Arnault Devis

Arnault Devis has practised as a tax lawyer since 2017. He trained and worked at CMS Francis Lefebvre and Roli Solicitors, and gained international experience at FTPA, before spending five years as a partner at Arkwood, where he built a practice advising entrepreneurs and family groups on the tax and legal aspects of transmission and succession. In 2025, he co-founded Axtead with Arnaud Tailfer.

Arnault advises entrepreneurs, executives and family-owned groups on the structuring of business transfers and disposals, pre-sale reorganisations, intergenerational succession planning and the wealth governance of family holding structures. He also advises on compliance with tax and reporting obligations for internationally mobile clients and executives.

Arnault positions himself as a trusted coordinator for his clients, working alongside notaries, accountants, private bankers and other advisors to ensure that legal, tax and family considerations are addressed together rather than in isolation. He has particular experience in cross-border matters involving the United Kingdom, the United States and Luxembourg.

Arnault regularly writes on tax and wealth planning topics, including for the Journal Franco-Africain des Affaires (JFA) and other legal doctrine publications.

2014: Legal internships.

2014-2019: CMS Francis Lefebvre, Roli Solicitors and FTPA – tax and legal roles, including international experience.

2019-2024: Arkwood – Partner, Tax and Private Wealth.

2025-present: Axtead – Founding Partner.

Contributes to legal doctrine on tax and wealth planning, including articles for the Journal Franco-Africain des Affaires (JFA).

Arnault advises entrepreneurs, family-owned business groups and private equity executives on business transfer structuring, intergenerational succession and cross-border wealth governance, notably involving the UK, US and Luxembourg.

"The creation of this firm stems from a desire to build lasting relationships with our clients, grounded in trust and a genuine understanding of their personal and family objectives."

Advised on the transfer of a family-owned business through an owner buy-out structure (value confidential, approximately €15m).

Advised a private equity executive on the tax treatment of carried interest.

Advised on the restructuring of a diversified accounting and advisory group (value confidential, in excess of €300m), working alongside Osborne Clarke.

Family businesses ; Private equity ; Accounting and professional services firms ; Family offices and private wealth.

France ; Switzerland ; United Kingdom ; United States ; Luxembourg.