PwC Legal Luxembourg > Luxembourg, Luxembourg > Firm Profile
PwC Legal Luxembourg Offices
BATIMENT CRYSTAL PARK
2, RUE GERHARD MERCATOR
L-2182 LUXEMBOURG
Luxembourg
PwC Legal Luxembourg > The Legal 500 Rankings
Luxembourg > IP and IT Tier 2
The ‘young and dynamic’ team at PwC Legal Luxembourg is ‘very knowledgeable’ across a range of tech and data protection matters, displaying a ‘forward-thinking approach which perfectly synchronises with the evolving dynamics of technology and IP laws’. This innovative approach manifests itself not only in the personal interaction and advice delivered by fee-earners in the team but also from the firm’s cutting-edge use of legal technology, including AI to deliver services. With a ‘profound understanding of intricate IT and IP dynamics’, team head Audrey Rustichelli can ‘envision solutions even in the most complex scenarios’ and has particularly deep knowledge in relation to IT agreements, digitisation projects and data protection matters. Counsel Nicolas Hamblenne is ‘extremely pragmatic in keeping a balance between what the law provides and the needs of the company’, regularly assisting Rustichelli in commercial and IT agreements and data protection mandates for private and public sector clients.Practice head(s):
Audrey Rustichelli
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is very knowledgeable on matters related to tech and data protection, always updated and with awareness of business and practical developments in addition to the legal framework.’
‘First, the team is made with people with strong and deep knowledge of the IP and IT practice with experiences in Luxembourg but also abroad. Secondly, they are young, dynamic, curious and have a pragmatic approach of the business: communication is easy and efficient. Finally, they are really on the edge of the actuality concerning their practice.’
‘PwC Legal Luxembourg’s IT/IP practice stands distinguished in the vibrant legal landscape of Luxembourg. What sets them apart is their forward-thinking approach which perfectly synchronises with the evolving dynamics of technology and IP laws.’
‘Audrey Rustichelli: she is one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with. She knows her business of course but she also has a deep knowledge of entrepreneurship and she keeps interest in fields that she is not familiar with. She is very rigorous and a good listener.’
‘Audrey Rustichelli is able to envision solutions even in the most complex scenarios and has a profound understanding of intricate IT and IP dynamics.’
‘Nicolas Hamblenne is a great professional. Very knowledgeable, rigorous in his approach to work and extremely pragmatic in keeping a balance between what the law provides and the needs of the company.’
Key clients
LuxTrust
Lu-cix
Luxembourg > Real estate and construction Tier 2
Since Serge Hoffmann‘s arrival in March 2022 from A&O Shearman, PwC Legal Luxembourg has gained heightened market visibility across a range of large domestic commercial real estate transactions involving retail, office, logistics, industrial and residential properties. Recognised as a ‘deal maker’, team head Hoffmann is ‘very constructive in legal negotiations’ for owners, developers, funds and investors, ensuring that clients’ interests are adequately protected throughout the process.Practice head(s):
Serge Hoffmann
Other key lawyers:
Catherine Baflast
Testimonials
‘The very competent team provides clear and concise legal advice.’
‘Serge Hoffmann is a deal maker, he is very constructive in legal negotiations while working in the interest of protecting his client.’
Luxembourg > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
The ‘very professional, efficient and attentive’ team at PwC Legal Luxembourg provides ‘sharp and to-the-point advice’ to domestic and international companies and funds across a broad range of transactional and day-to-day corporate matters. Catherine Baflast spearheads the firm’s M&A efforts, regularly handling buy and sell instructions both in relation to corporate and private equity-led mandates. Jean-Yves Lhommel leads the corporate services offering, handling M&A matters as well as advising multinational corporates on migration projects and internal corporate reorganisations and de-mergers. Both elements of the practice are also enhanced by the firm’s overarching tax advisory expertise and its international network.Practice head(s):
Catherine Baflast; Jean-Yves Lhommel
Other key lawyers:
Mathieu Feldmann; Soledad Pascual; Marc Albasser; Maxime Gilot; Joy Peynet; Rose Ngalako; Jean Valat; Jean-Baptiste Joannard-Lardant
Testimonials
‘They are responsive and provide sharp and to-the-point advice.’
‘Jean-Yves Lhommel and Maxime Gilot are great at handling cross-border transactions. Very keen and amenable to solve complex problems.’
‘Very professional, efficient, attentive team.’
‘Attentive, responsive, good knowledge and good advice.’
‘Great team.’
‘Jean-Yves Lhommel is an excellent tax consultant and a pleasure to work with.’
‘All the people knew the project, and it was possible to organise exchanges individually in order to progress in the project.’
Work highlights
Luxembourg > Employment Tier 3
PwC Legal Luxembourg provides ‘proactive and client-centric advice’ to an internationally-focused employer-side client base across all aspects of employment, social security, and immigration law. ‘Outstanding’ team head Sabrina Alvaro is at the forefront of the most significant mandates handled by the practice, providing a ‘very responsive and committed’ service to clients, including in the context of the establishment complex staff incentive schemes.Practice head(s):
Sabrina Alvaro
Testimonials
‘The advice is always pertinent and clear.’
‘They have great expertise in employment law matters and provide proactive and client-centric advice.’
‘They provide very practically oriented advice, which it delivers in a clear and didactic manner.’
‘Sabrina Alvaro is very responsive and committed.’
‘Sabrina Alvaro is an outstanding employment law expert.’
‘They are very down to earth in their approach and communication.’
‘A global team that can answer questions on all topics.’
‘It is my privilege to recommend Sabrina Alvaro. She is the mixture of all the qualities that should be present in an excellent lawyer.’
Luxembourg > Private equity Tier 3
At PwC Legal Luxembourg, Catherine Baflast has vast experience advising private equity sponsors on establishing Luxembourg investment structures to facilitate downstream investment activity. Jean-Yves Lhommel co-heads the team alongside Baflast and is noted for his corporate structuring and reorganisation prowess.Practice head(s):
Catherine Baflast; Jean-Yves Lhommel
Other key lawyers:
Soledad Pascual; Marc Albasser; Joy Peynet; Jean-Baptiste Joannard-Lardant; Rose Ngalako
Luxembourg > Investment funds Tier 5
PwC Legal Luxembourg provides 'very responsive, detail-oriented and timely advice' to alternative investment funds and their service providers, covering a broad range of strategies from private equity and real estate through to more abstruse methods. Drawing from experience in private practice as well as several in-house positions within the fund industry, team head Mathieu Scodellaro has excellent insight and a 'practical understanding of the various issues' impacting stakeholders in the sector, from a structuring as well as an ongoing regulatory perspective.Practice head(s):
Mathieu Scodellaro
Testimonials
‘They provide very responsive, detail-oriented and timely advice.’
‘The strengths of the practice are undeniably their reactivity and exhaustive approach, not content with simply answering the direct problem but anticipating any other development useful to the project.’
‘PwC Legal Luxembourg is truly exceptional. This firm’s legal expertise, unwavering commitment to our organisation’s best interests, and remarkable ability to navigate intricate legal complexities set it in a league of its own.’
‘Mathieu Scodellaro has the advantage of having held various positions within the fund industry before becoming an external consultant, giving him a practical understanding of the various issues.’
‘We mostly work with Mathieu Scodellaro on different very complicated fund formation matters like cross-border funds. His influence is not confined to the legal realm; it reverberates through our entire short and long term strategy, ensuring unwavering compliance with the most stringent standards.’
Luxembourg > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 6
Since joining from Loyens & Loeff in March 2022, Cédric Raffoul has galvanised PwC Legal Luxembourg's finance offering, providing a ‘very responsive and proactive’ service to borrowers, in particular across a range of new money and restructuring mandates. Although he is best-known for his capital markets transactional work, Raffoul has also ‘recently added regulatory and fintech to his skills.’Practice head(s):
Cédric Raffoul
Other key lawyers:
Sixtine Auguet
Testimonials
‘The firm has excellent capabilities in Luxembourg for capital markets, regulatory and fintech matters.’
‘PwC Legal Luxembourg is the one-stop shop for all Luxembourg legal issues. Particularly relevant is their cross-border capabilities, and I have had great experience working with them on orphan Luxembourg SPV 144A/Reg S notes issuances.’
‘They are very responsive and proactive – it would be easy for them to take a more passive role given that their involvement in our cross-border deals is typically limited to Luxembourg issues, but this is not the approach they take, which is greatly appreciated as it keeps the ball rolling forward on all fronts.’
‘Cédric Raffoul is one of the few experts in Luxembourg’s capital markets and recently added regulatory and fintech to his skills.’
‘The team is extremely responsive and know what they are doing; they are a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Ocyan
Alpha Trains (Luxembourg) Holdings S.à r.l.
CELSE – Centrais Elétricas de Sergipe S.A.
Ramsay Health Care Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Brazilian oil and gas company Ocyan on the restructuring of approximately $2.7bn of indebtedness.
- Advised Alpha Trains (Luxembourg) Holdins S.à r.l. on its successful raising of €548m through a combination of green holdco loan and senior loans to refinance existing indebtedness and purchase electric trains and locomotives.
- Advised Ramsay Health Care Limited with the establishment of an A$2bn Australian Guaranteed Medium Note Programme.
PwC Legal Luxembourg > Firm Profile
Managing Partner: Catherine Baflast
Executive Committee: Catherine Baflast, Audrey Rustichelli
Head of Practice : Sabrina Alvaro, Catherine Baflast, Jean-Yves Lhommel, Cédric Raffoul, Audrey Rustichelli, Mathieu Scodellaro, Serge Hoffmann
Firm Overview:
PwC Legal is an independent law firm registered to the Luxembourg Bar and member of the PwC network. The firm is one of the most recognised business law firms in Luxembourg, providing both local and international clients with legal services. In order to best meet its clients’ expectations, the firm focuses on five core practices. The firm also provides to its client a multi- disciplinary approach on files involving lawyers from various practice areas working collaboratively to provide an integrated and complete service and execute the most advantageous business-oriented solutions.
Furthermore, PwC Legal’s network of international contacts enables the firm to meet the full-service business needs of its clients and to handle large, complex local, national or cross-border cases.
The Firm’s Promise to Clients:
“We take you from complexity to execution”
Foresight to navigate risk and complexity
We think bigger and see further than current conditions. We see broader challenges before they arise, so you can manage risk and make informed decisions for your business.
Intelligence that moves with you
With deep local expertise and the scale of our connected global network, we go beyond borders to be relevant wherever you need us.
Confidence to shape your future, together
We are at your side with passion and commitment, empowering you, and the systems you operate within, to thrive.
Main Areas of Practice:
■ Banking & Capital Markets, Securitisation Corporate, Structuring
■ Employment, Incentive Schemes & Pensions
■ Investment Funds
■ Technologies & IP, Data Protection
■ M&A, Private Equity, Real Estate
Corporate Structuring:
The type of corporate structures implemented varies greatly from one project to another and may for instance imply:
■ Setting up various types of companies (Luxembourg and foreign companies (limited liability, public limited and others), partnerships and branches, dual nationality companies)
■ Migration of entities to and from Luxembourg
■ Implementation of intra-group financing structures
■ International mergers
Contacts: Catherine Baflast, Jean-Yves Lhommel,
Emails: [email protected], [email protected]
M&A, Private Equity:
The M&A team advises and assists buyers, sellers and management teams on:
■ Due diligence on Luxembourg companies and coordination of due diligence abroad
■ Negotiation and drafting of letters of intent, confidentiality agreements, term sheets, shareholders agreements, articles of incorporation and mergers corporate documentation, shared and asset purchase agreements and any other corporate or contractual documentation necessary
■ Regulatory aspects; particularly for private equity clients
■ Financing structures such as negotiation of loan documentation, security package, legal opinions
■ Employment aspects including transfers of undertakings, stock options and other incentive plans The firm has experience in numerous sectors: holding companies, operational companies and professionals of the financial sector.
Contact: Catherine Baflast,
Email: [email protected]
Banking & Capital Markets:
The firm’s expertise covers:
■ Banking: Secured lending, leveraged finance, acquisition finance, asset finance, real estate finance, restructuring and insolvency, regulatory matters relating to the financial services industry)
■ Debt & Equity Capital Markets: Bond issues and debt issuance programs, Listing on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, clearing and settlement, regulatory matters relating to the financial markets)
■ Securitisation & Structured Finance: Conventional and synthetic securitisation, asset-backed securities, repackaging, derivatives, securities lending)
Contact: Cédric Raffoul
Email: [email protected]
Investment Funds:
The investment funds team advises and assists fund managers, depositary banks, central administrations, board of directors and any fund industry stakeholders:
■ Product Life Cycle Management: From initial structuring, to day-to-day maintenance of the fund documentation up until special events that may impact the funds, such as restructurings or liquidations, covering the entire range of liquidity (from UCITS to exotic assets), whether the funds are regulated or not
■ Regulatory queries impacting the asset management industry be it related to the AIFMD, UCITS Directive, SFTR, Benchmark Regulation, PRIIPS…
■ Depositary Banks: impact assessment and implementation of new regulations
■ Set-up and strategic or regulatory restructurings of depositary banks and management companies
■ Regulatory investigations and sanctions for Luxembourg regulated entities and their service providers abroad
Contact: Mathieu Scodellaro
Email: [email protected]
Technologies & IP:
The firm’s expertise covers:
■ Data Protection: Personal data processing, data transfer, focus on the New General Data Protection Regulation
■ Information Technology: Contractual assistance, protection and licensing, outsourcing, security, regulatory
■ Internet & E-Commerce: Web sites, internet service providers, use of internet and email
■ Intellectual Property: Protection of IP rights, exploitation of IP rights, enforcement of IP rights
■ Media & Communications: Telecom, media, advertising
■ IP/IT Litigation: IP-related litigation, IP-related amicable settlements
Contact: Audrey Rustichelli
Email: [email protected]
Employment:
The firm’s expertise covers:
■ Day-to-Day Employment Law: Employment and consultancy agreements, restrictive covenants, disciplinary procedures, dismissals and negotiation of settlements
■ Employee Incentive & Pension Scheme: Stock option plans, share option and any other incentive schemes with a multidisciplinary approach involving tax, corporate and regulatory aspects
■ Corporate Reorganisation & Restructuring Operations: Transfer of undertaking, collective dismissal procedures and negotiation of social plan
■ International Mobility: Expatriations, secondments and other cross-border employment situations
Contact: Sabrina Alvaro
Email: [email protected]
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate, structuring | Catherine Baflast, Head of Corporate, M&A and Private Equity | ||
M&A, private equity, real estate | Catherine Baflast | ||
Banking & Capital Markets | Cédric Raffoul | ||
Corporate, structuring | Jean-Yves Lhommel | ||
Employment, incentive schemes and pensions | Sabrina Alvaro | ||
IP tech, data protection | Audrey Rustichelli | ||
Investments Funds | Mathieu Scodellaro |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mrs Catherine Baflast | Catherine is the partner leading the Corporate practice of PwC Legal (Luxembourg)… | View Profile | |
Mr Serge Hoffmann | Serge is a partner in our corporate and M&A department, heading the… | View Profile | |
Jean-Yves Lhommel | Jean-Yves has a strong background with more than 20 years of experience… | View Profile | |
Mr Cédric Raffoul | Cedric is heading the Banking and Capital Markets practice of PwC Legal… | View Profile | |
Mrs Audrey Rustichelli | Audrey Rustichelli is the head of our Technologies & IP department. She… | View Profile | |
Mathieu Scodellaro | Mathieu is specialized in issues concerning investment funds, fund managers and the… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 45Languages
Dutch English French German Italian Spanish Hungarian PortugeseOther
Contacts : Catherine Baflast Contacts : Cédric Raffoul Contacts : Jean-Yves Lhommel Contact : Audrey Rustichelli Contacts : Sabrina AlvaroPress Releases
PwC Legal is proud to introduce its new promoted people 2022!
13th July 2022 PwC Legal Luxembourg is going through a strong period of development, thanks to its "2025 strategy" aiming to expand and specialize its service offering. As entrepreneurial lawyers, PwC Legal always keeps in mind to support its clients in their daily challenges. In parallel, the firm continues to focus on the development of its talents and is proud to present the promoted people of this year.Serge Hoffmann joins PwC Legal and takes the lead of the Real Estate practice.
22nd March 2022 Serge Hoffmann joined PwC Legal Luxembourg on March 1, 2022 as a Partner in the Corporate and M&A department and takes the lead of the Real Estate practice of the firm.Cédric Raffoul joins PwC Legal and takes the lead of the Banking & Capital Markets department.
24th February 2022 Cédric Raffoul, joined PwC Legal Luxembourg on February 1, 2022 as a Partner and takes the lead of the Banking & Capital Markets department. He will be assisted by Sixtine Auguet, Senior Associate, who will join the team on March 1, 2022.A new management team to deploy the “PwC Legal 2025” strategy: Catherine Baflast becomes managing partner as of October 1, 2021
7th November 2021 At the end of her mandate at the head of PwC Legal, the time has come for Cindy Arces to hand over the reins to Catherine Baflast, who will become managing partner as of October 1, 2021. This succession and change in governance has been prepared for several months.Nicolas Hamblenne joined the Technologies & IP department of PwC Legal Luxembourg
22nd October 2020 Nicolas Hamblenne, 31 years old, joined PwC Legal on 1st July 2020 as a Senior Associate within the Technologies & IP department and the Commercial Contracts practice, both practices headed by Audrey Rustichelli.New Promotions at PwC Legal !For several months now, many companies had to adapt to an uncertain and challenging environment.
21st September 2020 During the summer and despite these difficult times, PwC Legal Luxembourg reinforced its practice and promoted three of our colleagues as a demonstration of its confidence in the legal market development in Luxembourg.PwC Legal strengthens its footprint with the nomination of two new partners and a principal
25th March 2019PwC Legal strengthens its footprint with the nomination of two new partners and a principal