France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.‘s practice focuses on French, UK and US law. The team acts for domestic and foreign management companies, banks, financial institutions and investment funds, with extensive experience in bank lending, capital markets and structured finance. The department continues to be a key name for fintech regulatory matters, focusing on legal foresight and structuring on behalf of start-ups, scale-ups and incumbent players. Stéphane Puel leads the firm. Guillaume Goffin provides clients with ‘detailed and pragmatic technical analysis‘. Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville left the firm in May 2021.

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 1

Focusing on French, UK and US law, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is active across bank lending, capital markets and structured finance mandates on behalf of lenders, sponsors and borrowers. Equally skilled on domestic and cross-border transactions, the department is also able to advise on the legal aspects of over-the-counter ('OTT') derivative products. As part of a full-service firm offering, the practice is able to 'draw on complementary expertise' from other departments, which was valued by clients. The team features a broad range of expertise, with Kamel Ben-Salah described as 'truly gifted in real estate finance', while Eric Cartier-Millon is highly regarded for structured and project finance. Up-and-coming partner Laetitia Lemercier is another name to note. Thomas Binet departed the firm in March 2020.

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. remains among the most active debt capital market practices in Paris thanks to a broad range of expertise which includes the most complex deals, such as those involving private placements in the US and in Europe, Rule 144A/Reg S. matters, high-yield offerings and hybrid financings, in addition to more vanilla deals. The group's experience assisting with the issuance of 'Panda', green, social and ESG bonds is a key contributing factor to its continuous success. The French giant houses a strong raft of renowned practitioners, first-and-foremost practice heads: Hubert Merveilleux du Vignaux, Melinda Stege-Arsouze (a specialist in US securities law), Arnaud Duhamel and Laurent Vincent - all of whom have earned the trust of major corporations, governments, alternative capital providers and leading financial institutions alike.

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 1

In Xavier de Kergommeaux, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. counts one of France's most renowned structured finance experts among its ranks. De Kergommeaux is particularly active regarding public-sector loan company mandates and building society-related work. Arnaud Duhamel and Laurent Vincent co-lead the derivatives practice, which has a strong focus on equity derivatives and financing. Overall, the group shoulders an impressive caseload -often including innovative transactions- and is consistently visible among those legal practices shaping the regulatory framework in France - regarding covered bonds, for example. In addition to its strong presence in France, the firm also offers derivatives and structured finance expertise from its London office where Dimitrios Logizidis and Karine Imbrosciano frequently cooperate with their French colleagues to assist with cross-border matters, often pan-European in nature. Counsel Clément Vandevooghel, a former legal counsel at Natixis, specialises in structured finance. Under the name of Gide 255, the firm's innovation team, the practice has assisted several clients in connection with collateral tokens and on applications of these tokens to derivatives structures.

France > Environment Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s Jean-Nicolas Clément leads an experienced team that is particularly active for leading companies in the industrial, engineering, oil, energy and nuclear sectors. The practice handles high-profile work in the nuclear sector, such as assisting the national agency in charge of radioactive waste management (Agence Nationale de Gestion des Déchets Radioactifs) with the landmark CIGEO project consisting in the building of an underground radioactive waste storage site. The practice also advises on various road and land development projects and provides regulatory advice such as recently on the new EU circular economy directive. Associate Alice Bouillié also deserves a mention.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. acts for blue-chip French and international clients operating in the technology, media, and transport sectors in complex litigation and investigations involving follow-on damages claims, and on high-profile merger control cases, particularly those involving cross-border issues involving many African countries. The Paris team is supported by the firm's Brussels office. Antoine Choffel advises on distribution and is highly experienced in French and EU competition law. Emmanuel Reille is an expert in complex merger control cases, while Dimitri Dimitrov and Franck Audran both advise on multi-jurisdictional merger control cases and litigation. Additionally, Hélene Vey-Morit was promoted to counsel in January 2020.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. has excellent capabilities and is able to deal with all types of work including project, public law, regulatory and M&A matters. The big team is regularly involved in renewables, hydroelectric and nuclear related- matters. Through Michel Guénaire the practice has state-of-the-art regulatory expertise that is sought after by leading French energy producers. The team is notably handling several files before the energy regulator (CRE). The project practice is also top notch, with the team regularly handling major greenfield and brownfield French, European and African energy project work, including on renewables, acting for leading energy producers. Strategic biomass and renewables brownfield transactions are also visible in the caseload. The practice’s strong international reach is further demonstrated by its work on several offshore wind farms in China. Finally, the practice also handles major oil and gas work. Project partners Stéphane Vernay, John Crothers, Marie Bouvet-Guiramand, Nicolas Jean and Victor Grandguillaume are the key contributors. M&A partner Alexis Pailleret is another name to note.

France > Industry focus: Luxury goods Tier 1

The 'excellent communicators' at Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. are retained by some of world's best-known brands, including Christian Dior and L'Oréal, which benefit from the firm's cross-practice approach to matters. Clients can call on the team's strong IP and especially trade mark expertise for which Emmanuel Larere is a lead contact, as well as on the group's experience in distribution law, with Franck Audran and Antoine Choffel as the two key names. Additionally, the firm fields highly regarded teams in corporate, antitrust, employment and data protection, and has launched Gide 255, a team offering strategic, legal and regulatory advice on the digital transformation of organisations.

France > Industry focus: Telecoms  Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is highly rated for its ability to pull together multidisciplinary teams to assist with all aspects of advisory telecoms work. Typically retained by blue chip French, Chinese and US operators, the practice also has a strong presence in Africa, where clients benefit from the firm's emphasis on streamlined and virtual forms of communication to avoid the costs associated with travelling and on field visits. The department, led by Olivier Cousi, also works closely with the projects team to advise on the structuring and implementation of public service delegation or PPP contracts. Contentious matters are also dealt with.

France > Insurance Tier 1

The practice at Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is set up as an insurance, transport and industrial risks group which assists with contentious and non-contentious matters, with advisory work accounting for a particularly significant portion of the workload. With clients including insurers and reinsurers as well as insurance brokers and companies from the team's core sectors, including the transport, industry and construction sectors, the practice can draw on its extensive track record and wide-angle knowledge to assist with complex high-stakes matters. The caseload is primarly domestic in nature, but the firm's offices abroad allow for one-stop-shop coverage. The renowned Richard Ghueldre and Capucine Bernier direct the team.

France > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 1

The team at Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. includes both the firm's IP and TMT specialists, demonstrating the practice's awareness of the necessity of intersectional advice. A substantial number of instructions flow from the press and culture sectors, especially matters regarding issues around the collection and payment of royalties. Furthermore,both its international and local French clients benefit from the proximity to developments in EU law that the firm's Brussels office provides. The key partners in the practice are Raphaëlle Dequiré-Portier, Emmanuel Larere, Arnaud Michel, Jean-Hyacinthe de Mitry and Grégoire Triet; all five IP specialists whose combined expertise includes transactional and litigation experience across copyright, patent and trade mark matters; and media and entertainment specialist, Olivier Cousi. Counsel Julien Guinot-Deléry, who specialises in litigation in copyright, media, communication and culture contexts, is also noted. The firm's digital transformation platform, Gide 255, attests the firm's dedication to technological change.

France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. stands out for its versatile partner bench and its focus on the medical device, pharmaceutical and telecommunications sectors. The practice demonstrates particular strength in contentious work, as reflected in the track records of practice heads Grégoire Triet, Jean-Hyacinthe de Mitry, Arnaud Michel, Emmanuel Larere and Raphaëlle Dequiré-Portier; the latter four, however, also manage a substantial transactional caseload. Overall, mandates include both domestic and cross-border cases, with a particularly strong focus on multi-jurisdictional matters involving other European states. Internally, the firm's commitment to forming versatile lawyers is reflected in the training of its associates, all of whom work on the gamut of intellectual property matters, involving both soft and hard IP.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 1

With a versatile team that offers both soft and hard IP skills, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. focuses primarily on contentious work. Arnaud Michel, Emmanuel Larere and Raphaëlle Dequiré-Portier all offer extensive experience in trade mark and patent disputes; while Grégoire Triet and Jean-Hyacinthe de Mitry concentrate on patent work. In addition to the strong litigation practice, the team also assists with trade mark prosecution services, including the filing of trade mark applications and representation in the corresponding proceedings before relevant intellectual property offices both in France and abroad. Moreover, as part of a full-service operation, the practice is able to leverage the firm's comprehensive legal offering when expertise in other practice areas is required. In addition, Gide 255, the firm's dedicated digital transformation offering, assists clients with the challenges and opportunities brought about by the on-going digitalisation of businesses.

France > Media and entertainment: Television/radio Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. represents leading TV broadcasters, radio stations, and has also been retained by the French Ministry of Culture on several matters. Notably, the practice obtained the enforcement of neighbouring rights on press content from the FCA against Google, on behalf of the Agence France Presse. In addition to this more traditional work, the department is also increasingly involved in matters related to the processing of personal data, as  well as blockchain, AI, and programmatic advertising which are becoming more significant for media operators. As part of an international firm offering, the practice is also well placed to advise foreign entities on their operations in France, including film financing and production issues. Olivier Cousi and counsel Julien Guinot-Deléry are the practice heads.

France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. successfully maintained its reputation as a venture and growth capital leader, attracting a consistently high flow of matters from investors and issuers. Technology matters account for the majority of transactions, with other key instructions originating in the e-mobility, software, retail and insurance markets. The team of practice heads Pierre Karpik and David-James Sebag also impresses with its experience in private investments in public equity and its ability to assist with employee and management packages and incentive plans. The launch of the online platform Gide Venture in 2017, aimed at providing entrepreneurs, start-ups and growth companies with a number of counselling tools, attested the firm's dedication to France's venture and growth capital scene while the 2018 launch of Gide 255, the firm's digital transformation hub, underlined its commitment to guide its clients through the challenges and opportunities brought on by the digital transformation.

France > Project finance Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. has a well-rounded practice which assists sponsors, lenders, international agencies and governmental entities with the development and financing of projects in France and overseas. Domestically, the firm has a well established PPP practice, often retained to advise on large public infrastructure projects such as landmark transport projects, including tunnel and metro infrastructure. Public law expert Thomas Courtel and finance partner Laetitia Lemercier are the key contacts. Abroad, the firm is extensively advising oninfrastructure and renewable energy projects in francophone Africa. It is notably involved in smart city projects in Ivory Coast and Benin. The practice also handles key projects in various other parts of the world, for example for key client The International Finance Corporation whom the practice assists with the development and renovation of several airports around the globe. Marie Bouvet-Guiramand, John Crothers, Victor Grandguillaume, Nicolas Jean and Stéphane Vernay are the key names for international work.

France > Real estate Tier 1

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a powerhouse in the field; the firm's large team provides the full range of expertise to a highly prominent clientele. The practice excels at handling investment transactions and any other complex upscale off-plan or corporate real estate transactions. It was recently involved in many of the market’s landmark asset and portfolio deals, notably in the office and retail areas. The team also advised ICAWOOD on the launch of the very innovative Arboretum low-carbon offices and service premises campus project in Nanterre La Défense. In the hotel sector, the practice completed a major matter for key client Accor whom it assisted with the €1bn sale of its 85.5% stake in Orbis to AccorInvest, one among many of the client's strategic matters. Finally, the practice fields one of the market’s most renowned real estate finance expertise, often acting for banks on the structuring of the market’s largest financings. Frédéric Nouel directs  the strong practice which also includes: Stanislas Dwernicki, Eric Martin-Impératori, Renaud Baguenault de Puchesse, Bertrand Oldra, Christopher Szostak, Hugues Moreau, Jean-François Levraud, Nicolas Planchot and Constantin Miliotis, who made partner in early 2020. Kamel Ben Salah, Rémi Tabbagh and Laetitia Lemercier are among the best for high-end real estate finance work.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 2

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.'s large team allows the firm to cover most of the market’s strategic public law matters with high-level expertise. In Michel Guénaire, the practice counts a high-level energy regulatory expert among its ranks which fits well in the group's strong wider regulatory expertise. Also of high repute is the firm’s public procurement expertise which is sought after by governmental and local public entities as well as private companies, increasingly so with the advent of new urban transport projects such as free-floating scooter and electric vehicle charging stations projects in Paris. Thomas Courtel and Bénédicte Mazel are the two key names in that area. Finally, Emmanuel Vital-Durand and Alexandre Gauthier both provide excellent urban planning and public domain expertise. They assist public and private sector companies with ambitious public and private retail, infrastructure and construction projects. Environment law expert Jean-Nicolas Clément also contributes.

France > Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 2

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. stands out for its combination of a strong practice in France and its track record of acting in capital market transactions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa - a clear stand-out feature among the major French firms. The team's ability to assist with Rule 144A/Reg S. placements (thanks to Melinda Stege-Arsouze's US-qualification) is a key contributor to the group's highly international caseload. Under the joint leadership of Arnaud Duhamel and Stege-Arsouze, the group acts for financial institutions, issuers and alternative capital providers on a wide range of equity capital market transactions, including IPOs, share capital increases and convertible bond issuances. The life sciences and technology sectors make up a significant portion of the caseload. Counsel Guilhem Richard is also noted.

France > Compliance Tier 2

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. acts for leading companies, banks and financial institutions to assist with the setting up and reviewing of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering programmes. The team's experience spans guidance for clients facing AFA-led audits and the management of corruption and other whistle-blowing allegation crisis situations, often occurring overseas and requiring the conduct of internal investigations. The practice also advises financial institutions on banking and finance compliance.  The practice head group includes Bruno Quentin, Jean-Philippe Pons-Henry and Sophie Scemla as the key contacts, with banking and finance experts Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville and Olivier Bernardi and competition compliance specialist Antoine Choffel also contributing.

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. has established a reputation as a strong data privacy and protection team and is particularly sought after by clients in the banking, fintech, and insurance areas. Thierry Dor leads on high-profile protection projects and GDPR compliance reviews, as well as advisory work and contentious matters. The group has built up a strong base of French clients and continues its relationship with TechLaw, an international network of TMT law firms, to handle multi-jurisdictional matters.

France > Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 2

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. has strong specialised expertise in assisting financial institutions and asset management firms with AMF compliance investigations and related sanction proceedings. The firm was recently appointed to assist with one-of-a-kind appeal proceedings challenging an AMF sanction concerning a non-regulated entity. The practice also acts in market abuse cases, particularly alongside financial institutions. Jean-Philippe Pons-Henry is the key name in the practice. Also involved are Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville, Bruno Quentin and Stéphane Puel.

France > Employment Tier 2

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. ’s team advises leading French and international companies, including leading airline, energy and luxury goods companies, on their most strategic issues. The practice is handling several mass disputes relating to M&A, insolvency and downsizing projects as well as expenses and dividends work matters. The team has also been retained by Uber to handle high-stakes claims brought by hundreds of Uber platform drivers’ users asking for their status to be reclassified as employees.  Recently, the group provided key support in dealing with the first Covid-19 lockdown. Aurélien Boulanger, David Jonin, Baudouin de Moucheron, Guillaume Navarro, Foulques de Rostolan and François Vergne share the lead of the practice.

France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

With a client list featuring leading domestic and global laboratories, the practice at Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is best known for its strength in patent litigation, covering the full range of related work. Highlights in the last year have included the granting and extension of patents, in addition to infringement and nullity actions; Raphaëlle Dequiré-Portier is the name to note for this work. Other key lawyers include Dimitri Dimitrov, who specialises in competition and distribution matters; the 'extremely knowledgeable' Anne Tolila, who handles transactional mandates; and Arnaud Duhamel, who is highly regarded for equity capital markets work in the sector, with a practice focused on securities offerings.

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 2

With 'exceptional technical know-how in the tech and digital sector', Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.'s 11-lawyer team is retained on significant digital transformation mandates, often working on innovative issues including open source, cryptography, retargeting, blockchain and artificial intelligence. The department is also experienced in contentious work before regulators, notably representing AFP in a procedure against Google before the French Competition Authority regarding the French transposition of EU Directive on copyright in the digital single market. Practice-head Thierry Dor is sought after by French and global clients to advise on the structuring of tech projects and on issues related to outsourcing. Counsel Julien Guinot-Deléry is highly regarded for his expertise in IT projects and related litigation.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 2

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is particularly active in the large and upper-mid cap market segments. The practice is well known for its work on cross-border transactions, leading on Total's  acquisition of the Energías de Portugal’s portfolio of 2.5m customers and combined cycle power plants. Olivier Diaz, who is described as an 'excellent technician' leads the department, specialising in acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. The team has deep bench strength, with key names including Charles de Reals, Julien David, Christophe Eck and Jean-Gabriel Flandrois. It was further strengthened by the arrival of Jean-François Louit  and Caroline Lan who joined from Mayer Brown in September 2019.

France > Private equity: Fund formation Tier 2

At Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I., managing partner Stéphane Puel became the sole head of the practice following the retirement of Ann Baker in 2020. The group impresses with the breadth of its expertise, ranging from impact, investment debt and real estate funds, to private equity and funds of funds. With a strong domestic and cross-border caseload and experience in the mid-cap and large-cap market segments, the group consistently demonstrates its versatility. Guillaume Goffin made partner in January 2019. Counsel Rima Maitrehenry joined Racine in February 2021.

France > Tax Tier 2

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.‘s highly experienced team excels in transactional tax matters. The team is often involved alongside the firm’s corporate practice to advise on the structuring of large M&A and private equity deals, for example in a number of recent matters for leading investment funds or their management regarding the market’s largest private equity transactions. The practice is also highly regarded for its high-level property tax expertise which fits well with the market’s largest investment and other strategic property deals handled by the firm, such as the landmark Arboretum campus project. In addition, the practice handles various fund structuring work and is able to deal with high-stakes litigation. Key names in the team include Laurent Modave, Magali Buchert, Olivier Dauchez and Bertrand Jouanneau. Also highly involved are counsels Alexandre Bochu and Brian Martin.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 3

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. impresses with its versatility. The firm is active in strategic banking and corporate disputes. Banking-related M&A disputes in African jurisdictions, part of the practice's busy cross-border caseload, are another area of strength. The group also offers experience in arbitration award enforcement cases before French courts. Finally, the practice also manages commercial litigation and is involved in several disputes dealing with the revocation of former CEOs. Bruno Quentin, Jean-Philippe Pons-Henry and Sophie Scemla are in charge.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 3

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.‘s team, which includes several London-based lawyers, handles a high volume of commercial arbitration work. The practice is often involved in construction and energy disputes in relation to Europe and Africa, with instructions coming from French and international clients, including Chinese, Turkish, US and European companies. Exequator cases are another area of strength. The team is co-headed by Christian Camboulive, Carole Malinvaud, who was recently appointed as chair in an ICSID arbitration, Alexandra Munoz and the London-based Rupert Reece. Also recommended are counsels Sacha Willaume and Saadia Bhatty, who is based in London.

France > Dispute resolution: White-collar crime Tier 3

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. manages a diverse caseload. The practice regularly assists banks, companies and individuals as victims or plaintiffs with major fraud cases, and defends companies, CEOs and executives as well as banks in tax fraud, breach of trust and bankruptcy-related criminal investigations and trials. Bruno Quentin assists SNCF Mobilités with criminal proceedings initiated following the Eckwersheim train accident in November 2015. The practice also acts in cross-border investigations, handles matters before African courts, and conducts internal investigations. Sophie Scemla is also recommended. Quentin and Scemla direct the practice together with Jean-Philippe Pons-Henry.

France > Private equity: LBO Tier 3

France > Insolvency Tier 4

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s practice is now mainly led by Jean-Gabriel Flandrois following the departure of Caroline Texier for DLA Piper in 2019. The practice also regularly involves co-head of practice and finance expert Eric Cartier-Millon. The team acts for various stakeholders, including shareholders, funds, debtors, lenders and commercial partners. It was recently involved in several high-profile debt restructuring matters, including assisting lenders or key shareholders in CNIM, Europacorp and Buffalo Grill’s debt restructuring proceedings. The firm has also been retained to advise on the restructuring of one of France's biggest companies.