Department profile
Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier

Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability

Global Guide 2026 : France

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Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

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

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier boasts an outstanding corporate practice covering the full range of M&A mandates, including acting on transactions for publicly listed companies. The Paris-based team works in conjunction with international firms to assist clients with cross-border mandates. The law firm advises blue-chip corporate clients on inbound and outbound transactions in a range of sectors including automotive, banking and TMT.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier assisted Generali with the creation of a global champion alongside BPCE, with an asset value of EUR9.5 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is one of the best firms I have ever worked with.

    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

  • Darrois' technical depth, combined with a commercially sensitive approach, makes it stand out. Its involvement adds clear value, especially during complex structuring discussions.

    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

  • The law firm's client service is strong, marked by availability, clarity in communication and a practical mindset.

    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

  • It is in Darrois' DNA to be commercial.

    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

  • Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier has a very sophisticated understanding of legal issues across all aspects of a transaction and coordinates with all stakeholders to get the deal done.

    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Alain Maillot
    Alain Maillot

    Alain Maillot

    Alain Maillot has a longstanding reputation in the French M&A market. He assists multinationals and domestic corporate clients with strategic transactions.

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  • Jean-Michel Darrois
    Jean-Michel Darrois

    Jean-Michel Darrois

    Jean-Michel Darrois has a wealth of experience assisting clients with highly strategic M&A transactions. His impressive client roster includes leading French and international corporates.

    • Jean-Michel Darrois is one of the most trusted advisers.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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  • Bertrand Cardi
    Bertrand Cardi

    Bertrand Cardi

    Bertrand Cardi maintains a market-leading position, acting for high-profile international and domestic corporates as well as financial institutions on strategic mandates.

    • He is an excellent and extremely experienced lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Bertrand Cardi is a market authority in M&A.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • He is absolutely indispensable.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Bertrand Cardi demonstrates unparalleled dexterity in highly complex situations.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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  • Olivier Diaz
    Olivier Diaz

    Olivier Diaz

    Olivier Diaz maintains a leading corporate practice and frequently acts on public M&A transactions. He is called upon by significant French clients to advise on domestic and international matters. He joined Darrois in March 2026.

    • He displays excellent creativity and understanding of complex issues.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Olivier Diaz is one of the top lawyers in Paris. He has extensive experience, comprehensive knowledge on strategic issues and is close to his clients.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Olivier Diaz is an excellent project leader.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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  • Christophe Vinsonneau
    Christophe Vinsonneau

    Christophe Vinsonneau

    Christophe Vinsonneau is a seasoned practitioner, regularly assisting his clients with cross-border and public M&A transactions. He is instructed by clients hailing from the infrastructure, telecoms and financial services sectors.

    • Chistophe can handle complex cases and is constructive in discussions and negotiations.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • He is an excellent lawyer, very sharp and I recommend him a lot.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Christophe Vinsonneau is very technical and available. He has a strong understanding of his clients’ needs, is trustworthy and can find effective solutions.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Christophe Vinsonneau is super, truly friendly and very capable technically. It is very enjoyable to work with him.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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  • Hugo Diener
    Hugo Diener

    Hugo Diener

    Hugo Diener boasts deep expertise in public and private M&A transactions, and often acts for multinationals and financial institutions.

    • Hugo Diener is extremely intelligent, practical and communicates very well to coordinate with all other counsels.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Hugo is smart and feels what the client wants.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • He offers a very good perspective in negotiations and strategy.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Hugo Diener is creative, attentive and unwaveringly committed.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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  • Olivier Huyghues Despointes
    Olivier Huyghues Despointes

    Olivier Huyghues Despointes

    Olivier Huyghues Despointes handles cross-border acquisitions, disposals and restructurings. He is active across the energy and technology sectors.

    • Olivier Huyghues Despointes offers high-quality support on the entire case.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Olivier is a pragmatic, calm yet tenacious counsel. An iron fist in a velvet glove, he is someone who is always available and whose empathy and humour help overcome tensions. He is a real deal-maker.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Olivier Huygues-Despointes is a constructive negotiator with a good grasp of the deal strategy.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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  • Charles de Reals
    Charles de Reals

    Charles de Reals

    Charles de Reals assists domestic and international clients with a range of matters, including acquisitions, sales and restructurings. He regularly represents clients hailing from the TMT and transportation industries. He joined Darrois in March 2026.

    • Charles de Real is extremely strong at coordinating a number of different workstreams.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Charles knows his subject well and is a calm and patient lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • I am always very satisfied wih Charles de Reals' perfect combination of technicality, responsiveness, availability and excellent interpersonal skills.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • Charles de Reals is thorough, responsive, gives good advice and listens. His expertise is appreciated in corporate, M&A and securities law.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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  • Cécile de Narp
    Cécile de Narp

    Cécile de Narp

    Cécile de Narp has notable experience in complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. Her client roster spans both listed and unlisted companies.

    • Cécile is a very good professional, very involved and responsive.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal

    • I always have productive interactions with Cécile de Narp.

      Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier (9)

France

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier has rankings in the following guides

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