According to many, CMS Pasquier Ciulla Marquet Pastor Svara & Gazo
is ‘the best firm in Monaco for ultra-high-net-worth private client matters’. The team is particularly recognised for its expertise in private international law, with Géraldine Gazo
widely regarded as an authority in the area — she notably assisted with the drafting of the Monegasque private international law code of 2017. Co-founding partner Christine Pasquier-Ciulla is also a go-to specialist in private international law and is additionally recommended for family law, and trusts and estates issues. Up-and-coming partner Raphaëlle Svara maintains a full-service private client practice, with niche expertise in the legal protection of adults and minors. Counsel Regina Griciuc provides specialist support.
Private client - Law firms in Monaco
CMS Pasquier Ciulla Marquet Pastor Svara & Gazo
Practice head(s):
Christine Pasquier Ciulla; Raphaëlle Svara; Géraldine Gazo
Other key lawyers:
Regina Griciuc
Testimonials
‘The team is amazing and very professional. Lawyers manage to be creative to find solutions when dealing with complex divorce situations.’
‘CMS has very good experience with private client matters and it frequently handles major cross-border matters in this respect.’
‘The team led by Géraldine Gazo is very knowledgeable and incredibly responsive. It is composed of various professionals able to tackle the most complex of issues.’
‘Géraldine Gazo is a fierce lawyer. She is insightful, very sharp, and never gives up. She combines the best qualities of being a seasoned practitioner, while being driven and combative. Her knowledge of private international law uniquely positions her as one of the top litigators of her bar.’
‘The private client team have great strength in depth and instill confidence, with even the most high profile/ultra high asset clients.’
‘I have no hesitation in confirming that Christine Pasquier Ciulla is the number one private client lawyer in Monaco, especially in family law cases. Throughout the case she provided concise, first-rate advice.’
‘The private client practice at CMS demonstrates the highest level of professionalism and expertise in diverse cases. CMS’s private client team efficiently and professionally addresses various complex cross-border cases adhering to the utmost professional standards.’
‘This firm is, in my view, the leading family law team in Monaco. Lawyers work very efficiently and are completely conversant with the interaction between Monegasque family law and the system in common law countries. Their level of English is impeccable and I find them very user friendly with clients.’
Law Offices of Jean-Charles S. Gardetto
Private client work is a mainstay at Law Offices of Jean-Charles S. Gardetto
, with the firm sought after for its strong skill sets in matrimonial and family law, trusts and estates, wealth-planning issues and the protection of vulnerable adults, among other areas. A former member of the National Council of Monaco, Jean-Charles Gardetto is widely recognised both for his impressive local connections and for his extensive experience in private client matters, including private international law and white-collar crime. Senior associate Virginie Pauly-Mulot is also noted for family law and criminal law. Laurie Dimitrov recently left to establish her own practice in France.
Practice head(s):
Jean-Charles Gardetto; Virginie Pauly-Mulot
ZABALDANO AVOCATS
ZABALDANO AVOCATS’ signature focus on contentious work is reflected in its private client practice, where it is routinely engaged to handle cases involving family and inheritance law, recovery procedures, and trusts and estates issues. Firm founder Arnaud Zabaldano acts for a broad range of private clients — including business leaders, executives, family-owned groups and high net-worth individuals — and specialises in white-collar criminal law matters. Counsel Valerie Zoccola heads the department and contributes strong experience in international private law. Recently promoted partner Arnaud Cheynut is additionally noted for white-collar criminal law-related issues.
Practice head(s):
Arnaud Zabaldano; Valerie Zoccola; Arnaud Cheynut; Cecile Peltier Gauci; Sophie Couturier; Nicolas Robert; Valerie Mufraggi
BERGONZI LAW FIRM
The six-lawyer strong team at BERGONZI LAW FIRM acts for a broad mix of high-net-worth individuals, trustees and family offices on private client work. Demonstrating strong recent experience in cross-border divorce proceedings, the group also advises on pre-nuptial agreements, inheritance disputes and fraud-related issues, among other matters. Firm founder Régis Bergonzi is noted for his emphasis on criminal law cases. Senior associate Laurent Jereb has extensive experience in private international law.
Practice head(s):
Laurent Jereb
Other key lawyers:
Régis Bergonzi
Cabinet NOGHES DU MONCEAU
Established in 2016, Cabinet Noghès du Monceau is an internationally oriented boutique with a growing reputation for cross-border financial crime cases, family law, and Monaco residence issues, among other private client matters. Firm founder Pierre-Anne Noghès du Monceau provides ‘in-depth expertise on cross-border private client matters’; she is primarily recognised for her record in complex disputes. The team also includes Florence de La Pradelle, who is noted for private international law.
Practice head(s):
Pierre-Anne Noghès du Monceau
Other key lawyers:
Florence de La Pradelle
Testimonials
‘The team is very professional but approachable. Lawyers listen to the needs of the client and respond appropriately. The team reacts in a timely manner. Its professional knowledge has been excellent.’
‘Pierre-Anne Noghès du Monceau is a unique attribute of the firm. Very intelligent, extremely competent, well-connected and personable; a pleasure to deal with. She was recommended by an opposing lawyer in a commercial contract situation, and did an excellent job of protecting my position.’
‘I have worked primarily with Pierre-Anne Noghès du Monceau. I value her approach — very professional and easy to communicate with. She is also very competent at her job and reacts in a timely manner.’
‘Cabinet Noghès du Monceau has great experience with private client matters and gives tailored advice in this respect. Pierre-Anne has lived and practised abroad for many years — this give her in-depth expertise on cross-border private client matters.’
‘Pierre-Anne Noghès du Monceau is highly skilled in criminal defence matters. She is a strategic thinker and she is dogged in her pursuit of the outcome she desires.’
‘Very strong local knowledge in Monaco. Very flexible team, can deal with any legal matter. Diversity of junior employees is a very good sign for the future.’
‘Pierre-Anne is an outstanding litigator who carefully assesses the client’s situation, identifies strengths and weaknesses, and develops a strategy to turn the assessment to her advantage. She is smart and focused, highly skilled. At the same time, she is very smooth and polished with adversaries and the courts.’
‘Pierre-Anne Noghès du Monceau and her team have exceptional experience in fraud and white-collar crime cases and I could not recommend them highly enough. The team is incredibly sensible, easy to deal with and a safe pair of hands when it comes to navigating cross-border disputes.’