The Legal 500

Within Administrative and public law, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is a second tier firm,

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier has ‘a high level of expertise’ through a duo of partners who are both former members of France’s administrative Supreme Court: François Sureau, an expert in public sector company issues, and strong litigator Henri Savoie. The practice is particularly recommended for sophisticated matters, notably in the context of corporate transactions involving state-ownership interests. It recently represented Bouygues Telecoms on the granting of 3G and 4G licences and advised RFF on the South-Europe-Atlantic rail procurement contract.

Within Banking and finance, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is a third tier firm,

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier’s small but high-end practice provides ‘really tailor-made service’. Practice head Martin Lebeuf is ‘extremely reliable and very creative’, and has ‘true client-management skills’. The team advises corporations and investment funds on acquisition finance, loans and restructuring. It represented TDF and its shareholders during the renegotiation of its debt. Astorg Partners, Euromezzanine and BNP Paribas are also clients.

Within Capital markets, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is a second tier firm,

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is ‘intensely client-focused, offering tailor-made and genuinely partner-led transactional advice’. It advises issuers on securities offerings in France and the US, and advised Bouygues on its bond exchange offer; and Club Méditerranée on the issuance of €80m of convertible bonds. Pascale Girard heads the team, which also includes Marie-Noëlle Dompé, the former general counsel to the French stock-market regulator, and Benjamin Burman, who handles US law aspects of transactions.

Within Commercial litigation , Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is a first tier firm,

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier’s practice co-heads Jean-Michel Darrois and Emmanuel Brochier are leading figures at the Paris Bar. Philippe Villey, Cyril Bonan and former magistrate Christophe Ingrain are also thoroughly recommended. The firm excels at takeover litigation, and recently defended Hermès International and its family shareholders following LVMH’s hostile acquisition of a 20% stake in the company. The team also handles commercial and other corporate litigation, and represents various financial institutions.

Within International arbitration, tier 4

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier represents blue-chip companies, including acting for Casino in a dispute with its Brazilian partner. The renowned Matthieu de Boisséson heads the practice in which Pierre Duprey, an ‘expert in arbitration procedure’, is the other key element.

Within Stock market litigation, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is a first tier firm,

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier’s Jean-Michel Darrois, Emmanuel Brochier and Olivier Diaz are highly rated, and former general counsel of the French stock market regulator Marie-Noëlle Dompé is also a key element in the team. The firm is regularly instructed in the market’s most high-profile matters, such as recently representing Lagardère in the EADS case.

Within White-collar crime Other recommended firms

Within EU competition and distribution, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is a second tier firm,

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is very strong on merger-control work and advises on the largest transactions at EU and national levels. The antitrust practice is equally good, and the team is handling several cartel cases in the gas, flour and banking sectors. Highlights included acting for Rubis against cartel allegations in the gas industry. Practice head Didier Théophile and Igor Simic are highly recommended.

Within Legal market overview,

The market’s elite are French firms Bredin Prat, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier, De Pardieu Brocas Maffei A.A.R.P.I and Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.; British firms Allen & Overy LLP, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Linklaters LLP; and US firms Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, White & Case LLP and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

Within Mergers and acquisitions, Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier is a first tier firm,

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier’s 12-partner group advises on top-end transactions and is outstanding for public tender offers involving potential litigation or complex securities matters. Clients praise the high level of partner involvement in deals. It recently handled high-profile work for Casino in Brazil and Thailand. It also acted for Hermès during LVMH’s unsolicited acquisition of a 20% stake in the company. This first-class team includes leading names Jean-Michel Darrois, Olivier Diaz, Alain Maillot, Emmanuel Brochier, Bertrand Cardi, Ben Burman and newly promoted partner Hugo Diener. Hervé Pisani joined Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, while David Scemla founded a new boutique firm along with six colleagues.

Within Private equity Other recommended firms

Within Tax, tier 4

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier’s Yann Grolleaud focuses on transactional tax, and advised NYSE Euronext on its proposed union with Deutsche Börse. He also advises on tax audits and controversies.