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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Private Equity

France Guide 2026 : France

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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

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About

Provided by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Willkie is one of the few major law firms with extensive domestic and international experience in virtually every type of private equity transaction ranging from cross-border multibillion dollar leveraged buyouts to early-stage venture capital financings.  As a recognized leader in private equity transactions, fund formation and regulatory compliance Willkie regularly represents private equity investors, issuers and financial advisers in all aspects of domestic and international private equity transactions.

Due to the firm’s longstanding representation of many international private equity and venture capital institutions, our attorneys routinely work on sophisticated private equity transactions such as leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, spin-offs, growth equity investments, venture capital financings, going-private transactions, recapitalizations and dispositions.  We also represent a number of institutionally backed private enterprises (including portfolio companies of our private equity and venture capital fund clients) in connection with their financing, M&A and general corporate needs.  Our experience covers a broad cross-section of industry sectors, including manufacturing, services, finance, insurance, technology, software, retail, real estate, gaming, biotechnology, medical devices, communications and media.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Equity - France

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Willkie Farr & Gallagher boasts a pre-eminent private equity team, lauded for its strong international capabilities and integrated pan-European practice. The department often advises on cross-border acquisitions and sales. The team is active in numerous industry sectors, including TMT, healthcare and consumer goods. Its client roster includes investors and domestic and international sponsors as well as corporates.

À propos de l’équipe

Willkie Farr & Gallagher dispose d'une équipe de private equity de premier plan, reconnue pour son expertise internationale et son approche paneuropéenne intégrée. Le département fournit souvent des conseils sur les acquisitions et les ventes cross-border. L’équipe est active dans de nombreux secteurs, notamment les TMT, la santé et les biens de consommation. Sa clientèle comprend des investisseurs et des sponsors français et internationaux, ainsi que des entreprises.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Willkie Farr & Gallagher advised PAI Partners on the EUR2 billion acquisition of a majority stake in Alvest.

  • Willkie Farr & Gallagher a conseillé PAI Partners dans le cadre de l'acquisition d'une participation majoritaire dans Alvest, pour un montant de EUR2 milliards.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Willkie Farr & Gallagher is a highly agile firm dedicated to serving clients and advancing deals. It knows how to be fast and help accelerate in critical moments and go the extra mile.

    Private Equity respondentFrance

  • The law firm has a deep understanding of our business and its environment. The teams understand the challenges specific to private equity and carve-out transactions.

    Private Equity respondentFrance

  • The team has excellent knowledge of the market and its practices.

    Private Equity respondentFrance

  • Willkie Farr & Gallagher's lawyers have a good business sense combined with excellent legal skills – the perfect balance.

    Private Equity respondentFrance

  • The Willkie team stands out for its responsiveness, rigour and collaborative approach. It quickly understands transactional issues and formulates precise and tailored solutions.

    Private Equity respondentFrance

  • Les avocats chez Willkie Farr & Gallagher possèdent un excellent sens commercial allié à de solides compétences juridiques – un équilibre parfait.

    Private Equity respondentFrance

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Christophe Garaud
    Christophe Garaud

    Christophe Garaud

    Christophe Garaud has long-standing experience assisting private equity clients with strategic acquisitions and disposals. His work portfolio encompasses cross-border as well as domestic cases.

    Christophe Garaud a une longue expérience de l’accompagnement de clients du private equity dans le cadre d’acquisitions et de cessions stratégiques. Il conseille sur des dossiers cross-border et français.

    • Christophe has good client relationship skills.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Christophe Garaud is an excellent lawyer.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Christophe dispose de solides compétences en gestion de la relation client.

      Private Equity respondentFrance
    • Christophe Garaud est un excellent avocat.
      Private Equity respondentFrance
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  • Eduardo Fernandez
    Eduardo Fernandez

    Eduardo Fernandez

    Eduardo Fernandez represents a clientele of investment and private equity firms in acquisitions and disposals. He is active across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, IT and food and drink.

    Eduardo Fernandez représente une clientèle de sociétés d’investissement et de private equity dans le cadre d’acquisitions et de cessions. Il est actif dans un large éventail de secteurs, notamment la santé, l’informatique et l’agroalimentaire.

    • Eduardo Fernandez is a star of the market.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Eduardo Fernandez is a brilliant lawyer but also a dealmaker with unparalleled business acumen.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Eduardo Fernandez est un avocat brillant, mais aussi un négociateur hors pair doté d'un sens commercial exceptionnel.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Eduardo Fernandez est une star du marché.

      Private Equity respondentFrance
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  • Cédric Hajage
    Cédric Hajage

    Cédric Hajage

    Cédric Hajage advises portfolio companies and private equity firms on acquisition transactions. He is also experienced in disposals.

    Cédric Hajage conseille des sociétés de portefeuille et des fonds de private equity dans le cadre d’opérations d’acquisition. Il a également de l’expérience dans des cessions.

    • Cédric Hajage is one of our preferred top-gun lawyers. He is very strong commercially and lets nothing slip through the cracks.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • He provides an excellent level of service.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Il offre un excellent niveau de service.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Cédric Hajage est l'un de nos avocats de premier plan. Il est très solide sur le plan commercial et ne laisse rien passer.

      Private Equity respondentFrance
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  • Grégory de Saxcé
    Grégory de Saxcé

    Grégory de Saxcé

    Grégory de Saxcé assists leading domestic private equity funds with strategic acquisitions.

    Grégory de Saxcé assiste des fonds de private equity français de premier plan dans le cadre d’acquisitions stratégiques.

    • Grégory is a very solid partner.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Grégory de Saxcé demonstrates extreme technical expertise, very high-quality service, availability and a strong work ethic.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Grégory de Saxcé is an excellent adviser who is business- and deal-oriented, very committed and responsive.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Grégory de Saxcé est un excellent avocat qui est orienté business et transactions, très engagé et réactif.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Grégory est un associé très solide.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Grégory de Saxcé fait preuve d'une expertise technique hors pair, d'un service de très haute qualité, d'une grande disponibilité et d'une forte capacité de travail.

      Private Equity respondentFrance
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  • Hugo Nocerino
    Hugo Nocerino

    Hugo Nocerino

    Hugo Nocerino is lauded for his expertise in private equity operations, particularly for established investors.

    Hugo Nocerino est reconnu pour son expertise dans les opérations de private equity, en particulier pour les investisseurs reconnus.

    • Hugo knows how to strike the right balance between guiding our projects and defending our positions during negotiations with sellers. His structured approach and sound judgement inspire confidence.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • We consider Hugo Nocerino a true partner capable of anticipating needs and effectively managing complex matters. We have great confidence in the quality of his work and advice.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Hugo Nocerino stands out for his ability to combine solid legal expertise with a sound understanding of economic issues.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Hugo Nocerino se distingue par sa capacité à allier une solide expertise juridique à une fine compréhension des enjeux économiques.

      Private Equity respondentFrance

    • Hugo sait trouver le bon équilibre entre guider nos projets et défendre nos positions lors des négociations avec les vendeurs. Son approche structurée et son jugement sûr inspirent confiance.

      Private Equity respondentFrance
    • Nous considérons Hugo Nocerino comme un véritable partenaire, capable d'anticiper les besoins et de gérer efficacement les dossiers complexes. Nous avons une grande confiance dans la qualité de son travail et de ses conseils.
      Private Equity respondentFrance
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Ranked Individuals at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (5)

France

Members

Provided by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

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