Ms Geraldine Arbant > Bird & Bird > Lyon, France > Lawyer Profile

Boasting cross-sector expertise and a multidisciplinary group of practitioners, Bird & Bird provides the full range of business law services from local matters to international transactions. The team caters to both domestic companies and international clients active in the Rhone-Alps region and is particularly well known for advising startups and SMEs. David Malcoiffe stands at the helm of the practice and specialises in advising investment funds and startup companies in private equity and venture capital transactions. Géraldine Arbant leverages her experience in brand management, trade mark and copyright litigation, whereas Anne-Florence Raducaul focuses on commercial and corporate disputes. Lyon-based Nathalie Devernay and Benjamin Lichtlé are other key names to note.

Bird & Bird maintains its position as a prominent player in the field of IP litigation, where it represents major clients with a strong sector focus on innovative industries, including life sciences, healthcare, technology, media, entertainment, and sports. The team possesses both local and international expertise, excelling in both contentious and non-contentious matters, encompassing trade mark infringement, unfair competition cases, prosecution, and comprehensive brand management. At the helm of the practice is Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan, acknowledged for her proficiency in handling intricate technical issues, while soft IP litigation expert Géraldine Arbant collaborates closely. Notably, their capabilities are further enhanced by the contributions of Yves Bizollon, a standout member with a strong track record in complex patent litigation and significant experience in trade mark matters.

With a distinct focus on dynamic industries such as life sciences, technology and communications, media, entertainment, and sports, Bird & Bird provides comprehensive guidance on a wide spectrum of copyright issues, leveraging the international reach of its IP practice. Co-headed by Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan and Géraldine Arbant, the copyright practice not only assists companies with copyright registration, protection, and commercialisation but also excels in crafting copyright licenses and agreements. Moreover, the team actively engages in copyright infringement litigation and handles liability claims, representing clients in contentious proceedings before both French and European courts. The practice further benefits from the expertise of Edouard Treppoz, a copyright specialist, as well as Nathan Soulié, a key adviser in copyright matters related to software and SaaS contracts, and Frédérique Bocqueraz, a specialist in international copyright matters.

The patents team at Bird & Bird is well versed in advising on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The group has a solid track record in handling domestic and multinational patent litigation, often for prominent blue-chip clients. Patent litigation expert Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan co-heads the practice with Géraldine Arbant. Yves Bizollon is well regarded for his expertise in acting for food, energy, defence, and automotive sector companies in complex litigation, and Laurent Labatte is very well known for handling litigation in technical fields. The practice was bolstered by the arrival of Thierry Lautier in July 2023.

Bird & Bird fields a large multi-disciplimary team which works across several key sectors in the market. The group regularly advises blue-chip companies and guides clients through major outsourcing deals, as well as systems integration, cloud computing and data protection issues. Recent highlights for the firm include advising the European Commission on its landmark blockchain services infrastructure project. Stéphane Leriche leads the team and focuses on digital innovation and the data economy. Other key contacts include Ariane Mole, who co-leads the practice’s international privacy and data protection division; Cathie-Rosalie Joly, who focuses on regulatory matters in the financial services and gaming sectors; and Alexandre Vuchot, who takes the lead on business law within the TMT space. Géraldine Arbant  and Willy Mikalef are also noted. Anne-Sophie Lampe was a new arrival in late 2023.