Department profile

Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability

Global Guide 2026 : France

BDGS Associés

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by BDGS Associés

BDGS Associés’ Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate law practice, headed by founders Antoine Bonnasse, Youssef Djehane and Jean-Emmanuel Skovron, together with Marc Loy, Thomas Méli, Lucile Gaillard, François Baylion, Jérôme du Chazaud, David Andréani and Hannah Cobbett is a leader on the Paris market.

Our highly experienced and qualified team of lawyers represents French and international clients on their most strategic domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as on all types of acquisitions, mergers, public offers, private equity, capital market transactions, corporate reorganisations, corporate governance, joint ventures, partnerships, shareholder activism and M&A related court and arbitration proceedings.

The practice also has unique experience in transactions involving listed companies, State-owned entities or regulated companies.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability - France

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

BDGS Associés boasts wide-ranging expertise covering public and private M&A and corporate governance, including regulatory matters. The lawyers assist a number of well-known domestic clients and have particular experience in dealing with state-owned companies. The law firm complements its corporate offering with strong teams in other practice areas such as competition, tax and litigation. The team is active in a range of industries including transportation, banking, insurance and TMT.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

BDGS advised Thales on the sale of its ground transportation systems business to Hitachi Rail, valued at EUR1.6 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The BDGS team is dedicated and very solution-oriented.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
BDGS brings high added value, very good responsiveness and customer focus, and a wide spectrum of skills
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
The BDGS lawyers understand the issues through the lens of the client.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
BDGS has a high level of competence in complex M&A matters and a high degree of expertise.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 2
Band 2
Antoine Bonnasse
Antoine Bonnasse has comprehensive knowledge of corporate transactions, including joint ventures, sales and restructurings. He represents leading French corporates from the finance, TMT and transportation sectors.
Antoine Bonnasse is a trusted adviser.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
Antoine Bonnasse is very sharp on technical subjects and anticipates them effectively.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
Antoine is an excellent lawyer with very good negotiation skill and comprehensive understanding of complex deals.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
What I appreciate about Antoine is that he works in an extraordinary way and is able to explain the other side's position from a technical point of view. He has seen a lot and is very experienced.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
Antoine Bonnasse is an excellent professional with a strong drive on negotiations and a specific ability to manage delicate situations.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Jean-Emmanuel Skovron
Jean-Emmanuel Skovron is a key partner in the firm's corporate/M&A practice and is particularly strong on mandates involving state-owned enterprises and companies active in regulated sectors.
Jean-Emmanuel Skovron's strengths are his high level of expertise, quality of advice and responsiveness.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Youssef Djehane
Youssef Djehane is known for his capabilities in domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, often acting on behalf of financial institutions and publicly listed companies.
Youssef Djehane is a real operator, trusted adviser and someone that large clients trust.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
Youssef Djehane is very savvy, experienced and a real business partner to his clients.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
Youssef Djehane is one of the best lawyers I have met.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Thomas Méli
Thomas Méli is experienced in navigating cross-border sales for multinational clients across the technology and transportation sectors.
Thomas Méli is very responsive, with a good ability to synthesise information and put forward proposals.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
Thomas is a remarkable lawyer, being both a strong technician and a trusted adviser to his clients.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
Thomas Méli has the capacity to propose innovative solutions to clients.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
Responsive, pragmatic and accessible, Thomas is highly appreciated for his ability to manage complex transactions with a deep understanding of his clients' needs.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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Band 5
Band 5
Marc Loy
Marc Loy advises clients on high-profile cross-border acquisitions and disposals. He routinely represents French companies active in the financial and energy sectors.
Marc Loy is very client-oriented.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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Band 6
Band 6
Lucile Gaillard
Lucile Gaillard is skilled in handling complex mandates including corporate restructurings, joint ventures and sales. She often advises clients in the technology, logistics and banking sectors.
Lucille Gaillard is enthusiastic, aligned with her clients’ interests, clear-sighted and experienced.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
Lucile Gaillard is highly responsive and attentive to clients, providing significant added value.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
David Andreani
David Andreani is increasingly sought-after by both French and international clients on cross-border mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructurings.
David Andreani is very responsive.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
David Andreani is a very clever lawyer and a good personality.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
François Baylion
François Baylion assists clients with a range of mandates including acquisitions, sales and corporate governance issues.
François Baylion is the brightest person I have ever worked with.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
François Baylion always brings a rich perspective, providing advice based on a well-grounded experience.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
François is characterised by his personal qualities and emotional intelligence, which prove very useful in complex matters.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
François Baylion is a professional with a very high commercial sense and a concern for customer satisfaction.
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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