Xavier Farde is a partner in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Finance Department. Xavier has extensive experience in senior and mezzanine debt finance for leveraged acquisitions involving the healthcare, technology, and retail industries, as well as in banking and syndicated loans. He also advises on real estate finance. Xavier practices in the field of bank finance, representing both lenders and borrowers in a wide range of domestic and cross-border financing and restructuring transactions.

Recognition

Recognized as a Leading Individual. According to clients, "Xavier Farde has a strong command and understanding of client needs. He is a flawless project manager with the capacity to mobilise specific knowledge within the firm on very short notice." The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 

Receives outstanding client feedback: “He is an incredible technician with incredible negotiation skills. He is the reference when it comes to large-cap acquisition finance.” Chambers Global 2020

Reputed for his advice on leveraged and acquisition finance matters. One impressed source describes him as a "very strong and very experienced" lawyer. Chambers Europe 2019

Recognized as a Leading Individual. The Legal 500 EMEA 2019.

“Interviewees single Xavier Farde out as being ‘a leader in the market.’ […]. Sources further enthuse: ‘He is technically prepared and commercially smart.’” Chambers France 2018

"An excellent practitioner with strong commercial skills.” Chambers Global 2017

Xavier's experience includes representing:

  • One Rock Capital Partners, LLC (One Rock) on entering into an exclusive agreement relating to the planned acquisition of Europe Snacks, a leading private label manufacturer of savory snacks for the European market 
  • Ardian on its entrance into exclusive negotiations to acquire French appliance group Hameur, owner of Magimix, and Robot Coupe
  • The banks in connection with Kapla Holding’s liability management exercise and offering of €650 million senior secured floating rate notes
  • Eurazeo on its contemplated sale of D.O.R.C. for an enterprise value of €985 million
  • The arrangers on the French veterinary pharmaceutical group Ceva Santé Animale’s term loan B refinancing of €2.3 billion
  • The banks in connection with the financing of the acquisition by TowerBrook Capital Partners of the acquisition of GSF Group, a major player in the cleaning and related services sector in France
  • The banks in connection with the financing of the acquisition of a majority stake in the Climater Group by Cobepa and a reinvestment by the managers
  • ICG in connection with the financing of the acquisition of the Circet group, a provider of telecommunications network services
  • The refinancing of certain existing financial debts and recap of the Prosol group, the parent company of the French food retailer Grand Frais
  • The banksin connection with the financing of the acquisition of certain assets of Devoteam SA, a provider of technology and management consulting solutions
  • Vivalto Santé, the third leading group of private hospitals in France, in its acquisition by Vivalto Partners alongside a consortium of minority shareholders
  • The refinancing of certain existing financial debts of the DORC group, a supplier of instruments for ophthalmic surgery, and the financing of a distribution to its shareholders
  • Vivalto Santé, the third leading group of private hospitals in France, in its acquisition by Vivalto Partners alongside a consortium of minority shareholders
  • SK Capital in its acquisition of SEQENS
  • Ontario Teachers in its investment in the merger of Siaci Saint Honoré and the Burrus Group
  • The banks in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Conforama France, the French furniture retailer, by the shareholders of But
  • Kersia Group, a portfolio company of Ardian, in connection with the financing of the acquisition of The Holchem Group Limited and its subsidiaries from Ecolab
  • Ardian in connection with the sale of its majority stake of DRT, a world leader in plant-based chemistry to Firmenich
  • Ardian in connection with the financing of the acquisition of a majority stake in the Santé Cie Group, a specialist in home medical assistance
  • Ardian in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Cérélia, a leading transatlantic provider of innovative bakery solutions from IK Investment Partners
  • The banks in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Domidep by I Squared Capital
  • The lead arrangers in a €900 million financing of Financière Colisée
  • 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   
  • HLD Europe in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Kiloutou
  • 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
  • Altran Technologies in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Aricent Technologies
  • Unither Pharmaceuticals a France-based pharmaceutical manufacturing company in connection with the refinance existing debt
  • Eurazeo Capital in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (DORC), a medical technology company from Montagu
  • Assystem Technologies in connection with the financing of the acquisition of SQS Software Quality Systems
  • Ardian in connection with the financing of the acquisition of 100% equity stake in Les Dérivés Résiniques et Terpéniques 

Bar Qualification

  • Avocat (Paris)

Education

  • LLM, Columbia University School of Law, 1995
  • MBA, HEC Paris, 1990
  • Postgraduate Degree International Tax Law (DESS), University of Paris XI (Sud), 1990