Partner John Crothers specialises in project finance, PPPs, banking transactions and privatisations, both in the developing and developed world.

John has 30 years’ experience in large-scale projects, legal transition work, legislative drafting and assistance to governments, IFIs, lenders, sponsors and equity investors, from initial feasibility analysis to international bidding processes and financial closings, where he ensures a clear and early identification of legal issues with a view to proposing the most suitable contractual schemes.

A dual U.S. and France-qualified lawyer, John is fluent in both English and French and has extensive experience working in both civil and common law jurisdictions.

John Crothers has unique expertise in terms of (i) highly visible pilot projects (e.g. Laibin B power project, which was the first BOT in China; King Abdulaziz International Airport, which was the first Airport PPP Project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the New Cairo Wastewater BOT Project which is the first water PPP in Egypt), (ii) representing IFIs, governments and multilateral lenders, (iii) emerging market related mandates, and (iv) "legal transition" and "policy" mandates.

He has advised international financial institutions, concession companies, operators and bidding consortia in infrastructure projects around the world including the following sectors: motorways, airports, energy, water treatment and desalination facilities and telecommunications. He frequently advises national governments, local governments and other authorities granting concessions or setting up Public-Private Partnerships. He has also drafted international “best practice” concession and PPP laws in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe.

Before joining Gide, John Crothers was a counsel in the Office of the General Counsel of the EBRD in London.

John D. Crothers is consistently ranked as a Leading Individual in Project Finance and Energy by international legal guides Chambers Global, Legal 500 and IFLR1000. He has been inducted to The Legal 500 Hall of Fame, which highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence. The criteria for entry is to have been recognised by Legal 500 as one of the elite leading lawyers for seven consecutive years.

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« [...] Marie Bouvet-Guiramand, John Crothers, Victor Grandguillaume, Nicolas Jean and Stéphane Vernay are the key names for international work. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2021

« John Crothers handles a range of mandates on behalf of IFIs and governmental bodies throughout francophone Africa. He has particular expertise in PPP models, as well as privatisation and financing transactions. Active from the firm's Paris office, his industry expertise covers transportation infrastructure and renewable energy projects. »
Chambers Global 2021

« John Crothers is well regarded for his representation of financial institutions and sovereign states in PPP projects, with further activity assisting with project development. He has extensive capabilities in transport infrastructure and energy matters, particularly across Africa. »
Chambers Europe & Global 2021

« John Crothers runs a strong projects practice from Paris, leading a number of significant mandates across francophone and anglophone Africa. He assists with renewable energy and transport infrastructure projects and has a good track record advising lenders, sponsors and other investors on all stages of project development. His experience also spans PPPs and social infrastructure. »
Chambers Global 2019

« Gide Loyrette Nouel's wide-ranging expertise and international reach makes the team a popular choice for large-scale projects, especially in France and Africa. The group has considerable French PPP expertise and is notably assisting the Ministry of Transport with the landmark Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport express rail project. Thomas Courtel is highly regarded for domestic work. The team is also advising on key infrastructure projects in Africa and other parts of the world. It is assisting EBRD and IFC as advisers to the government of Kazakhstan with the country's very first PPP pertaining to the building of a road project. The group also has a leading presence in large-scale international energy projects and in recent highlights, it is advising EGL and the contracting states on the development of Ruzizi III 147MWh hydropower plant in the Grands Lacs region in Africa, as well as EDF on the development of six EPR nuclear reactors in India. Stéphane Vernay, John D Crothers, Marie Bouvet-Guiramand and counsels Victor Grandguillaume and Nicolas Jean are other key names. Nicolas Jean was recently promoted to partner. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2019