Private Equity | France

Latham & Watkins has a top private equity practice with a focus on high-end transactions at both national and international levels, with particular prowess in LBO transactions. The law firm leverages an extensive network of offices across Europe, Asia and the USA to assist with multi-jurisdictional issues. The lawyers provide full-service advice and expertise, representing all types of clients, including investment funds, asset management companies and private equity houses. The team acts across the pharmaceutical, healthcare, technology, and food and drink sectors.

Freshfields acts for an impressive list of French and international private equity funds. The team is able to advise on the full spectrum of private equity-related matters including acquisitions, sales and financing. It boasts expertise in a range of industry sectors such as pharmaceuticals, technology and manufacturing. The department regularly works in close collaboration with other offices around the world.

Goodwin has an impressive private equity team acting on major mid-market and high-end LBOs and venture capital investments. It advises leading French and international private equity funds as well as acting for the management of target companies with activity in the technology arena. The team features a strong cross-border offering owing to its international network of offices. It frequently acts on French-US mandates.

Kirkland & Ellis acts on both the buy and sell sides of transactions that are often of a multi-jurisdictional scope. The practice enjoys a broad client base encompassing private equity funds and institutional investors. The team collaborates with the firm's UK and US offices to provide clients coverage of the key markets of the sector.

Mayer Brown has an expert private equity practice that handles various types of matters such as mid-market and high-end transactions, fund structurings and LBOs. The team is active in various sectors, including consumer product manufacturing, IT and food. It works in collaboration with the firm's finance and tax departments to offer a full range of services to private equity funds. The department is well placed to handle cross-border transactions.

Paul Hastings is a well-established private equity firm covering both mid-market and high-end transactions. The practice advises clients on LBOs, acquisitions and sales. Its impressive client base includes market-leading actors in French and European mid-market private equity, as well as management teams. The law firm has notable abilities in cross-border instructions. The team is well integrated with the firm's tax and finance practitioners.

Bredin Prat offers considerable expertise in high-end private equity transactions and works in close cooperation with the renowned tax and finance teams within the firm. The team assists with a broad range of matters, including buyouts, financings and disposals. Its clients include international investment companies and private equity houses, as well as corporates. The law firm is notably active within the IT, insurance and life sciences sectors.

Clifford Chance has a sizeable and multidisciplinary team offering a full service to clients. The law firm is noted for its strength in high-end private equity transactions. It is experienced in representing financial investors in different industry sectors, which include healthcare, infrastructure and energy. The team is capable of handling cross-border matters, with particular expertise in jurisdictions such as the USA, the UK, Luxembourg and Germany. The lawyers routinely collaborate with the firm's highly reputed tax, real estate and finance teams.

De Pardieu Brocas Maffei is a well-established law firm with a strong presence on mid-market private equity matters. The team is skilled in various different areas including LBOs and restructuring matters, working in close collaboration with the firm's tax and finance departments. It acts for banks and funds, and is active in a range of sectors such as retail, life sciences and technology. The department also assists managers and founders with divestments.

Hogan Lovells handles acquisitions and sales as well as majority and minority investments. The law firm maintains a client list of private equity houses, asset managers and corporate entities. It undertakes transactional mandates in sectors spanning technology and manufacturing. The practice is adept at advising on cross-border transactions. The law firm is also well equipped to assist with financings for startups and international venture capital funds.

Linklaters has a well-regarded private equity practice working with other teams at the firm to provide a full service. The department assists international financial sponsors and corporations with all their private equity activities, which include sales, acquisitions and public offers. It is active across the energy, infrastructure and pharmaceutical areas. The team is also very active on cross-border deals thanks to close ties with the firm's other European and international offices.

McDermott Will & Emery acts on majority and minority investments, in addition to undertaking acquisitions and disposals. The law firm acts for a broad clientele of international and domestic private equity firms, with further experience representing management teams. It is well prepared to undertake transactions pertaining to the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.

Proskauer Rose advises both domestic and international clients on private equity deals, on both the buy and sell sides. The team is active across a range of sectors including telecoms, technology and hospitality.

A&O Shearman boasts a solid private equity offering advising clients on both domestic and cross-border transactions. The team handles mid-market and high-end sales and acquisitions for a roster of private equity funds and corporate clients. The law firm additionally represents management teams and founders.

Moncey Avocats is a notable choice for mid-market LBO transactions, advising domestic and international investment funds and managers. The law firm is active in the insurance, technology and retail sectors.

Ropes & Gray’s newly established Paris office handles high-end private equity work. The team regularly advises sponsors and private capital investors on domestic and cross-border LBOs. The law firm is able to leverage its broader pan-European platform for transactions with international elements.

VOLT Associés enters the rankings this year thanks to its experience advising funds and portfolio companies on private equity transactions. The lawyers collaborate with partners from other teams including tax to support clients.

Winston & Strawn showcases strong expertise in mid-market private equity deals. The law firm assists established private equity clients with sales and acquisitions across key sectors including financial service, technology and healthcare.