Recently viewed firm rankings
Recently viewed firm profiles
Recently viewed lawyer profiles
Overview
The economic slowdown did not prevent leading and mid-size law firms in France from posting strong results in 2008, with many firms even exceeding what they achieved in 2007.
A number of international law firms are now focusing on their core business areas at the expense of ancillary practices. As a result, a number of lateral moves occurred in 2008. Employment expert Joël Grangé joined Flichy Grangé Avocats from Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I., and Pascale Lagesse arrived at Bredin Prat from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP also lost key partners from its finance practice, with Michel Quéré joining Dewey & LeBoeuf and Jean L’Homme moving to Proskauer Rose LLP.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP hired bankruptcy partner Maurice Lantourne from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP whilst Olivier Laude, former co-managing partner of Dewey & LeBoeuf, left to set up his new litigation boutique Laude Esquier Champey.
DLA Piper continued its growth strategy by hiring leading IT and telecoms specialist Marc d’Haultfoeuille from Clifford Chance.
Although some leading international law firms are rationalising their practices and staffing resources, the economic crisis has not changed the market’s hierarchy and structure, which is still dominated by French and Anglo-Saxon firms.
At the top end of the market, only a small number of French firms have succeeded in maintaining their standing against their Anglo-Saxon counterparts. These include Bredin Prat, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier, De Pardieu Brocas Maffei and Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.. With the exception of Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I., which has established itself has a real international player, French firms have little presence overseas. However, this is beginning to change as growing numbers of French firms have opened offices in Asia and in the Maghreb.
UK law firms have a significant presence in France led by Magic Circle firms Allen & Overy LLP, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Linklaters LLP, who dominate at the top end of the market.
US law firms are also present in numbers and some have a long-standing presence in France. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, Latham & Watkins, Orrick Rambaud Martel, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, White & Case LLP and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP are recognised as being among the leading players.
The French mid-size market is particularly dynamic. A number of independent French law firms set up in recent years by young partners have experienced rapid growth, and are now regarded as serious players. The best known are Brandford-Griffith & Associés, Cotty Vivant Marchisio & Lauzeral, De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés, Franklin, Sarrau Thomas Couderc and Wilinski Scotto & Associés.
The French market continues to attract international law firms and Nixon Peabody LLP, Bryan Cave LLP, and AGM Abogados all opened offices in Paris in 2008.
The French market is completed by a large number of boutiques which specialise in particular practice areas. A few are recognised as being among the best experts in their fields and compete directly with leading international law firms. These include Boivin & Associés in public law, Feral-Schuhl/Sainte-Marie in IT and telecoms, Vogel & Vogel in competition law, and Sonier & Associés in insolvency law.