Firms To Watch: Banking and finance: Bank regulatory

At Bird & Bird, Cathie-Rosalie Joly has particular knowledge of the regulatory, legal and commercial aspects of fintech, blockchain and crowdfunding technologies and assists new payment and fintech players as well as some major banking institutions.
De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés gained new capabilities in the banking and financial field in 2022 through the hiring of two new co-heads of practice in Anne Maréchal (ex member of the French stock-market authority AMF) and Cyril Tour (formerly with Baker McKenzie). The team assists major credit and financial institutions, foreign entities and companies, as well as fintech companies, with solid expertise advising on blockchain, new payment offerings, anti-money laundering and prudential requirements.
Co-headed by Géraldine Roch and Emmanuelle Corcos, Ernst & Young Société d'Avocats‘ practice is able to cover a large array of issues, advising leading French credit institutions and asset management firms on regulatory, compliance, strategic M&A transactions and representing clients before the French banking regulator (ACPR).
LPA-CGR avocats relaunched its financial services practice in January 2023 after hiring Vincent Danton from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. Danton is a structured finance, securitisation and regulatory expert with particular strength in the crypto space.

Firms in the Spotlight Banking and finance: Bank regulatory

Vivien & Associés

Vivien & Associés logo

Vivien & Associés offers competitive legal services and representation across a broad range of key practice areas:

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CHASSANY WATRELOT & ASSOCIES

CHASSANY WATRELOT & ASSOCIES logo

A FULL-EXPERTISE HUMAN RESOURCES LAW FIRM   Founded in 1987, Chassany Watrelot & Associés (CWA) is one of the main French law firms whose activity is exclusively dedicated to employment law and all other legal areas related to human resources management (insurance law, tax law…).

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Banking and finance: Bank regulatory in France

Allen & Overy LLP

Allen & Overy LLP has a strong involvement advising asset management institutions, insurance companies and banks on strategic governance, restructuring and business transfer matters. The team recently handled high-profile matters in the mutual banking sector and also assists fintech clients with regulatory, licensing and the launch of new French services. Litigation is also dealt with. The highly regarded Brice Henry is at the helm, with Mia Dassas the other key name in the team. Senior associate Pascal Molinelli provides additional support.

Practice head(s):

Brice Henry


Other key lawyers:

Mia Dassas; Pascal Molinelli


Testimonials

‘Excellent team’.

‘Responsive, they quickly understand issues.’

‘Professionalism, technicality, very detailed knowledge of regulations.’

Key clients

BPI Assurance Export


Credit Mutuel Arkéa


La Banque Postale


Loomis Sayles Capital Re (LSCRe)


Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)


Samsung Life Insurance Co., Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advised Crédit Mutuel Arkéa on the negotiation of amendments to governance rules of the Credit Mutuel Group.
  • Advised La Banque Postale on its merger with CNP Assurances.
  • Advised Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) on the sale of its European asset servicing activities held by RBC Investor Services and its subsidiaries to CACEIS.

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance offers the full spectrum of expertise in relation to banking, finance and insurance regulations, assisting top banks and insurers. The team notably helps with licensing and prudential supervision and, when combining forces with the firm's top corporate expertise, it has particularly strength advising on top M&A deals in the field of financial services. It also advises on internal reorganisation, and new financial innovations such as ESG, digital bonds, digital payments and other new fintech developments. Frédérick Lacroix is a top name in the field. Counsel Hélène Kouyaté provides additional support.

Practice head(s):

Frédérick Lacroix


Other key lawyers:

Hélène Kouyaté


Testimonials

‘Frédérick Lacroix is an excellent expert in his field, able to advise on the most complex and innovative dimensions.’

‘Very available, very good advice.’

‘Very good expertise and knowledge of files.’

‘Frédérick Lacroix’s team is of a high-quality and one of the most renowned on the market.’

Key clients

French Financial & Banking Institutions


Crédit Agricole


CACEIS


European Investment Bank


BNP Paribas


La Banque Postale


International Financial & Banking Institutions


Bank of America


HSBC


Morgan Stanley


ING


Goldman Sachs


Citi


JP Morgan


Royal Bank of Canada


Funds


Amundi


Insurance


Admiral Group Plc


MutuiOnline


Crédit Agricole Assurances and Prédica


Fintech


Onbrane


Adyen


Mollie


Clearing and Netting


Futures Industry Association (FIA)


Banque Centrale de Compensation (LCH SA)


Work highlights


  • Advised the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the issuance of its first-ever digital Climate Awareness Bond (CAB).
  • Advised La Banque Postale on the acquisition of La Financière de l’Échiquier.
  • Advised Amundi on the acquisition of French asset manager, Lyxor, to create the ‘European leader’ in the ETF market.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is particularly recognised for its high-level expertise in the asset management world where the firm assists top French and US investment funds with the regulatory aspects linked to the launch of new products and funds and the conduct of transactions and partnerships. The team is also highly regarded for its excellent know-how in dealing with banking and securities regulators (AMF/ACPR) undertaking compliance audit and disciplinary proceedings. Its range of expertise also extends to fintech and banking regulatory support, as well as providing ESG regulatory guidance and advising on the launch of new ESG compliant products. Stéphane Puel is a highly regarded expert in the field of asset management and co-heads the practice alongside younger partners Olivier Bernardi, Guillaume Goffin and Benjamin Delaunay.

Practice head(s):

Stéphane Puel; Olivier Bernardi; Guillaume Goffin; Benjamin Delaunay


Other key lawyers:

Rudolf Efremov


Testimonials

‘Excellent technical expertise, responsiveness and availability, conciseness, precision and clarity of responses and notes, quality of signature, ability to provide operational, innovative responses adapted to customer needs, expectations, context and constraints. A team at the top, exceptional for its good knowledge of regulations, particularly European regulations, and of the interlocutors at the European Commission.’

‘Olivier Bernardi: efficiency, technical expertise, ability to provide innovative analyzes and operational solutions, to understand and adapt to customer expectations, excellent interpersonal skills, availability.’

‘Stéphane Puel: very high competence, significant availability towards his clients, strong expertise in asset management, strong visibility on the market, very good understanding of the subject, transparent invoicing.’

‘Undisputed leadership position of the regulatory team on the market in the person of Stéphane Puel and the most recent and brilliant partners Benjamin Delaunay and Guillaume Goffin. The team has long-standing and recognized experience and a highly developed knowledge of market practices and the regulator’s positions, which sets it apart from other teams on the market.’

‘Benjamin Delaunay particularly stands out within the team for his expertise, the clarity and reliability of his analyzes and his ability to propose innovative and very business-oriented solutions to respond to particularly complex issues. He is a key player.’

‘Great technical knowledge of real estate investment funds and practices. Operational vision that goes beyond regulations allowing a great sense of adaptation to the recommended operation.’

‘Benjamin Delaunay: top expertise in the regulatory market and other practices linked to investment funds and expectations of the regulator.’

‘A reference in matters of law applicable to French funds. Their team covers a wide range of specialties ranging from regulatory aspects to tax advice as well as contract negotiation.’

Key clients

Novaxia Investment


KEYS REIM


Tikehau Investment Management


La Banque Postale Asset Management


AXA Banque


Agence Française de Développement (the French Development Agency)


Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)


IDIA Capital Investissement


Fundimmo


WYV


Work highlights


  • Advised AFD regarding the regulatory aspects of ESG rules.
  • Advised Tikehau on all regulatory aspects regarding the setting up of a first-of-its-kind unit-linked investment product.
  • Assisted Fundimmo in obtaining its conditional authorisation as a crowdfunding service provider (CSP) from the French financial markets authority (AMF).

Spitz Poulle Kannan

Spitz Poulle Kannan stands out as France’s only law firm dedicated to the financial regulatory and litigation industry. The firm has large resources which allows for a broad coverage, spanning a range of financial products (derivatives and structured products). It also provides strategic support during M&A and corporate deals undertaken in the financial services field. Clients include leading French, US and German banks as well as asset management firms and corporations developing financial activity such as payment and gift card offers. The practice is jointly headed by Arut KannanJean-Baptiste Poulle and Nicolas Spitz. Counsel Sandra Kahn provides key support.

Practice head(s):

Arut Kannan; Jean-Baptiste Poulle; Nicolas Spitz


Other key lawyers:

Sandra Khan


Testimonials

‘Available and responsive.’

‘Very knowledgeable and easy to work with – practical and real-time advice on emerging financial services issues.’

‘A very knowledgeable team that understands the regulatory environment in order to deliver the best advice.’

‘Jean-Baptiste Poulle is excellent. He has a broad knowledge base, is commercial, provides accessible advice, knows market practice and gets very positive feedback from clients. ’

‘Very responsive and very proactive team with a lot of anticipation of consequences/risks.’

‘Nicolas Spitz: very good strategist. Sandra Kahn: very rigorous and precise in her arguments and approaches’.

‘Competence, collaboration, anticipation of customer needs and service well suited to needs.’

‘Always trustworthy advice and a solid relationship with the team.’

Key clients

Deutsche Bank


Euroclear


Ripple


Edmond de Rothschild


BNP Paribas


UniCredit


Morgan Stanley


Natixis


Groupe BPCE


Total Energies


La Banque Postale


Crédit Mutuel Arkéa


Crédit Agricole


MUFG Bank


Siemens Financial Services


Itau Unibanco


Proparco


Groupe Exane


Crypto.com


Alipay


Bytedance


Tencent


Government Investment Corporation (Singapore)


SMBC


Uber


Temasek Holdings


Work highlights


  • Advising Société Générale on the regulatory aspects of their joint venture project with Alliance Bernstein.
  • Advising Bundesverband Deutscher Banken on a legal opinion covering the enforceability of the close-out netting provisions of the derivatives documentation published by the Fédération Bancaire Française.
  • Advised SoftBank Group and the Hedosophia group on the regulatory aspects of their acquisition of  the shares and voting rights of PrimaryBid Limited.

Ashurst LLP

Led by the highly experienced Hubert Blanc-Jouvan, who is also a derivatives expert, Ashurst LLP has a strong following among leading French, US and UK banks. The team is able to cover a full range of issues and notably advises on the set up of French desks and business reorganisation. The practice is also kept busy in the field of fintech where it recently advised on the French setup of a leading cryptocurrency platform. Counsel Maxime Gandibleux and senior associate Francesco Assi are two other key members.

Practice head(s):

Hubert Blanc-Jouvan


Other key lawyers:

Maxime GandibleuxFrancesco Assi 


Testimonials

‘The team is of exceptional quality and is one of the best teams in financial regulatory. ’

‘Hubert Blanc-Jouvan is always available and his knowledge of the market is unrivaled. He masters both the transactional and regulatory side which is an undeniable plus and he has seen the evolution of regulations since he started in this field.’

‘A competent and motivated team ’

Key clients

LCH SA


Bank of America


Goldman Sachs


J.P. Morgan


TP ICAP


Citigroup


Société Générale


BNP Paribas


Wells Fargo


Work highlights


  • Advised a leading UK financial group on the reorganisation of its regulated financial business with French clients
  • Advised major international issuers on the distribution of structured products in France
  • Advised various firms on the offering of digital assets derivatives to French investors

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton provides strategic advisory and compliance guidance on a broad range of subjects: ESG, governance, remuneration, regulatory capital, derivatives and market infrastructure regulation as well as money laundering and sanctions. The practice stands out for its top EU law regulatory knowledge, notably on issues linked to EU banking union reforms, where is has particular expertise. The team is also regularly involved in high-profile M&A deals handled by the firm in the financial services sector and also supports clients during compliance audits conducted by the European Central Bank. Leading French banks as well as various international and European financial institutions are clients. Practice head  Amélie Champsaur is highly regarded and is ably supported by senior associate Aurèle Delors.

Practice head(s):

Amélie Champsaur


Other key lawyers:

Aurèle Delors


Testimonials

‘The Banking and Finance regulatory team demonstrates great availability, in-depth expertise and the ability to find pragmatic solutions to the most complex situations.’

‘Amélie Champsaur is an exceptional lawyer and her expertise is essential. She is a real ally for her customers.’

‘Exceptional team, very versatile, sharp and extremely protective of its client’s interests.’

Key clients

Credit Suisse


Banque Degroof Petercam


KBC


Credit Mutuel Arkea


Barclays


Citi


Citadel


AXA


BNP Paribas


Crédit Agricole


Cerberus Capital Management


UniCredit


Euronext


Natixis


Dexia


Work highlights


  • Represented BNP Paribas in a victory against the EU Single Resolution Board.
  • Representing Cerberus and My Money Group in their proposed acquisition of HSBC France.
  • Advising Dexia in the Bank of Italy-approved cross-border merger between Dexia Crédit Local and Dexia Crediop.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP stands out for its ability to offer a combination of high-level advisory and enforcement expertise to leading banks and insurers, as well as asset management companies and other financial institutions. The team assists with governance, the launch of new structures and services and compliance issues, including representing them before the AMF and ACPR prudential regulatory agencies. The team is led by Régis Oréal, Vincent Hatton, Antoine Juaristi and Martin Le Touzé.

Practice head(s):

Vincent Hatton; Antoine Juaristi; Martin Le Touzé; Régis Oréal


Other key lawyers:

César Michel


Testimonials

‘The team is experienced, professional, knowledgeable and practical. They have dealt with a wide variety of common problems before and so are adept at negotiating an effective path forward for their clients.’

‘Martin Le Touzé is a stand out. User friendly, available, responsive and truly listens to what his clients need and delivers accordingly. He also works well with other counsel where expertise outside of his own practice area is required. César Michel is also a skilled practitioner and an asset to the firm. We would be pleased for him to work on any of our disputes matters going forward. ’

‘The team is very professional and knows the subject of securitization very well.’

Key clients

AXA


BNP Paribas


BPCE/Natixis group


Bpifrance


CNP Assurances


Crédit Agricole


Euler Hermes


Generali


La Banque Postale


Revolut (Fintech)


Société Générale


Thunes (Fintech)


Western Union


Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP assists a large and prominent client base comprising leading banks, financial entities and private banks as well as fintech companies on regulatory matters including retail banking, payment services, e-money, credit operations and prudential requirements. The team also assists client in the context of transactional and corporate reorganisation projects, including cross-border ones. Sébastien Gros is in charge and is supported by counsel Franck Dupret, who is highly involved.

Practice head(s):

Sébastien Gros


Other key lawyers:

Franck Dupret


Testimonials

‘Great availability’.

‘The team is very proactive and solution oriented, well aware of market practice. The members of the team are all a pleasure to work with and show high professionalism.’

‘High quality, experience, and ability to provide clear, concrete and concise legal advice. They understand the underlying technology of innovative products very well, as well as the challenges their clients face.’

‘Deep financial industry knowledge which makes them a perfect fit to solve complex legal needs.’

‘The team is flexible and is very good at understanding practical risks that it can help quantify.’

‘Sébastien Gros is solution oriented, pragmatic in his recommendations, innovative and creative. He understands clients’ needs extremely quickly and is super responsive.’

Key clients

Accel


Banque PSA Finance


CNH


Crédit Agricole Group


Deliveroo


Goldman Sachs


HSBC


La Banque Postale Consumer Finance


La Française des Jeux


Lakestar


Neuflize OBC


Northzone


Opel


PayPal


Work highlights


  • Advising Crédit Agricole Group entities in relation to several banking regulatory issues.
  • Advising Accel on the increase of their participation in French e-money institution Swan.
  • Advising Goldman Sachs on a acquisition of share capital into French regulated financial institutions.

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP advises a prominent client base of French and European banks as well as corporations on banking and finance regulatory matters (MIFID II, IDD CRD IV notably) and also provides support during regulators’ audits and investigations. Additionally, the team is very active in the fintech and cryptocurrency space where it helps new players and financial institutions to launch and register new businesses, notably as DASPs. The practice is jointly headed by Hubert de Vauplane and Hugues Bouchetemble.

Practice head(s):

Hubert de Vauplane; Hugues Bouchetemble


Testimonials

‘Hughes Bouchetemble is an expert in regulatory, his advice is always extremely precise and he provides solutions.’

‘Hughes Bouchetemble is a true specialist in banking and financial regulation, he stands out for his very attentive and keen listening skills which allows him to accurately measure the issues and needs in order to provide appropriate responses.’

‘The team is an expert in its field and finds solutions proportionate to the size and activity of its clients.’

Key clients

BCB Group


Bitpanda


Bloks Holding


BNP Paribas France


BNP Paribas Suisse


Bricks


Crédit Agricole Indosuez


Defacto


Eleva Capital


Finary


Generali France


Hero


HSBC Bank


Inter Invest


JP Morgan


LBPAM


Ledger


Ledgity


Litebit


Neuflize


Oddo


Realt


Saxo Bank


Smartbox


Summit Mining


Suravenir


Swissborg


Swisslife Gestion Privée


Trade Republic


UBS


UFF


Work highlights


  • Advising BINANCE on adapting its business organisation to local laws and regulation.
  • Advising  HSBC on adapting its organisation with the digitalisation of the services.
  • Advised BNP PARIBAS on the restructuring of its offers in the overseas departments.

White & Case LLP

Led by Emilie Rogey, White & Case LLP's acts for a prominent client base and is retained by leading French and international banks, asset management firms and a high number of fintech companies. It handles a high amount of work assisting with the setup of services in France and advised on the first euro stablecoin launched by a regulated player on a public blockchain. The team also provides strategic support in the context of M&A deals concerning financial institutions, while many banks and financial institutions also seek advice on a wide range of compliance and regulatory issues from banking and anti-money laundering to crowdfunding and other fintech-related projects. The team also assists its clients in dealing with regulators’ compliance audits and investigations.

Practice head(s):

Emilie Rogey


Testimonials

‘Very competent team. Strong network. Strong partner’

‘Emilie Rogey: great professional knowledge. Very available. Understands business issues well.’

Key clients

Jefferries Finance LLC


Macquarie Capital Ltd


Deutsche Bank


JP Morgan


Goldman Sachs


Santander


Société Générale Private Banking


Natixis


Meta


Klarna


Trade Republic


ModulR


Qonto


Lydia


Luko


BNP Paribas Personal Finance


Aema Group


Wilmington Trust


Edmond de Rothschild


Groupe Casino


Mérieux Equity Partners


Work highlights


  • Advised French insurance mutual group Aéma Group on the reorganisation of its asset management division following the acquisition of Aviva.
  • Advised Societe Generale-FORGE (SG-FORGE), a regulated subsidiary of the Société Générale group dedicated to digital assets, on the launch of EUR CoinVertible, a digital asset developed and administered to maintain a stable value (stablecoin).
  • Advised BPCE / Natixis on the combination of its subsidiary BIMPLI and the leading French payment fintech SWILE to create a global leader in worktech.

Bredin Prat

At Bredin Prat, Béna Mara heads the firm’s financial services and insurance regulation practice, offering key support to the firm’s M&A practice in the financial services area where she regularly advises on top transactions. She also leads a very solid stand-alone practice, assisting financial institutions, insurance and mutual insurance and banking companies, as well as several fintech companies.

Practice head(s):

Béna Mara


Testimonials

‘Bena Mara is an excellent lawyer. Very client-oriented and sophisticated. From a technical perspective, she is outstanding.’

Key clients

Stellantis


Dexia Credit Local


Credit Mutuel


BPCE


Natixis


Rothschild & Co


PPS EU


KKR


Evercore


Eurazeo


Covéa


Aviva


La Mutuelle Générale


CMS Francis Lefebvre

At CMS Francis LefebvreJérôme Sutour leads a solid practice, advising a range of asset management firms, banks and other financial institutions on the setting up of their French activity and in dealing with compliance, M&A, internal reorganisation and prudential requirements. The team also has strong expertise in the area of blockchain and crypto assets.

Practice head(s):

Jérôme Sutour


Key clients

Hines SGP


N26


IM Global Partner (IMGP)


Ostrum


Mirova


Natixis


Acer Finance


Work highlights


  • Assisted HINES SGP with the structuring and creation of a fund (OPPCI) (EUR 450 M).
  • Setting up of N26’s French branch.
  • Assisting IMGP in the acquisition of SYZ Asset Management (a Luxembourg AIFM).

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier

At Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier, the public law and regulatory team handles strategic regulatory issues linked top M&A deals involving top banks and financial institutions including advising on ACPR and prudential clearing. It also provides guidance to French and international credit institutions on various banking regulation. Henri Savoie, counsel Jean-Baptiste Aubert and associate Guillaume Griffart are the key contacts.

Practice head(s):

Henri Savoie


Other key lawyers:

Jean-Baptiste Aubert; Guillaume Griffart


Testimonials

‘The regulatory team at Darrois combines great knowledge and practical applicability in their approach to complicated matters. It is a pleasure to work with them.’

 ‘High availability.’

 ‘A very available and competent team.’

 ‘Henri Savoie is an excellent lawyer and truly oversees a matter in all its complexities.

‘Guillaume Griffart is a pleasure to work with and knowledgeable beyond his years of experience.’

‘Very efficient and solution orientated; pragmatic approach; very responsive.’

‘Guillaume Griffart is very clear, pragmatic, and has good technical knowledge.’

Key clients

Société Générale


BPCE


Natixis


La Banque Postale


Fédération nationale du Crédit Agricole/Crédit Agricole SA


Crédit Mutuel Arkéa


Milleis / AnaCap


SAS Rue La Boétie


Crédit Logement


Work highlights


  • Advising on the acquisition by ALD of LeasePlan for 4.9 billion euros.
  • Advising on the reorganization of the partnership between CACF and Stellantis in the leasing sector.
  • Advising SAS Rue La Boétie on the increase of interest in Crédit Agricole SA’s share capital.

Dartevelle Dubest Bellanca

Dartevelle Dubest Bellanca assists leading financial institutions and alternative players in dealing with banking law, financial and securities law, handling contentious and non-contentious issues. The team provides regular support on business establishment and restructuring, and recently assisted a major financial institution with the closing of its French retail activities. It also advises clients on anti-bribery, corruption and economic sanctions including dealing with fraud cases and regulator-led investigations and audits.  Practice head Frédéric Bellanca has extensive experience in the area.

Practice head(s):

Frédéric Bellanca


Testimonials

‘The banking team is extremely competent, very available, and knows how to operate in a complex environment.’

‘A complementary team which also operates internationally.’

‘Frédéric Bellanca, through his multiple fields of skills and his creativity, has the ability to analyze and find solutions to complex situations. Furthermore, he also has real qualities regarding issues related to Fintech and innovation in general.’

Key clients

Crédit Agricole Group


Crédit Agricole Titres


Crédit Lyonnais


Crédit Industriel et Commercial (CIC)


Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale


LVMH


Crédit Agricole Indosuez France


CA Consumer Finance


ING Bank N.V.


PrimaryBid S.A.


Bourse Direct


Work highlights


  • Advising ING Bank N.V. on its strategic review and closure of its retail activities in France.
  • Advising Crédit Agricole Normandie-Seine regarding the integration within its regulated entity of real estate activities that were previously carried out through separate entities.

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher‘s team stands out for its cutting-edge expertise in the field of alternative crypto, blockchain and NFT projects. The team regularly assists new players with their registration as digital assets service providers and with the setting up of new payment services offerings including in the field of gaming and the metaverse. Additionally, the team also assists more established credit and financial institutions with dealing with banking, insurance and capital markets related issues including on the setting up or, closing or restructuring of new branches and offers. Arnaud Grünthaler heads the practice.

Practice head(s):

Arnaud Grünthaler


Testimonials

‘The team has great expertise and analytical finesse.’

Key clients

Shares Digital Assets


Caceis Bank


Jobchain


Oxya Origin


Makerare – Metadams


Novaquark


Phoenix Block 3 – The Elements Nation


Unagi


Formance


Work highlights


  • Advised Shares Digital Assets on its registration as a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) by the AMF.
  • Advised on the registration with the AMF of CACEIS BANK as a digital asset service provider in France.
  • Advising Makerare on the legal, tax and regulatory structuring of the offer of insurance contracts documented through Non Fongible Tokens (NFT) minted on a Blockchain.

Jeantet

Jeantet stands out for its expertise in the field of disciplinary sanctions and compliance audits conducted by the French banking and stock-market regulators (ACPR, AMF); it counts several leading French banks and other financial institutions as clients. The team regularly provides guidance on anti-money laundering compliance while also assisting with more general banking and insurance regulation and on the launch of new products and offers. Martine Samuelian is a prominent name in the field and jointly heads the practice alongside Olivier Lyon-Lynch, who was promoted to the partnership in 2023.

Practice head(s):

Martine Samuelian; Olivier Lyon-Lynch


Testimonials

‘The team is focused and very efficient, with very good knowledge of the sector and its issues; its knowledge and experience allows it to be very responsive, practical and able to propose effective strategies.’

‘Martine Samuelian stands out for her expertise and experience.’

‘The team is extremely responsive and knows how to handle delicate situations with tact. ’

‘Martine Samuelian has cutting-edge expertise in the sector. She knows how to find pragmatic solutions to all situations and is a valuable ally in clearing regulations which complexity is increasing exponentially.’

‘Excellent team that puts great attention to details’.

‘Martine Samuelian has a extraordinary knowledge of the field, notably an unmatched expertise on AMF’s stock-market abuse regulations.’

Key clients

CIC SUD OUEST


CIC


TERREIS


Lacourte Raquin Tatar

At Lacourte Raquin TatarDamien Luqué has a strong involvement advising leading asset management property firms on their regulatory needs including on the launch of new offers and on restructuring. He also assists clients before banking and stock-market regulators and provides general banking and financing advice to various financial institutions.

Practice head(s):

Damien Luqué; Cédric Bonnet; Chloé Thieblemont


Key clients

Lucky Oldstone


Russell Investments


LaSalle Investment Management


Sogelym Dixence


Crédit Mutuel Arkéa – Federal Finance Gestion


Abeille Asset Management


BNP Paribas


Korian


Nexity


AEW


Sienna Investment Management


Covéa


Edmond de Rothschild REIM France


Linklaters

Linklaters assists a diverse client base of French and international banks, asset management funds and insurers, providing key guidance on a large array of financial regulations and key support during M&A deals undertaken in the financial services sector. Regulatory enforcement is also dealt with. Derivatives, asset management, fintech and ESG are key areas of involvement, while the French team can also rely on a strong European platform. The team is led by Ngoc-Hong Ma and counsel Laurent Benoit.

Practice head(s):

Ngoc-Hong Ma; Laurent Benoit


Testimonials

‘Linklaters is a very dedicated law firm. One of their highlights is the capability to render their service all around Europe. The lawyers are responsive, efficient, are very receptive to collaborating with in-house legal, and it is always a pleasure to work with them. They are exceptional at their work with financial regulation and regulatory matters. They have always worked diligently and with a lot of dedication. They are quick problem solvers and very reliable to handle any situation with the local institutions.’

‘Laurent Benoit and Héloïse Daste are very dedicated and very professional people. They always give us the best support along with the most diligent attention to our needs. The team is very well prepared to handle any situation that comes their way. By having offices all around Europe, it facilitates the service rendering and makes the whole operational side run more fluidly. ’

‘Excellent level of services. ’

‘Very responsive’.

‘Ngoc-Hong Ma is professional, responsive and has a great positive attitude.’

Key clients

Bpifrance


CACEIS Bank


Caisse Fédérale du Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe


Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA


Macquarie Capital (Europe) Ltd


Morgan Stanley Investment


Société Générale


TDR Capital


Work highlights


  • Advised CACEIS, a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole S.A. and Banco Santander, in the context of its acquisition of RBC Investor Services operations in Europe.
  • Advising various clients on ESG matters.
  • Advised Bpifrance on the structuring of the Renewable Energy Guarantee Fund (Fonds de Garantie Énergie Renouvelable), announced by the French government in November 2022.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright's financial regulatory group is closely integrated with the firm's derivatives practice and is led by Roberto Cristofolini, who divides his time between Paris and Casablanca, and Sébastien Praicheux. The group acts for major French and international banks, asset management companies, insurance groups and corporate companies. Its workload includes advising on European regulations, assistance with regulatory licensing and passporting, and anti-money laundering requirements, among other matters.

Practice head(s):

Roberto Cristofolini; Sébastien Praicheux


Other key lawyers:

Célestine Barthout


Testimonials

‘A smooth processing of files.’

‘An efficient, available, responsive and very competent team.’

‘Sébastien Praicheux stands out for his listening skills, his professionalism, his experience and his technical skills. ’

‘Very rich and in-depth experience of the regulatory banking framework. A team of experts on requests for approval from the ACPR.’

‘Roberto Cristofolini has exceptional experience in regulatory matters coupled with a methodical and thoughtful approach.’

‘Team is very attentive to the context and needs of its customers, pragmatic and business oriented  advice with excellent knowledge of regulations.’

‘Sébastien Praicheux and Célestine Barthout: know how to adapt to their clients, understand their requirements. They have a very great mastery of their subject, a very great expertise but do not hesitate to ask their colleagues when the subject is beyond their competence. They know how to create a real relationship of trust.’

‘Roberto Cristofolini – a very good specialist in banking regulation.’

Key clients

Crédit Industriel et Commercial (CIC)


Crédit Agricole S.A


Cardif


BNP Paribas Group


La Diversité du Cinéma Français


Société Générale S.A.


Cardif Vita S.p.A.


Work highlights


  • Advising CIC on regulatory aspects of derivatives, repurchase and securities lending agreement.
  • Advising French and international insurance group Cardif, subsidiary of BNP Paribas, on regulatory aspects of derivatives and repurchase transactions and documentation.
  • Advising Diversité du Cinéma Français, issuer of tokens dedicated to financing movies.

Pwc Société d'Avocats

Pwc Société d'Avocats assists a variety of credit institutions, investment firms, asset managers and insurance companies. The team has particular know-how in the field of insurance and asset management, and also advises on a range of capital markets, banking law and payment issues. It recently advised several African banks on the setting up of their French branch. The practice is jointly headed by Nicolas Mordaunt-Crook and of counsel Benoît Lapointe de Vaudreuil, who is an expert in the insurance sector.

Practice head(s):

Nicolas Mordaunt-Crook; Benoit Lapointe de Vaudreuil


Key clients

AXA BANQUE


KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO (KKR)


TWENTY TWO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (TTIM)


ASSURANCE MUTUELLE DES FONCTIONNAIRES


UNIRE ASSURANCES


CDC CROISSANCE (Caisse des Dépôts & Consignations)


COMITE DES JEUX OLYMPIQUES (COJO)


MY MONEY BANK


UBS FRANCE / ESE


ALD (GROUPE SOCIETE GENERALE)


Work highlights


  • Advised UBS France / UBS ESE  on the carve-out of the life insurance business, setting-up of a new French brokerage subsidiary and drawing up multiple contractual arrangements.
  • Advised ASSURANCE MUTUELLE DES FONCTIONNAIRES with the entry into force of a new legal and regulatory framework governing public administrators’ financial liability.
  • Advised ALD (SOCIETE GENERALE GROUP) in conjunction with its application for authorization with the ACPR / ECB as a Financial Holding Company.