Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton boasts a superb Paris-based corporate team that regularly acts for large blue-chip clients. The law firm handles a broad range of corporate transactions and offers particular strength in public M&A deals. The lawyers act for clients on transfers of interests and takeovers. The law firm is a strong choice for multi-jurisdictional transactions thanks to its international network. The corporate/M&A department additionally works in close collaboration with its well-reputed tax and antitrust teams.

"The team are reactive, hard-working and creative. They are very able to work across several jurisdictions."

"The team made an excellent impression with highly proficient lawyers who have the ability to think and react fast. The lawyers helped us in a very fluid and seamless manner. We worked with the Cleary Gottlieb team due to the complexity of the deal, the high degree of sensitivity and the need to go deep in the analysis to give very practical and reasonable advice in an international context."

"The law firm has broad expertise and is able to support clients even on very complex deals, which is clearly a differentiating feature in the French market."

"Cleary Gottlieb understand the commercial challenges of the client very well, they are very agile and reactive, and the way they integrate the strategic aspects into their advice is key."

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advised the French state on its EUR9.6 billion tender offer to delist EDF.

Pierre-Yves Chabert is renowned as a top choice for his work on high-profile acquisitions and divestments. He boasts an impressive roster of clients in the infrastructure, asset management, real estate and financial services sectors. "Pierre-Yves Chabert is an excellent lawyer and a very good strategist." "He is the best of the best and very easy to work with." "Pierre-Yves Chabert is one of the M&A stars in Paris." "Pierre-Yves Chabert is no doubt the go-to M&A lawyer in Paris when it comes to big, difficult projects."

Sophie de Beer enters the rankings this year thanks to strong market recognition. She is well versed in handling a range of M&A, including investments and acquisitions. "Sophie de Beer not only has the expertise and the technical knowledge, but also very good commercial and tactical sense. She demonstrates a very high level of availability and responsiveness." "Sophie de Beer provides great advice, has deep and thorough knowledge of our business, and understands the specific culture we have in our deals very well." "She is an experienced lawyer and is attentive to details." "Sophie de Beer is very good technically, pleasant and hard-working."

Rodolphe Elineau advises clients both domestically and internationally on complex acquisitions, divestments and takeovers.

Barthélemy Faye assists corporates and investment funds with acquisitions and divestments across multiple African jurisdictions. "Barthélemy Faye is a smart and calm lawyer. He is technically strong."