Tax | France

Advancing into the top band this year is Arsene Taxand, who has a large team of lawyers covering the full range of tax law. The team's market-leading expertise spans private equity and corporate transactions, transfer pricing, real estate and VAT issues. The lawyers are highly skilled at advising on multi-jurisdictional matters. The law firm provides further expertise representing clients in contentious tax matters and due diligence. Its client list includes French and multinational companies, private equity houses and asset management teams.

Bredin Prat is a top-tier law firm that combines its transactional and litigation practices to advise on all aspects of tax law. The law firm has significant experience in litigating before the French tax authorities. The team advises a number of CAC 40 clients and works with a network of law firms across Europe to provide seamless international assistance to customers. Bredin Prat often acts for international and domestic companies on the tax aspects of high-profile M&A transactions. The department represents clients from a variety of sectors such as banking and finance as well as pharmaceuticals, energy and retail.

CMS has an exceptional tax practice capable of handling every aspect of tax law, including transfer pricing, VAT issues and real estate tax, as well as the tax elements of M&A transactions and litigation. The law firm attracts clients from the private sector as well as state-owned companies, including major French corporates. The lawyers are able to guide clients through the complex tax aspects of transactions taking place within heavily regulated sectors. The team showcases cross-border capabilities through advice to global clients and assisting domestic clients with their operations abroad.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is renowned for its expert capacity to handle corporate tax. The law firm regularly advises on M&A structurings. The team is also experienced in handling the tax aspects of capital markets and private equity transactions in addition to financing mandates. The practice has a strong cross-border ability thanks to the firm's international network. Clients include both French and multinational companies hailing from a variety of sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, healthcare and energy.

Clifford Chance is a respected outfit in the tax law market that focuses on both domestic and cross-border transactions. The team advises clients on the tax aspects of M&A and private equity transactions and fund structuring. The law firm attracts a diverse range of clients including French-listed companies, financial institutions and investment funds. The department benefits from close links to the firm's premier corporate, real estate, funds and finance teams. The lawyers are active on behalf of clients from a range of sectors spanning real estate, technology and energy.

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is a well-regarded practice, skilled in handling both national and international matters. The law firm is experienced in the tax aspects of transactional mandates, including M&A, spin-offs, capital markets and restructuring matters. The department offers significant strength in real estate taxation. Its services are sought after by private equity firms, financial institutions and French corporates.

Moving up the bands following impressive market feedback, is Latham & Watkins. The law firm is known for its expertise in the tax aspects of M&A and private equity transactions, with further skills in refinancings. The law firm has notable experience advising French and international investment funds and financial institutions. The department is active on matters spanning the healthcare, technology, energy, finance and manufacturing sectors.

Linklaters is a well-regarded law firm offering expertise in the tax aspects of private equity, financing and corporate matters. The law firm combines strong domestic capabilities with cross-border expertise. The department has a varied client base consisting of leading domestic and international corporations and investment firms. Linklaters boasts additional experience in the setting up and tax structuring of private equity funds. The team is active across a range of sectors including energy, mining and financial services.

Mayer Brown advises on a wide range of tax matters, most notably on the tax elements of private equity transactions as well as on tax audit, tax controversy and corporate taxation matters. The team forms part of a large international network and is therefore well placed to advise on matters involving multiple jurisdictions. The law firm represents market-leading clients in the private equity space as well as listed French companies and international corporations.

Sullivan & Cromwell has a recognised team advising on a wide range of tax matters, such as restructurings and the tax elements of high-end corporate and finance transactions. The law firm combines its expertise in these matters with a strong standalone tax practice capable of advising on both litigious and non-contentious issues. The team advises an impressive list of clients including leading French and international companies, as well as financial institutions. The lawyers are experienced in representing clients in tax dispute cases up to the highest level of French and European courts.

De Pardieu Brocas Maffei is a well-regarded tax practice covering a wide range of matters, including the tax aspects of real estate transactions, finance mandates and refinancing operations. Its clients come from different industry sectors such as insurance, retail and real estate. The team boasts additional expertise in advising clients on the tax elements of private equity operations.

Freshfields advises clients on a variety of tax issues, both advisory and contentious. The team has significant skills in corporate and private equity transactions, acting on behalf of major French and international corporate entities and investment funds. The lawyers are able to guide clients through the tax aspects of corporate and financial restructuring procedures. The law firm has a strong ability to act on cross-border matters.

Gide Loyrette Nouel advises on a variety of matters, including tax litigation, real estate investments, fund structuring and M&A transactions. The team frequently works on international matters within Europe and the USA. Its clients come from different industry sectors such as financial services, real estate and insurance. The department draws on expertise from across the firm to provide a holistic service to clients.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges is a respected outfit with notable skills in private equity. The law firm also handles tax litigation matters. The team is experienced in advising clients on the tax aspects of high-profile M&A transactions and debt restructurings, working in close collaboration with the firm's corporate team. The lawyers are well-known for their representation of private equity funds and investment companies.

Cazals Manzo Pichot Saint Quentin has recognised strength in the transactional tax area, handling the tax aspects of M&A and private equity transactions. The law firm boasts additional strength in tax planning matters and funds work, and provides further representation in tax litigation matters. The team advises a range of management teams, private equity firms and corporates and earns a higher position in the rankings this year.

Dechert offers expert advice on a variety of domestic and international matters such as the tax elements of M&A transactions, fund formation, private equity cases and tax restructuring. The team represents clients in the healthcare, technology and infrastructure sectors. Dechert's clients benefit from the team's close cooperation with the firm's corporate, antitrust and regulatory departments.

DLA Piper has strong expertise in the tax structuring of investment funds, as well as fundraising matters. The team is well equipped to assist clients with the tax aspects of M&A and private equity transactions, in addition to tax audits and advice on transfer pricing policies. The law firm is a popular choice among international banks, private equity and asset management firms and companies active in the real estate and energy sectors.

Goodwin has a dedicated and compact team skilled in the tax structuring aspects of corporate and private equity transactions. The department is also well placed to advise on the tax part of fund formation and real estate matters. Its client list features domestic and international investment companies and private equity firms.

Advancing in the rankings this year is White & Case, who regularly provides tax advice on financings and corporate transactions, including restructuring mandates. The law firm represents a diverse client roster composed of asset management and insurance companies, as well as corporates and banks. The team leverages a strong international network to assist clients with cross-border issues.

Delaby & Dorison is frequently sought after by a diverse range of private equity houses, asset management companies and multinational corporates for advice on management packages. The law firm handles the tax structuring of private equity transactions, disposals and acquisitions. The lawyers are well placed to advise on the tax aspects of refinancing and post-transactional operations.

Dentons handles tax questions arising in various industries, including the retail, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. The law firm also advises on transfer pricing and VAT issues. The practice leverages a strong network of European colleagues to act on multi-jurisdictional work. The lawyers are skilled in handling real estate and M&A transactions and additionally assist clients with tax audits and litigation.

Hogan Lovells has a well-reputed tax practice advising on M&A transactions, fund formation and investments within the private equity sector. The lawyers have additional expertise in tax audits and litigation. Clients benefit from the firm's international network to assist with cross-border mandates.

Jones Day has a strong reputation for advising on a range of tax-related transactional mandates. The practice appeals to clients from a variety of sectors, notably TMT, energy and pharmaceutical. The law firm is noted for its experience in corporate transactions and the associated tax elements, including acquisitions, joint ventures, fundraisings and investments. The practice benefits from its ties with local Jones Day offices in many jurisdictions to act on cross-border mandates.

Kirkland & Ellis is a favourite amongst notable multinational private equity firms. The team draws upon its expertise to assist with tax advice on high-value acquisitions, disposals, investments and refinancings. The law firm is well equipped to act on both domestic and international deals, with particular experience in the UK and US.

McDermott Will & Emery makes its debut in the rankings this year. The law firm is highly regarded for its expertise in transaction tax structuring, with a strong focus on the private equity sector. The team additionally assists with litigation, international tax planning, and restructurings.

BG2V enters the rankings this year and is highly regarded for its expertise in real estate taxation and tax structures for mergers and acquisitions. The team additionally provides assistance in tax audits and litigations. 

Making its debut in the rankings, Delsol Avocats is recognised for its tax practice focusing on tax structuring for M&A, private equity and real estate transactions. The team also advises on matters including transfer pricing and R&D tax credits.

Entering the rankings for the first time is PDGB Avocats. The law firm assists French clients with M&A and private equity tax structuring. The team also advises on VAT assessments, tax audits and litigation.

Making its debut in the rankings this year is Racine. The law firm garners significant praise for its comprehensive tax offering covering real estate transactions, M&A, restructuring, and tax planning. The law firm also handles contentious mandates.

Winston & Strawn secures a spot in the rankings this year, driven by outstanding market feedback. It is noted for its expertise in tax advice in M&A and private equity transactions. The team also advises management teams and founders.