Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s London offices have taken lead roles on France Telecom’s proposed $2.1bn (£1.4bn) sale of its Orange Switzerland mobile phone business to Apax Partners, reports The Am Law Daily.

London-based Cleary international capital markets partner Pierre-Marie Boury is leading the firm’s team advising France Telecom on financing aspects of the potential sale, which will be submitted to France Telecom’s board this week.