The Legal 500

Within Administrative and public law, tier 4

Bird & Bird is strongly focused on public contracts, and manages a high number of instructions regarding schools, stadiums, roads and telecoms. It represents municipalities and other public entities, as well as sponsors, and acted for Steria as a minority shareholder of Ecomouv in the eco-tax project. Sophie Pignon-Xardel heads the practice.

Within Aviation, Bird & Bird is a first tier firm,

Bird & Bird’s Vonnick Le Guillou is well recognised for litigation matters, representing manufacturers, airlines and insurers in aviation accident cases. The team also assists clients with contentious and non-contentious commercial matters.

Within Commercial litigation , tier 4

Bird & Bird focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, particularly for clients in the telecoms and internet sectors. Marion Barbier co-heads the practice with Vonnick Le Guillou, who is recommended for product liability matters in the aviation industry, including airline disaster cases.

Within EU competition and distribution, Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

Bird & Bird made headlines in 2011 after hiring a four-lawyer team led by Claude Lazarus, the ‘market’s leading figure’, from the defunct Howrey LLP. The group handles strategic merger control and antitrust cases for top-end French clients in the telecoms, transport and energy sectors. The firm is involved in a major case regarding the legality of the seizure of entire digital mailboxes during dawn raids. Michel Roseau heads the practice.

Within Employment , Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

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.

Within IT, telecoms and the internet, Bird & Bird is a first tier firm,

Bird & Bird’s Frédérique Dupuis-Toubol has extensive experience advising alternative telecoms and mobile communications operators on complex matters such as litigation between operators or disputes regarding telecoms relay antennas. Dupuis-Toubol is advising various African state entities on regulatory frameworks as well as Caribbean authorities on underwater cable networks for high-speed internet access. In the IT sector, the practice acts for high-profile corporate users and service providers in large projects and litigation. Stéphane Leriche is highly recommended, Marion Barbier is recommended for litigation, Ariane Mole is the main contact for data protection matters and Alexandre Vuchot focuses on internet and e-commerce issues.

Within Insolvency Other recommended firms

Within Full-service firms, Bird & Bird is a second tier firm,

Bird & Bird’s ten-lawyer team is highly respected for patent litigation, and represents clients in the healthcare, household appliances and mechanical sectors. The firm also handles some trade mark cases. Practice head Yves Bizollon and Jean-Christophe Troussel are recommended.

Within Full-service firms Other recommended firms

Within Mergers and acquisitions,

Orrick Rambaud Martel’s 12-partner practice acted on various high-profile matters in 2011, notably advising Rhodia’s board of directors on Solvay’s takeover bid. ‘Extra-sharp star partner’ Jean-Pierre Martel is recommended, as are Simon Charbit, whose technical ability and business acumen are highly regarded, and Alexis Marraud des Grottes. Arnaud Larrousse joined Bird & Bird.

Within Private equity Other recommended firms

Within Real estate, tier 4

Bird & Bird’s collaborative team advises clients including institutional players (Gecina, AEW Europe, Generali) and large tenants (Sanofi, Rhodia). Practice head Constance de la Hosseraye advises on transactions, lease management and project development, and also undertakes litigation.

Within Tax Other recommended firms