The Legal 500

August & Debouzy’s 30-lawyer practice advises top clients in high-stakes employment litigation and matters relating to acquisitions and restructuring, as well as employee protocols such as individual freedom and safety issues at work. The firm represented TF1 Production in proceedings against reality TV contestants regarding the nature of their contracts. Emmanuelle Barbara, Fabienne Haas, Marie-Hélène Bensadoun, Virginie Devos, Philippe Durand and Eric Manca are recommended.

The ‘highly competent’ Pascale Lagesse heads Bredin Prat’s 15-lawyer team, which maintains ‘excellent client relationships’ and shows business acumen. It is recommended for complex matters including corporate transactions, restructuring and site closures, and handles large collective litigations. Clients include Hewlett-Packard. Counsels Cyril Gaillard, Cécile Zoro and Alexandra Stocki are also recommended.

CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre’s 13-partner practice advises numerous CAC 40 companies on a whole range of matters. It is assisting La Poste with ownership changes and recently advised PPR and Auchan on remuneration and profit-sharing matters. Nicolas de Sevin, Jean-Claude Anisten and Laurent Marquet de Vasselot are key figures, along with Pierre-Jean Sinibaldi, a ‘business-oriented lawyer who has experience handling claims against the employment tax administration’, Ghislain Beaure d’Augères, Nicolas Callies and Thierry Romand.

Capstan, member of Ius Laboris provides ‘excellent service’, and its 180 lawyers and nine offices make it France’s largest employment law boutique. The firm serves many CAC 40 clients and international corporations, and has experience in large restructurings, mass litigation and corporate transactions. Pascal Lagoutte and Jean-Michel Mir are recommended, as are Bruno Serizay, Guillaume Bordier, Alain Sauret, Anne-Bénédicte Voloir and the ‘excellent’ Thomas Lestavel.

Flichy Grangé Avocats is ‘among the very best firms for domestic and international matters’, and this 45-lawyer team delivers ‘quick and sharp answers’ on everything from day-to-day matters to the most sophisticated employment issues. It counts among its ranks some of the market’s leading experts in Hubert Flichy and Joël Grangé, whose ‘remarkable ability to think outside the box’ impresses clients. Other key figures include Claire Toumieux, an ‘outstanding’ lawyer who ‘knows the law and understands the business’; Philippe Montanier, who co-heads the compensation and benefits practice; Arnaud Chaulet, who provides ‘very sharp counselling’; Anne Le Bault de La Morinière; and Florence Aubonnet.

Emmanuel Bénard and Gwen Senlanne lead Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s 20-lawyer practice, which is working hard to maintain its good reputation following Gilles Bélier’s retirement. It advises top clients on the employment aspects of corporate transactions and large-scale restructuring, and represents them in litigation. It assisted Bristol-Myers Squibb with the reorganisation of its French operations, and also counts France Télécom as a key client.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. has particular expertise in restructuring, redundancy and collective issues. Key figures in its 20-lawyer team are Gilles Duquet, David Jonin, Baudouin de Moucheron, Aurélien Boulanger and Foulques de Rostolan. Clients include Air France, GDF Suez and American Express. Anne Boileau joined from Jones Day, but Philippe Desprès moved to Winston & Strawn.

Proskauer’s ‘strong team’ is ‘very committed and always available’. The eight-lawyer group handles issues such as discrimination, departure schemes and collective disputes, and acts for leading companies in the automotive, luxury, financial services and distribution sectors. Practice head Yasmine Tarasewicz is one of the market’s leading advisers for complex and strategic matters, and Béatrice Pola and international counsel Jean-Baptiste Martin are also recommended.

Clifford Chance’s 12-lawyer practice is recommended for ‘highly sensitive restructuring projects’, and is in demand for assistance with large restructuring projects and site closures. Clients include Fujifilm and Visteon. François Farmine is an ‘extremely committed and client-focused’ adviser.

Coblence & Associés’ ten-lawyer team advises key names in the audiovisual and technology sectors on matters including business transfers, restructuring and management changes in CAC 40 companies. The practice leaders are Elisabeth Laherre, Catherine Davico-Hoarau, Martine Riou, Charlotte Hammelrath, and Chantal Giraud-van Gaver, who is an acknowledged expert in representing high-ranking executives.

Cotty Vivant Marchisio & Lauzeral’s practice is led by the highly regarded Antoine Vivant, Florence Froment-Meurice and Romain Chiss. The group has experience handling restructuring and litigation, including advising ThyssenKrupp Sofedit on a major restructuring in Europe. Other clients include SFR, Nike France and Manpower.

Fidal can field 300 lawyers across its 100 offices in France, including 80 lawyers in Paris. Its staple clients are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) but it also represents multinational companies. Michel Hallopeau is a leading expert in pension and benefits.

Based in Lyon and Paris, employment boutique Fromont Briens houses 120 lawyers and has unrivalled expertise in the complementary social insurance field, where it advises many CAC 40 entities. Yves Fromont and Gilles Briens are recommended. In 2011, the practice completed a rare but significant lateral hire by recruiting Anne Le Quinquis from Bredin Prat.

Employment boutique La Garanderie & Associés fields 11 lawyers serving high-profile media, luxury goods and industrial corporations, SMEs and top executives. The team was busy advising on collective negotiations in 2011. The partners are Dominique de La Garanderie, an authority on criminal and governance matters; the ‘excellent litigator’ Marie-Alice Jourde; the ‘very technical’ Guy Alfosea, Saskia Henninger, who deals with litigation involving individuals; the experienced Mary-Daphné Fishelson; and Bertrand Merville.

Latham & Watkins’ nine-lawyer practice gives ‘good legal and business-oriented’ advice, has expertise in major restructuring projects and mass litigation and is also well versed in criminal risk audits and harassment, health in the workplace and discrimination issues. It has many key clients in the banking, luxury goods and industrial sectors. Agnès Cloarec-Mérendon and Matthias Rubner lead the practice.

Racine’s 12-lawyer team makes ‘constant efforts to find negotiated solutions’, but also has ‘outstanding litigation skills’. It advises CAC 40 groups on matters such as restructuring, corporate investments and collective disputes. The practice is run by Carla Di Fazio Perrin, the ‘highly competent’ Alain Ménard, Charles Philip and new recruit Frédéric Broud, who joined from Toison Villey Broud.

Salans’ ‘committed’ 15-lawyer group advised BNP Paribas on a voluntary departure plan, and acts for many clients in the healthcare, hotels and banking sectors, including Warner Chilcott and Royal Monceau. Practice head Jean-Louis Magnier and global co-chair Katell Déniel Allioux are recommended, as are Frédérique Meslay-Caloni and Julie Caussade.

Sabine Smith-Vidal’s nine-lawyer practice at Allen & Overy LLP mainly advises large healthcare companies and financial institutions, but also handled General Electric’s acquisition of Converteam. Restructuring and acquisitions were staples of the practice in 2011.

Altana advises companies in the healthcare, technology and media sectors on day-to-day employment matters, strategic restructuring and also handles litigation. Pierre Lubet and Caroline André-Hesse jointly head the practice.

Baker & McKenzie SCP’s 20-lawyer group provides ‘a very high level of service’. Practice head Denise Broussal is ‘responsive and astute’, and is expert in advising Anglophone clients on compliance issues. Also recommended are Gilles Jolivet for union work and Olivier Vasset for outsourcing.

Barthélémy Avocats has 80 lawyers spanning 13 offices with its main teams in Clermont-Ferrand, Paris and Rennes. Senior statesman Jacques Barthélémy is recommended.

Bird & Bird advises its loyal client base on matters such as restructuring and negotiation of collective agreements. The eight-lawyer practice, run by practice head Benjamine Fiedler and Philippe Danesi, advises leading names in the telecoms, technology and healthcare sectors.

Employment boutique Chassany Watrelot & Associés fields 33 lawyers, primarily in Paris and Lyon. Key partners are Philippe Chassany, Jérôme Watrelot and Elisabeth Graujeman. The firm assists major companies, notably in the audiovisual sector, and recently advised Sony France on a plant closure.

DLA Piper’s ‘very good practice’ is headed by the ‘very strategic’ Bijan Eghbal. The nine-lawyer team also includes Marine Gicquel, who stands out for her ‘expertise in the field of redundancy procedures’, and counsel François Millet. The practice advises major French and international companies.

Employment boutique Dupiré & Associés brings together ‘pragmatic and rigorous advisers’. This 15-lawyer practice, led by Rémi Dupiré, Florence Achir and Brigitte Pelletier, represents medium and large-sized companies from various sectors including industrial, technology and luxury goods, and has ‘great experience in the press field’.

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP’s 17-lawyer team represents companies in litigation and restructuring, notably in the healthcare sector where clients include Merck & Co and Johnson & Johnson. Practice head Dominique Mendy is recommended along with Jean-Marc Albiol, Thierry Meillat, Muriel Pariente and Lorelei Gannat. Philippe Thomas joined Dechert.

JeantetAssociés AARPI’s practice is led by restructuring expert Patrick Thiébart and experienced litigator Jean Néret. The firm also recruited Francis Collin from Landwell & Associés. The team represents large French and foreign companies.

Lefèvre Pelletier & associés’ eight-lawyer team is led by Françoise Pelletier and new recruit Monika Seidel-Moreau, who joined from Marccus Partners in 2011. The practice is recommended for issues pertaining to restructuring and health in the workplace. The client base is particularly strong in the property, hotel and banking sectors.

Moisand Boutin & Associés provides ‘extremely accurate and straight-to-the-point advice’ on issues such as restructurings, working time and stress issues, and executive departures. The five-lawyer team is led by Christine Hillig-Poudevigne and Marianne Franjou, who is ‘a highly skilled and customer-oriented professional’.

Morgan Lewis’ four-lawyer practice is led by the ‘very good’ François Vergne, who is particularly recommended for restructuring and executive termination issues. The firm mainly represents large French or American companies.

Paul Hastings LLP’s ‘highly competent team’ of four lawyers advises major international groups such as Monoprix and Deloitte on various matters including redundancy and bonuses, as well as in litigation. Practice head Deborah Sankowicz and Stéphane Henry are recommended.

Six-lawyer employment boutique Raphaël has a busy practice spanning non-contentious matters as well as collective disputes and executive terminations. Société Générale is a key client, along with certain other financial institutions, industrial and media companies. Isabelle Ayache-Revah and Marion Ayadi lead the team.

Reinhart Marville Torre provides ‘tailor-made’ solutions. Its eight-lawyer team includes Catherine Broussot-Morin, who represents companies in restructuring and litigation; the ‘excellent litigator’ Olivier Bluche, who is a great choice for ‘complex disputes’; and Agathe Moreau, a specialist in risk law, including handling risk management and professional liability cases.

UGGC & Associés’ eight-lawyer practice is led by Sophie Uettwiller and Roseline Sauser. The firm assists companies in restructuring, harassment cases and litigation. Pascal Bathmanabane joined Pech de Laclause & Associés.

Vaughan Avocats stands out for its ‘very concrete and innovative global approach’, which earned it instructions on reorganisation projects for FagorBrandt and Faurecia. Practice head Bruno Courtine, Alexis Moisand, Fabrice Perruchot and Sandra Thiry are recommended.

Winston & Strawn strengthened its practice by recruiting Philippe Desprès and Déborah Attali from Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.. The 11-lawyer team has expertise in restructuring, litigation, health and safety, data protection and compensation and benefits matters. Its clients include leading names in the retail, energy and technology sectors. Sébastien Ducamp and Barbara Hart are recommended.

Four-lawyer boutique Bardavid Tourneur delivers ‘very commercial and sound advice’ relating to litigation and corporate transactions. Elisa Bardavid has ‘great understanding of corporate transactions’ and Jean-François Tourneur shows ‘very good commercial understanding’ and ‘an excellent command of English’.

De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés ‘anticipates issues’ and regularly reports to clients under the management of Thierry Gillot, who has ‘strong communication skills’. It has prominent clients in the IT and retail sectors.

Dechert added new employment capabilities after hiring Philippe Thomas from Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP. ‘Recommended for multinational clients’, Thomas has recently acted on restructuring, site closures and litigation.

Delsol Avocats has employment law teams in Paris, Lyon and Marseille. It advised on labour issues associated with the formation of Edenred. Anne Imbert, Philippe Pacotte and Camille Rousset lead the practice.

Ernst & Young Société d’Avocats’ Roselyn Sands stands out for restructuring advice.

Franklin’s five-lawyer practice is led by the ‘very good’ Claire Fougea, who obtains ‘great results in difficult restructuring matters’.

Sophie Brézin heads Herbert Smith LLP’s five-lawyer team, which advises many Anglo-Saxon clients including assisting Ernst & Young during the Nortel insolvency proceedings. Of counsel Emma Röhsler is also recommended.

IDAvocats’ practice is led by Hervé Duval, a specialist in election and transfer matters; Pierre-Jacques Castanet, who deals with working time, stress and harassment issues; and Bernard Gauriau, whose main focus is on election work. The firm also advises on restructuring, criminal labour law and collective relationship matters.

Cabinet Jean-Philippe Desanlis is expert in highly complex executive termination matters. The four-lawyer practice advises SMEs and CAC 40 groups including Completel, Numéricâble and Veolia Environnement. The team is led by Anne Lemarchand and Jean-Philippe Desanlis.

Emmanuelle Rivez-Domont heads Jones Day’s six-lawyer team, which advises a large US client base. In 2011, the workload included restructuring and whistle-blowing advice. Alstom Transport and General Motors are clients. Anne Boileau left the firm.

MGG Legal’s ‘level of service is absolutely high and responsive’. The four-lawyer team includes Marijke Granier-Guillemarre, who is appreciated for her ‘listening ability, reactivity’ and ‘inventive approach’, and Marion Guillet, who shows ‘rigour and finesse’. The firm advises many Anglophone companies and some leading French clients, particularly public sector companies including RATP.

Mayer Brown’s five-lawyer team advises Anglophone clients on restructuring, harmonisation, working hours and data protection issues. Caterpillar and Molex are clients. Laurence Dumure Lambert heads the group.

Nixon Peabody LLP’s team, led by Pascal Guinot and Ludovic Roche, advises large French and international companies on collective negotiations and restructuring.

Reed Smith’s ‘up-and-coming team’ is recommended for restructuring, discrimination and social network issues. Key clients include Frulact, Matmut and the BBC. Practice head Nicolas Sauvage and Caroline Masson are the key names.

Alexandre Jaurett heads White & Case LLP’s four-lawyer group, which advises French and foreign companies on day-to-day employment issues, restructuring and corporate transactions, and in litigation. The team recently assisted T-Systems with the restructuring of its French subsidiary.