Sebastien Bonneau focuses his practice on a unique blend of merger and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, joint ventures, real estate, and energy. He has particular experience in advising clients in the fast-growing data centre and digital infrastructure sector, having been active in this area since 2006. As a UK and France dual-qualified lawyer with more than two decades of experience, he brings hands-on knowledge of both jurisdictions and is well versed in handling transactions for clients based there.

In addition to advising clients within the data centre and digital infrastructure industry, he also advises entrepreneurs on their global development through growth and innovation, strategic M&A, fundraisings, and strategic partnerships with blue chips.

Show More

Recently advised:

• A global real estate investor and developer on its participation into a $2.5b syndicated facility for the development of a build-to-suit behind-the-meter data center in the US, for a total capacity of 206 MW
• A global real estate investor and developer on its participation into a $1.5b syndicated facility for the development of a build-to-suit behind-the-meter data center in the US, for a total capacity of 174 MW
• A US listed company on a double data center sale and lease back transaction in France, set to deliver 400MW of AI-compatible infrastructure, and become the largest data center in Europe by 2028*
• A leading data center owner and operator on the M&A acquisition of a data center campus in Europe, for a total capacity of 22.5 MW*
• A leading data center owner and operator on the acquisition of a real estate asset in Europe for the development of a data center campus*
• A group of syndicated lenders on a 140m€ facility for the development of a data center in Ireland, for a total capacity of 16 MW*
• An investment fund on a £900m joint venture with a leading data center owner and operator for the development of a data center in Germany, for a total capacity of 38 MW*
• An investment bank on its participation into a £600m syndicated facility for the development of a data center in the UK, for a total capacity of 62 MW*
• A hyperscaler on a data center services agreement in Norway, for a total capacity of 260 MW*

*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott

• Legal 500 UK, Recommended, Private Equity: Transactions Mid-Market Deals, 2025
• Legal 500 UK, Recommended, London: Venture Capital, 2024
• Paris Bar, Pro Bono Award, 2021
• Leaders League Legal Awards, Recommended or Highly Recommended in M&A and Corporate Venture, 2019-2021
• Leaders League Legal Awards, Rising Star, 2013

Education
HEC Paris, Executive MBA, 2012
Babson College, Innovative Management and Entrepreneurial Leadership, 2012
University of Paris V, MA, European Business Law, 2000
University of Pantheon-Sorbonne, LLM, Business Law, 1999
University of Pantheon-Sorbonne, BA, 1998

Admissions
England and Wales
Paris

Languages
English
French
Spanish