Bird & Bird > Paris, France > Firm Profile
Bird & Bird Offices
2 rue de la Chaussée d'Antin
75009 Paris
France
Bird & Bird > The Legal 500 Rankings
France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 1
With locations spanning America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, the privacy and data protection group at Bird & Bird continues to lead in this arena, combining deep bench strength with the expertise of its team to advise major corporates across such sectors as telecoms, cosmetics, luxury goods, beverages, tech, pharmaceuticals and athletics, on a comprehensive range of matters. Led by data compliance authority Ariane Mole and personal data and cybersecurity expert Merav Griguer, the group’s full service extends to investigation procedures, litigation before CNIL, security breach and ransomware effects, data protection agreements, privacy impact assessments and GDPR-required procedures. Other key figures include counsel Willy Mikalef (a data breach specialist), senior associate Oriane Zubcevic and associate Wissem Addoun.
Practice head(s):
Ariane Mole; Merav Griguer
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Merav Griguer of the personal data protection division has set up a team of 4 people with very good comprehensive expertise on the complex subjects related to the application of the GDPR. The team knows how to show great reactivity and agility on all issues. Total mobilisation and dedicated, tailor-made support in the event of a crisis or complex file.’
‘Dynamic and very available team; adaptation to customer needs and implementation of tailor-made solutions.’
‘Ariane Mole and Willy Mikalef bring experience, clarity, operational and pragmatic vision of the subjects.’
Key clients
Orange SA
Fnac Darty
France > Industry focus: IT and internet Tier 1
Bird & Bird’s practice is formed of specialists in IT and data protection, ably led by Stéphane Leriche, who is vastly experienced in handling traditional transactional matters and increasingly involved in digital innovation and transformation, including the cloud and data economy. The team is routinely instructed by clients including Orange SA and Mastercard on an array of complex and high-value deals, with a clear focus on fintech-related matters, which is Cathie-Rosalie Joly's particular area of expertise. The group also handles breach and termination of contract disputes in this space.Practice head(s):
Stéphane Leriche
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Credit Mutuel Arkea
Workday
Mastercard / Vocal ink
Orange SA
Fnac Darty
Doctolib
Salesforce
Novocure
IQVIA
Cityscoot
ONEY BANK
BNP PARIBAS WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Alentour
Mphasis Wyde
Tripica SA
Work highlights
- Assisted Credit Mutuel Arkea and its subsidiary Arkea Banking Services in the structuring and negotiation of a major IT and business process outsourcing with MyMoneyBank.
- Assisting Oney bank regarding banking and financial regulatory and compliance matters, and on the drafting and the negotiation of payment services agreements.
- Assisted Orange concerning connected TV in applying the processing of personal data in the ADTECH sector and in defining the best practices with the stakeholders of the ADTECH supply chain.
France > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 1
Bird & Bird provides clients from the TMT, entertainment, sport and life sciences sectors with advice on a range of copyright issues, leveraging the firm’s international presence to handle complex cross-border matters. The practice group, led by Yves Bizollon, Géraldine Arbant and Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan, is able to assist companies with the registration, protection and commercialisation of their copyrights, in addition to drafting copyright licences and agreements. The team’s members are also regularly called upon to represent clients in contentious matters before French and European courts, where they handle matters concerning copyright infringement and unfair competition. Counsel Frédérique Bocqueraz specialises in handling international copyright matters and assessing damages in infringement proceedings.Practice head(s):
Geraldine Arbant; Yves Bizollon; Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Vitra
Petit Bateau
Uniqlo Europe
OnOff
Salomon
Seb
Take-two interactive software, inc
Rockstar Games
Work highlights
- Represented Vitra in copyright infringement claims against various infringers.
- Advised Uniqlo Europe on a copyright infringement, unfair competition and free-riding action brought by Agnes Trouble and company CMC.
- Represented Take-Two Interactive Software in video game copyright infringement litigation against mod menu developers.
France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 1
Bird & Bird‘s patents team is well versed in handling major patent disputes before the French courts, representing clients in facing infringement claims and revocation actions in addition to seizures. Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan leads the team, handling complex European patent disputes for the pharmaceutical, electronics and telecoms sectors, as well as providing advice on non-contentious IP matters. Yves Bizollon is known for his litigation experience, frequently representing food, energy, defence and automotive companies. Laurent Labatte is noted for his expertise in litigation in technical fields.Practice head(s):
Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan
Other key lawyers:
Yves Bizollon; Laurent Labatte; Claire Bratel
Testimonials
‘Pragmatic, cost-effective patent litigation with specific expertise in pharma litigation for generics.’
‘Anne Charlotte Le Bihan has excellent expertise in generic pharma litigation.’
Key clients
Broadcom
Microsoft
Nexans
Honeywell
Edwards Lifesciences
Nespresso
Baxter
Allergan
ABB Power Grids
Lesaffre
RTE Réseau de transport d’électricité
Keboda
Minakem
Genetec
Rescaset
SATT AST
Inserm
Université de Bordeaux
CHU de Bordeaux
Work highlights
- Represented Edwards Lifesciences in patent infringement litigation implying the infringement of five European patents covering a transcatheter heart valve.
- Representing Honeywell in an infringement action initiated by a French company based on a European patent.
- Represented Nespresso, which has been sued by the company set up by its former CEO, ECC, for patent infringement in relation to capsules for coffee machines.
France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 1
Bird & Bird is a strong place for IP litigation, handling trade mark infringement and unfair competition matters for clients from France and abroad, with strong focuses on the life sciences, technology, media, entertainment and sport sectors. The team is also active in supporting clients in their non-contentious endeavours, advising on trade mark prosecutions and wider brand management. The team is led by Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan, an experienced litigator who also advises on contractual matters, and Géraldine Arbant, who advises on the filing and registration of trade marks and models in addition to representing her clients involved in disputes. Yves Bizollon, primarily a patent specialist, handles contentious matters for clients in the pharmaceuticals, food, telecoms, energy, defence and automotive industries.Practice head(s):
Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan; Géraldine Arbant
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Expertise and professionalism.’
‘I consider this team as a true member of our in-house team. Their interest in our business has allowed them to gain a very accurate knowledge thereof, which enhances their quality of their advice.’
‘Yves Bizollon is a remarkable professional: very knowledgeable, excellent advice.’
‘Bird & Bird offers a high level of knowledge and experience in intellectual property. In addition, lawyers always have a pragmatic and concrete approach. In other words, our many requests are always resolved. We are therefore fully satisfied with their services.’
‘Géraldine Arbant is always listening to us as a client. Our requests are treated with great importance and professionalism. Géraldine has very good knowledge and experience in the field of intellectual property. She provides a customer-oriented service and has the ability to propose innovative solutions for more complicated requests.’
Key clients
Philip Morris
Genetec
RTE Réseau de transport d’électricité
SP Holding
Groupe Even
Consorzio Di Tutela Della Denominazione Di Origine Controllata Prosecco
SKF
Piasten & Lutti
CrossFit, Inc
Groupe Candy Hoover
Palladium
Kidiliz Group
Work highlights
- Advised Philip Morris International on IP portfolio management, including availability searches and sending cease and desist letters to third parties violating its rights.
- Represented Piasten’s distributor in a preliminary injunction procedure initiated by Mars to obtain the withdrawal of the new product “TREETS THE PEANUT COMPANY.”
- Assisted PALLADIUM in trade mark and registered design infringement claims against major wholesalers in France selling copies of the client’s shoes displaying similar marks.
France > The regions Tier 1
The multidisciplinary team at the Lyon office of global firm Bird & Bird assists a wide client base operating across the greater Rhone-Alps region including venture capital funds, start-ups, in addition to major corporates in software, packaging, healthcare, tobacco and manufacturing. Headed by David Malcoiffe, a corporate and tax law specialist who advises on M&A and LBO transactions, the group also has expertise in IP, information technology, dispute resolution, competition and regulatory matters. Also working out of the Paris office, Yves Bizollon handles patent litigation and Géraldine Arbant navigates complex brand management and trademark issues. Anne-Florence Raducault focuses on dispute resolution and risk prevention strategies.Practice head(s):
David Malcoiffe
Other key lawyers:
Yves Bizollon; Géraldine Arbant; Anne-Florence Raducault
Key clients
EVOLEM
Eight Roads Ventures
Salesforce
Tata Consultancy Services
OMV System France
Plastipak
Baxter
ABB Power Grids
Philip Morris International
Genetec
Metabolic Explorer
Work highlights
- Advising Evolem, lead investor, in the owner buyout (OBO) of ACOEM Group along with the minority investment of Ixo Private Equity and Idia Capital Investissement.
- Assisting Salesforce in France with litigation matters, in its labor relations with the CSE and the unions, in conducting internal investigations, disciplinary cases, etc.
- Representing ABB Power Grids, one of the leading companies in the field of power grids, in a major cross-border patent infringement action against Grid Solutions (GE) relating to a EURO 300m contract awarded by TERNA Rete and RTE (Réseau de Transport d’Electricité) to Grid Solutions for the construction of two High Voltage Direct Current (HDVC) converter stations for the transmission of current between France and Italy.
France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2
The full-service practice at Bird & Bird handles corporate, regulatory, and data protection matters. Co-managing partner Emmanuelle Porte specialises in venture capital deals, and jointly leads the team with Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan, who has considerable expertise handling contentious and non-contentious intellectual property disputes. Litigator Yves Bizollon is also noted for his success in numerous highly complex patent cases in France.Practice head(s):
Emmanuelle Porte; Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan
Other key lawyers:
Yves Bizollon; Ariane Mole; Alexandre Vuchot
Testimonials
‘Expertise on the corporate part, professionalism and responsiveness.’
‘Relevant, committed, available, listening, and also knows how to surround itself with young, highly competent lawyers, to complete the legal projects submitted.’
‘The Bird & Bird life sciences group provides access to a multidisciplinary team that responds to any type of problem a biotech company may face.’
‘Emmanuelle provides us with her invaluable assistance and is always present on the various projects that our company has had to carry out over the past 10 years, both within the framework of complex and cross-border M&A operations, but also on these aspects more business and life science.’
‘Emmanuelle has in-depth knowledge of the biotech community, M&A operations and the various players in these two sectors.’
‘Emmanuelle Porte: very technical, very rigorous, precise, very available.’
Key clients
NextMind
Allergan, Inc.
AtriCure
Novalix
Implanet
Korea Investment Partners
Domain Therapeutics
Cardiologs Technologies SAS
Prophesee
Ermium Therapeutics
Edwards Lifescienses
Moon Surgical
Work highlights
- Assisted Domain Therapeutics in its 39M€ Series A financing with a syndicate of international VC and investors and historical shareholders.
- Representing Edwards Lifesciences in a major patent infringement procedure implying the infringement of five European patents covering a transcatheter heart valve.
- Advising Laboratoires Juvise Pharmaceutical on the purchase of the worldwide commercial rights to Pylera from US biopharmaceutical company AbbVie.
France > Industry focus: Telecoms Tier 2
The telecoms team at Bird & Bird has considerable experience advising on cross-jurisdictional regulatory compliance work concerning the sector, including matters related to fibre optic broadband. It is also well-equipped to handle any related litigation. Stéphane Leriche and Frédérique Dupuis-Toubol lead the team. Jean-Claude Vecchiatto has particular expertise in global space and satellite work, and advises clients on regulatory, commercial and financial transactions in this area.
Practice head(s):
Stéphane Leriche; Frédérique Dupuis-Toubol
Other key lawyers:
Jean-Claude Vecchiatto; Willy Mikalef; Mélanie Bercot
Testimonials
‘The team has noteworthy skills in this sector; they are responsive in giving advice and proactive.’
‘Mélanie Bercot is a great team member.’
‘One of the few experienced and specialised teams in telecommunications in Paris.’
‘Frederique Dupuis-Toubol is worthy of particular mention.’
Key clients
AIRCALL SAS
SELAFA MJA (on behalf of KOSC AND KOSC INFRASTRUCTURES)
DAUPHIN TELECOM
SAGA AFRICA HOLDIND LIMITED (FREE SENEGAL)
Gambia River Basin Development Organisation
PROVENTUS
Work highlights
- Advised Aircall on their successful deal with Goldman Sachs to raise $120m, providing assistance on telecoms regulations in over twenty countries.
- Representing the SELAFA MJA in its capacity as judicial liquidator of Kosc and Kosc Infrastructures in a litigation before the commercial courts against Orange and SFR and Completel, for damages.
- Assisting Saga Africa Holdings Limited on a regular basis, to implement the telecoms regulation applicable to fixed and mobile operators in compliance with the legal and regulatory framework in Senegal.
France > Insolvency Tier 2
Bird & Bird's sizeable team has established itself as a reference point for banking clients. The practice is retained to handle some of the largest mandates on that side of that table, recently acting in several headline cases in the manufacturing, hospitality and tourism sectors. The team also advised a major corporation on dealing with difficulties faced by subcontractors linked to its major industrial sites. It also handles mandates for debtors, notably some startups, and also manages related litigation. The team is co-headed by Romain de Ménonville and Nicolas Morelli, and includes counsel Céline Nézet.Practice head(s):
Nicolas Morelli; Romain de Ménonville
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is efficient and responsive’.
‘Romain de Ménonville and Nicolas Morelli are accessible, responsive, available and pragmatic.’
‘Availability and perfect knowledge of the actors of the restructuring world.’
‘Romain de Ménonville does not hesitate to take on the role of negotiator. His network is also an asset’.
‘Team that specializes in representing creditors, notably French banks in financial restructuring. Nicolas Morelli looks for solutions. Romain de Ménonville is familiar with banks’ expectations.’
‘Small, flexible team’.
‘Close-knit responsive team’.
‘Nicolas Morelli has good technique and is a deal maker’.
Key clients
Arkéa Entreprises et Institutionnels
Banque Kolb
Banque Palatine
Banque Populaire
Barclays PLC
BNP Paribas
Bred Banque Populaire
Caisse d’Epargne
Crédit Coopératif
Crédit Industriel et Commercial
Crédit Lyonnais
Fosun
French State
Group Crédit Agricole
HSBC Continental Europe
La Banque Postale
La Banque Postale Asset Management
Natixis
SCI Les Salins
Société Générale
UPS France
Bulb
Work highlights
- Advising a pool of six banks on the debt restructuring of GPE group.
- Advised the French State in connection with the debt restructuring of CNIM Group.
- Advising Natixis and Bred Banque Populaire in a dispute between Vallourec and the banks related to tax credit claims filed in the safeguard proceedings of Vallourec.
France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 2
The cross-practice team at Bird & Bird provides a full service approach to venture capital clients, advising at every stage of the business cycle from development to exit through M&A or IPO. Emmanuelle Porte co-heads the ‘remarkable team’ with a focus on the biotech, medtech, and healthcare industries. Fellow co-head Gildas Louvel handles private equity transactions, as well as public and private M&A mandates. The team was further strengthened by the addition Xavier Leroux from Dechert LLP.Practice head(s):
Emmanuelle Porte; Gildas Louvel
Other key lawyers:
David Malcoiffe; Carole Bodin; Xavier Leroux; Lionel Berthelet; Sylvie Hamel
Testimonials
‘Emmanuelle Porte – relevant, committed, available, listening skills, and also knows how to surround herself with highly competent lawyers, to complete the legal projects submitted.’
‘The firm provides access to a multidisciplinary team that responds to any type of problem a company may face. Emmanuelle provides us with her invaluable assistance and is always present on the various projects that our company has had to carry out over the past 10 years.’
‘Emmanuelle Porte has in-depth knowledge of the biotech community, M&A operations and the various players in these two sectors.’
‘Very experienced team and force of proposal in the negotiations to succeed within reasonable deadlines. Long-time collaboration and I will not be changing firms.’
‘Remarkable team of Emmanuelle Porte. She has a very professional and very meticulous team at work.’
Key clients
Evolem
ByMyCar
Eight Roads Ventures
BPI
Hispalis -Vecade
Domain Therapeutics
Korea Investment Partners
Alma
BPI (Fonds SPI and Fonds Digital Venture)
Vantage Infrastructure UK
Velogik
Tercera
Cardiologs Technologies
Shift Technology
Moon Surgical
Sofinnova Partners
EarlyBirds
Karista
Aqemia
Exotrail
Preligens
Astorg
MD Start
Work highlights
- Advising Evolem, lead investor, on the owner buyout (OBO) of ACOEM Group along with the minority investment of Ixo Private Equity and Idia Capital Investissement.
- Represented Alma, a fintech company, in connection with its 115m€ Series C financing round.
- Advising Domain Therapeutics in its 39M Series A with a syndicate of international VC and investors and historical shareholders.
France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 3
Bird & BirdPractice head(s):
Sibylle Weiler; Boris Martor
Other key lawyers:
Olivier Fazio; Stan Andreassen
Testimonials
‘Availability, accessibility and a very good knowledge of technical subjects.’
‘Olivier Fazio is always available and accessible.’
‘A multidisciplinary approach and unprecedented international experience; very operational, very concrete, with immediately usable results.’
‘The team has great availability and responsiveness; and a good standard of listening to needs, in addition to its adaptability.’
Key clients
Clean H2 Infra Fund SLP
Mirova Energy Transition 5 SLP
HY24
DS Smith
Volkswind France
Acciona Esco France
Enagas
Enertrag France
Envitec Biogas Ag
Vantage infrastructure
West African Power Pool
Integrated Power Technologies – Powertech SAL Offshore
Minister of Energy of Cameroon
Alstom
Canadian Solar
Ferme Eolienne de la Belle Etoile
Electricité du Mali
Terna
Boreas SARL
Ferme Eolienne Mortier Jumeau
BayWa r e, France SA
France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 4
Practice head(s):
Boris Martor
Key clients
ArchiMed
Capital Croissance
Atlante Gestion
Covage
Barclays
Société Générale
Arkéa Banques & Entreprises
Metabolic Explorer
Crédit Lyonnais
CIC Sud-Ouest
Goldman Sachs
Ecobank Niger
Leonidas Associates V GmbH & Co KG
Norddeutsche Landesbank
Oragroup
Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
African Development Bank ( ADB)
Work highlights
- Advising Capital Croissance in connection with the financing of the acquisition of a majority stake in Filab, an analytical laboratory specialized in organic and inorganic chemistry.
- Advising ArchiMed in in connection with the partial refinancing of ImaBiotech financial indebtedness through a loan exclusively underwritten by 3 debt funds managed by Eiffel Investment Group.
- Advising Goldman Sachs, Crédit Lyonnais, Arkéa Banque Entreprises et Institutionnels, CIC Sud Ouest and Société Générale in connection with Prêts Garantis par l’Etat (senior new money financing, EUR 130m).
France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4
Practice head(s):
Nicolas Morelli
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Great technical mastering of the underlying matters in litigation, very specific advice on litigation strategy, high quality customer service’.
‘Nicolas Morelli provides remarkable work on legal strategy and pleading’.
‘Close-knit team, very efficient and responsive. Clear billing’.
‘Céline Gasser is very responsive and always available. She has a particular approach to dealing with subjects which makes it possible to put forward a global strategy in order to achieve the objective that we have given her. She dissects the subjects so much that she manages to turn the tide.’
Key clients
Renault
Aéroport de Lyon
SunPower Energy Solutions France SAS
Photosol
Plastipak
OMV System France
Ecotone
Airbus Helicopter
GE Healthcare
France > Employment Tier 4
Bird & BirdPractice head(s):
Benjamine Fiedler; Nathalie Devernay
Other key lawyers:
Caroline Mouriquand; Sofia Merlet; Christopher Ivey
Testimonials
‘A team that listens to customers, very agile, good advice,’
‘A practical and operational approach taking into account all companies’ strategic projects. Responsive and very professional team.’
‘The team is responsive, really understands commercial issues and provides highly professional and well judged advice and provides support in dealing with highly complex and sensitive employee matters. They provide practical solutions.’
‘Caroline Mouriquand is reactive, knows how to put herself in her client’s shoes. Caroline knows how to make herself available and respect important dates. She has very good knowledge of collective social law. Sofia Merlet is very flexible, very pleasant, knows how to communicate well with American management teams. Nathalie Devernay always gives good advice, offers good tactics and good defense strategies. She is a real partner.’
‘Christopher Ivey provides excellent and well judged advice, commercially appropriate. He is always responsive with a quick turnaround, providing sound options and strategy which has helped resolve complicated issues in a timely and cost effective way.’
‘Availability, relevance of recommendations, legal support’.
Key clients
Salesforce
PPG
Crédit Immobilier de France
ServiceNow
UiPath
Teva France
Sodexo Pass France
Tata Consultancy Services
Work highlights
- Assisting PPG with the review of its industrial organisation and restructuring projects (closure of the Bezons site).
- Assisting American group Salesforce.com (CRM software) in France with high-stakes individual litigation matters.
- Advised Sodexo on the acquisition of the start-up Wedoogift.
France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 4
Practice head(s):
Emmanuelle Porte; Gildas Louvel
Other key lawyers:
David Malcoiffe; Bertrand Levy; Anne-Cécile Hansson
Testimonials
‘The team is very committed, and with a great force of proposal.’
‘We called on the Bird & Bird team as part of our first acquisition project in France. We appreciated their great availability and professionalism and their knowledge of international operations often requiring a rapprochement of vision (Anglo-Saxon vs French) within the M&A teams.’
‘Bertrand Levy: We particularly appreciated his responsiveness and his always pragmatic and effective advice. Bertrand knew how to be patient within the framework of a negotiation with sellers not accustomed to this type of operation and knew how to find original solutions when problems arose. His calm and poised attitude are valuable assets in an M&A transaction.’
‘Bertrand Levy has a great knowledge of market practices and the various players, which allows him to be confident during negotiations. His approach also allows good internal communication within the framework of our intra-group decision-making processes.’
Key clients
Implanet
Celeste
NovAlix
Sodexo
Cardiologs
ALD Automotive (Société Générale group)
Johnson Controls International
ByMyCar
Stellantis
Cosmobilis / UCar
Work highlights
- Advising Stellantis in the context of the entry of Mercedes-Benz AG in the share capital of ACC, joint venture created by Stellantis and TotalEnergies and dedicated to the production of batteries for electric vehicles.
- Advising Goa LCD in connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest in UCAR followed by a simplified takeover bid.
- Assisting the shareholders of Cardiologs Technologies in the context of its sale to Philips group.
France > Administrative and public law Tier 5
Bird & BirdPractice head(s):
Boris Martor
Other key lawyers:
Olivier Fazio; Raphaël Weiss
Testimonials
‘Availability and accessibility; in-depth and technical knowledge’.
‘Olivier Fazio shows availability and accessibility’.
‘Good listening, easy collaboration.’
‘Raphaël Weiss is available and ready to listen.’
Key clients
Sealants Europe
Vencorex
RTE Network
LADOM
BayWa r.e. France
Société du Grand Paris
Expertise France
Ferme Eolienne d’Haucourt
Ferme Eolienne Mortier Jumeau
France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 5
Bird & Bird covers a range of competition work, including private enforcement actions, antitrust investigations and proceedings, merger control for acquisitions, compliance and distribution. Practice head Thomas Oster oversees all matters, including defending Rugby World Cup Ltd against litigation brought by media group M6 against the client’s award of broadcasting rights to a competitor, as well as handling merger control filings before the FCA and European Commission for acquisitions in the pharmaceutical, public sector and automotive sectors.Practice head(s):
Thomas Oster
Testimonials
‘We appreciated the assistance of Thomas Oster who accompanied us in an efficient, reactive and very competent manner, by proposing pragmatic solutions and innovative tools.’
‘Risk analysis taking into account the environment and the associated market. The innovative approach is to be able to manage global issues with Bird and Bird Paris while relying on local branches or partners of the Bird and Bird network.’
‘The communication of Thomas Oster (Partner) is more accessible for employees in companies. The ability to adapt is an asset.’
‘I particularly appreciate the availability and contact with Thomas Oster and the team. The approach is very business-oriented and takes into account the specifics of the client’s activities.’
‘I greatly appreciate the competence combined with the responsiveness and availability of the firm’s team. Support very well suited to the needs of business management.’
‘In addition to his great technical skills in competition and distribution law, Thomas Oster has a very good understanding of economic issues.’
‘The team’s collaborators were very attentive, extremely responsive and pragmatic in their approach to our file. Anne Federle from the Brussels office and Thomas Oster from the Paris office were a remarkable duo.’
Key clients
Rugby World Cup Ltd.
Réseau Gaz de Strasbourg
Conserves France
Accenture
Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
SOMFY
ByMyCar
Petzl
Carglass
Karl Lagerfeld
L’Oréal
SEB
R-GDS
Work highlights
- Successfully represented Rugby World Cup Ltd in a challenge by M6 of the granting to TF1 of the broadcasting rights for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France on the grounds of alleged abuse of dominant position.
- Represents R-GDS in proceedings before the French Competition Authority in relation to alleged anti-competitive practices.
- Represented ByMyCar in relation to the merger control notification of several acquisitions in the automotive sector.
France > Aviation finance
Bird & Bird > Firm Profile
The firm: Bird & Bird is an international law firm, with a long-established reputation for having a rare and invaluable grasp of strategic commercial issues. The firm combines exceptional legal expertise with deep industry knowledge and refreshingly creative thinking, to help clients operating at the forefront of their industries to achieve their commercial goals.
Bird & Bird has over 1,600 lawyers and legal practitioners with broad advisory transactional and contentious capability, with a particular focus on key industry sectors. The firm has an extensive international reach with 32 offices in 22 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, offering a seamless, cross-border service between locations and sector and practice groups
Bird & Bird France has offices in Paris and Lyon. It has a leading position in: communications, information technology, digital transformation, privacy and data protection, media, aviation, intellectual property (trade marks, domain names, copyrights and patents) and life sciences.
Along with its sector-based approach, the firm provides a full range of legal services including: corporate, tax, commercial, dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, employment, competition and EU, public procurement, real estate and regulatory.
The French offices, headed by Emmanuelle Porte and Alexandre Vuchot, comprise over 135 lawyers, including 30 partners.
Areas of practice: Underpinned by deep client and industry knowledge, the firm’s key sectors include:
Automotive: advising on all stages of a life cycle of a motor vehicle, from initial design, to sales and distribution, through to disposals.
Aviation, aerospace, defence and security: advising on asset management and financing, civil aviation matters, including airlines, regulatory and competition issues, and aerospace and defence, including PPP/PFI and product liability.
Electronics: advising clients operating in or serving the electronics industry, from R&D and component manufacturing, to technology licensing agreements.
Energy and utilities: advising large multinationals, investors, project companies and large energy consumers on electricity generation, energy trading, renewable energy, cleantech and climate change, and upstream oil and gas.
Financial services: advising global clients in the financial services sector, such as global retail and investment banks, investors and hedge funds, on transactions, regulatory issues, commercial contracts and dispute resolution.
Food and beverage: advising on a full range of areas, including branding, labelling, health claims, fair trade and patents on novel foods.
Life sciences and healthcare: advising clients in biotechnology, bioinformatics and pharmaceutical companies on licensing and drug development agreements, R&D collaboration, IP acquisitions and joint ventures.
Media and entertainment: advising clients from across the media spectrum on a wide range of issues, including exploitation across all forms of digital media and emerging areas, such as user-generated content exploitation.
Sports: advising clients such as national and international sports governing bodies, event organisers and sponsors on issues including exploitation of commercial rights, brand management, regulatory and disciplinary issues.
Technology and communications: advising on matters ranging from smaller innovative projects to some of the largest, most complex and ground-breaking transactions and disputes of recent years. Its team includes lawyers with a particular focus on communications, devices and components, digital tech and eCommerce, and software and services as well as a number of more specialist industries including data centres, postal and satellites.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Commercial | Alexandre Vuchot | alexandre.vuchot@twobirds.com | 01 42 68 60 00 |
Corporate | Emmanuelle Porte | emmanuelle.porte@twobirds.com | 01 42 68 60 00 |
Marketing, BD and Communications Manager | Sylvain Deleuze | sylvain.deleuze@twobirds.com | 01 42 68 67 61 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Ms Geraldine Arbant | Geraldine’s practice encompasses the full spectrum of transactional and advisory IP work,… | View Profile | |
Mr Yves Bizollon | Yves is renowned for his extensive experience in patent litigation. Yves is… | View Profile | |
Mrs Carole Bodin | Carole is a partner in the Corporate group in Paris, where she… | View Profile | |
Mr Romain De Ménonville | Romain is a partner in the Restructuring & Insolvency department in Paris.… | View Profile | |
Ms Jessica Derocque | Jessica is a partner in the Banking and Finance department in Paris.… | View Profile | |
Mr Jalal El Ahdab | Jil’s practice covers international business law, notably related to the Arab world… | View Profile | |
Ms Benjamine Fiedler | Benjamine is a reputed employment specialist with particular focus on M&A transactions,… | View Profile | |
Ms Anne-Cécile Hansson | Anne-Cécile has built a unique practice advising French, Swedish and Nordic clients… | View Profile | |
Ms Cathie-Rosalie Joly | Cathie-Rosalie provides both legal advice and acts in regulatory litigation. She has… | View Profile | |
Mr Thierry Lautier | I am a partner in the Paris IP team. I am a… | View Profile | |
Ms Anne-Charlotte Le-Bihan | Anne-Charlotte has significant experience in both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters, developed… | View Profile | |
Mr Stéphane Leriche | Stéphane provides cutting edge, business-oriented advice on all aspects of technology transactions… | View Profile | |
Mr Bertrand Levy | Bertrand is specialized in M&A transactions and more particularly in LBO transactions.… | View Profile | |
Mr Gildas Louvel | With vast experience in a wide range of transactions, Gildas specialises in… | View Profile | |
Mr Boris Martor | Boris is the partner in charge of the Banking and Finance department… | View Profile | |
Mme Ariane Mole | Ariane is renowned for her in-depth knowledge of data protection matters and… | View Profile | |
Mr Nicolas Morelli | Nicolas advises on all stages of financial and industrial restructurings, from consensual… | View Profile | |
Mr Thomas Oster | Thomas specialises in competition law, having significant experience in helping clients to… | View Profile | |
Ms Emmanuelle Porte | Emmanuelle is co-managing partner of Bird & Bird France. Emmanuelle advises companies… | View Profile | |
Ms Djazia Tiourtite | Djazia is a partner in our Dispute Resolution Group in Paris, taking… | View Profile | |
Mr Jean-Claude Vecchiatto | Jean-Claude is a partner in the Banking and Finance department and is… | View Profile | |
Mr Alexandre Vuchot | Alexandre’s breadth of experience enables him to provide his clients with strategic… | View Profile | |
Ms Sibylle Weiler | Sibylle is an experienced renewable energy specialist with a deep knowledge of… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 1,600 in this country : 135Languages
English FrenchOther
Other offices : Abu Dhabi Other offices : Amsterdam Other offices : Beijing Other offices : Bratislava Other offices : Brussels Other offices : Budapest Other offices : Casablanca Other offices : Copenhagen Other offices : Dubai Other offices : Dublin Other offices : Dusseldorf Other offices : Frankfurt Other offices : The Hague Other offices : Hamburg Other offices : Helsinki Other offices : Hong Kong Other offices : London Other offices : Luxembourg Other offices : Lyon Other offices : Madrid Other offices : Milan Other offices : Munich Other offices : Paris Other offices : Prague Other offices : Rome Other offices : San Francisco Other offices : Shanghai Other offices : Shenzhen Other offices : Singapore Other offices : Stockholm Other offices : Sydney Other offices : WarsawDiversity
Bird & Bird: Our commitment
At Bird & Bird, we know that employing a diverse group of people from different backgrounds is the key to our future development and continued success. The firm has a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Numerous actions are carried out at Bird & Bird
Bird & Bird & Commitment to gender equality
For the past 20 years, the gender balance among partners has never ceased to be equal (56.5% of women partners in France) and this parity is also reflected in the firm’s management, since the Executive Committee of Bird & Bird France is composed of three women and three men.
Equal pay is ensured by the establishment of a pay scale based on objective criteria.
The reconciliation of personal and professional life and equality in career development are key values. The “Women’s Development Program” brings together high-potential female employees for a three-day seminar in London each year. Under the guidance of a coach, they identify the obstacles to women’s careers, meet inspiring and caring women who are role models and create a network within the firm.
Many other initiatives are carried out by the firm, such as Lady@bird or Together® and in partnership with associations such as PWN (Professional Women Network), or the Club XXIe siècle (Revel@Her mentoring programme).
The firm received the Simone Veil “Coup de Coeur du Jury” award from the Paris Bar Association on 11 March 2019, at the end of the First Conference on Equality. This prize rewards and values the positive actions implemented by Bird & Bird on daily basis to promote gender equality, diversity, and Equality “by design”.
Bird & Bird was also awarded the Ethics and Diversity Law Trophy at the 20th edition of the Law Trophies organised by the magazine Décideurs Leaders League. This trophy rewards all the measures put in place to promote equality and social diversity.
Bird & Bird & equal opportunities & the fight against prejudice
The firm also carries out several actions in favour of equal opportunities and the fight against discrimination.
Four of our partners are active members of Club XXIe siècle, including one member of the Board of Directors.
In addition to promoting the Viens Voir Mon Taf, action and welcoming students from secondary located in REP (French Republic) using the ViensVoirMonTaf platform, Bird & Bird provides legal assistance to this young association whose mission is to help 3rd grade students “without a network” to access professional places that are usually inaccessible to them.
Bird & Bird is a signatory to the Diversity Charter, which guides organisations to implement concrete actions and innovative practices, as well as to l’Autre Cercle’s LGBT Commitment Charter, which commits the firm to ensuring that its practices do not discriminate against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender people. These commitments complement the actions of Bird & Bird’s international networks STANDOUT Standout and Embrace.
Bird & Bird & digital social responsibility
Our sectoral expertise is used to support the Urgence Identité Afrique Fund which aims to remedy the lack of civil identity on the African continent, where 95 million children under the age of 5 have not been registered at birth. We also assist the Marseille Association for the prevention of cyber-bullying in schools.
Comparative Guides
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Germany: Franchise & Licensing
Published: October 2023
Authors: Dr. Jiri Jaeger Jie Zhang Michael Brooks-Zavodsky
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Franchise & Licensing laws and regulations applicable in Germany.
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United Kingdom: Pharmaceutical Advertising
Published: December 2023
Authors: Sally ShorthosePieter ErasmusMax Gross
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Pharmaceutical Advertising laws and regulations applicable in United Kingdom.
- Data privacy and data protection
- Industry focus: IT and internet
- Intellectual property: Copyright
- Intellectual property: Patents
- Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs
- The regions
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences
- Industry focus: Telecoms
- Insolvency
- Private equity: venture/growth capital