Viguié Schmidt & Associés > Paris, France > Firm Profile
Viguié Schmidt & Associés Offices
146 BOULEVARD HAUSSMANN
75008 PARIS
France
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Viguié Schmidt & Associés > The Legal 500 Rankings
France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 1
Viguié Schmidt & Associés is routinely sought out by companies and investment funds to handle their most challenging cases – for instance it is not rare for the team to receive mandates to intervene solely from the appeal proceedings stage after an earlier ruling. The team excels at managing highly complex and one-of-a-kind corporate or commercial litigation and regularly acts in the market’s largest corporate, M&A and unfair competition cases, opposing high-profile companies and parties. The firm also has strong know-how in the field of international and exequatur cases, representing companies and state entities. It notably won a number of victories before courts in 2023 including a landmark decision obtaining the first annulment of an arbitral award by a French court in a case involving a foreign state on the grounds of corruption. The top practice comprises the excellent Yves Schmidt, Nicolas Viguié and Martin Donato. Counsel Laure-Anne Montigny also provides support, while corporate litigator Daniel Villey, who was previously with Villey Girard Grolleaud, joined in Autumn 2023 adding further strength. Olivier Loizon left the firm in early 2024.Practice head(s):
Yves Schmidt
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Great added value on litigation strategy; close proximity to the client and strong involvement of the partner; extensive experience in France and in complex international disputes.’
Key clients
Renault
EDF Renouvelables
AXA
Fimalac Entertainment
Sonepar
Rallye
Alter Equity
Abenex
OCP
Danone
Edilians
Natixis
Allianz Trade
Altitude Infra
Aon France
ATOS
Libyan Investment Authority
Cardiff City Football Club
Société Immobilière et Hôtelière du Parc Monceau (SIHPM)
State of Kuwait
State of Libya
Pearl Petrochemical FZE (Dubaï)
National Oil Corporation
Platina Equity Solutions
Hexagold
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Mr. Dominique Desseigne
OTCex
The Belgium liquidator of some companies of Bernard Tapie Group
Work highlights
- Defending Renault, against its former CEO Mr. Carlos Ghosn, who filed actions before the French civil and commercial jurisdictions for his variable remuneration, stock options, long-term investing plan shares and his retirement guaranteed regime (“top hat” pension scheme) as well as handling Renault’s counterclaims against Mr. Carlos Ghosn.
- Representing Welsh football club Cardiff City Football Club in proceedings against French football club FC Nantes, seeking damages in connection with the transfer of Argentine striker Emiliano Sala who died in a crash plane in the days following his transfer from FC Nantes to Cardiff City.
- Representing various companies of the DanoneGroup in the defence of claims brought before the French courts by an Algeria-based distributor alleging brutal termination of commercial relationship and unfair competition.
France > Dispute resolution: Stock market litigation Tier 1
Viguié Schmidt & Associés is often mandated by companies’ senior executives and board of directors to assist with AMF investigations. The firm is involved in many of the market’s most high-profile cases, spanning insider trading offences and other stock-market breaches. Yves Schmidt and Nicolas Viguié are highly experienced. The arrival of experienced partner Daniel Villey (ex VGG) is another strong addition.Practice head(s):
Yves Schmidt; Nicolas Viguié
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Immense technical skills. Great teaching talents. ’
‘Yves Schmidt: immense competence, good listening skills, availability.’
Key clients
AB Science
H2O LLP
Rallye
Work highlights
- Defending AB Science’s CEO in proceedings before the AMF for insider trading.
- Defending H2O LLP’s CIO in proceedings before the AMF and now Conseil d’Etat for failure to comply with professional rules.
- Assisting the safeguard committee of Rallye’s board of directors and Rallye’s independent members of the board (three independent directors) in the course of the proceedings by AMF related to the information provided to the market.
France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1
Viguié Schmidt & Associés is known for exhibiting deep bench strength in handling M&A and disputes, including insider trading investigations, marketing authorisation-related issues, and product liability matters involving vaccines. Praised by clients for his ‘very detailed’ knowledge, practice co-head Etienne Gouesse maintains a litigation focused practice, advising numerous pharma companies on pre-litigation strategy and representing clients before administrative and commercial courts. Co-head Iñaki Saint-Esteben is known for his deep knowledge of competition law, regularly advising clients on merger control and indemnification requests.Practice head(s):
Etienne Gouesse; Iñaki Saint-Esteben
Testimonials
‘Etienne Gouesse has very detailed knowledge of the legal issues that arise in the context of procedures relating to the liability of defective products applied to medicines and more particularly to vaccines.’
‘A team specialising in post-MA administrative litigation in the life sciences sector.’
‘Etienne Gouesse has great listening skills.’
Key clients
Johnson & Johnson
AB SCIENCE
Work highlights
- Acted for Johnson & Johnson Santé Beauté France in a private damage claim filed by Carrefour following a decision rendered by the FCA with respect to the home and personal care products industry.On 14 April 2021, the Paris Court of appeal fully dismissed Carrefour’s damage claim (which amounted to more than 10m euros). In its ruling of 19 October 2022, the French Supreme Court definitively rejected Carrefour’s appeal.
- Acted for AB Science’s CEO in proceeding before the AMF for insider trading. AB Science’s CEO was totally exonerated by the AMF Commission sanction. The AMF’s President appealed.
France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 2
Viguié Schmidt & Associés has a commendable record in contentious EU and competition law matters; the team frequently represents clients in cartel and abuse of dominance investigations by the FCA and in high-profile antitrust litigation before the French courts of the highest levels, in addition to handling complex follow-on damages claims. Merger control is also a key area of activity for the team, which advises on notifications to both the FCA and the European Commission. Iñaki Saint-Esteben leads the practice, drawing on extensive experience in the full range of merger control, antitrust litigation and distribution law.Practice head(s):
Iñaki Saint-Esteben
Other key lawyers:
Laëtitia Faivre
Testimonials
‘Iñaki Saint-Esteben and Laëtitia Faivre work closely with their clients, which facilitates exchanges and understanding of cases and the environment.’
‘Very great expertise, close to their clients, great teachers, business oriented.’
‘Iñaki Saint Esteben has very in-depth knowledge of competition law.’
‘Reactivity, professionalism and great rigour of legal reasoning.’
Key clients
Johnson & Johnson Santé Beauté France
Vinci Energies France
Groupe M6
Domino’s Pizza France
Réunionnaise du Rhum/GIE Rhums Réunion
Andros
Valade
Mirova/Natixis
NextStage
Sibelco
Work highlights
- Advised Valade in the context of the investigation led by the FCA regarding an alleged anticompetitive agreement between producers of processed fruits packaged in cups and pouches and of the appeal against the FCA’s decision.
- Advising beverage suppliers Brasserie du Pacifique and Société de distribution de Polynésie in proceedings before the Polynesian Competition Authority.
- Successfully defended Johnson & Johnson Santé Beauté France against a private damages claim filed by Carrefour following a decision rendered by the FCA with respect to the home and personal care products industry.
France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 2
Viguié Schmidt & Associés's 'responsive and pragmatic' team is noted for assisting venture capital funds and corporations with strategic venture capital investments involving the, health, property, and food technology segments. Louis Chenard steers the practice and is lauded as a 'good negotiator; solution-oriented and pragmatic'. Chenard specialises in assisting French and international clients with venture/growth capital and M&A transactions.Practice head(s):
Louis Chenard
Testimonials
‘Very responsive and pragmatic. High desire to find a solution. Client-oriented and solution-oriented.’
‘Louis Chenard: Good negotiator; solution-oriented and pragmatic.’
‘Very professional team and very attentive to problems.’
‘Louis Chenard – very strong personal and professional qualities.’
‘Excellent team from a technical point of view on capital-intensive subjects for SMEs / Startups. Very good communication and availability.’
Key clients
Astanor
IVP
Educapital
LBO France
Alter Equity
Headline (formerly e.ventures)
Pace Capital Fund
Edenred Capital Ventures
Danone Manifesto Venture
Calcium Capital
Caisse des dépôts et consignations
Alstom
Revent
Apex Ventures
Evolem
Otium
Meritech
Bpifrance
earlybirds
Triodos
Red Alpine
Work highlights
- Counsel to IVP in the context of Pigment’s EUR 80m venture capital financing (Series C).
- Counsel to LBO France in connection with ICG MEUR’s 240m investment in Zeplug.
- Counsel to Astanor, Redalpine and Bpifrance in the context of Umiami’s EUR 30m venture capital financing round.
France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 4
Practice head(s):
Louis Chenard; Yves Schmidt; Nicolas Viguié; David Scemla
Testimonials
‘Very good team’
‘Very available and flexible team. Know-how to clarify problems and seek simple solutions.’
‘Louis Chenard and his team are very efficient on every occasion.’
‘David Scemla and his team are very focused and the approach is really hands on, with the senior partner really involved and committed.’
‘David Scemla : intuitive, proactive, problem solver and concrete.’
‘A very present team, attentive, extremely responsive, very effective collaboration, using all the new technologies necessary for monitoring activities.’
‘David Schema represents the ideal partner to work with on a project. His competence, organization and contacts make it possible to deal with any type of situation.’
Key clients
Nextstage AM
LBO France
Sonepar
CNP Assurances
Sibelco
Caisse des dépôts et consignation
Sony Music Entertainment France
Darewise
Nextstage AM
Caviar House & Prunier
Ellipse Projects
Customer Experienced Group
B2C2
Work highlights
- Advised the ad hoc committee and Somfy in the context of the simplified takeover bid followed by a squeeze-out initiated by the Despature’s family on the shares of Somfy.
- Advised US-based Scalefast on its sale to ESW, the global direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce leader.
- Advised Sonepar on the acquisition of a controlling stake in Alliantz.
France > Tax Tier 4
Viguié Schmidt & Associés' tax practice is well regarded for its work advising on the tax aspects of M&A transactions, private equity transactions and corporate reorganisations. Core sectors of focus are media, insurance, pharmaceutical and life sciences. Christel Alberti leads the practice and is supported by Maxence Dubois.Practice head(s):
Christel Alberti
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Ability to cover a variety of tax topics, including personal/management package topics. Ability to adapt to the client’s specific situation and find appropriate solutions.’
‘The use of modern technologies is applied in a relevant manner to improve our exchanges and collaboration, without adding unnecessary complexity.’
‘Christel Alberti is an outstanding lawyer whose listening and understanding skills are extraordinary. ’
‘The VS&A team is particularly clear, precise and available. The exchanges are fluid, efficient, and all the members of the team we have met are keen to understand our issues and respond to them as best as possible. ’
‘We work in particular with Maxence Dubois on the tax issues that we encounter in our activities. His extensive mastery of sometimes very technical issues allows him to provide us with perfectly clear and relevant advice, allowing us to make decisions with confidence. His ability to listen and his mastery of detail gives us total confidence and we obviously wish to continue our collaboration with him.’
‘I find the team very available to listen to our problems and provide rapid responses.’
Key clients
Alstom
Nextstage AM
Galeries Lafayette group
Sonepar
Ellipse Projects
Teneo
Caisse des dépôts et consignation
Sony Music Entertainment France
Calcium Capital
HiPay Group (listed on Euronext)
Fimalac Entertainment
Sonepar
Alter Equity
LPCR Groupe (Grandir)
LBO France
Headline (e.ventures)
Astanor
Darewise
IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)
Media Participation
Work highlights
- Advised Sonepar on the acquisition of a controlling stake in Alliantz, a French leading player in the photovoltaic market.
- Advised IVP on funding EUR 80m venture capital financing (Series C) of Pigment (based on a total valuation of EUR780m).
- Advised OTCex on the tax structuring of the sale of its brokerage activity and subsidiaries to Marex.
Viguié Schmidt & Associés > Firm Profile
The lawyers of the firm focus on assisting their clients with their high-stakes matters.
They are experienced professionals with a particular taste for complex negotiations and disputes. They represent their clients before judicial courts, arbitral tribunals and regulatory authorities.
All of the partners are deeply involved in the matters handled by the firm; their thorough knowledge of the market, their actors and practices, adds a strategic dimension to their legal expertise.
Corporate/M&A: A cornerstone of the firm’s activity, this practice encompasses notable acquisitions or mergers involving public or private companies, private equity transactions as well as joint ventures and other strategic agreements.
The firm has first rate experience in advising on takeovers, whatever the context and sector involved. The firm also advises issuers on a full range of topics specific to listed companies as well as on stock exchange regulation.
The team also assists clients in matters pertaining to credit and loan agreements, either for the needs of a particular transaction (acquisition or assets financing, refinancing) or in the context of their ordinary course of activities.
Restructuring:The firm regularly advises its clients on share capital increases as well as on the issuance of complex securities. It also has a strong expertise in advising its clients on corporate governance matters.
The team also advises corporate officers, shareholders and creditors in the negotiation of restructuring schemes, both amicably (“conciliation”, “mandat ad hoc”) or in the context of insolvency proceedings.
Dispute resolution: The firm handles large and complex disputes. It has extensive experience in corporate, commercial and securities litigation, notably in shareholders’ actions and M&A-related litigation. The team also acts in commercial arbitrations under a variety of arbitral rules as well as ad hoc arbitrations.
The team advises and represents clients in connection with stock market litigations and market abuses, in particular before the Autorité des marchés financiers (French Stock Markets Authority).
Competition law: The firm represents clients to secure merger control approval by the French Competition Authority and the European Commission, or to object to a proposed transaction.
The team also assists clients to ensure compliance of their business practices with antitrust law (cartel and abuse of dominant position) and represent them before the competition authorities and courts.
More generally, the team advises clients on all questions or project of interest from a competition law perspective, or that may imply restrictive practices.
Tax: The firm advises clients on all the tax aspects of their transactions, in particular in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, LBOs (including management packages) and corporate reorganizations.
It offers general advice and expertise on any aspects of company and individual taxation.
The team also provides assistance in tax audit and litigation.
Tort and healthcare products law: The team advises public and private companies on tort law matters, and assists them in determining a strategy aimed at avoiding possible litigations. We also represent them before civil, administrative and commercial courts.
Our team is active in health products law, helping our clients in understanding applicable regulations and assisting them in the management of litigations and of administrative decisions affecting their activities or products.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate M&A | Louis Chenard | ||
| Corporate M&A | David Scemla | ||
| Corporate M&A | Yves Schmidt | ||
| Corporate M&A | Daniel Villey | ||
| Corporate M&A | Tanguy Grimald | ||
| Corporate M&A | Nicolas Viguié | ||
| Dispute Resolution | Martin Donato | ||
| Dispute Resolution | Etienne Gouesse | ||
| Dispute Resolution | Yves Schmidt | ||
| Dispute Resolution | Nicolas Viguié | ||
| Restructuring | Martin Donato | ||
| Competition Law | Iñaki Saint-Esteben | ||
| Competition Law | Virginie Viallard | ||
| Tax | Christel Alberti | ||
| Tort and Healthcare Products Law | Etienne Gouesse | ||
| Tort and Healthcare Products Law | Iñaki Saint-Esteben |