Taylor Wessing > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Taylor Wessing > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 1

With a strong presence in the media and entertainment sectors, Taylor Wessing’s copyright team seamlessly combines extensive advisory and litigation experience with a sharp focus on the dynamic challenges posed by the ever-evolving digital landscape. Co-led by Christian Valsamidis, Claire Saint-Laurent, Benoît Goulesque-Monaux, and Marc Schuler, the practice consistently handles both national and cross-border cases, representing clients in infringement claims, IP ownership disputes, and licensing issues before French and EU courts. Beyond the media sector, its expertise extends to diverse industries, including advertising, marketing, gaming, apps, and music. Notably, the team collaborates seamlessly with the firm’s tax, corporate, and distribution practice groups, ensuring the provision of comprehensive and full-service advice.

France > Media and entertainment: Cinema Tier 1

Headquartered in Paris but with a broad international scope, Taylor Wessing is commended for its full-service entertainment offering, spanning both day-to-day operations and complex, cross-border matters. The firm caters to both international and domestic clients in the industry, in particular producers, distributors, and financial institutions. The practice is strengthened by the considerable expertise of leads Christian Valsamidis, who is recognised in the field for his expertise in banking and IP issues in the entertainment industry, Claire Saint-Laurent-Mantoux, who has longstanding experience in contractual matters and the international financing of projects, and disputes-focused Benoît Goulesque-Monaux.

France > Media and entertainment: Television/radio Tier 1

A dominant force in the entertainment sphere, Taylor Wessing handles the full range of media services, from IP assets to the financing and development of creative projects. With a large international network at its disposal, the firm is well-positioned to advise both national and international clients, including producers, distributors, institutional and financial organisations, in addition to directors and artists. The group is led by a quartet of specialists; Christian Valsamidis commands in-depth expertise of IP and banking matters in the entertainment industry, whilst Benoît Goulesque-Monaux focuses on media disputes. Other key contacts in the group include Claire Saint-Laurent and Marc Schuler.

France > Dispute resolution: White-collar crime Tier 2

Taylor Wessing manages a number of headline cases relating to the public sector and political spheres in which it regularly defends lawyers from other firms and political figures. The team also acts in other areas, assisting companies, CEOs, individuals and banks as victims of illicit practices and fraud, or as subject of corruption and fraud accusations. The team also has a good knowledge of the media and sport sectors where it regularly handles cases.  Paul-Albert Iweins has a wealth of experience and heads the practice alongside Benoît Goulesque-Monaux.

France > Insurance Tier 2

Taylor Wessing strengthened its the non-contentious side of its insurance practice significantly in November 2023 with the addition of Yannis Samothrakis, who has wide-ranging experience in corporate transactions and regulatory matters in the insurance sector, from Clyde & Co LLP. The firm is well known for representing major insurers and reinsurers in large-scale disputes, particularly professional and product liability and industrial risk cases, where Pierre-Olivier Leblanc is the key contact. In addition, Marc Schuler lends his expertise to technology and cyber risk matters.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 2

Taylor Wessing’s IP team excels in comprehensive trade mark management, and develop strategies not only for trade mark filing and protection, but also for addressing infringements, mitigating dilution risks, and managing reputational concerns in the digital era. Under the leadership of Marc Schuler, an expert in the tech and media sectors, the team possesses strong proficiency in IP transactions and litigation. It navigates cutting-edge digital transactions and adeptly handles trade mark infringement disputes in content communication and digital rights. The practice also features Ines Tribouillet, a member of both the Paris and New York Bars, renowned for her extensive experience in soft IP, focusing on the protection, exploitation, and defense of trade marks and other intangible assets.

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

The ‘forward-thinking‘ team at Taylor Wessing has experience in issues including GDPR compliance programmes, the implementation of data protection governance schemes and advising on international data sharing. The team’s prowess in data breach responses is additionally sought out by a slew of major corporate clients. Marc Schuler heads up the practice and is well versed in issues that sit at the nexus between communications technologies and data management. Benjamin Znaty frequently advises on the business implications of data protection regulations.

France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

The team at Taylor Wessing handles an array of matters involving market access schemes, the marketing of orphan drugs, and clinical trial agreements. Practice head and specialist in commercial and competition law Friedel Evelyne advises on merger notifications and acquisitions, often appearing before the European Commission. Marc Schuler maintains an IT-focused practice, in addition to assisting clients with the IP aspects of transactions, while Anne-Juliette De Zaluski predominantly advises on M&A and private equity transactions.

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 3

Taylor Wessing‘s specialist team caters to a wide range of clients, from established global brands to innovative start-ups, advising on software licenses, SaaS agreements, outsourcing issues, and custom software development, among other matters. Other areas of specialism include IP and data law, cybersecurity mandates, and IT disputes. Philippe Glaser manages the team alongside Marc Schuler.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 4

Taylor Wessing has solid public procurement contract expertise, serving both lenders and sponsors. The team regularly advises on the granting of major concession contracts, including currently in the aviation, sport, culture, port and energy sectors. The practice also has extensive experience advising on brownfield and M&A deals. Practice head Sophie Pignon is the key name.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4

France > Employment Tier 4

France > Insolvency Tier 4

Taylor Wessing's insolvency practice, led by Kristell Cattani and supported by key contacts such as Slougui Inès, specialises in guiding companies through preventive measures, including conciliation, ad hoc mandates, and judicial safeguards, while also providing crucial support during restructuring processes, including receivership and judicial liquidation. Their services encompass aiding businesses in search of restructuring solutions, assisting managers navigating individual sanctions, and facilitating asset acquisitions within collective proceedings. With a diverse client base spanning SMEs to major corporations across industries such as food, transport, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and hospitality, their expertise caters to a wide range of clients.

France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 4

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 5

Taylor Wessing focuses on distribution law, advising clients from the pharmaceuticals, hospitality, retail and catering sectors on their French and international distribution networks. The team also assists with antitrust investigations and compliance issues. Life sciences specialist Evelyne Friedel and Grégoire Toulouse, who concentrates on distribution law, head the practice.

France > Real estate Tier 5

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 6