Ranking tables
Europe France Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
In-depth overview
FRANCE: An Introduction
JURISDICTION
2022 has been a very tumultuous year that results today in what might be one of the most uncertain...
Authored by Fromont Briens
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
Band 6
ADVANT Altana
Eversheds Sutherland
Jeantet
Lacourte Raquin Tatar
Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
Peltier Juvigny Marpeau & Associés
Villey Girard Grolleaud- Viguié Schmidt & Associés A.A.R.P.I.
Senior Statespeople
Star Individuals
Band 1
Band 2
Antoine Bonnasse BDGS Associés
Armand W Grumberg Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
Claude Serra Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Hervé Pisani Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Marc Castagnède Allen & Overy LLP
Marcus Billam Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier
Yannick Piette Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Youssef Djehane BDGS Associés
Band 3
Band 4
Band 5
Benoit Marpeau Peltier Juvigny Marpeau & Associés
Fabrice Veverka Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP- Jean-Claude Rivalland Norton Rose Fulbright
Marc Loy BDGS Associés
Marc Petitier White & Case LLP
Matthieu Pouchepadass Bredin Prat
Patrick Tardivy Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe France
Pierre-Louis Cléro Latham & Watkins LLP- Stéphane Huten Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP
- Christophe PerchetPerchet Rontchevsky & Associés
- Edouard ThomasHerbert Smith Freehills
Band 6
Arash Attar-Rezvani Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
Ariel Harroch Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Christophe Eck Gide Loyrette Nouel
Daniel Hurstel Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
David Haccoun Osborne Clarke France
Eduardo Fernandez Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Ermine Bolot Dechert LLP
Guillaume Kellner McDermott Will & Emery
Guillaume Vallat White & Case LLP
Hugo Diener Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier
Hugues Mathez White & Case LLP
Jeremy Scemama Proskauer Rose LLP
Julien Aucomte August Debouzy
Laurent Schoenstein Clifford Chance Europe LLP- Mark Richardson Archers
- Pascale Girard Villey Girard Grolleaud
- Serge Tatar Lacourte Raquin Tatar
Sophie Cornette de Saint Cyr Bredin Prat
Sophie Hagège Jones Day
Band 1
1 Bredin PratCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 1 |Bredin Prat is a market-leading firm acting on a number of the most high-profile and high-value transactions in France. The firm boasts outstanding capabilities in a variety of different corporate matters, including public M&A. The corporate/M&A team often works with its antitrust, employment, tax, restructuring and financing teams to provide comprehensive support to clients. The law firm assists a portfolio of blue-chip French companies with the full spectrum of their corporate activities, while also utilising a strong network of international firms for cross-border mandates. The team offers expertise in regulated sectors including telecommunications, energy and financial services.
1 Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 1 |Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton boasts a superb Paris-based corporate team regularly acting 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.
1 Darrois Villey Maillot BrochierCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 1 |Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier has 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.
Band 2
2 BDGS AssociésCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 2 |BDGS Associés boasts wide-ranging expertise covering public and private M&A and corporate governance, including regulatory matters. The lawyers assist a number of well-known domestic clients, with particular experience in dealing with state-owned companies. The law firm complements its corporate offering with strong teams in other practice areas such as competition and tax. The team is active in a range of industries including technology, banking, insurance and telecommunications.
2 Clifford Chance Europe LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 2 |Clifford Chance's highly regarded corporate team benefits from a large international network. The lawyers are experienced in a variety of different industries including the energy, consumer goods, banking and infrastructure sectors. The law firm acts on a range of deal types, such as disposals and public M&A. The team works in close collaboration with complementary departments such as banking and finance, tax and antitrust. The lawyers advise an impressive roster of clients, including French and international corporates as well as investment firms.
2 Freshfields Bruckhaus DeringerCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 2 |Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's Paris corporate/M&A team is highly skilled in regulatory and transactional corporate work. The lawyers combine excellent cross-border capabilities with strong domestic expertise. The team also provides clients with a multidisciplinary service thanks to its cooperation with the tax, antitrust and finance departments. The law firm boasts diverse industry expertise with a strong footprint in manufacturing, TMT, energy and infrastructure.
2 Gide Loyrette NouelCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 2 |Gide Loyrette Nouel combines strong French expertise with the ability to advise international companies on cross-border matters. The lawyers regularly handle sophisticated joint venture and M&A transactions, as well as corporate structure issues. The law firm enjoys a significant depth of experience in many different industries including banking, real estate, energy and TMT. The team also acts for shareholders on the sale of companies.
2 Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 2 |Weil, Gotshal & Manges is skilled in a wide variety of matters in the corporate sphere including acquisitions, reorganisations and disposals. The law firm advises both buyers and sellers on a number of outbound transactions, also assisting public clients with acquisitions of foreign companies. The lawyers are well versed in a variety of sectors including TMT, infrastructure, real estate and energy.
Band 3
3 Allen & Overy LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 3 |Allen & Overy acts for a roster of prominent multinational and domestic clients, utilising its network of offices to advise on multi-jurisdictional transactions. The team boasts strong expertise in corporate deals, including public M&A, equity investments and joint ventures. The lawyers demonstrate broad industry knowledge spanning infrastructure, TMT and banking.
3 Latham & Watkins LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 3 |Latham & Watkins utilises its wide international network to advise on cross-border transactions and complex high-end corporate deals. The lawyers have the ability to act on a broad range of operations including spin-offs, disposals and acquisitions. The firm is active in the healthcare, retail, infrastructure and IT sectors. The corporate/M&A department often works with its finance, tax, employment and competition teams to provide comprehensive support to clients. It acts for public and private companies and investment firms.
3 LinklatersCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 3 |Linklaters has strong corporate expertise in a broad range of industry sectors spanning energy, banking, life sciences and infrastructure. The department benefits from a large international network, enabling it to administer seamless cross-border advice to clients. The lawyers act on a wide range of transactions including public and private M&A, joint ventures and divestments. The law firm maintains an enviable client base comprising blue-chip financial institutions, investment firms and high-profile corporates.
3 Shearman & Sterling LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 3 |Shearman & Sterling is adept at handling a broad range of corporate matters including public and private acquisitions, share disposals and restructurings. The law firm boasts strong expertise in the pharmaceutical, automotive and financial sectors. The team frequently acts for international entities on cross-border mandates, utilising the firm's network of international offices.
3 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & AffiliatesCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 3 |Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom's strong corporate practice is frequently instructed on large and complex deals. The team is adept at handling cross-border transactions, with significant experience and knowledge of US-related matters. The law firm frequently acts for insurance, consumer goods and technology companies. The lawyers have additional expertise in representing clients in hostile takeovers.
3 Sullivan & Cromwell LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 3 |Sullivan & Cromwell's strong international department regularly acts on complex cross-border transactions, with particular expertise in US-related matters. The lawyers advise clients on transactions in the energy, automotive and financial services sectors. The team also has expertise in a variety of areas including mergers, sales and takeovers.
3 White & Case LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 3 |White & Case climbs the rankings this year with impressive support from the market. It is well equipped to handle cross-border matters due to a wide network of offices across the world. The law firm acts on a range of transactions, including joint ventures, acquisitions and divestments. The team has particularly strong expertise in corporate issues involving the retail, energy and technology sectors. It offers additional expertise to clients from the telecoms, insurance and automotive industries.
Band 4
4 Baker McKenzie AARPICorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 4 |Baker McKenzie's robust practice advises on all manner of corporate issues including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and spin-offs. The law firm acts for corporates as well as financial institutions, with particular expertise in the technology sector. The team also advises clients from industries including pharmaceuticals, retail and life sciences. The practice is well placed to assist with cross-border M&A matters, leveraging its network of offices across the world.
4 De Pardieu Brocas MaffeiCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 4 |De Pardieu Brocas Maffei is adept at handling a broad range of matters in the corporate sphere including takeovers, sales, restructurings and tender offers. The firm has wide-ranging knowledge of the insurance, energy and technology industries, with market-renowned expertise in real estate deals. The lawyers often collaborate closely with the firm's tax, competition and finance departments.
4 Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 4 |The team at Hogan Lovells climbs the rankings this year following positive market feedback. The law firm is experienced in handling transactions involving the transportation, healthcare and insurance industries. The practice benefits from a broad international network enabling the team to advise clients on multi-jurisdictional matters. It draws on its wide array of practice areas to provide comprehensive support to its clientele, including regulatory considerations. The law firm also advises clients from the energy and manufacturing sectors, as well as a number of investment groups.
4 Jones DayCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 4 |The team at Jones Day is proficient in a range of public and private M&A deals, general corporate matters and regulatory considerations. The law firm assists large corporates and shareholders with acquisitions and disposals. The lawyers frequently advise on transactions in the energy, financial services and life sciences sectors. The team is skilled at handling cross-border transactions due to its extensive network of offices throughout the world.
4 Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe FranceCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 4 |The law firm advises on a diverse range of transactional work including public M&A and divestments. The lawyers handle instructions from multinationals, insurance companies and investment funds. The team frequently represents boards of directors in strategic M&A transactions. It acts for clients from the transportation, TMT and infrastructure sectors.
4 Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 4 |Willkie Farr & Gallagher regularly advises well-known corporates from the shipping, life sciences and media industries. The team handles a wide range of mandates including disposals, mergers, divestments and acquisitions. The law firm is experienced in international and cross-border processes, especially involving the USA. Its client base comprises privately owned and publicly listed corporates as well as financial institutions.
Band 5
5 August DebouzyCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 5 |August Debouzy assists large companies with a range of corporate and commercial matters, including share transactions, mergers and takeovers. The law firm is active in a wide spectrum of sectors, with particular knowledge of the life sciences, TMT and infrastructure industries. The clients benefit from the firm's full-service offering and the close cooperation with its highly recognised employment, tax and intellectual property teams.
5 CMSCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 5 |CMS boasts a solid corporate practice able to handle acquisitions, divestments and corporate restructurings. The lawyers work in close cooperation with the employment and tax teams to provide full support to clients. The law firm utilises its international network on cross-border deals. CMS attracts clients from a range of sectors, particularly healthcare and automotive.
5 Dechert LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 5 |Dechert is active in a broad range of corporate matters including acquisitions, restructurings and disposals. The law firm has noteworthy activity in matters involving the life sciences industry, regularly advising on strategic transactions. It handles French and cross-border corporate transactions. The team is popular with large corporates and shareholders.
5 DentonsCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 5 |Dentons has strong cross-border capabilities due to offices in a variety of jurisdictions and lawyers with experience in France, as well as other countries including China, Germany and the USA. The law firm handles acquisitions, joint ventures and divestments for domestic corporates, public companies and multinationals. The team represents clients from the food, technology and manufacturing industries. The department possesses particular expertise in life sciences transactions.
5 DLA Piper France LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 5 |DLA Piper draws on its wide international network to assist clients with multi-jurisdictional sales and acquisitions. The lawyers have notable experience in the life sciences, IT, finance and transportation sectors. DLA Piper's clients also benefit from the support of the firm's finance, tax and employment departments.
5 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 5 |Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has broad capabilities in the corporate arena covering acquisitions and disposals, restructurings and corporate governance matters. The firm also regularly assists with joint ventures. The team is experienced in the manufacturing, healthcare and TMT sectors. The lawyers work with offices located around the world to aid clients with cross-border issues, particularly in US-related matters.
Band 6
6 ADVANT AltanaCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 6 |ADVANT Altana garners a place in the rankings this year on the basis of positive market feedback. The team draws upon a wealth of experience in M&A transactions, advising on strategic acquisitions, joint ventures and disposals. The law firm is regularly sought out by clients across a range of sectors, notably retail, pharmaceuticals and insurance. Under the banner of its law firm association and the international experience of its lawyers, Altana is well placed to assist with both domestic and cross-border transactions. The team is frequently supported by colleagues in the firm's IP, employment and antitrust departments.6 Eversheds SutherlandCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 6 |Eversheds Sutherland's corporate practice advises clients on a range of matters including disposals, acquisitions and general corporate issues. The law firm offers further experience in corporate reorganisations and often acts on cross-border mandates. Its sectors of expertise include the transportation, technology and aviation industries. The team of lawyers also acts on inbound acquisitions and investments.6 JeantetCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 6 |Jeantet boasts broad corporate capabilities encompassing mergers, investment transactions and sales. The law firm handles industrial M&A and has noteworthy expertise in the manufacturing, technology and healthcare sectors. It offers a strong cross-border service with experience in a variety of jurisdictions, notably Germany. The team also handles inbound transactions from foreign clients. The lawyers regularly cooperate with colleagues from the firm's IP, tax and employment departments.6 Lacourte Raquin TatarCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 6 |Lacourte Raquin Tatar demonstrates solid capabilities in the corporate field. The law firm frequently handles matters involving African and European jurisdictions. Its wide-ranging expertise encompasses joint ventures, acquisitions and reorganisations. The team boasts noteworthy expertise in real estate deals. The clients benefit from close collaboration with the firm's tax and finance departments. The lawyers advise companies across a variety of sectors, including TMT, banking, and food and drink.6 Paul Hastings (Europe) LLPCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 6 |Paul Hastings handles both local and international mandates in the corporate space. The law firm is well known for its expertise in transactions involving a private equity element. The team represents investment groups and corporate clients, with notable expertise in the TMT, automotive and healthcare sectors.6 Peltier Juvigny Marpeau & AssociésCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 6 |Peltier Juvigny Marpeau & Associés frequently advises on acquisitions, structurings and disposals. The team represents corporate clients and shareholders, with notable expertise in the retail, technology and agribusiness sectors. The lawyers also advise on corporate governance issues and reorganisations.6 Villey Girard GrolleaudCorporate/M&A: High-end Capability2023 | Band 6 |Villey Girard Grolleaud has a solid reputation for complex public M&A mandates. The law firm demonstrates expertise in sales, acquisitions and restructurings. It acts for an enviable roster of high-profile domestic clients. The team is notably active across the retail and TMT sectors.