Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Compliance Tier 1

The compliance and investigations practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has demonstrable experience in assisting CAC 40 companies with AFA-led inspections, in addition to advising on mandates concerning anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and sanctions issues. Other key areas of expertise include assisting with the implementation of internal compliance policies, such as codes of conduct, risk mapping and whistleblowing policies, as well as representing clients in internal and government-initiated investigations. Praised as ‘an excellent lawyer and highly recognised in this arena’, Jonathan Mattout leads the team and covers the full range of compliance matters and sanctions issues, in addition to white-collar crime litigation.

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 1

The ‘practical, commercially driven and tech-savvy’ team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP runs the gamut of contentious and advisory data protection matters. The practice’s expertise is underscored by its frequent handling of major data privacy mandates for Google. Assisting multinationals undertaking large-scale digitalisation projects with GDPR compliance is another area of strength. Alexandra Neri heads up the cohort and wins plaudits for her ability to assist clients in cyber crime-related disputes. She is described as forming a ‘complementary duo’ with Sébastien Proust, a practitioner who is well versed in a slew of internet law issues such as the right to be forgotten and the digitalisation of books. Robin Nini and Antoine Sullice are further key contacts in the Paris office.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

Described as ‘one of the most comprehensive practices in the energy space’, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is equipped to handle the public and private law aspects of energy, mining and infrastructure projects in France and abroad. Core pillars of the practice are M&A work, project finance mandates and regulatory and public law matters. Pre-contentious dispute resolution is another key area of activity. Rebecca Major oversees matters and frequently guides French and Japanese clients through resources acquisitions and disposals. Nina Bowyer is well versed in cross-border restructurings and financing arrangements. Mathias Dantin has seen an increase in instructions relating to the energy transition sector such as battery energy storage. Olga Melo Zanelli bolsters the unit’s ability to handle major projects in emerging markets. Bertrand Montembault assists with energy projects in Francophone Africa.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 1

Recognised in the market for its outstanding work on behalf of renowned internet and technology players, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s trade marks team has established itself as the go-to firm for Google in France since 2003. Led by Alexandra Neri, the team provides comprehensive support to clients, addressing a wide range of both contentious and non-contentious matters. Their extensive experience includes handling high-value and high-profile IP/TMT disputes before both French and European courts, as well as representing clients before the French Data Protection Authority (DPA). Additionally, the firm offers advisory support, aiding clients in navigating regulatory issues, addressing data protection concerns, and effectively managing and enforcing trade mark portfolios. The practice also benefits from the contributions of Sébastien Proust, head of electronics, who brings a wealth of experience in rights protection, licensing, and dispute resolution. Proust has played a pivotal role in several landmark cases that have helped shape the evolving application of trade mark law in the context of advertising referencing and the “right to be forgotten” concept in France.

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 2

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP stands out for its ability to offer a combination of high-level advisory and enforcement expertise to leading banks and insurers, as well as asset management companies and other financial institutions. The team assists with governance, the launch of new structures and services and compliance issues, including representing them before the AMF and ACPR prudential regulatory agencies. The team is led by Régis Oréal, Vincent Hatton, Antoine Juaristi and Martin Le Touzé.

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 2

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has strong know-how advising companies or banks on the setting up of credit facilities, including ESG-linked and revolving credit facilities. The comprehensive practice also regularly advises on acquisition finance deals, while its range of expertise also encompasses emerging markets and asset-based financing. Many leading French and international banks are clients. Louis De Longeaux is the key name within the team, with the highly experienced Régis Oréal also a key member. The team is headed by Vincent Hatton and also includes Michaël Armandou. Of note, the team strengthened further its ranks in early 2024 after re-hiring Laure Bonin  from August Debouzy.

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 2

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has strong securitisation expertise advising a wide spectrum of key players in the field including top French banks, originators and investors. The team, which leverages the firm’s international network to handle cross-border matters, advises on an array of trade receivable products and transactions and also assists with factoring. Vincent Hatton is an expert in the field; he is supported by senior associate Philippe Desvignes. DCM expert Louis de Longeaux provides guidance to leading corporations on derivatives.

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 2

Leveraging its particular industry expertise in the TMT sector, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is ideally equipped to handle complex IT projects and disputes. The experienced team caters to both French and international clients. Recent highlights include defending major industry players such as Google in multi-jurisdictional litigation, as well as supporting clients with non-contentious matters such as data management, digital projects and regulatory issues. Alexandra Neri manages the team, focusing on complex disputes and data protection issues. Sébastien Proust specialises in rights protection and licensing issues, as well as acting in relevant disputes.

France > Insurance Tier 2

Acting for leading insurers, reinsurers and brokers, as well as large corporates, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP fields a broad insurance practice which covers life and non-life matters. The team has robust experience in M&A in the insurance sector (and in related competition issues), in addition to handling insurance claims, advising on regulatory issues relating to setting up insurance offerings in France and the drafting of insurance policies. Martin Le Touzé takes the lead on insurance disputes, while Vincent Hatton focuses on regulatory matters.

France > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 2

As the go-to firm for Google in France, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP maintains a robust client roster, offering counsel on both contentious and non-contentious issues encompassing all aspects of IP, technology, and regulatory matters. The team possess expertise in copyright matters related to the internet. Under the leadership of Alexandra Neri, the practcice provides regular guidance to both domestic and international clients, focusing on copyright infringement and anti-counterfeiting policies. They are well-versed in representing technology and media companies before both French and EU courts.

France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 2

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s patents team advises across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters. The group works closely with the firm's London and Milan offices to provide comprehensive support to clients in relation to patent claims in multiple jurisdictions. Infringement and nullity actions are other key drivers of work for the department. Practice head Alexandra Neri has an excellent track record in handling litigation. Frédéric Chevallier handles high-value and complex multi-jurisdictional patent matters within the pharmaceuticals sector. Suzanne Carayol is singled out for her contributions.

France > Project finance Tier 2

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s group is well-equipped to handle the financing, structuring, and development of projects across an array of sectors, including renewable energy and power, oil-and-gas, natural resources, transport, and telecoms. Leveraging its international network, the team handles projects in France, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Co-leading the team, Michaël Armandou assists a broad client base of industrial sponsors, lenders, and institutional investors, while Régis Oréal‘s primary area of focus is the financing of renewables projects. Ex-practice co-head Eric Fiszelson departed in November 2022.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP's public law team has a strong know-how advising leading French and international energy producers, operators, sponsors and distributors on French regulatory issues as well as on domestic and overseas projects. The team is adept at challenging new regulations before French administrative courts and has expertise advising on large renewables and power projects. Its regulatory expertise also extends to other fields including tobacco and telecoms. Practice head Mathias Dantin and of counsel Thomas Herman are the key names. Christophe Lefort left the firm in 2023.

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 3

At Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, practice head Louis De Longeaux has a strong following among leading French and CAC 40 companies. He leads a practice that solely advises issuers and handles a range of matters including the set up of EMTN and Neu CP programmes and subsequent issuances, ESG and sustainability linked and green bonds issuances, as well as liability management.  Senior associate Dylan Shields provides key support.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is able to offer a large array of litigation expertise to leading companies and financial institutions, regularly dealing with commercial litigation. The team has particular strength and involvement in the banking and financial sector alongside leading French and international banks as well as insurers, notably handling civil liability cases linked to the granting of financial loans and more recently has acted in a new type of case concerning an NFT and a leading crypto platform. The Paris-based practice also regularly assists companies and banks facing proceedings abroad, notably in Africa and concerning the mining and oil and gas fields. The practice is led by Clément Dupoirier and banking and financial law expert Antoine Juaristi. Martin Le Touzé is also noted for financial and regulatory disputes.

France > Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP's strong financial services and asset management expertise also includes assisting banks and asset management firms in dealing with AMF compliance and securities law breach investigations. The team is notably acting in a high-stakes matter concerning financial communication linked to ESG. The team is jointly headed by highly experienced financial services expert Antoine Juaristi and commercial litigation partner Clément Dupoirier, with Martin Le Touzé also a key contributor.

France > Dispute resolution: White-collar crime Tier 3

Through Jonathan Mattout, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a solid practice able to handle complex and challenging cases. The team, which combines strong compliance and white-collar criminal law know-how, assists a diverse client base including banks and regularly acts for clients facing PNF-led corruption, bribery and tax fraud investigations. The practice is currently involved in one of the market’s largest tax fraud cases, while its range of involvement also encompasses many other areas including criminal employment law. It also regularly assists clients, notably banks, as victims of fraud.

France > Employment Tier 3

The team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is highly regarded for its multi-jurisdictional experience and expertise in major restructuring projects and advises domestic and international clients on a range of employment matters. The practice is co-managed by Emma Röhsler, who oversees cross-border employment issues, and Sophie Brézin, who is a specialist in corporate restructuring and industrial relations.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP fields a broad EU and competition practice covering merger control, antitrust litigation and investigations, distribution agreements and competition compliance programmes, acting for a sizeable portfolio of French-based multinationals across the energy, financial services, automotive and technology sectors, among others. The firm has a particular strong suit in handling complex multi-jurisdictional merger control cases (and is noted for its expertise in filings with the CEMAC Commission). Sergio Sorinas is well versed in merger control and antitrust litigation at both French and European level.

France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP houses a broad practice which leverages its international network to advise high-profile pharma companies. The group handles numerous patent revocation and infringement actions, in addition to preliminary injunction proceedings. Frédéric Chevallier leads the team, and has vast experience in acting in multi-jurisdictional patent cases.

France > Insolvency Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s restructuring and insolvency team, comprising a diverse group of lawyers, offers comprehensive counsel on all facets of restructuring and insolvency deals. The practice services clients in the telecommunications, technology, and investment funds sectors, adeptly handling a broad spectrum of high-profile, multi-jurisdictional insolvency matters. Additionally, the team plays a pivotal role in assisting the French government with the granting and restructuring of state-sponsored loans. Under the leadership of corporate debt restructuring specialist Pauline Bournoville, the team has experienced substantial growth in recent years, particularly in its role on the creditors’ side, an expansion fuelled by noteworthy new instructions from both French and foreign banks.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is engaged in a number of M&A deals in the infrastructure field, and recently assisted with headline deals in the energy and telecoms sectors. It advises a prominent client base including several top French companies on their upper-mid to large-cap transactions. It has strong cross-border activity and frequently advises on deals relating to Africa. Key names include Frédéric Bouvet , Edouard Thomas, Christopher Theris and recently promoted partner Cyril Boulignat.

France > Real estate Tier 3

The ‘extremely specialised and committed’ team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is equipped to oversee real estate acquisitions, transfers, leases and sales, in addition to urban planning, property development and financing mandates. The practice is directed by ‘market reference’ David Lacaze, who majors on real estate finance, real estate investment funds and real estate restructuring. Additional key figures include Anne Petitjean, who brings strength to off-plan matters; and Isabelle Augais.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 4

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP acts for large international and French companies in commercial arbitration pertaining to a wide range of issues and industry sectors, including insurance, Russian sanctions, oil and gas, construction and mining. The team regularly handles Africa-related work and also stands out for its Portuguese and Brazilian law capabilities. Its expertise also encompasses exequatur cases. Thierry Tomasi and Laurence Franc-Menget are the practice heads, with of counsel Emily Fox providing support.

France > Tax Tier 4

In addition to assisting clients with day-to-day tax management, the tax team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP also handles matters related to M&A, real estate tax and banking and finance tax. The team is also equipped to handle dealings with the tax authorities and litigation proceedings before national and European courts. Leading the team is Bruno Knadjian, who is a key name for transaction tax with expertise spanning business transfers, acquisitions and disposals of real estate and cross-border securitisations.

Morocco > Foreign firms Tier 1

Tunisia > Foreign firms Tier 1

Algeria > Foreign firms Tier 2

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration

A genuinely global player in international arbitration, Herbert Smith Freehills' Latin America group is spread across multiple offices - including Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Tokyo - but is primarily led from New York, London, Madrid and Paris. Some 20-lawyers' strong, the practice houses an array of specialists with a sharp focus on the region, many of whom are bilingual and/or native Spanish/Portuguese speakers, and either dual-qualified or licensed to practice in Latin American jurisdictions. With impressive capabilities in both common and civil law, the practice also demonstrates a balance between investment and commercial arbitration, and represents big-name multinationals along with a group of sovereign states. Its headline cases include public international law matters and investment treaty arbitration, with energy and infrastructure being core areas of expertise for the team, along with telecoms and financial services. Heading up the Latin America Group, the deeply experienced Christian Leathley (‘brilliant advocacy and technical legal acumen’) is very much the motor of the arbitral practice and leads the team on the majority of its Latin America disputes' mandates; he relocated to the London office -from New York- in August 2023, but remains US head of international arbitration. Paris-based Thierry Tomasi (‘an excellent lawyer, certainly one of the best within the firm’) brings senior level Portuguese capabilities to the group; he has a fine record in Brazil-related cases. Further senior fire-power is provided by multilingual, Paris and California-qualified Amal Bouchenaki in the New York office, which also houses the bulk of the Latin America-focused associate team - namely seniors Benjamin Guthrie and (Ecuadorian-qualified) Daniela Páez-Salgado, along with Argentina-qualified Lucila Marchini and Chilean-qualified Carlos Hafemann who arrived as a visiting attorney in August 2022.

United States > Dispute resolution > International arbitration

Noted for its 'excellent breadth of talent and experience in the investor-state arbitration space', Herbert Smith Freehills also handles a significant volume of high-stakes commercial arbitration cases. Forming a key part of the firm's thriving global arbitration practice, the New York-based team likewise leverages the wider firm's strong reputation in the energy and construction spheres. US practice head Christian Leathley additionally leads the Latin America group and is recognized for his expertise in both commercial and investment arbitration, particularly in the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors. Amal Bouchenaki, commended for her 'multilingual, multicultural and multi-jurisdictional expertise', also advises on an array of international commercial and investor-state cases.