Latham & Watkins > Paris, France > Firm Profile

Latham & Watkins > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 1

Latham & Watkins excels at advising leading French and international banks as well as prominent sponsors on the setting up of complex and large financings, often mixing TL and RCF loans. Recently, the Parisian team has also been particularly busy advising on amend and extend deals and repricing negotiations of large facilities. Finally, the practice also stands out for its high-level LBO finance expertise that advises on mid to large transactions.  Xavier Farde and Lionel Dechmann are two highly regarded figures. The practice is led by Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro . Of note, Michel Houdayer  left the firm in September 2024.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 1

Latham & Watkins‘ Paris team remains a leading reference in the market for complex and strategic merger control cases at both French and EU level, with particularly in-depth experience in phase II clearances. In addition, the team is skilled in FDI and, increasingly, FSR filings. On the litigation front, the group features prominently in high-profile cartel and abuse of dominance investigations by the EC and FCA, as well as in related appeals before the national courts and in follow-on damages claims. Its impressive client roster includes French and international clients from the telecoms, cosmetics, food and beverages, automotive and media sectors. Jacques-Philippe Gunther, a renowned expert in merger control and antitrust investigations, leads the team with Adrien Giraud and Mathilde Saltiel, both of whom have exceptional records across the spectrum of EU and competition matters.

France > Insolvency Tier 1

Latham & Watkins‘ wide-ranging restructuring and insolvency practice particularly stands out for its significant expertise in distressed LBO workouts and debt-to-equity swaps, share deals, court-supervised asset deals and complex cross-border restructurings. The firm has recently played a prominent role in numerous high-profile financial restructurings, as well as major insolvency proceedings and distressed sales, with a stellar client roster that includes debtors, shareholders, private equity sponsors, hedge funds, bondholders and banks. Experienced practice head Alexandra Bigot has a strong skill set in out-of-court and cross-border restructurings, while other key figures in the team include Hervé Diogo Amengual, whose practice has a notable emphasis on litigation, and Thomas Doyen.

France > Private equity: LBO Tier 1

Lauded for its ‘thoughtful and proactive advice’, the team at Latham & Watkins has a track record in advising French and international private equity houses on mid and large-cap transactions. The group draws on substantial expertise in debt capital markets and financing work. Investment funds, sovereign wealth funds, public investment funds and venture capital firms routinely feature on the firm’s client roster. Leadership of the practice is shared between a group of seven practitioners comprising: Thomas Forschbach, Olivier Du Mottay, Gaëtan Gianasso, Denis Criton, Alexander Benedetti, Alexander Crosthwaite, Simon Lange, and Charles-Antoine Guelluy.

France > Tax Tier 1

Transactional powerhouse Latham & Watkins is well regarded for its expertise in capital markets transactions, notably high-yield bond issuances and IPOs. Other areas of expertise include the implementation of employee stock incentives and management packages, as well as tax controversy matters before the French tax authorities. Olivia Rauch-Ravisé is highly regarded in the field and heads up the practice with deep expertise in private equity and M&A. Xavier Renard is a key name in the group and is well versed in private equity transactions, intra-group reorganisations and the taxation of financial instruments. Cécile Mariotti left the firm in January 2025.

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 2

Latham & Watkins ' excellent combination of US and French capabilities make the firm a reference for high-yield bonds issuances and liability management work, including innovative tender, exchange and consent offers. The practice has a strong presence among banks, investors and corporations which it also advises on classic bond issuances while the team also regularly assists clients with private placements in the US. The Parisian team, which regularly leverages on the firm’s international platform, is headed by Thomas Margenet-Baudry  and includes Roberto Reyes Gaskin who are both French and US qualified lawyers. Supporting them is counsel Michael Ettannani .

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

The team at Latham & Watkins regularly handles matters pertaining to cookies and other trackers, international transfers of data, data protection considerations in AI, data protection considerations in the taking of evidence abroad as well as enforcement and litigation matters. Clients include emerging companies, strategic investors as well as multinational corporations. The team is led by Myria Saarinen, who is a key litigator and leverages significant experience.

France > Media and entertainment: Sports Tier 2

Latham & Watkins leverages its well-established M&A and private equity practices to respond to the needs of the burgeoning sports-tech industry, advising an impressive roster of clients on regulatory and transactional matters across the sports sector. A notable highlight involved advising the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on issues concerning the staging of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Jean-Luc Juhan leads the team and is noted for possessing a 'very fine international vision', specialising in international commercial sport transactions with a particular expertise in content licensing and broadcasting rights distribution.

France > Capital markets: equity capital markets Tier 3

Latham & Watkins assists companies and investors in relation to share capital increase and convertible offerings while also advising on IPOs and providing general advice.  Thomas Margenet-Baudry and Roberto Reyes Gaskin are the key contacts.

France > Compliance Tier 3

Showcasing expertise across the healthcare, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, financial services and telecoms industries, the team at Latham & Watkins continues to be active in handling internal investigations involving anti-corruption, antitrust and employment issues, in additional to advising on international sanctions and data privacy matters. Fabrice Fages leads the practice and maintains a track record in cross-border internal investigations, while Elise Auvray assists on a range of compliance mandates, in addition to data privacy and white-collar crime cases. Fages and Auvray form a ‘great’ team.

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 3

Latham & Watkins is noted for its solid equity derivatives expertise among banks and financial institutions. The Parisian team, which regularly leverages on the firm’s international platform, also regularly assists international credit protection agents regarding corporate loan portfolio investments. The practice is headed by Thomas Vogel with Suzana Sava-Montanari  the other key member in the practice. Associate Jaime Hall provides support.

France > Dispute resolution: International arbitration Tier 3

Headed by the excellent   Fernando Mantilla-Serran, Latham & Watkins‘  Paris-based arbitration practice stands out for its excellent Latin American practice, that recently translated into several victories on behalf of its key client Colombia in high-stake disputes raising major environmental issues.  Often supported by the firm’s other international offices, the Parisian practice also handles a good amount of commercial arbitration, notably in relation to the pharmaceutical sector. Associates Esperanza Barrón-Baratech and Diego Romero provide additional support.

France > Employment Tier 3

The Latham & Watkins team has developed a strong practice in internal compliance, whistleblower and court risk exposure cases, as well as engaging in social plans and corporate M&A matters. Matthias Rubner heads the team, leveraging extensive experience to advise a number of household name clients on matters spanning compliance and internal investigations, to top executive exits and the implementation of restructuring plans. Romain Nairi is also recommended.

France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Praised by clients for its ‘exceptional precision’, Latham & Watkins often handles M&A and series financing mandates, acting for medical equipment companies, investors, and medical device clients. The ‘outstanding’ Eveline Van Keymeulen leads the team and is recommended for her vast experience in EU regulatory issues, particularly in relation to medical cannabis and hemp-based products. Jeanne Fabre regularly assists clients with market access strategy, advertising compliance, and clinical trial-related matters.

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 3

The team at Latham & Watkins undertakes a wide array of IT and internet matters including data and technology transactions, privacy, cybersecurity and connectivity issues. The practice is led by Jean-Luc Juhan who has a particular focus on global IT projects and strategic AI and digital platform alliances. He is also well-regarded for his work on M&A transactions in the IT space, NFTs and fintech.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 3

Latham & Watkins stands out for its strong involvement on outbound transactions (US, Asia) or deals of a global scale involving several offices. The Parisian team also regularly assists a number of blue chip and large French companies as well as international groups and investment funds with their large domestic and European transactions and with the setting up of joint ventures and corporate restructurings. The practice is headed by Pierre-Louis Cléro, and includes key members Olivier du Mottay, Alexander Crosthwaite and Charles-Antoine Guelluy . Counsel Raphaël Darmon also contributes.

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4

France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 4

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration Tier 2

Latham & Watkins's Latin America international arbitration practice primarily sits in its Paris, New York and London offices. The expanding team is adept in English, Spanish and Portuguese proceedings and continues to achieve growth in commercial arbitrations, notably in post-M&A disputes; the firm is a market leader in Latin America M&A. With its 'outstanding and reliable associates to take on highly complex tasks' the firm is at the forefront of energy, oil and gas, and natural resources cases, with additional progress in pharmaceuticals and construction disputes. The department represents both states and investors, although it has more of an emphasis on company representation. Fernando Mantilla-Serrano ('attention to details makes the difference') is global co-chair of the international arbitration practice and is a recognised leader in Latin America disputes. Fellow global co-chair and New York-based John Pierce brought further weight to the team when he joined in 2022; while less focused on Latin America, he nevertheless has plenty of experience in the region. New York counsel Santiago Bejarano ('very kind, extremely intelligent, he always makes himself available') is another genuine Latin America specialist; while London’s Samuel Pape, elected to the partnership in 2023, has a fine record in the region, having represented the Republic of Colombia in a series of ICSID cases and acted for clients in a range of commercial arbitrations. Associates Esperanza Barrón-Baratech and Diego Romero (who 'stands out in the group of lawyers at Latham & Watkins') are also key team members. Named individuals are based in Paris unless stated otherwise.