Displaying a 'good combination of industry and regulatory knowledge', A&O Shearman is well-positioned to provide 'practical advice' to insurers, reinsurers, banks and intermediaries across a wide range of their advisory, transactional, product-related and litigation insurance needs. Team head Paul Péporté deploys his regulatory expertise to good effect on M&A in the sector, as well as in relation to the distribution of insurance products and the establishment of insurance companies. Pierre Schleimer has vast institutional knowledge in the space, while at a more junior level, counsel Helena Finn is 'exceptionally knowledgeable' across a plethora of regulatory requirements impacting the industry, including as it relates to capital adequacy requirements and ESG.
Insurance in Luxembourg
A&O Shearman
Practice head(s):
Paul Péporté
Other key lawyers:
Helena Finn; Pierre Schleimer
Testimonials
‘They have a deep knowledge of market reality.’
‘They display a good combination of industry and regulatory knowledge and provide practical advice.’
‘Helena Finn is exceptional in terms of knowledge, communication and experience.’
Work highlights
Arendt & Medernach
With strong industry knowledge and leveraging 'excellent links with the regulator', Arendt & Medernach continues to thrive in the market, regularly acting for many of the world's largest insurance/reinsurance companies on issues relating to their Luxembourg operations. Team head Pierre-Michaël de Waersegger is steeped in the nuances of the industry and as well as frequently providing standalone regulatory advice, also plays a key role, working alongside the firm's corporate/private equity lawyers, on M&A in the sector. He also advises insurance/reinsurance groups subject to regulatory investigations, as does the 'excellent' Emmanuelle Mousel, who continues to build out her impressive body of work in the sector, including with regard to ESG compliance. Experienced litigator Christian Point often handles disputes in the sector, including as it relates to coverage and liability issues.
Practice head(s):
Pierre-Michaël de Waersegger
Other key lawyers:
Christian Point; Emmanuelle Mousel; Sandrine Margetidis-Sigwal
Testimonials
‘We value the excellent links they have with the regulators in Luxembourg, meaning advice is given (and received) with the knowledge that this is as close to what the regulator expects as if we’d asked the regulator.’
‘Emmanuelle Mosel is excellent.’
Key clients
AIG (American International Group)
Baloise Group
Barents Re Reinsurance Company, Inc.
CattRe (Generali/Cattolica Group)
CNA Hardy
CNP Luxembourg (member of the CNP group)
Convex Europe S.A.
Crédit Agricole Life Insurance
Edmond de Rothschild Group
Foyer Assurance
FWU Life Insurance Lux S.A.
Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe
Work highlights
- Advising Blackstone Group on the sale of Lombard International Assurance Holdings to Utmost Group plc, which includes Lombard International Assurance S.A., the European leader of Luxembourg unit-linked life insurance.
- Advising Integrale Insurance group in the sale of its Luxembourg closed book portfolio of long-term life insurance business to Monument Re Group.
- Advising Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., Italy’s largest insurance company, in the context of the merger of CATTRE S.A., a reinsurance company based in Luxembourg, into AGI.
Clifford Chance
Led by corporate and capital markets expert Christian Kremer, Clifford Chance deploys a multi-disciplinary approach to servicing insurance clients. In this context, a good deal of the work is transactional in nature with the team excelling in helping international insurance entities establish operations in Luxembourg, as well as regularly working on big-ticket M&A deals in the sector and on the transfer of portfolios of insurance business. Leveraging excellent ties with the regulator, counsel Udo Prinz is also key to much of the transactional and standalone advisory work handled by the team and is appreciated by clients for his ability to provide 'practical solutions with a reduced legal risk'.
Practice head(s):
Christian Kremer
Other key lawyers:
Ada Schmitt; Udo Prinz; Isadora Rousselle
Testimonials
‘In addition to his expertise in insurance regulatory work, Udo Prinz has a clear view on other fields of law impacting complex insurance transactions (including corporate, data protection, anti money laundering and competition legislation). This enables him to give a comprehensive advice.’
‘Udo Prinz proposes practical solutions with a reduced legal risk.’
Key clients
International Capital Market Association (ICMA) /International Securities Lending Association (ISLA)
FIA, Inc (global trade organisation for the futures, options and centrally cleared derivatives markets)
Work highlights
- Advising a private equity fund on their indirect acquisition of a significant minority interest in a Luxembourg reinsurance undertaking.
- Advising and assisting a Belgium insurance company subsidiary of the group, with a branch established in Luxembourg, in relation to the transfer of a closed book of life insurance business (with some non-life insurance) consisting of Luxembourg and Dutch policies to a Luxembourg insurance undertaking.
- Advised an international specialty insurer on the legal and regulatory aspects of the setting up of its Luxembourg regulated direct non-life insurance company and its London branch.
CMS Luxembourg
Drawing from the firm's broader finance, regulatory and funds practice areas, CMS Luxembourg' cross-practice insurance offering handles a mix of day-to-day regulatory issues, products-related advice and general corporate work, as well as advising on standalone bespoke projects, including multi-jurisdictional matters involving interaction with other firmwide offices. Vivian Walry has expertise advising banks on the regulatory aspects of marketing insurance products. He co-heads the team alongside Benjamin Bada and Aurélia Viémont.
Practice head(s):
Vivian Walry; Benjamin Bada; Aurélia Viémont
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Hantscher; Mélanie Poirrier
Key clients
Allianz
Aon
Zurich
Chubb
AXA
AIG
Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE
Bupa
Work highlights
DLA Piper Luxembourg
The nascent insurance team at DLA Piper Luxembourg, which was formed following the arrival of the 'calm and pragmatic' David De Cubber in February 2023 from now defunct boutique firm LexField, has quickly gained traction in the market among insurers, distributors, reinsurance, assets managers and banks, which are appreciative of the team's ability to leverage complementary practice groups (finance and corporate) and the firm's international network. De Cubber, who has also previously served as head of legal at a leading insurance company, heads the team and stands out for 'his exceptional strategic insight and ability to simplify complex legal challenges into actionable steps'.
Practice head(s):
David De Cubber
Testimonials
‘DLA Piper offers tailored advice that helps clients navigate their specific industries effectively.’
‘David De Cubber has a deep knowledge of the insurance market and is able to provide relevant and pragmatic answers to any legal query in this field.’
‘David De Cubber stands out for his exceptional strategic insight and ability to simplify complex legal challenges into actionable steps. His in-depth knowledge of insurance/tax law, combined with his calm and pragmatic approach, sets him apart from competitors.’
Work highlights
MOLITOR Avocats à la Cour SARL
The 'highly professional, responsive and friendly' team at MOLITOR Avocats à la Cour SARL
provides 'practical and strategic advice' to national and international clients in litigation with and against many of the highest-profile insurance companies. Appreciated for his ability to understand 'not only the legal nuances but also the business context of every issue', team head Michel Molitor
frequently takes the lead on high-profile matters, including coverage and liability disputes. Although it is better-known for its litigation prowess, the team is also increasingly active on the non-contentious front, with counsel Ariane Wourwoukas, who has deep insight into the sector in part through her previous role in-house at a life insurance company, regularly instructed by clients seeking licensing approvals and on other regulatory matters.
Practice head(s):
Michel Molitor
Other key lawyers:
Jacques Wolter; François Cautaerts; Sophie Lamothe; Ariane Wourwoukas
Testimonials
‘They provide an exceptional service, handling even the most technical legal claims with precision and confidence.’
‘The team is highly professional, responsive and friendly.’
‘Their ability to stay on top of the details and offer practical and strategic advice has been invaluable.’