UGGC Avocats > Paris, France > Firm Profile

UGGC Avocats > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 1

UGGC Avocats covers a wide spectrum of copyright-related issues, assisting major industry players in Europe, Africa, and Asia and focusing on areas like innovation, digital law, fashion, luxury, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, sports, music, IoT, and digital publishing. Co-headed by experts Anne-Marie Pecoraro in AI and digital law, Elisabeth Logeais in licensing, and Corinne Khayat in copyright litigation, the firm regularly helps companies plan, implement, and manage strategies for copyright registration, protection, and management. They also provide guidance on IP exploitation, draft licensing and assignment agreements, and assist in anti-counterfeiting, anti-cybersquatting cases, unfair competition proceedings, and out-of-court mediation at domestic, European, and international levels. Additionally, Rodolphe Boissau is a key contact with extensive experience in aiding rights holders and handling litigation, including cases involving substantial copyright infringements.

France > Media and entertainment: Art Tier 1

Bolstered by a strong international network, UGGC Avocats‘ art law practice is firmly established on the French market, with a sizeable specialist team which assists many prominent public bodies and cultural organisations with acquisitions, loans, insurance issues and the management of cultural property. The firm’s stellar client base includes the Joan Mitchell Foundation, Académie des Beaux-Arts and the Rijksmuseum. Leading the practice is Jean-François Canat, a pioneering figure in the field of art law. Anne-Marie Pecoraro regularly advises leading companies and foundations on issues such as protection and donations, whilst Corinne Khayat is a notable expert in IP (particularly copyright) law, with an in-depth knowledge of the art market. Line-Alexa Glotin, Philippe Hansen and Laure Assumpçao are other key members of the team.

France > Media and entertainment: Music Tier 1

A dominant force in the market, UGGC Avocats handles complex, cross-border matters for many leading global figures in the music industry and is commended for its ‘legal and technical excellence’ in the field. Recent landmark cases for the group have included defending music service provider Mood Media in a dispute before the European courts and advising a successful French pop-rock band on copyright protection. The team is led by Anne-Marie Pecoraro, a highly renowned media lawyer who has a niche expertise in matters relating to music and live shows, whilst Rodolphe Boissau is also an expert in media and IP law.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 2

The IP department at UGGC Avocats, specialises in both registered and unregistered trade marks and distinctive signs, covering non-contentious and contentious areas. The practice excels in tasks ranging from trade mark registration and protection in France and the EU, conducting searches and analysis, due diligence in corporate transactions involving IP aspects, to anti-counterfeiting measures, managing infringement, cybersquatting cases, and addressing unfair competition matters. The team is co-led by litigators Anne-Marie Pecoraro and Corinne Khayat, in conjunction with licensing expert Elisabeth Logeais. Additionally, Rodolphe Boissau is a notable figure in the practice, renowned for his expertise in contentious matters.

France > Media and entertainment: Advertising Tier 2

UGGC Avocats fields a specialist team that is well-equipped to handle a range of matters. The team's expertise spans advertising, marketing and communications and it is highly sought after to assist with sponsorships and partnership issues for renowned personalities as well as personality rights in commercial campaigns. It also handles litigation relating online advertising, counterfeiting revenues and financing. The group is jointly headed by Anne-Marie Pecoraro, who advises on competition, labelling, branding, consumer issues and compliance, and Corinne Khayat, who represents clients before the courts in all aspects of advertising law. Jean-François Canat and Rodolphe Boissau are other key members of the team.

France > Media and entertainment: Cinema Tier 2

UGGC Avocats has a strong reputation in the entertainment industry, acting for an impressive roster of clients that includes Bpifrance and Paradiso Media. The practice is particularly noted for its skills in cross-border cases, particularly involving US, European and African clients. Industry veteran Anne-Marie Pecoraro leads the team, bringing over 25 years of experience working in the media and entertainment sector to her advice to leading international studios and production companies. She is supported by Rodolphe Boissau, whose areas of strength include copyright litigation.

France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 2

The group at UGGC Avocats is well-placed to advise investment funds and companies on all manner of venture and growth capital operations and related matters, including audits, the drafting of shareholders’ agreements, and management packages. Charles-Emmanuel Prieur steers the practice and is particularly focused on transactions involving new technologies, life sciences, real estate, and financial services. Additional key figures include partner David Gordon-Krief and corporate practitioner Ali Bougrine.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 3

UGGC Avocats' team is entrusted by a prominent client base, notably leading transport, energy, engineering and IT companies. The team, which also handles some work for public sector entities, is consulted on a wide range of subjects including the awarding of public procurement contracts and related performance and execution issues. It also regularly provides strategic guidance on new regulations, such as in the rail and gaming sectors, while construction, permits and urban planning law are also among its range of intervention. Practice head Thierry Dal Farra is a strong name on the market. Philippe Hansen, Franck Lepron, Benjamin de Sevin and Edouard Caupert are also excellent advisers.

France > Compliance Tier 3

Praised for its ‘perseverance and excellent knowledge’, UGGC Avocats advises on compliance issues associated with public procurement contracts, in addition to matters concerning anti-corruption and ethical obligations. Thierry Dal Farra, who spearheads the firm’s public business law department, jointly leads the team alongside ‘elder statesman’ Michel Ponsard and Corinne Khayat, who has ‘perfect knowledge’ of data protection issues.

France > Employment Tier 3

UGGC Avocats assists both domestic and international clients in all employment matters. Particular areas of expertise include corporate restructurings, transfer of business, due diligence and trade union negotiations. Sophie Uettwiller leads the team and is noted for her capabilities in sensitive collective matters. She is supported by Jennifer Carrel. Karine Audouze left the firm in December 2023.

France > Media and entertainment: Television/radio Tier 3

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 4

UGGC Avocats

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 4

UGGC Avocats' practice runs the gamut of EU and competition law, with a particularly strong presence in cartel and abuse of dominance cases - including recently defending clients in litigation stemming from the meal voucher and charcuterie cartels - and in distribution law matters, from negotiating distribution contracts to unfair competition claims. The team also assists with compliance and EU regulatory issues. Corinne Khayat, Michel Ponsard and Malka Marcinkowski jointly head the practice.

France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 4

UGGC Avocats is noted for its broad practice which spans the full spectrum of contentious and regulatory healthcare issues. The group regularly advises on the commercialisation of medical devices and medicines, including labelling issues and product composition. Practice head Sylvie Welsch primarily focuses on disputes involving medical liability, and non-contentious matters concerning health product advertising and distribution. Malka Marcinkowski is particularly adept at advising on pharma laboratories and medical device manufacturers on antitrust investigations and the regulations governing health products.

France > Insolvency Tier 4

UGGC Avocats provide valuable support to distressed companies, shareholders, directors, creditors, and insolvency practitioners across various scenarios, including reorganisation, acquisitions, and legal proceedings. Co-headed by Thierry Montéran and Marine Simonnot, the team’s international practice is a vital component of its work, bolstered by its affiliation with Interlaw, which enables them to effectively handle cross-border insolvency and disputes. The practice's client base attests to its expertise in handling insolvency cases.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 5

France > Real estate Tier 5

UGGC Avocats

Morocco > Banking, finance and capital markets

UGGC Africa’s banking and finance team is a trusted partner to Moroccan and foreign credit establishments, alongside extensive involvement in project finance, restructurings, and securitisations. Ali Bougrine, the firm’s managing partner, specialises in banking and finance as well as corporate and M&A work. Bougrine recently led a joint venture matter between an aeronautical electrical systems manufacturer and Boeing, leveraging his cross-disciplinary experience to advise on both funding aspects regarding banks as well as corporate matters regarding the organisation of the board. Laurent Sablé is well versed in advising clients in high value transactions and conducting relevant negotiations with Moroccan authorities.

Morocco > Dispute resolution

UGGC Africa  leverages its pan-African network across Morocco, Cameroon, and the Ivory Coast, in addition to collaborating with the firm’s Paris office to assist its diverse client base. Practice head Ali Bougrine divides his time between Casablanca and Paris, and has vast experience acting as both an arbitrator and clients across southern Africa. Laurent Sablé is another key player within the team, specialising in international arbitration. Jean-Jacques Uettwiller routinely works between Brussels, Paris, and Casablanca, and is recommended for his strong focus on asset management and arbitration.

Morocco > Tourism and real estate

UGGC Africa has an experienced team which advises on sensitive construction and real estate issues concerning disputes, debt recovering, and shareholder negotiations. Managing partner Ali Bougrine leads most of the significant matters for the firm. Besides tourism and real estate law, Bougrine is also specialized in local and cross-border transactions, which is highly applicable in the real estate and infrastructure sector. Other notable individuals include Laurent Sablé and Fabien Gagnerot.

Morocco > Employment

UGGC Africa, in collaboration with its Paris office, is well-known for handling employment issues arising from corporate matters. The group's caseload primarily consists of terminations, and employment contract reviews and amendments. Ali Bougrine, who leads the practice and serves as the firm's managing partner, is known for his significant corporate expertise, often assisting with the employment complexities of major M&A transactions. Rim Tazi is noted for her broad knowledge of employment issues involving secondments and joint ventures.

Morocco > Projects and public law

UGGC Africa handles the public law elements of a wide range of projects. Ali Bougrine heads the practice and leverages his expertise in corporate and M&A in advising clients on joint ventures and other commercial issues. Laurent Sablé is another notable figure in the firm and provides support on several matters involving large energy infrastructure projects.