Firm Profile > Jeantet > Paris , France

Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 2

The practice at Jeantet rests on the shoulders of Martine Samuelian , who heads up the financial institutions and services group and banking and finance department. Anti-money laundering strategies and the structuring and distribution of financial products, including the setting-up of internal compliance systems and obtaining authorisations, are other areas of strength for the firm. A series of recent hires attest to its steadily growing client roster, which now features Société Générale de Banque au Liban, and Samuelian advised on the regulatory aspects of the bank's acquisition of the share capital of KBL Richelieu Banque Privée and KBL Monaco Private Bankers.

Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 2

Jeantet has a ‘very responsive and professional practice’. Frank Martin Laprade has experience representing companies, executives and investors in financial information communication and market abuse cases. Martine Samuelian is instructed by high-profile financial institutions for her expertise in dealing with regulatory and disciplinary proceedings.

Industry focus: energy Tier 2

Jeantet's team includes ‘well-versed international lawyers’, who have ‘a depth of experience in infrastructure and mining projects in West Africa’. The firm is advising international companies on several of Africa's largest mining deposits including assisting Canyon Resources with a first-class Bauxite deposit development project in Cameroon. Oil and gas is another area of sector expertise which also extends to arbitration and litigation. Highlights included advising Wineco on the acquisition of Total’s import, storage and distribution LPG business in Haiti and representing Europa Oil and Gas in French court proceedings following the state's refusal to authorise the transfer and extension of an exploration permit. Practice head Thierry Lauriol is ‘well versed in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors and has a depth of knowledge and contacts throughout French speaking Africa’ where he is ‘a mover and shaker in the sector’. The firm also combines energy and corporate expertise to advise on renewables projects in Europe and Africa. Corporate partner Karl Hepp de Sevelinges is ‘solution-oriented, commercial and gets things done’.

Dispute resolution: commercial litigation Tier 3

Jeantet's dedicated litigation group is able to handle a broad range of disputes, encompassing corporate and governance litigation, and commercial and industrial cases. The antitrust team, which includes Loraine Donnedieu de Vabres-Tranié, Florent Prunet and Thomas Picot, also acts in commercial litigation, particularly in post-cartel damages cases before the French courts. The firm recently hired Xavier Pernot from Ginestié Magellan Paley-Vincent to further strengthen its litigation expertise, especially in industrial, corporate and commercial cases, while counsel Estelle Floyd is another key asset in the practice. Finally, corporate partners such as Yvon Dréano and Karl Hepp de Sevelinges also take on some litigation.

Employment Tier 3

Jeantet has ‘great legal knowledge and makes sure clients understand every step of the way, always taking its clients' opinion into account’. The 16-lawyer team is made up of ‘extremely brilliant individuals’, who are ‘proactive and really direct in their advice’. Many leading French and international groups are clients, including high-profile names in the automotive, luxury and new technology sectors. The practice recently handled union led and collective disputes. It also successfully represented Valeo in URSSAF contributions repayment litigation that led the  Constitutional Council of the French Republic to amend the law. The firm is also representing Christian Dior before the Paris Labour Court in a dispute regarding the termination of designer John Galliano's contract. Pension and criminal employment law matters are also part of the workload. Primark, Foot Locker, Vallourec, Twitter and Galeries Lafayette are among its other clients. Jean Néret and Patrick Thiébart are the practice heads. Déborah David and Olivier Angotti are other key names.

EU, competition and distribution Tier 3

Competition and consumer law lies at the core of Jeantet's practice. Noted especially for its strong litigation capabilities, the team handles state aid, abuse of dominant position, vertical restrictions and consumer protection litigation as well as the advisory issues of merger control. Practice head Loraine Donnedieu de Vabres-Tranié is currently advising Gerflor on the FCA investigation into the PVC flooring cartel which resulted in a total fine of €302m imposed on the main three manufacturers; she is also acting on a number of private enforcement claims seeking compensation for losses arising from anticompetitive practices. Counsel Florent Vever is also a key contact within the team.

Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 4

Dispute resolution: White-collar crime Tier 4

Mergers and acquisitions Tier 4

Tax Tier 4

Jeantet ‘combines in-depth knowledge of the French legal and tax environment with an international business approach’. The ‘responsive’ 12-lawyer team also stands out for its ability to provide integrated French, Swiss and Luxembourgish tax advice that earns the firm high-profile instructions from leading corporations, asset management companies, private banks and ultra-high-net-worth shareholders' families. The practice also extends to Eastern Europe jurisdictions through its network of offices. The range of expertise spans corporate tax, private client tax and the tax-related aspects of litigation. The practice notably assisted Inter Digital with the acquisition of Technicolor's patent licensing business, as well as LBO France with the joint acquisition of Piex. Other highlights include obtaining a major victory before the French courts, which overturned ten years of jurisprudence in a landmark case and providing high-end advice on Franco-Swiss issues. Air Liquide is also a client. The practice is jointly headed by Geneva-based Patrice Lefèvre-Péaron  and the ‘highly responsive’ Jean-Guillaume Follorou, who ‘looks for practical solutions’.

Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 5