Tax | Europe

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 automotive, insurance and energy.

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.

Arsene Taxand has a large team of lawyers covering the full range of tax law. The team's expertise spans private equity and corporate transactions, transfer pricing, real estate and VAT issues. The lawyers are 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.

Baker McKenzie hosts an expert team with significant strength in tax litigation, also covering the full spectrum of tax matters, including transfer pricing, corporate tax, real estate and VAT. The team regularly advises blue-chip clients listed on the CAC 40. The law firm is a solid choice for cross-border matters owing to an extensive global network of offices. The department advises clients from a broad range of sectors such as tourism, TMT and finance.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is renowned for its expert capacity to handle corporate tax. The law firm regularly advises on M&A structurings and LBOs. 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 increasingly significant strength in real estate taxation. Its services are sought after by private equity firms, financial institutions and French corporates.

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.

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.

Shearman & Sterling has notable skills in the corporate and finance areas, handling the tax aspects of M&A and private equity transactions. The law firm assists clients active in the energy and financial services sectors. The team additionally acts on behalf of private equity funds, financial institutions and multinational corporations. It is well versed in cross-border mandates.

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 Bruckhaus Deringer 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.

Latham & Watkins 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.

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 mainly represent clients in the financial sector such as private equity funds and investment companies.

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, earning it a higher position in the rankings. The department is also well placed to advise on the tax part of fund formation and real estate transactions. Its client list features domestic and international investment companies and private equity firms.

Lacourte Raquin Tatar has a solid team advising large corporations and investment funds on the tax aspects of corporate transactions, with a strong focus on real estate taxation matters. The practice assists with sales and acquisitions as well as refinancing and restructuring mandates. The team often works in close collaboration with the firm's M&A and real estate practices. The law firm is also well placed to represent clients in tax-related litigation.

Paul Hastings has significant experience assisting private equity funds with tax issues connected to LBOs. The law firm has a strong ability to work on cross-border mandates, including transfer pricing and tax audits. The team offers expertise assisting clients with the tax elements of M&A transactions and litigation mandates. It is active on transactions across the manufacturing, technology and pharmaceutical sectors.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner earns a position in the rankings this year with an established team that is well recognised for its longstanding tax expertise in the real estate sector. The lawyers are equipped to advise on the acquisition and financing of a variety of real estate assets, including offices, retail units and residential spaces. The practice encompasses both domestic and cross-border transactions, acting regularly for investment firms.

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.

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.

"What I really like about Hogan Lovells is that the team has very strong commercial awareness, and is quick to understand the challenges and come up with tailored solutions. The lawyers are extremely friendly. You get that sort of human connection with the team which makes the discussions and exchanges really fruitful and insightful."

Jones Day storms into the rankings this year with 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 joins the rankings this year and 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.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe joins the rankings with a solid team capable of acting on both domestic and cross-border tax mandates. The law firm has an enviable client list comprising financial institutions and corporates from a range of sectors, including TMT, energy and retail. Clients turn to the firm for skilful advice on the tax structuring of M&A transactions, refinancings and reorganisations. The practice also encompasses assistance with tax audits and disputes.

White & Case 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.