Bird & Bird > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Bird & Bird > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 1

Bird & Bird‘s ‘responsive and dynamic team’ is well regarded for its ability to handle issues such as global compliance, international transfers of data and the data protection aspects of cloud computing services. The unit’s expertise is frequently sought out by clients from regulated sectors such as banking, insurance and life sciences. Ariane Mole heads up the team and counts digital compliance issues, such as cookies, cyber security and e-health, among her practice strengths. Willy Mikalef‘s expertise covers assistance with CNIL dawn raids, GDPR audits and data transfer tools. Oriane Zubcevic frequently handles GDPR compliance audits, while Julie Verdure has specialist expertise pertaining the use of processors, including cloud providers.

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 1

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.

France > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 1

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.

France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 1

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.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 1

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.

France > The regions Tier 1

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.

France > Aviation finance Tier 2

Bird & Bird established its aviation finance practice in Paris in December 2022 with the arrival of Laurence Hanley, former practice head at Stephenson Harwood, who focuses on advising borrowers in financings, complemented by expertise in regulatory matters, tax, and SPC vehicles. Embedded into the firm’s wider network, the practice also regularly handles cross-border matters and counts clients hailing from Indonesia and Japan amongst its portfolio.

France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

The team at Bird & Bird handles a myriad of issues for its lucrative client base, which notably includes Novo Nordisk, Moon Surgical, and Dexcom. Practice co-head Emmanuelle Porte has deep knowledge spanning a broad range of corporate matters, advising numerous medtech, biotech, and healthcare clients. Co-head Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan is recognised for her longstanding specialism in IP, particularly in relation to patent litigation within the pharma industry. Alexandre Vuchot has a great deal of transactional expertise, often assisting medtech and pharma companies with clinical research, distribution contracts, and procurement arrangements.

France > Industry focus: Telecoms  Tier 2

At Bird & Bird, the team is well equipped to assist electronic communications operators and investors with regulatory and transactional matters, both in France and in emerging markets. Contentious telecoms issues are another key driver of work for the group, which has a solid track record in acting for clients before ARCEP. Stéphane Leriche and Willy Mikalef co-head the practice; Leriche fields expertise in telecoms-related commercial contracts and transactional matters, and Mikalef focuses on satellite work. Mélanie Bercot, Jean-Claude Vecchiatto and UK-based Frédérique Dupuis-Toubol are also key names to note.

France > Insolvency Tier 2

Bird & Bird boasts one of the largest restructuring teams in Paris, maintaining its role as a key player in the market. The team specialises in handling large-scale cases, with a primary emphasis on advising creditors and stakeholders in intricate situations, demonstrating equal prowess in both litigation and transactional matters. Co-headed by Nicolas Morelli and Romain de Ménonville, the team has been instrumental in several headline cases across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, energy, retail, hospitality, and tourism, while also showcasing expertise in trusts. Key contacts at the firm include Jessica Derocque, a dedicated member of WIR (women in restructuring) with a particular focus on debt restructuring cases, as well as litigation specialist Céline Nézet and Pierre-Jean Chernard, who excel in debt restructuring and insolvency matters on behalf of creditors.

France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 2

Bird & Bird's team is equipped to provide comprehensive venture capital advice covering development, fundraising, and exit through M&A or IPO, among other elements. The group has particular strength assisting clients in the biotech and digital health tech segment. The practice is co-led by corporate team head Emmanuelle Porte, who focuses in venture capital, M&A and corporate finance transactions; and Gildas Louvel. Carole Bodin focuses on assisting corporate venture funds, investment funds and startups with venture capital transactions. Xavier Leroux left the firm in July 2023.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 3

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 4

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4

France > Employment Tier 4

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 4

France > Administrative and public law Tier 5

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 5

Strong in the TMT sector, Bird & Bird's competition practice is particularly active in antitrust proceedings before the FCA and the French courts. The team, which counts a number of large multinationals among its clients, also advises on merger control, competition compliance and distribution law. Thomas Oster heads the practice.

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory