Denise Diallo

Partner, Paris

Biography

“Commentators highlight Denise Diallo’s pragmatism and experience in the field.”
Chambers Europe

Overview

Denise Diallo is a partner of the Global Debt Finance Practice based in Paris. Denise counsels clients on wide-ranging lending and corporate finance transactions, and has extensive experience in the New York and European finance markets.

Denise served as the Executive Partner of White & Case Paris from January 2017 until June 2021.

Clients benefit from her understanding of complex lending structures and cutting-edge knowledge of the latest leveraged finance trends, including senior bank/bond, bridge to bond, super senior revolving facilities, evolving complex intercreditor arrangements and the issues raised by the French "double Luxco" and similar structures.

In addition to banks and corporations, her clients include private equity funds and other institutional investors. She guides them in their financings in respect of private and publicly traded companies.

Denise also advises creditors and debtors on debt restructurings and debtor-in-possession financing, mezzanine financing, investment grade or corporate unsecured financing, cash-flow and asset-based loans as well as tender and public securities offerings.

The span of her experience extends from acquisition financing for power generation assets to restructuring financing for a major music publishing catalogue.

Bars and Courts
Paris
New York State Bar
Education
JD
Columbia University School of Law
Maitrise de droit
Université de Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne
BA
US History & French
University of Maryland
College Park
Languages
English
French

Experience

Air France-KLM's French State-Guaranteed €4 Billion Term Loan, 2020
Advised lending banks on the implementation of a €4 billion Term Loan facility guaranteed by the French state for Air France-KLM. Completed during the coronavirus crisis, the loan is part of the support for Air France and is accompanied by a €3 billion shareholder loan from the French state to Air France-KLM.

Acquisition Financing of groupe CEP, 2020
Advised the lenders on the financing of the acquisition by Bridgepoint of groupe CEP from J.C. Flowers & Co and CHG Participations.

Europcar Mobility Group's French State-guaranteed €220 Million Term Loan, 2020
Advised lending banks on the implementation of a €220 million Term Loan facility guaranteed by the French state for Europcar Mobility Group (Europcar), and on the implementation of an additional tranche of the group's €20 million revolving credit facility, guaranteed by Eurazeo through a risk participation. The €220 million Term Loan is part of a facility guaranteed by the French state (Prêt Garanti par l'Etat) and has been implemented in the context of the coronavirus crisis to secure Europcar's liquidity and meet anticipated fleet and corporate financing needs to swiftly restart operations.

Fnac Darty's French State-guaranteed €500 Million Term Loan, 2020
Advised lending banks on the implementation of a €500 million Term Loan facility guaranteed by the French state for Fnac Darty. This is the first loan of its kind granted to a large French company that the French State guarantees. Part of a Term Loan facility guaranteed by the state (Prêt Garanti par l'Etat), it has been implemented in the context of the coronavirus crisis and is intended to secure the Fnac Darty's liquidity and prepare for the recovery of its activities.

Domidep's Acquisition Financing, 2019
Denise advised iSquared Capital on the financing of its acquisition of France-based private elderly care home operator Domidep.

Acquisition Financing of DORC, 2019
Advised the bank syndicate in connection with the financing of the acquisition of DORC by Eurazeo Capital from Montagu Private Equity.

Maincare Solutions' Acquisition Financing, 2018
Advised the subscribers and the lenders in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Maincare Solutions, the main software solutions provider for the healthcare sector in France, by Montagu Private Equity LLP sold by Symphony Technology Group.

Elis' Acquisition Financing of Berendsen, 2017
Advised the mandated lead arrangers in connection with the €1.92 billion Bridge Term Facility Agreement to finance the acquisition of Berendsen by Elis and refinance the existing indebtness of Berendsen.

Europcar's Debt Refinancing, 2017
Represented the mandated lead arrangers of a €1.04 billion bridge facility and €500 million revolving credit facility in connection with the refinancing of Europcar's debt and its acquisition of Goldcar.

Awards and Recognition

Leading Lawyer (Band 2), Banking & Finance – France, Chambers Global 2022

Leading Individual, Banking & Finance – France, The Legal 500 EMEA 2022

Leading Lawyer (Leading Individual), Banking & Finance – USA, Chambers Global 2020

Best Women in Business Law, Women in Business Law Guide, 10th Edition 2020