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Gide Loyrette Nouel

Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms)

Global Guide 2026 : China

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Gide Loyrette Nouel

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About

Provided by Gide Loyrette Nouel

Gide opened its Chinese office in 1987 and was among the first foreign law firms to operate in mainland China. We immediately put together a French and Chinese team, made up of lawyers with complementary areas of expertise and partners to provide a comprehensive range of specialist skills. Today, we are one of the country’s most experienced international law firms.

The quality of our service is underpinned by the expertise of our lawyers based in China. They work together in an integrated way, sharing their knowledge and expertise, supported by a team of experienced legal assistants and translators. All of them have both Western and Chinese legal training. In this way, they provide our clients with international and local perspectives, in addition to commercial insights and technical expertise. Consequently, they can advise on the most complex transactions, covering a wide range of industries.

We work closely with our offices in Europe and Africa and benefit from our global strategic partnerships. These synergies enable us to support our clients in China and other jurisdictions. We provide our European clients with direct and convenient access in their time zone to a leading team in China, while offering our Chinese clients a local presence wherever they invest.


Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) - China

Band 5

What the Team is Known For

Gide Loyrette Nouel's corporate practice primarily acts for French corporates on inbound transactions, including acquisitions, joint venture formation and equity investments. It also represents Chinese clients in outbound transactions. The client roster includes both multinational and domestic clients in the automotive, fashion, biotechnology, and oil and gas sectors.

Foreign Desk

Gide Loyrette Nouel's Shanghai-based team houses a team of experts who are qualified in both the PRC and France. It boasts impressive expertise in advising French clients on inbound corporate M&A matters. It is a popular choice for Chinese clients on outbound transactions.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Gide Loyrette Nouel advised BNP Paribas Lease Group on its joint venture with Jiangsu Financial Leasing that would specialise in vendor finance leasing.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The law firm provides added value by ensuring that we are well supported, all risks are thoroughly identified, and pragmatic solutions are systematically implemented to address them.

    Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) respondentGlobal

  • Gide has a rich and deep understanding of both foreign business culture and local Chinese culture, based on which it can provide constructive and practical legal advice.

    Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) respondentGlobal

  • What is particularly impressive is their proactive approach. They often provide early warnings and insights, even before problems arise, allowing clients to resolve issues at a very early stage.

    Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jiannian Fan
    Jiannian Fan

    Jiannian Fan

    Fan Jiannian has over two decades' experience in cross-border M&A matters, particularly those between China and France.

    • Fan has rich experience in M&A and very good views on what is an important topic and what to push.

      Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) respondentGlobal

    • He navigates complex deal dynamics with a rare blend of strategic foresight and meticulous attention to specifics, ensuring no critical element is overlooked while keeping broader goals in focus.

      Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) respondentGlobal

    • He took time to perfectly understand our business. His feedback was valuable and reliable.

      Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) respondentGlobal
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  • David Boitout
    David Boitout

    David Boitout

    David Boitout provides expert advice to French companies on their acquisitions and business operations in Greater China. He leads the Asia practice at Gide and splits his time between Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

    • David is a super seasoned China expert with a great sense of client satisfaction.

      Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) respondentGlobal

    • He provides very qualified service and is super reactive.

      Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Gide Loyrette Nouel (3)

China

  • Profile image of Jiannian Fan

    Jiannian Fan

    Corporate/M&A: Mainland China-based (International Firms)

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Members

Provided by Gide Loyrette Nouel

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