Litigation: Elite | Europe

Bredin Prat has an eminent litigation group skilled at handling matters arising from M&A transactions, competition cases and employment issues. The law firm is experienced in advising clients on a range of commercial disputes, in addition to civil litigation proceedings. The market-leading team maintains an enviable client base that encompasses blue-chip domestic corporates, high-profile multinationals and financial institutions.

Cleary Gottlieb's commercial litigation practice acts in contractual disputes, competition litigation and shareholder disputes. The law firm advises high-profile corporate clients from a variety of sectors, including banking, media and healthcare. The practice offers additional expertise in cross-border litigation, and clients benefit from the firm's network of offices in the USA and several European countries.

Clifford Chance is an esteemed powerhouse with market-leading expertise in a range of dispute resolution matters, including post-M&A, banking disputes and anti-competitive behaviour. The law firm is experienced in handling disputes over distribution agreements, product liability and contract terminations. The team leverages an extensive network to assist clients with multi-jurisdictional mandates and regularly represents clients from the retail, transportation, sport and pharmaceutical sectors.

Darrois Villey's top-tier team provides highly regarded litigation services to clients on a range of commercial matters, including M&A and post-transaction disputes. The law firm is active on civil and commercial litigation, in addition to administrative proceedings, and also handles cases for pharmaceutical, banking and TMT clients. The team offers additional expertise in class actions, product liability and financial litigation cases.

The firm's well-reputed practice has an extensive international network and notable cross-border strength. The law firm is especially recognised for its activity in the financial institution space and maintains a solid presence in the IP sector. The team is also well placed to assist with class actions, offering further expertise in commercial and civil proceedings. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Freshfields' litigation team is active on a range of commercial and civil matters, including contract disputes, regulatory issues and cartel claims. The law firm regularly undertakes contentious financial matters, as well as criminal investigations, with further expertise in significant international mandates, drawing upon its extensive global practice. The team provides counsel to clients from various sectors including energy, TMT and finance.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges has a well-regarded commercial litigation practice with expertise in disputes relating to shareholders' agreements and post-acquisition issues. The law firm is also noted for its experience in handling public law disputes. The team represents leading clients active in the energy and financial sectors.

Gide Loyrette Nouel has an established practice with a particular focus on banking and finance litigation. Clients of the practice include a range of domestic and international banking and investment entities, as well as technology and energy companies. The law firm is experienced in post-acquisition litigation and disputes regarding enforcement proceedings and regulatory matters, before both commercial and civil courts. The team offers additional expertise in shareholder disputes.

Herbert Smith Freehills' well-equipped department assists clients with commercial and financial litigation. The team frequently advises on mandates relating to contract breaches and allegations of fraud. The practice represents a range of energy, financial services, insurance and construction clients. The law firm is also adept at handling cross-border matters, especially in African jurisdictions.

Hogan Lovells has extensive experience in handling cross-border disputes. The team provides representation in a wide range of areas, including life sciences and banking litigation as well as fraud and enforcement cases. The law firm assists an enviable roster of IT and pharmaceutical clients.

Linklaters has a recognised disputes team that boasts a strong international background. The law firm is experienced in a range of areas, including litigation arising from unfair competition and commercial law, often acting in cases in the media, energy and mining industries. The team has further expertise representing banks and financial institutions in regulatory and financial disputes.

Orrick's respected litigation practice routinely represents clients in corporate and commercial cases. The law firm acts in shareholder litigation, insolvency-related disputes and tax fraud cases, with further activity in construction litigation. The team is retained by both high-profile corporates and private individuals for advice in this area.

Veil Jourde is held in high regard for its activity in financial and commercial litigation. The law firm handles contentious proceedings regarding M&A, unfair competition and shareholder disputes. The team frequently represents blue-chip domestic and international clients active in the TMT and banking sectors.

White & Case is recognised in France for its commercial litigation expertise, including shareholder conflicts as well as banking disputes. The law firm advises both domestic and international clients on multi-jurisdictional issues. The team boasts expertise in class actions, with further activity in contentious mandates involving unfair competition and distribution issues.

ADVANT Altana has a well-respected litigation team providing services to a broad roster of clients from sectors such as construction, insurance and pharmaceuticals. The law firm advises domestic and international clients on contractual disputes and unfair competition and damages claims. The team maintains specific expertise in liability claims.

August Debouzy is well regarded for its litigation activity. The law firm is adept at handling proceedings on a range of corporate matters, including shareholder disputes, contractual issues and unfair competition. The team is knowledgeable in the defence, insurance and manufacturing industries, and also regularly handles cross-border matters, advising clients from other jurisdictions as well as France.

De Pardieu Brocas Maffei is particularly recognised for its litigation services in the banking and finance space. The law firm is also active on competition matters and maintains significant expertise in disputes regarding bankruptcy, securities and debt issues. The team acts for both domestic and international clients, and is noted for its experience in real estate-related disputes.

Laude Esquier & Associés offers advice on commercial and civil proceedings, frequently handling contentious matters on behalf of insurance, entertainment and fashion companies. The law firm assists clients with contractual claims, shareholder disputes and enforcement litigation. The team has additional proficiency in insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings.

LPA-CGR avocats is particularly active in assisting clients from the financial services, energy and telecommunications industries. The law firm acts before various state courts, representing both domestic and international clients. The team is also adept at handling litigation relating to industrial risk and distribution networks.

Peltier Juvigny Marpeau & Associés houses a well-regarded practice with particular experience in corporate and financial litigation. The law firm often acts in shareholder disputes, with additional expertise in bankruptcy and insolvency-related cases. The team advises both domestic and international investment funds, private individuals and asset managers.

Reinhart Marville Torre is noted for its provision of litigation services in civil as well as commercial disputes. The team acts in liability, unfair competition and shareholder disputes, with further capabilities in proceedings arising from distribution agreements. The practice advises clients hailing from the IT, insurance and real estate sectors.

BDGS Associés enters the rankings for the first time this year and represents an enviable list of clients hailing from sectors including energy and banking. The team is adept at advising on post-acquisition and commercial disputes and has further experience handling cross-border litigation.

De Gaulle Fleurance is active in a range of proceedings, including unfair competition cases, shareholder disputes and contractual claims. The team also assists with restructuring and insolvency-related litigation.

The team at Dechert handles a broad range of commercial litigation mandates, including contractual and shareholder disputes and product liability cases. The law firm frequently represents clients hailing from the manufacturing, healthcare and retail sectors. The team is also able to draw upon international resources to advise on cases with cross-jurisdictional elements.

DLA Piper's respected team advises on insurance and product liability cases and is also well placed to handle international and cross-border disputes, supported by an expansive global network. The law firm assists with contractual disputes as well as distribution-related cases. It also advises clients from various sectors, including manufacturing, technology and automotive.

Jeantet assists with a broad range of corporate and financial litigation matters, including shareholder disputes, matters relating to commercial negotiations and contracts as well as contentious issues concerning insolvency proceedings. The team also advises on anti-competitive behaviour cases and represents clients before public regulatory authorities as well as French and European courts. The law firm is active across the transportation, energy and media sectors.

Racine represents a broad client base of multinationals, financial institutions and private individuals. The law firm demonstrates notable experience in complex contractual disputes and shareholder conflicts. The team boasts further expertise in handling insolvency-linked cases.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher joins the rankings this year and boasts particular expertise in M&A-related disputes. The firm is also sought after for litigation relating to intellectual property and competition. The team has notable involvement in cross-border cases and contractual disputes.