network that he shares with clients.’
Legal 500 2023 – Leading Individual – Real Estate Finance: ‘David Franco is expert in the field and now surrounded by a large team of associates.’
Legal 500 2022 – Leading Individual – Real Estate Finance: ‘David Franco is expert in the field and now surrounded by a large team of associates.’
Legal 500 2021 – Next Generation Partner – Real Estate Finance: ‘David Franco defends his clients’ interests with conviction. Thanks to his great strategic skills, he is able to reach his goals most of the time.’
Legal 500 2020 – Band 2 – Real Estate Section : ‘David Franco defends his clients’ interests with conviction. Thanks to his great strategic skills, he is able to reach his goals most of the time.’
Chambers France 2025– Band 2 – Real estate section/Finance :“David is very pragmatic and intelligent. He has a good vision and can find a good solution.”
Chambers Europe 2024– Band 3 – Real estate section/Finance :“His availability is a strength, and he can provide services in due time. We work in a comfortable way with him because we know he will defend our interests. Everything is aligned with what we are expecting.” “David can solve complex financing situations.” “He is an important player in the market.”
Chambers Europe 2023– Band 4 – Real estate section/Finance : David Franco assists with the financing of major real estate transactions. He represents insurance companies, private equity funds and investment firms. “David is a very efficient adviser.” “We have excellent interactions with David and he provides highly valuable services.” “He is a good negotiator.”
Chambers Europe 2022– Band 4 – Real estate section/Finance : David Franco is very sharp, business-oriented, available and friendly.” He assists with the financing of major real estate transactions.“
Chambers Europe 2021– Band 4 – Real estate section/Finance : David Franco advises real estate funds on acquisition financing and has further experience in assisting lenders with refinancing mandates. Sources laud him for being “very technical,” before going on to say that he “defends the clients’ interests.”
Chambers Europe 2020 – Band 4 – Real estate section/Finance : David Franco handles the financing aspects of real estate transactions across a variety of assets such as offices, logistics and retail. Clients say: “He is very commercial, keeps the clients’ views in mind, finds the solutions that allow us to unlock situations, is very constructive during the negotiations and puts forward his clients’ interests with a collaborative spirit.”
Best Lawyers identified David as “one of the Best Lawyers in France in financing law”.
Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2010
Fairway A.A.R.P.I. (since 2018)
Gide Loyrette Nouel (2013-2018)
Lefèvre, Pelletier & Associés (2011-2013)
Stehlin & Associés (2010-2011)
French
English
Aurore du Marais is ranked in the “Rising Star” category in the Legal 500 EMEA 2023
FAIRWAY A. A. R. P. I.
25 rue Murillo
75008 Paris