Thomas Courtel joined Gide in 1999 and has been a partner since 2008. He specialises in two main fields: infrastructure and public companies. 

As regards infrastructure and public facilities, he is involved in the construction, financing and operation of roads, motorways and engineering structures, rail links and airports, electronic communications networks, charging stations for electric vehicles, public lighting, urban heating and hydrocarbon transport, stadia and theatres, prisons, courthouses and ministry buildings, hospitals, schools and universities. His team offers a comprehensive service, from the contractual structuring and financing of projects, operational support, through to asset disposals and refinancing.

As regards public companies, Thomas provides advice while working hand-in-hand with the firm's Mergers & Acquisitions and Banking & Finance teams, as well as state aid specialists based in our Brussels office. On behalf of these companies, their shareholders, investors and lenders, Thomas works on the nationalisation, privatisation and reorganisation of public companies. He also supports their development: industrial partnerships, debt restructuring, public procurement.  

Thomas holds an advanced diploma in public law and economics from Paris II University (1998).

« Thomas Courtel remains one of the leading public law practitioners in the French market, regularly advising clients on concession contracts and PPPs. Clients praise his 'rare mixture' of being 'very good on technical aspects' as well as strong commercially, describing him as a 'deal-maker.'»
Chambers Europe 2021

« Thomas Courtel is highly regarded for his experience advising public entities and private companies on the implementation of concession contracts. He represented Nice Eco Stadium in a dispute with the city of Nice regarding the execution of the Allianz Riviera stadium PPP. Clients say that he 'combines first-class technical and negotiation skills with a unique deal-making approach.' »
Chambers Europe 2019

« Sources say Thomas Courtel is 'outstanding', citing his charisma and intelligence. He boasts strong expertise in PPP and often advises private companies on large-scale infrastructure projects such as railroads, airports and stadiums. »
Chambers Europe 2018

« Gide Loyrette Nouel is regularly retained by the French government and sponsors to advise on large infrastructure projects in France. The team recently assisted the Minister of Transport with the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Express rail project. Thomas Courtel ranks among the best in his field.  »
Legal 500 EMEA 2018

« Thomas Courtel has a wealth of financial expertise that has attracted some of the largest sponsors and lenders in French infrastructure in recent years. He advises private entities on public-private partnerships in a number of areas including transportation, communications and other public services. »
Chambers Europe 2017

« Gide Loyrette Nouel’s Thomas Courtel focuses his top-notch practice on all aspects of PPPs, from financing to construction. »
Who's Who Legal 2017

« The firm also ranks among the best in France for PPP work through Thomas Courtel and Bénédicte Mazel, who both show ‘high technical project expertise and ethical sense’.»
Legal 500 EMEA 2017