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 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's client service and general level of service, level of sophistication and commercial vision are all very strong. Thomas is a very committed expert and, a rare quality, particularly adept at understanding operational issues and helping us find appropriate solutions. Thomas is very pleasant to work with for his professionalism, his ability to listen and his knowledge of our files. Gide Loyrette Nouel have a very good project team, including Thomas Courtel and Alexandre Rennesson. Thomas Courtel's client service and general level of service is very strong, as is his level of sophistication. His commercial vision is strong."

« Thomas Courtel remains one of the leading public law practitioners in the French market, regularly advising clients on concession contracts and PPPs. He is additionally skilled at advising on subsequent litigation. Strengths: “Thomas Courtel is very strong in his field of expertise and is well recognised on the French market. He has commercial awareness and the ability to deliver and structure innovative solutions.” “He is a top-level lawyer.” “Thomas is really good at negotiations; when we had to negotiate, he was firm and intense in a good way.”»
Chambers Europe 2024 : Public Law

« Other areas of expertise include assisting with regulatory and other sensitive public law issues, such as the governance of public entities. The team is led by Thomas Courtel and Bénédicte Mazel, who excel in the field of general public law and public procurement work [...] »
Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Administrative & Public Law

« Thomas Courtel remains one of the leading public law practitioners in the French market, regularly advising clients on concession contracts and PPPs. He is additionally skilled at advising on subsequent litigation. Strengths: "Thomas Courtel is a very strong and technical lawyer." "Thomas Courtel has great tactical sense, is very strong from a legal point of view and organises the negotiations in advance so as to achieve a balanced result." »
Chambers Europe 2023 - Public Law

« [...] Thomas Courtel and Bénédicte Mazel are strong references for general public law and public sector projects. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Administrative and Public Law

« The "excellent" Thomas Courtel remains one of the leading public law practitioners in the French market, regularly advising clients on concession contracts and PPPs. »
Chambers Europe 2022 - Public Law: Public Contracts

« 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