Aramis > Paris, France > Firm Profile
Aramis Offices
9 RUE SCRIBE
75009 PARIS
France
Aramis > The Legal 500 Rankings
France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 2
Benjamin May heads up the patents practice at Aramis, which has particular strength in advising prominent pharmaceutical clients on a wide range of patent matters. Key areas of instruction include infringement claims, licensing agreements, preliminary injunctions, invalidity proceedings and R&D agreements. The group has also seen an increase in work from clients in the biotech and life sciences sectors. Other key names in the department include David Roche, who is well versed in assisting emerging technology entities, and Annabelle Divoy, who focuses on FRAND disputes and SEP issues.Practice head(s):
Benjamin May
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Aramis has a solid team to handle IP files, as well as a wide range of skills and the ability to collaborate with different players in the field on complex issues.’
‘Benjamin May is a recognized expert, experienced, clear and lucid.’
Key clients
Fresenius Medical Care
Lanaform
Belmoca
Arcadophta & BVI France
Angus
Enyx
Work highlights
- Representing Fresenius Medical Care in pan-European litigation against Nipro relating to the infringement and validity of a European medical device patent.
- Acted for Lanaform in an infringement action.
France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 3
Practice head(s):
Cédric de Pouzilhac; Etienne Amblard
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A very competent and attentive team with an excellent understanding of the sector. Very professional and provide sharp and relevant analyses.’
‘Cédric de Pouzilhac has remarkable expertise in litigation.’
Key clients
EDF S.A.
Enedis
Izivia
Syndicat Mixte Autolib’
Tahiti Nui Telecom
EDF Renouvelables
Encevo
Electricité de Strasbourg
Dalkia
Tamini
Agregio
Work highlights
- Assisting and representing EDF in multi-counterpart litigation about the performance of a force majeure clause related to the COVID-19 situation within the scope of French regulated access to nuclear energy.
- Assisting and representing Izivia in proceedings initiated against the manufacturer and supplier of 200 electric charging stations in France (respectively EVBox and Groupe Cahors), with relation to product liability.
- Advising TNT on the bidding process to find an industrial, financial and commercial partner for a major 12 MWp solar farm project in Tahiti.
France > Industry focus: IT and internet Tier 3
Aramis has an active practice area in the digital technologies market, with strong capabilities in IT, privacy and data protection law. The team is particularly notable for its expertise in outsourcing, SaaS, digitalisation and systems integration work. The team is co-led by Benjamin May, an expert in IP law, and David Roche, who leverages his strong sector knowledge of the fintech space.Practice head(s):
Benjamin May; David Roche
Key clients
IRP Auto
FrenchSys
Paylib
Payplug
Société Générale
Bessé
Worldcoin
Atos
Enyx
Evernex
Work highlights
- Assisting IRP AUTO with the complete rebuilding of its information system.
- Assisting FrenchSys with the negotiation of services agreements, as well as with the drafting and implementation of protocols.
- Providing comprehensive support to Tools for Humanity Corporation (Worldcoin) in order to establish its project in France.
France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 3
Aramis’ IP team brings a wealth of expertise to the table, particularly in handling intricate trade mark litigation cases, often involving cross-border dimensions. With established partnerships with prominent foreign law firms in key jurisdictions such as the US, Germany, China, and the UK, the team is well-positioned for global IP challenges. Leading the charge is Benjamin May, one of the firm’s founding partners, renowned for his mastery in contentious trade mark issues and contractual matters. The team consistently serves a distinguished client base, witnessing notable expansion in the cosmetics, biotech, and life science sectors, where they excel in navigating infringement and unfair competition proceedings.Practice head(s):
Benjamin May
Other key lawyers:
Barbara Daudet
Testimonials
‘Aramis is a boutique IP litigation firm. They are knowledgeable, creative and responsive with great client care.’
‘A great team.’
‘Benjamin May is a smart and creative lawyer, with excellent communication and client care.’
Key clients
Allergan / Abbvie (litigation)
Molo Design
Lidl (Carré Blanc + Lindt + Domaine du Clos de Caille)
Birkenstock
Vinci
Maison des Fleurs
Eiffage
Elsan
Allergan / Abbvie (TM enforcement and management)
Work highlights
- Representing the Allergan companies (members of AbbVie) in a complex and worldwide trade mark case on their JUVÉDERM trade marks portfolio.
- Representing the Canadian design company Molo Design Ltd. in a worldwide dispute related to the infringement of its internationally renowned industrial designs, against Chanel and its suppliers.
- Representing Lidl France on several litigations with various IP-related issues. Significant dispute is the cross-border litigation versus Lindt & Sprüngli AG for trade marks infringement, including its 3D trade mark consisting in a gold chocolate rabbit, which were subject to renowned ECJ decisions.
France > Administrative and public law Tier 4
Aramis provides a good coverage of public law issues with major strength in the public procurement field. Headed by Etienne Amblard, the team assists a prominent client base, made up of leading energy and transport companies, as well as engineering firms and some public sector entities. The practice regularly advises on large procurement contracts spanning various industry sectors including transport (rail, airport) and urban heating, while also handling related major litigation. It also assists clients with urban-planning issues such as expropriation matters linked to prominent transport projects. The team also assists in the context of M&A and renewable energy projects.Practice head(s):
Etienne Amblard
Testimonials
‘The public and administrative law team led by Etienne Amblard produces quality, responsive work and very good analysis.’
‘Etienne Amblard demonstrates very comprehensive skills in public law and in particular in concession law, and also great interpersonal skills, simplicity and human qualities.’
‘Responsive, enthusiastic team that demonstrates a pragmatic approach and provides solid analysis of public law issues. ’
‘Etienne Amblard: responsive, pragmatic and knowledgeable in public law issues.’
‘The team is extremely competent and responsive. It is able to always meet commitments in terms of deadlines. Exchanges with the team’s lawyers are always excellent.’
‘This is a team you can trust and on whom you can always count.’
Key clients
Voies Navigables de France (VNF)
EDF Energie renouvelables
Santander
Sodiparc
JC DECAUX
Vinci Construction Grands Projets
Petropol
MAPAD Santé
Kimberley Clark
Mobilidée
EXPE Group
2IDE
Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin
AggloBasel
Ville de Paris
SNCF Gares & Connexions
SNCF Voyageurs
Egis Airport
Hello Paris (Keolis and RATP Dev)
Mobilier national
Société du Grand Paris
Thaï Union
Citelum
Caisse des dépôts et consignations
Syndicat Mixte Autolib’
Carrefour
Télio Group
Office des postes et télécommunications de Polynésie française
Tahiti Nui Telecom
VOMM
Work highlights
- Represented the city of Paris in three proceedings before the Paris Administrative Court concerning a concession contract for providing collective urban heating within the Paris area.
- Assisted The Hello Paris consortium (the operator of the CDG Express) with the transfer of its rolling stock supply contract to a new rolling stocks supplier.
- Representing Vinci Construction Grands Projets in judicial damage claims led against the Government of French Polynesia in relation to the implementation of a public procurement contract consisting of the supply of a SWAC (Sea Water Air Conditioning) in Tahiti during the COVID 19 period.
France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4
Practice head(s):
Cédric de Pouzilhac; Aurélien Condomines; Benjamin May
Testimonials
‘The team is fast, reliable, always available and with excellent knowledge of the law and needs of the client. They can work under short deadlines in matters of high importance.’
‘Cédric de Pouzilhac is an excellent attorney with excellent knowledge of international litigation and arbitration matters. He has a keen legal mind, is very practical and always thinks about the client. He is a pleasure to work with. He is a someone a client can definitely rely upon.’
‘Very dynamic, lively and involved team’.
‘Cédric de Pouzilhac: excellent litigation lawyer, good jurist, knowledgeable. ’
‘The team is extremely professional, has excellent legal and practical knowledge that allows them to come up with the best adapted strategies, often leading to a win.’
‘Cédric de Pouzilhac and Marion Carrega are rigorous, responsive with good listening skills. They are very nice and positive’.
Key clients
EDF S.A.
ALSTOM SA
VOMM Impianti e Processi SpA
Techint
Cobra Europe
Enedis
Izivia
Rizzani de Eccher
Dalkia
Encevo
Electricité de Strasbourg
Eiffage Construction
La Poste Nouveaux Services
Work highlights
- Representing EDF in a multi-counterpart-litigation about the performance of a force majeure clause related to the COVID-19 situation within the scope of French regulated access to nuclear energy (ARENH).
- Assisting Techint SpA in construction litigation pending in Portugal in cooperation with Portuguese law firm Abreu Advogados, inclusive of a jurisdiction challenge in favour of arbitration.
- Representing Cobra Europe (Rema Tip Top Group) in relation to a post-M&A dispute for breach by the vendors of their commitments within the deal and non-fulfilment of conditions precedent.
France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 4
Aramis is particularly active in merger control cases before the FCA, in addition to advising French companies on the coordination of multi-jurisdictional filings. The firm also assists with competition law compliance and distribution matters, and has experience in antitrust litigation and investigations. Aurélien Condomines leads the practice, predominantly advising clients in the agri-food and retail sectors, although his industry-specific expertise also covers luxury goods, defence and banking.Practice head(s):
Aurélien Condomines
Other key lawyers:
Pierre Galmiche
Testimonials
‘The team is not very large but is extremely agile, providing feedback within very short deadlines.’
Key clients
Grohe
Bimpli
Hermes
Firmenich
Cromology
Henry Schein
InVivo
La Poste
EDF
La Française
Work highlights
- Advised InVivo, France’s biggest union of cooperatives, on the coordination of merger filings in several jurisdictions for its acquisition of United Malt Group.
- Assisted Docaposte, the digital subsidiary of La Poste Groupe, with the merger filing of its acquisition of Maincare Solutions, one of the leaders in supporting the digital transformation of hospitals in France.
- Assisted BPCE Lease, a subsidiary of the BPCE banking group, with the merger filing of its acquisition of Groupe Eurolocatique, a specialist provider of solutions to finance medical equipment.
France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 5
Practice head(s):
Raphaël Mellerio; Alexis Chahid-Nouraï; Anne-Hélène Le Trocquer; Aymeric de Mol
Testimonials
‘Very good quality of service. Raphaël Mellerio has great expertise and a very good knowledge of the field. Very responsive and flexible.’
‘Anne-Hélène Le Trocquer is very committed.’
‘Alexis Chahid-Nouraï has good legal knowledge and is a good negotiator and mediator.’
‘We particularly appreciate the agility of Aramis’ M&A team in structuring and implementing international deals. They know very well how to coordinate local advisory teams and provide very pragmatic and operational support, which is very appreciated by our leaders. They are facilitators and are very flexible with whom it is very pleasant to work.’
‘Raphaël Mellerio, not only has an excellent professional background, he is always available and has a constructive approach. His responsiveness is impressive. ’
‘Aymeric de Mol is a high quality lawyer. His great technical expertise and pragmatism make him a partner of choice. Aymeric is also a calm and thoughtful practitioner, which is a strength in context of great tension. ’
‘The Aramis team is agile and responsive.’
‘A very professional, responsive team who listens to offer the best recommendations in the client’s best interest.’
Key clients
La Poste
Unique Heritage Media
Eiffage
Bpifrance Investissements
Tereos
Beaver Visitec International (BVI)
Asendia
Terroirs & Vignerons de Champagne
Spice Capital
Tata Steel
Keolis
Thai Union Group
Bridgestone
IKKS
Exegy
Spirit
Ariane (family office – Torck family)
Taleo Consulting
Champagne AR Lenoble
Experimental Group
Cosmetique Totale
EDF
The Lede Company (US)
Jakala
Egis
Renault
Quaero Capital
IZNES
Seabird
SD Worx
Work highlights
- Advised Quaero Capital on the sale of its stakes in the ultra-high-speed fibre project companies Rosace Fibre and Losange Fibre to Altitude Infrastructure.
- Aassisted longstanding client Terroirs et Vignerons de Champagne (TEVC) with the acquisition of the emblematic champagne house “Champagne Henriot” from Artémis Domaines (Pinault family).
- Assisted three family offices in their acquisition of a minority stake in the 123 Investment Managers group.
France > Real estate
Aramis > Firm Profile
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.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |