Firm Profile > Bird & Bird > Lyon, France

Data privacy and data protection Tier 1

Bird & Bird impresses with its strong international data protection practice. Global compliance matters account for a significant part of the workload, with matters including cross-border data transfers, binding corporate rules and cloud computing. In combination with the group's strength in highly regulated sectors, including financial services, insurance and healthcare, the firm's wide geographical range ensures it is a popular choice in the data protection market. Other areas of strength are big data and open data matters as well as data risk work for insurance companies in the context of insurance coverage issues and corresponding claims. Ariane Mole and Merav Griguer are the practice heads.

Industry focus: IT and internet Tier 1

Bird & Bird fields a comprehensive practice that is entrusted by leading French technology user companies from various sectors, but also by French and international technology providers. The practice notably advises on major digital transformation projects, including cloud computing solutions, outsourcing services, and the conclusion of technological partnerships regarding artificial intelligence. Data protection, internet and litigation matters are also dealt with. Stéphane Leriche and Merav Griguer co-head the practice. Marion Barbier focuses on dispute resolution work, while Cathie-Rosalie Joy is an expert in the fintech sector where she advises major players.

Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 1

Bird & Bird has a strong focus on technically complex sectors including life sciences, healthcare, media and entertainment. Yves Bizollon secured a positive decision for Kidiliz Group in a copyright and trade mark infringement action as the claim against the main defendant was dismissed. Anne-Charlotte Le-Bihan is currently representing new client Take-Two Interactive Software, owner of publishing label Rockstar Games, as part of a worldwide copyright enforcement campaign that the client is running against infringing software developers. Géraldine Arbant, who is based in Lyon, represented Vitra, a Swiss manufacturer of furniture, in copyright infringement claims which raised issues of private international law.

Intellectual property: Patents Tier 1

Bird & Bird frequently handles contentious matters for clients from a wide spectrum of sectors, in particular life sciences and healthcare (Amgen and Accord Healthcare), and technology and telecoms (Broadcom). Yves Bizollon leads a team which is defending Nespresso in a cross-border patent infringement case, which would affect all types of machines produced in the last ten years; the action has been brought by the company set up by its former CEO. Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan is representing longstanding client Honeywell in an infringement action initiated by a French company based on a European patent. Other key names to note are Lyon-based Géraldine Arbant and counsel Laurent Labatte.

Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 1

The team at Bird & Bird provides 'business-oriented expert legal advice' and a 'tailor-made solution every single time'. It handles a variety of contentious and non-contentious matters for clients from a wide range of sectors, including retail, electrical appliances and manufacturing. Yves Bizollon, who is 'an excellent attorney, but most of all a brilliant business partner' secured a positive first instance ruling for Palladium in a registered design infringement claim brought before the Lyon high court by competitor SIB. Géraldine Arbant assists clothing company Petit Bateau with various matters, including conduction of availability searches on new collection trade marks and new clothes designs. Also recommended are Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan and associate Estelle Henry-Mayer.

The regions Tier 1

UK law firm Bird & Bird stands out as one of the few international players with a significant office outside Paris. The firm's Lyon office is home to some 50 lawyers and professionals. It provides a full range of strong expertise, including proficiency in M&A and private equity, and a high level of intellectual property know-how. The well-known David Malcoiffe and Yves Bizollon are the heads of the Lyon office.

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Bird & Bird has very solid pharmaceutical and medical device patent expertise. The firm was active in several key disputes, including a major biosimilar patent case and successfully acted for Actavis in first instance proceedings which led to the revocation of a diabetes treatment patent owned by Laboratoires Servier. Yves Bizollon and Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan are the key contacts. Corporate partner Emmanuelle Porte is another key member because of her strong expertise in assisting biotech and medtech companies as well as venture capital funds with private venture and M&A transactions.

Industry focus: Luxury goods Tier 2

Bird & Bird's Laurence Clot advises several prestigious French and European luxury brands on tax issues. Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan is adviser to a leading luxury watch company regarding its worldwide trade mark strategy. Géraldine Arbant also advises on IP matters. Ariane Mole assists renowned industry brands on data privacy issues.

Insolvency Tier 2

Bird & Bird strengthened its practice through hiring Romain de Ménonville as partner in 2019, who was previously counsel at Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP and whose expertise in assisting banks is highly valued. With the joined forces of de Ménonville and Nicolas Morelli as co-heads of the practice and the key support from counsel Céline Nézet, the firm now offers a strong bench that focuses on advising banks, debt funds and other creditors. The group also assists companies whose key suppliers are facing difficulties and insolvency procedures, notably in the automotive sector. A clear stand-out feature is the team's rare expertise in advising trustees (fiduciaires) and liability and other related litigation. The practice acts on several landmark debt restructuring and insolvency cases, notably pertaining to several listed companies, on behalf of banks or bondholders.

Intellectual property: Patent and trade mark attorneys Tier 2

The team at Bird & Bird assists a large number of noteworthy clients with the management of their international trade mark portfolios, including Monster and Groupe Go Sport. Other non-contentious matters handled include assisting with filing and renewing trade marks, launching availability searches, and registering trade marks. Of note at the practice are joint heads Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan, who leads from Paris, and Yves Bizollon and Géraldine Arbant, who divide their time between Paris and Lyon.

Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 2

Bird & Bird specialises in the tech and life sciences sectors and has longstanding experience in advising growth companies, venture capital funds and corporate venture capital funds. Lyon-based David Malcoiffe and the Paris-based Emmanuelle Porte focus on venture capital transactions, while Bertrand Lévy, also in Paris, brings his expertise in LBO transactions to the table. Between them, the three practice heads handle a predominantly domestic caseload, but are also able to assist with cross-border matters, especially as part of the firm's international office network.

Dispute resolution: White-collar crime Tier 3

Industry focus: Energy Tier 3

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Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4

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Employment Tier 4

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Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 5

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Mergers and acquisitions Tier 5

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