Jean-Marc specialises in banking and finance, and is highly regarded for his expertise in complex multi-jurisdictional financial transactions. 

Jean-Marc has significant experience in:

• complex domestic and international tax-leveraged financing (on or off balance sheet);
• syndicated international secured and unsecured loans;
• issuance of bonds and hybrid securities;
• financing of cross-border assets;
• export credit;
• financing restructuring.

Jean-Marc regularly advises top-tier investment banks and European financial institutions. He also advises important French borrowers and foreign groups. He is highly regarded for his extensive ship finance expertise.

Systematically ranked as a Leading Individual in Banking & Finance and Shipping Finance by the leading international legal guides (Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Décideurs, IFLR1000, Who's Who Legal, Best Lawyers), Jean-Marc is recognised as "a great professional and demonstrates a lot of professionalism and pragmatism." "His solid experience in the sector allows us to move forward with confidence" (Legal 500 EMEA 2024). His clients "praise that is very reliable, dependable and competent." "He is very experienced and very available."(Chambers and Partners 2024). He ensures that they are always satisfied. He is competent, attentive, solution-oriented and devoted." (Legal 500 2020). He is "a prominent figure on the shipping finance market", "held in high esteem among market commentators, who applaud his extensive experience" and widely renowned for his great experience in highly complex, international financial transactions" (Chambers 2019, 2017 & 2016). He "makes the deal happen" and is applauded for being "very reliable and cautious on timing“(Chambers 2015) as well as "one of the best lawyers on the Paris market when it comes to advising banks during complex negotiations" (Legal 500 2016)

Jean-Marc has been an auditeur at the Institute of Advanced Studies in National Defence (Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (IHEDN)) and is a member of the French Association of Maritime Law (Association française du droit maritime (AFDM)), the French Association of Corporate Treasurers (Association française des trésoriers d'entreprise (AFTE)) and the International Bar Association (IBA).

Jean-Marc is registered at the Paris and Brussels Bars. 

What the market says about Jean-Marc:

"Jean-Marc Zampa advises domestic and international financial institutions on the financing of vessels. Impressed clients praise his commercial awareness and reactivity." (Chambers Europe 2020 – Shipping Finance)

"Practice head Jean-Marc Zampa acts for a wide range of clients, including shipowners, major shipping industry players, banks, private and public financial institutions and maritime services providers." (Legal 500 EMEA 2020 – Shipping Finance - Leading Individual)

"‘Jean Marc Zampa est l’un des meilleurs avocats du marché français dans le secteur bancaire et financier. Sa touche personnelle et son souhait de comprendre les besoins et exigences de la banque, mais aussi les objectifs et besoins des clients de la banque, lui permettent de toujours convaincre les clients de la banque d’accepter la proposition d’un accord gagnant-gagnant. Ses clients profitent de ses grandes connaissances et de son expérience, et veille à ce qu’ils soient toujours satisfaits. Son barème de propositions financières est très raisonnable pour ce type de services. Il est compétent, attentif au client, axé sur la solution et dévoué.’" (Legal 500 Paris 2020 – Banking & Finance: Transactions)

"‘"L’équipe de HFW, banque et finance, France offre un très haut niveau de services juridiques par le biais de conseils intelligents et des documents très adaptés. Sous la direction de Jean Marc Zampa, l’équipe est très réactive et efficace. Ils disposent de compétences transfrontalières ainsi qu’une profonde connaissance de la législation nationale. C’est une équipe créative qui obtient de bons résultats pour les affaires. Il est agréable de travailler avec chacun d’entre eux. Ils sont tous très rigoureux.’"(Legal 500 Paris 2020– Banking & Finance: Transactions)

"Jean-Marc Zampa assiste une base de clientèle variée, comprenant des armateurs, des sociétés et entreprises de services maritimes, ainsi que des banques et des institutions financières publiques et privées."(Legal 500 Paris 2020 – Shipping Finance - Les grands avocats du marché)

"Jean-Marc Zampa remains a prominent figure on the shipping finance market, advising both French and international financial institutions on the financing and refinancing of vessels and on tax lease matters." (Chambers Europe 2019 – Shipping Finance)

"HFW is particularly experienced in structured and tax-advantaged finance work, which is a specialism of practice head Jean-Marc Zampa." (Legal 500 EMEA 2019 – Shipping Finance - Leading Individual)

"HFW est expert en financements structurés et en matière de crédit-bail fiscal, à travers Jean-Marc Zampa qui dirige la pratique." (Legal 500 Paris 2019 – Shipping Finance - Les grands avocats du marché)

"HFW possède une expertise de premier plan dans le domaine des financements maritimes et des financements à l'export. Jean-Marc Zampa, qui dirige la pratique, est une référence sur ce segment" (Legal 500 Paris 2019 – Banking & Finance: Transactions)

"Jean-Marc Zampa is held in high esteem among market commentators, who applaud his extensive experience in shipping finance transactions. He acts for both ship owners and banks, providing advice on international syndicated loans, acquisition and export finance and tax-advantaged financings." (Chambers Europe 2017 – Shipping Finance)

"Jean-Marc Zampa is widely renowned for his great experience in highly complex, international financial transactions, acting for shipowners and banks." (Chambers Europe 2016 – Shipping Finance)

"Jean-Marc Zampa of HFW has experience in a range of finance transactions including acquisition finance, export finance and syndicated loans. Most notably, he is an expert in Shipping Finance and tax leasing with the shipping sector." (Chambers Europe 2016 – Banking & Finance)

"Jean-Marc Zampa figure parmi "les meilleurs experts de la place de Paris dans l'accompagnement des banques lors de négociations complexes". (Legal 500 Paris 2015/2016)

"Jean-Marc Zampa is admired for his exceptional knowledge of restructuring matters in the shipping sector. He is singled out for his skill in tax leasing transactions and praised for being "very reliable and cautious on time". He is also recognised as someone who "makes the deal happen"" (Chambers Europe 2015 – Shipping Finance)

Jean-Marc is annually ranked "Excellent" in Banking & Finance, Project Finance and M&A Financing, and "Leading" (Incontournable) in Maritime Asset Finance in the  "Stratégie Financières et Fiscales" guide of Décideurs Leaders League:

Since 2018, he has been annually recognised by Best Lawyers in Finance Law and Banking & Finance Law.

He is listed as a leading individual in Who's Who Legal for his finance law expertise, and is "Highly Regarded" by IFLR 1000 in Asset Finance, Banking, Capital Markets: Debt and Capital Markets: Structured Finance & Securisation.