Signature Litigation AARPI > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Signature Litigation AARPI Offices

Signature Litigation AARPI
49/51 avenue George V
75008
France
Visit website +33 (0)1 70 75 58 00

Signature Litigation AARPI > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 1

Signature Litigation AARPI stands out for its ability to handle a diverse portfolio of high-stakes and complex disputes. The firm is notably retained by many leading companies (spanning various sectors such as telecoms, automotive, digital economy, healthcare, manufacturing) to handle major commercial disputes and civil liability cases, as well as toxic tort litigation where the firm is a leading name.  Additionally, the team also regularly handles one-of-a-kind cases raising new hot topics, including ESG concerns, and has the ability to handle complex international private law matters. The team is jointly led by Thomas Rouhette, product liability expert Sylvie Gallage-Alwis and Jérémie Fierville, who joined in 2023 and adds strength in the field of financial and corporate litigation. Counsels Mathilde Gérot, Claire Massiera and Ela Barda also noted.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Rouhette; Sylvie Gallage-Alwis; Jérémie Fierville

Other key lawyers:

Mathilde Gérot; Claire Massiera; Ela Barda

Testimonials

‘High quality of legal analysis, strategic thinking, great responsiveness. Thomas Rouhette’s team is extremely competent in complex litigation and knows how to communicate with clients on strategy and in a transparent and proactive manner.’

‘Thomas Rouhette demonstrates rare versatility: an excellent strategist in complex cases, his judgement is sound and always in the long-term interest of his client. His recommendations take into account in-depth understanding of his clients’ strategic and commercial issues. Ela Barda: fine and reliable legal and strategic analyses; exceptional communication skills and understanding of customer needs; transparent and serious communication.’

‘Jérémie Fierville is excellent, very focused, commercial and excellent with clients. He is a pleasure to work with.’

‘High competence; excellent communication with clients.’

‘Exceptional team, extremely efficient and in whom you can have complete confidence. Very innovative firm in its approach to clients. ’

‘Thomas Rouhette is a leader in commercial litigation in France. Sylvie Gallage-Alwis is the North Star of product liability and compliance issues. Mathilde Gérot is excellent and Inès Aramouni is a superb addition to the entire team.’

Key clients

Renault

Boeing

Honeywell

Airbnb

Dailymotion

Casino

Pfizer

LG Energy Solutions

Société Générale

Fondation Saint-Louis

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Vorwerk

Emerson

GE

ID Logistics

Mitsubishi

Thales

Mersen

Infineum

Work highlights

  • Representing Pfizer in French claims relating to the Covid-19 vaccine.
  • Representing Casino in a dispute arising from alleged non-compliance of its obligations deriving from the so-called duty of vigilance.
  • Representing Groupe Renault in the so-called dieselgate and motorgate cases.

France > Aviation Tier 2

Signature Litigation AARPI is well equipped to handle disputes in the aviation sector, handling claims on behalf of clients such as manufacturers and insurers. Thomas Rouhette is the lead partner, known for his in-depth experience regarding product liability and commercial litigation, often with a cross-border dimension. Ela Barda was promoted to Counsel in July 2023 and focuses on international litigation and enforcement proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Rouhette

Other key lawyers:

Claire Massiera; Ela Barda; Solène Poitrinal

Testimonials

‘Thomas Rouhette: a lawyer mastering legal matters with strategic dimension.’

Key clients

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty

The Boeing Company

Continental Technologies Aerospace

Daher Aerospace

GE Aviation

Global Aerospace

Honeywell Aerospace

Jeppesen

Work highlights

  • Assisted The Boeing Company in its French aviation litigation and regulatory matters.
  • Assisted Continental Aerospace Technologies in its French aviation litigation matters.
  • Assisted Honeywell Aerospace in its French aviation litigation matters.

France > Insurance Tier 2

Boutique firm Signature Litigation AARPI represents both major insurers and large insured companies in a wide range of insurance disputes, with an emphasis on handling international cases. Among its standout areas of expertise are property (where it has been particularly active in business interruption cases stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic), D&O and environmental liability claims. At the head of the practice, Thomas Rouhette is a go-to practitioner in insurance cases in the aviation industry and Emmanuèle Lutfalla is highly experienced in product liability disputes.

Practice head(s):

Emmanuèle Lutfalla; Thomas Rouhette

Testimonials

‘Very structured approach, excellent communication and ability to explain to non-lawyers. Cases move forward without us having to follow up constantly.’

‘Experts in their field.’

‘Very dynamic team – proactive and solution-oriented. Diverse and collaborative lawyers.’

‘Available, very high quality of service, very accessible. They understand the client’s expectations exactly.’

Key clients

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty France

Allianz IARD

HDI Canada

QBE

Global Aerospace – GE Aviation

Global Aerospace – The Boeing Company

Société Générale

Air Liquide

MSIG

Adama

Work highlights

  • Advised Partner Re on a 1 billion euro case involving the analysis of a reinsurance treaty following the Covid-19 crisis.
  • Advised Allianz on a CAD455 million case involving pollution damages in Canada.
  • Representing Société Générale in two distinct insurance coverage cases arising from the US class actions involving the so-called IBOR and Gold Fixing investigations, as well as international discovery proceedings.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 5

Signature Litigation AARPI

Practice head(s):

Flore Poloni; Philip Dunham

Testimonials

‘They know the law, provide exceptional advice and work efficiently.’

‘Flore Poloni is incredibly sharp and responsive. She is a pleasure to work with.’

‘The team stands out for its great availability, responsiveness as well as its tireless determination in defending the interests of its clients.’

‘Flore Poloni is extremely available and always listens to her interlocutors. She explores and considers all options and strategies available to defend the interests of her clients. She is capable of implementing a defense strategy within very short time frames. Furthermore, she implements innovative work and organizational tools within her team to best meet customer needs.’

‘Finely tuned team with seamless coordination.’

‘The work performed is excellent and the client service is outstanding.’

‘Flore Poloni is a fantastic arbitration expert. She delivers high quality work product and great client service. Flore is sharp, focused and thorough in her work. She is definitively an international arbitration star.’

‘Strong team with clear dedication to and expertise in litigation and arbitration. Talented and very responsive.’

Key clients

EDF

Bolloré Logistics SE

Signature Litigation AARPI > Firm Profile

Signature Litigation is best known as a unique model civil and commercial litigation and arbitration practice with a unique “all member” economic structure. The firm has no transactional practice, and therefore very few conflicts of interest, and none of the distractions which come with a multi-practice law firm with offices across many jurisdictions.

Signature Litigation was founded in 2012 by senior lawyers with many years’ experience in leading practices, specialising in high-value commercial litigation and arbitration. With offices in London, Paris and Gibraltar, the firm was founded to meet the increased demand for highly experienced litigation and arbitration advice and support in complex cases, where the dedication of a niche specialist firm yields results.

The firm: In 2019, Signature Litigation established its Paris office. The firm is distinct from anything else in the French market – it is the only cross-channel, conflict free, firm focused solely on high-end litigation and arbitration. No other firm in the market has this advantage, giving the firm a real edge in developing new work streams and supplying superior legal services.

The Paris based partners are all leading experts within their areas of expertise, most notably international commercial litigation, product liability and toxic tort and environmental litigation, insurance and reinsurance litigation, corporate, banking and finance litigation, and international commercial arbitration.

The firm has continued its strong growth this year with several high-value cases and an expanding team of high-calibre individuals. The office’s work spans a range of sectors, including financial services, insurance, technology, aviation, automotive, life sciences and consumer goods, and its client base comprises market leading multi-national corporates. In 2020, the firm appointed specialist commercial arbitration practitioner Flore Poloni to its partnership, to establish its arbitration practice in Paris. Flore’s appointment signals to the legal market a compelling arbitration proposition, which dovetails with the firm’s existing and established litigation offering and adds complementary experience to the already well settled London based international arbitration team.

Types of work undertaken: Signature Litigation specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration. It handles complex, multi-party disputes that challenge the commercial and reputational viability of its clients. The firm advises on many of the most high-profile cases, which set precedents and receive significant media attention.

Signature Litigation’s product liability and mass toxic tort practice is led from its Paris office and focuses on assisting major entities with every litigation and compliance issue that may arise with regulators, suppliers or consumers. The firm advises clients on all aspects of liability following their products from the day they are designed until they are placed on the market, handling disputes in France and in London.

Signature Litigation’s insurance and reinsurance practice focuses on complex international insurance disputes. Combining the expertise in its Paris and London offices, Signature Litigation has acted for some of the leading insurers and reinsurers on high value disputes, particularly in Europe, Latin America, the Mediterranean basin, Asia and West Africa.

Signature Litigation has deep experience in dealing with regulatory disputes in the banking and financial sectors and in litigating contractual and post M&A disputes for clients in a broad range of business sectors.

Signature Litigation has developed a market-leading enforcement practice, involving the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitration awards within the French Court system.

Signature Litigation’s arbitration practice has experience representing clients in high value and complex international arbitrations in a variety of sectors including defence and IT. It is well known for setting up lean teams to deal with matters in an agile and efficient way.

Expertise in mediation is also shared among the partners.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Sylvie Gallage-Alwis sylvie.gallage-alwis@signaturelitigation.com +33 (0)1 70 75 58 00
Emmanuèle Lutfalla emmanuele.lutfalla@signaturelitigation.com +33 (0)1 70 75 58 00
Flore Poloni flore.poloni@signaturelitigation.com +33 (0)1 70 75 58 00
Thomas Rouhette thomas.rouhette@signaturelitigation.com +33 (0)1 70 75 58 00

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Ela Barda photo Ela Barda Ela is counsel and a litigator specialising in commercial litigation, civil fraud… View Profile
Philip Dunham photo Philip Dunham With over 30 years’ experience, Philip’s extensive practice covers both commercial and… View Profile
Jérémie Fierville photo Jérémie Fierville Jérémie is a highly experienced litigator, specialising in complex corporate and financial… View Profile
Sylvie Gallage-Alwis photo Sylvie Gallage-Alwis After 10 years practicing in a major international law firm, Sylvie became… View Profile
Mathilde Gérot photo Mathilde Gérot Mathilde is a Counsel specialising in commercial and regulatory litigation including data… View Profile
Emmanuèle Lutfalla photo Emmanuèle Lutfalla After more than 30 years practicing in both major international law firms… View Profile
Claire Massiera photo Claire Massiera Claire is a Counsel representing French and international clients in complex disputes,… View Profile
Flore Poloni photo Flore Poloni Flore specialises in international commercial arbitration. She has 12 years’ experience representing… View Profile
Thomas Rouhette photo Thomas Rouhette Thomas is a founding partner of the Paris office of Signature Litigation… View Profile

Staff Figures

Partners : 4
Number of other fee earners : 14

Languages

French
English
Japanese
Spanish
German

Memberships

IBA (International Bar Association)
ABA (American Bar Association)
International Association of Defense Counsel
Insuralex (Global Insurance Lawyers Group)
International Association of Defense Counsel (iADC)
Association Internationale de Droit des Assurances (AIDA)
London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)