Aramis > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Aramis
9 RUE SCRIBE
75009 PARIS
France

France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 2

The patent law practice at Aramis handles a wide range of patent law matters, including invalidity strategies, infringement disputes and preliminary injunctions, licensing matters, including in research and development agreements. The team works for high-profile clients and has strong experience in domestic and cross-border patent litigation. Founding partner Benjamin May heads the practice. Counsel Louis Jestaz is another key contact.

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Testimonials

‘Essentially, ARAMIS is distinguished by its multidisciplinary approach to business law, with high-level associate experts and efficient collaborators for each skill. Clearly, a large firm, and at the same time flexible, responsive, and attentive to its clients.’

‘Easy-to-deal-with! Clear and consistent communication, proactive and efficient people. A level of expertise appropriate to our needs.’

‘Responsive and knowledgeable. Very aware in considering the impact of current cases law on litigation strategy.’

‘Benjamin May provides excellent advice and engages in the case. The associate Louis Jestaz offers valuable and knowlegable support and work results.’

‘Maître May is particularly affable and attentive to our comments and proposals. He is also very educational in his way of presenting his arguments and his litigation strategy. It is really very pleasant to work with him.’

‘A great listener and a real effort to understand technical subjects: Benjamin May.’

Key clients

Zentiva

Allergan/AbbVie

Enyx

Arcadophta and BVI France

Amphenol Socapex

INRIA

Angus International

Tereos

Eiffage

Work highlights

  • Represented Zentiva in one of the major pan-European patent disputes over Eli Lilly’s Alimta drug.
  • Represented Allegan (member of AbbVie) in a transatlantic anti-suit injunction matter against Vivacy.
  • Assisted Enyx with a patent dispute against its competitor Novasparks on high-speed trading technologies.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 3

Aramis has a strong focus on public law contracts and is increasingly active in public procurement projects. The group handles advisory work and litigation and demonstrates particular strength in the transport sector where it notably handles a high-stakes public contract resiliation dispute regarding a Parisian car sharing public procurement contract. A high-profile tunnel project, in which the firm handles expropriation disputes and construction claims, is further proof of the firm's renown in the transport sector. The practice also acts in major matters in French Polynesia, for example advising on the construction of a new airport and on renewable energy projects. Finally, the team is increasingly involved in issues pertaining to the energy sector. Private and public sector operators are clients. Etienne Amblard is highly recommended. He is ably supported by associate Kévyn Gillet.

Practice head(s):

Etienne Amblard

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘One of the most competent lawyers I know and work with. Etienne Amblard is very available and takes the subjects he manages to heart. He is very attentive. He also integrates the sectoral dimensions of the projects. This is what makes the practice unique.’

‘Etienne Amblard and Kévyn Gillet succeed in the projects they are working on. They have excellent interpersonal skills, it is a pleasure to work with them every time.’

‘Efficient and responsive. The answers provided, the legal analyses and the solutions proposed are clear and explicit.’

‘Affordable, available and attentive to the needs of his client. Efficient and rapid in its interventions, its legal analyses and risk analyses are clear and explicit.’

‘Understanding of business issues before dealing with the legal aspect.’

‘Availability and listening; good knowledge of business issues, clear and effective summaries.’

‘Étienne Amblard and Kévyn Gillet made themselves available inspite of huge time differences. This was reassuring for us in order to maintain a certain fluidity with our customers and partners. We also appreciated that they defend their positions with vigour and conviction.’

Key clients

Hello Paris

Commune des Deux-Alpes

Mobilier National

Société du Grand Paris

GL Events

Thaï Union

Citelum

ARTTIC

Rydoo

Caisse des dépôts et consignations

RATP Dev

Syndicat Mixte Autolib’

Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin

Carrefour

Egis Airport

Gepsa (ENGIE)

Emovis (Abertis group)

Sphere Sante

Télio Group

Office des postes et télécommunications de Polynésie française

Tahiti Nui Telecom

Work highlights

  • Represented SAVM in a flagship litigation related to ‘Autolib’ concession termination (electric car sharing program).
  • Advising SGP (public agency in charge of the future Grand Paris Express lines construction) on public law issues related to the set-up of major  contracts.
  • Advising Egis Airport amd Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations on their submission to the new Tahiti airport concession contract.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 3

Aramis

Practice head(s):

Cédric de Pouzilhac; Etienne Amblard

Key clients

EDF S.A.

Enedis

Izivia

Citelum

Syndicat Mixte Autolib’

Tahiti Nui Telecom

La Poste

Renault Group

Work highlights

  • Representing EDF in a dispute concerning a force majeure clause related to the COVID-19 situation within the scope of French regulated access to nuclear energy (ARENH).
  • Representing Izivia (a subsidiary company of EDF S.A. specialized in electric mobility) in product liability proceedings initiated against the manufacturer and the supplier of 200 electric charging stations in France.
  • Representing Enedis, the French company in charge of the distribution of electricity within 95% of the French territory, in a class action brought by abouyt 150 plaintiffs in relation to the implementation of intelligent electric metering system (Linky).

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 3

Aramis handles the full range of IT and digital law such as outsourcing and licencing and offers cutting-edge fintech expertise. E-commerce and e-payment systems are a big focus for the firm and the practice frequently acts as counsel for major multinational companies. Practice head Benjamin May takes the lead on such matters with the support of counsel David Roche.

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Key clients

IRP AUTO

Société Générale

Keolis

Square

Natixis Payments

RTE

Vallourec

Twitch

SolarisBank

FrenchSys

Paylib

Tabeo

Marketparts

Emovis

Work highlights

  • Assisted IRP Auto, a French insurance company handling 400,000 clients, with a critical platform migration project, advising on multi-vendor negotiations with Salesforce, DXC, Pro BTP, Almerys, Okta, Tessi, Varonis, etc.
  • Assisted Keolis with the reorganisation of its customised contractual packages (framework agreement, application contract and purchase order) for SaaS tools to be implemented on a global scale.
  • Assisted Square and all its affiliates with its access to the French market, namely assisting with regulatory, tax, commercial law and consumer law concerns.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 3

Benjamin May's team at Aramis is experiencing a rapid growth in mandates in the cosmetics, biotech and life sciences sectors. It was particularly focused on anti-counterfeiting and IP portfolio management issues in 2021. The group benefits from the firm’s wider partnerships with large international firms, enabling collaboration on worldwide disputes. The team is assisting with an infringement claim for Molo Design against Chanel companies, which is pending in Germany and Italy. Senior associate Florent Mattern is praised for his ‘creative solutions.’

Practice head(s):

Benjamin May

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Aramis has an excellent, highly qualified and responsive team. We have worked with them in a number of high profile matters in and out of court and they have performed well in all instances. They have shown in-depth knowledge in all IP issues.’

‘Benjamin May is a seasoned practitioner and very experienced. Florent Mattern has creative solutions.’

Key clients

Molo Design

Allergan/AbbVie

Verweij Fashion

Lidl

Eiffage

National Fitness Campaign

Qonto

Work highlights

  • Represented Molo Design Ltd in a worldwide dispute related to the infringement of its internationally renowned industrial designs against Chanel and its suppliers.
  • Assisted Allergan with a complex and worldwide trade mark case.
  • Assisted Lidl France with several litigations for various IP-related issues.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4

Aramis

Practice head(s):

Cédric de Pouzilhac

Testimonials

‘Cédric de Pouzilhac shows excellent understanding of industrial issues; careful analysis of contracts; effective advice and pragmatism.’

Key clients

EDF S.A.

Amundi Immo

Alstom Transport S.A.

Techint

Enedis

Izivia

Work highlights

  • Representing EDF in a multi-counterpart-litigation about a force majeure clause related to the COVID-19 crisis and  French regulated access to nuclear energy (ARENH).
  • Representing Techint SpA in construction litigation.
  • Represented Cobra Europe (Rema Tip Top Group) in post-M&A litigation.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 4

Based in Paris and Brussels, the team at Aramis advises multinational household names on a wide range of competition and distribution law matters. These include customs law, merger filings, abuse of dominance, cartel cases, regulatory sanctions, state aid and appearances before FCA, Paris Court of Appeal and the French Super Court. Led by founding partner and antitrust expert Aurélien Condomines, the group’s client base spans the retail, banking, transportation, hospitality and agri-food sectors. Associate Pierre Galmiche is also noted.

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Testimonials

‘Aramis are a highly experienced and well established firm filled with talented lawyers who always put their clients first. They have real strength in depth in dealing with complicated EU and competition law issues.’

‘Aurélien Condomines is a complete superstar in the EU/competition field. Highly experienced and deep thinker. Aurélien is an absolute pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

Grohe

XPO Logistics

Natixis

Hermes

Firmenich

Cromology

Primonial

Keolis

Henry Schein

Carrefour

Système U

InVivo

Hasbro

Fayat

Work highlights

  • Assisting InVivo, a French union of cooperatives, with the merger filing to the European Commission of their acquisition of Soufflet, a major actor of the agricultural and agri-food industries.
  • Acted for Carrefour in litigation against the French Ministry for the Economy concerning a fine imposed because of not complying with French distribution rules.
  • Advised Natixis in the context of the appeals of a French competition authority decision before the Paris Court of appeals.

France > Tax Tier 5

Aramis

Practice head(s):

Nelson Da Riba

Testimonials

‘Ability to quickly grasp complex issues. High level of experience. Availability.’

‘High technicality.’

Key clients

Tikehau Capital

Sagax

La Poste (French Post Office)

Unique Heritage Media

Thai Union Group

Catalyst Capital

Laboratoires Lehning

Enyx

Square

Fayat

Work highlights

  • Advised La Poste (through its health division La Poste Silver) on the acquisition of a controlling interest in e-health company Nouvéal.
  • Advising Oteo (Spice Capital) on an OBO related to Atulam.
  • Advising US Square group on their tax obligations in France, tax structuring and VAT certification.

The firm: Aramis was created in 2006 by Aurélien Condomines, Benjamin May and Raphaël Mellerio, three senior lawyers in major international law firms having practiced in France and abroad. Since its creation, the firm has grown from three partners to 10 today and 30 lawyers altogether. The key features of the firm is managed growth and human size, a large spectrum of practice areas for businesses, involvement, pragmatism and simplicity.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Corporate/M&A Raphaël Mellerio
Corporate/M&A Alexis Chahid-Nouraï
Corporate/M&A Anne-Hélène Le Trocquer
Antitrust and economic law Aurélien Condomines
Intellectual property Benjamin May
Franchising Raphaël Mellerio
Franchising Aurélien Condomines
IT Benjamin May
IT David Roche
Tax Nelson Da Riba
Employment Frédéric Milcamps
Commercial litigation Benjamin May
Commercial litigation Aurélien Condomines
Arbitration Cédric de Pouzilhac
Public law Etienne Amblard
Restructuring and insolvency Vincent Pellier