CMS Francis Lefebvre > Paris, France > Firm Profile

CMS Francis Lefebvre
2 RUE ANCELLE
92522 NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE
France

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 1

The Paris CMS Francis Lefebvre derivatives and structured finance group remains a force in the marketplace, bringing strength to advising major domestic and international financial institutions and private equity firms (Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Société Générale, BNP Paribas, My Money Bank/Cerberus) and corporates in gases, retail and mining, on a comprehensive range of matters. The practice utilises two dedicated groups: securitisation and structured finance (led by Grégory Benteux, who brings extensive experience counselling clients on the arranger or originator’s side, and Alexandre Bordenave, a specialist in distressed financings and banking litigation) and derivatives (part of the capital markets team, led by Rosetta Ferrère, who handles share equity and equity-linked products, and capital markets head Marc-Etienne Sébire). Counsel Pauline Larroque brings expertise to ESG derivative instruments.

Practice head(s):

Grégory Benteux; Etienne Sébire; Alexandre Bordenave; Rosetta Ferrère

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team is amazing, very knowledgeable and professional. They respond quickly and take care of everything.’

Key clients

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

BPCE

Natixis

SFIL

Bpifrance

Société Générale

BNP Paribas

La Banque Postale

My Money Bank/Cerberus

SOFAC Structured Finance

Work highlights

  • Advised Cerberus and MMB Group on the home loans refinancing and covered bonds aspects of the acquisition by MMB group of the retail activities of HBCE Continental Europe in France.
  • Advised covered bonds issuers (CAFFIL, SFIL, BPCE SFH, CM CIC Home Loans SFH, MMB SCF) representing a large part of the market, in order to implement the European reform on covered bonds entered into force on 8 July 2022.
  • Advised Moroccan bank SOFAC and its subsidiary Sofac Structured Finance, for the setting-up of a securitisation transaction of receivables arising from vehicle leasing contracts with a purchase option.

France > The regions Tier 1

Specialists in business, tax and public law with a practice spanning the Greater South East and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions, the experienced team at CMS Francis Lefebvre in Lyon advises private individuals and small, medium and large-sized companies across such sectors as  food, waste management, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, real estate and life sciences. Key figures include François Coutard, Jean-Thomas Heintz, who handles M&A, the implementation of joint ventures and project operations, and Laurent Romano, who focuses on competition, health and distribution law. Guilaume Bossy has strength in employment litigation and social protection law.

Practice head(s):

François Coutard; Jean-Thomas Heintz; Laurent Romano

Testimonials

‘A complete and very creative firm. They have a very rich 360-degree view.’

‘Empathetic and responsive lawyers.’

‘Very strong responsiveness. Ability to understand the challenges of our company’s businesses.’

Key clients

Aeroports de Lyon

Nicollin

Capstone

Bai (Blue Altitude Invest)

Iltom

De Buyer

Benta

Immerialys

Work highlights

  • Represented Benta, a French pharmaceutical manufacturer, in a dispute with a laboratory, following the sudden termination of commercial relations after 12 years of collaboration.
  • Reviewed and assessed for Immerialys a contractual scheme in the perspective of development of the property trading network.
  • Advised pasta producer Ebro Group on the sale of its French subsidiary Panzani.

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 2

The Paris debt and capital markets team at international law firm CMS Francis Lefebvre brings strength to high-value cross-border transactions involving major financial institutions, real estate investment trust companies, insurers, asset managers and corporates in such sectors as logistics and healthcare. Euro private placement market expert Marc-Etienne Sébire heads the practice, which assists with matters ranging from EMTN programmes and covered bonds to hybrid securities and liability management. Other key figures include Rosetta Ferrère, who has expertise in structured bond issues and debt restructuring, and senior associates Yaël Fitoussi and Myriam Issad.

Practice head(s):

Marc-Etienne Sébire

Testimonials

‘Very dynamic team, available and always pleasant, combining a very good practice of financial products and an excellent knowledge of the different markets. Number 1 international firm on the Euro PP market, far ahead of its competitors!’

‘Marc-Etienne Sébire is a great and excellent professional in the bond markets, both present on the files, accompanying his clients at all stages of the process and recognised as a teacher who knows how to deliver and explain his knowledge in a clear and reassuring way.’

‘Dynamic and friendly team. Very aware of market practices.’

Key clients

BNP Paribas

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

HSBC

Natixis

Société Générale

Morgan Stanley

J.P. Morgan

Crédit Mutuel Arkéa

Klépierre

NGE

FM Holding Corporate

Crédit Mutuel Home Loan SFH

SFIL

CAFFIL

LCL

Octo Finances

Imerys

Banque Palatine

My Money Bank

Crédit Industriel et Commercial

Work highlights

  • Advised NGE on its EUR 150m secured sustainability-linked Euro PP.
  • Advised the lead managers (BNP Paribas, Crédit Industriel et Commercial, HSBC Continental Europe and Morgan Stanley Europe SE) on the inaugural EUR 750m Tier 2 bond issue of Groupe des Assurances du Crédit Mutuel.
  • Advised Crédit Mutuel Arkéa on the establishment of its EUR 5bn structured debt programme.

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

The Paris-based technologies, media and communications group at CMS Francis Lefebvre employs the experience of its team to assist financial institutions (Bank of China) and multinational corporates in mining (Newmont), aviation, tech, e-commerce, automobiles, engineering, construction and consumer products, on a diverse spectrum of data privacy and data protection matters. Headed by Anne-Laure Villedieu, who brings expertise to representing clients before the courts or the data protection authorities, the practice assists with auditing processing systems, data protection compliance, privacy impact assessments and personal data transfers. The team is supported by senior associate Maxime Hanriot, a specialist in cybersecurity.

Practice head(s):

Anne-Laure Villedieu

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Al Khaliji France

Bank of China

SPIE Operations

SPIE France

Newmont

Work highlights

  • Advising Al Khaliji with respect to all its data protection issues, as its appointed external data protection officer.
  • Assisting with a global GDPR compliance program for SPIE Operations affecting all subsidiaries of the SPIE Group.

France > Employment Tier 2

CMS Francis Lefebvre advises SMEs and leading French and international companies, specialising in a wide range of industries, from the food industry to the industrial manufacturing sector. The practice has a broad range of expertise and is regularly retained to assist with the negotiation of new collective agreements; recent highlights include working on new working time organisation issues, remote working matters and post-M&A mandates. The team also frequently advises clients during M&A transactions and post-restructuring projects, and handles litigation as well as collective redundancy work. Key names in the practice include Laurent Marquet de VasselotAlain HerrmannPierre BonneauCaroline Froger-Michon and Guillaume Bossy.

Testimonials

‘Stable and easy relationship, very complementary team of lawyers. Good knowledge of our business environment. Very structured firm, proven ability to respond, both in terms of advice and in the strictly contentious areas.’

‘Stable interlocutors, facilitated interpersonal relations. Lots of listening. Decent response times and relevant solutions.’

‘Exceptional responsiveness, innovation, competence, great practice’.

‘Caroline Froger-Michon and Aurélie Parchet are two high quality lawyers, always available, responsive, attentive. They have a pedagogical consulting approach that allows you to move forward in your HR and social practice.’

‘Well organised team. All needed expertise is available.’

‘Very professional and easy to reach out to’.

Key clients

Auchan Group

Chambre Nationale des Commissaires de Justice

Epta Group

Prysmian Group

Stanley Black & Decker Group

Auchan Group

Work highlights

  • Negotiating a collective agreement in the context of the creation of a new profession resulting from the merger of bailiff, auctioneer and Justice commissioner.
  • Assisted InPost, a logistics company, with post-acquisition employment issues, and in particular issues regarding the status of key employees and managers.
  • Advised Ebro Group on the selling of PANZANI.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 2

Christophe Barthélemy is at the helm of CMS Francis Lefebvre‘s ‘competent and multidisciplinary’ team, alongside head of the firm’s environmental practice Céline Cloché-Dubois and head of the European law and state aid practice Claire Vannini. The practice has a well-established ability to advise its clients on high-value transactional matters, in particular. A standout focus of its workload has been advising major players in the renewables field, such as Océole, on the development, construction and operation of significant offshore wind projects in France. Additionally, it assists on the sale of such projects, an example being Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy’s sale of a 3.9GW portfolio of onshore wind projects worth €580m to SSE Renewables. Specialist counsel Thierry Postif joined the department in January 2022 from GRDF.

Practice head(s):

Christophe Barthélemy; Céline Cloché-Dubois; Claire Vannini

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘A competent and multidisciplinary team’

‘Céline Cloche-Dubois is very competent in her analyses and expertise.’

Key clients

Ailes Marines

Sorégies

GRTgaz

Océole

Ionity

Voltalis

Veolia

Siemens Gamesa

Waga Energy

Photosol

Work highlights

  • Advising Photosol on a transaction worth €385m wherein French independent energy operator Rubis has acquired 80% of photovoltaic power producer Photosol France.
  • Advising Océole on various offshore wind farm projects based in South Brittany and the Mediterranean.
  • Advising Ailes Marines on the Saint-Brieuc offshore project since the beginning of the project in 2011.

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 2

The team at CMS Francis Lefebvre is equipped to advise its significant and longstanding client base on complex regulatory matters, in particular. The group assists with the drafting and negotiation of IT contracts, advises on the day-to-day operations and launching of innovative services involving e-commerce, digital platform regulation and consumer law issues, and handles the negotiation of partnership agreements concerning high-profile projects. Practice head Anne-Laure Villedieu is a specialist in IT technology and data privacy.

Practice head(s):

Anne-Laure Villedieu

Other key lawyers:

Jean-Baptiste Thienot; Florentin Sanson; Maxime Hanriot

Testimonials

‘We had the opportunity to work with different members of the firm. They were all very helpful and diligent in providing advice.’

Key clients

Sage

Circular X

France > Media and entertainment: Music Tier 2

Anne-Laure Villedieu heads the broader IP and media team at CMS Francis Lefebvre and counsel Florentin Sanson leads the music offering. The team has a niche focus on podcasts, advising renowned clients on domestic regulations in this area. Additionally, it is experienced in advising on the adaptation of musical content for various media forms, as well as on the impact of Covid-19 on live show productions. The team is also equipped to act on cross-border cases involving such matters as the alleged copyright infringement of lyrical works.

Practice head(s):

Anne-Laure Villedieu

Other key lawyers:

France > Tax Tier 2

CMS Francis Lefebvre has one of the market's largest workforces with more than 200 tax lawyers; the vast majority are based in Paris with a small team also located in the Lyon office. The firm’s range of expertise is extensive and it covers a whole range of issues, from mainstream tax to more complex and niche areas. Its international tax, transfer pricing and litigation capabilities are among the best on the market. The team regularly handles high-stakes disputes where high financial amounts are at stake, acting for leading companies and banks. The team assists a prominent client base, made up of leading French and international corporations. It also advises on complex tax reorganisation work and provides tax advice on M&A transactions, including recently advising on some significant deals in the energy sector. The firm’s tax real estate expertise is also to be noted. Key names include the highly regarded Stéphane Austry, who coordinates the firm’s tax litigation and controversy group, Bruno Gibert, who specialises in international taxation and transfer pricing, and Edouard Milhac, whose main focus in on transactional tax issues. Also noted are Anne-Sophie RostaingFrédéric GernerJean-Charles Benois and Ludovic Duguet.

Testimonials

‘Very professional team, extremely competent, available and benefiting from a very strong credibility with the administration.’

‘Jean-Charles Benois: knows perfectly the problems of our company. Excellent advice, always available, fast, knowledgeable. Alexia Cayrel: enormous capacity for work, precise, high quality work that gives confidence’.

‘A dynamic, responsive, involved and technically very high quality team’.

‘Availability. Responsiveness. Quality of advice. Ability to have a business vision. Ability to understand clients’ issues’.

‘CMS Francis Lefebvre’s response has always been of high quality and has very often enabled me to resolve disputes with the tax authorities.’

‘I mainly work with Anne-Sophie Rostaing. I appreciate her availability, knowledge of our group, responsiveness in handling my requests and the relevance of her analyzes on often very specific subjects.’

‘The firm does an exceptional job at making you feel like their most important client!’

‘Edouard Milhac is always available, responsive and provides advice in a cogent, clear manner.’

Key clients

Vivendi

BNP Paribas

EDF SA

Orange

Rubis Terminal Group

IDIA Capital Investment

ABC Artbitrage

Perial

Eurazeo

Egym

Work highlights

  • Assisting VIVENDI with tax litigation procedure claiming the reimbursement of corporate tax paid for fiscal years 2011 (€365 million), 2012 (€ 315 million), 2015 (€ 203 million), 2017 (€4.2 million) and 2018 (€1.3 million).
  • Assisting  DF SA with the signing of an exclusive agreement with GE for the acquisition of GE Steam Power’s nuclear activities relating to the conventional island of nuclear power plants.
  • Assisting RUBIS TERMINAL GROUP in connection with the structuring of the disposal of their Turkish subsidiary, Rubis Terminal Petrol, acquired by Transpet Petrolcülük ve Enerji A.Ş., a Turkish leading player in the energy sector.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 3

CMS Francis Lefebvre is recommended for its strong expertise in the field of public procurement. The firm recently obtained a series of victories before courts in proceedings challenging the validity of several public procurement procedures. The practice also advises leading French companies on the awarding of large public infrastructure projects, notably in the public heating and healthcare areas. François Tenailleau takes a leading role on many of the firm's matters; he co-heads the practice alongside Claire Vannini, who is an expert in regulatory, public economic law and EU regulation issues, recently assisting clients with matters concerning rail and solar tariffs. Counsels Kawthar Ben Khelil  and Thomas Carenzi are other key team members.

Practice head(s):

François Tenailleau; Claire Vannini

Other key lawyers:

Kawthar Ben Khelil; Thomas Carenzi

Testimonials

‘Very good responsiveness and great relevance of advice.’

‘Kawthar Ben Khelil shows great professionalism and efficiency on complex files.’

‘Great ability to understand complex and hybrid files in all their components (in particular financial and tax), which mix public law and private law environments and issues. Great pragmatism, both in the field of negotiation and in litigation.’

‘François Tenailleau intervenes personally in the management of cases. His reputation weighs positively in negotiations including with the institutional authorities and public actors.’

‘Kawthar Ben Khelil is a very knowledgeable, extremely responsive and customer oriented lawyer in the field of public procurement law with a perfect understanding of the respective matter at hand, even in very complex cases and contracts.’

‘The team is dynamic, agile and adapts to all stakeholders. Its strengths lie in the multidisciplinary nature of its members and in-depth knowledge of environments and markets. The team is highly qualified.’

‘Maître Ben Khelil is to be distinguished for her high technical and oral skills. She does not hesitate to highlight the different scenarios allowing decision-making to take into account all the legal and commercial aspects of the environment.’

‘Exemplary skills and responsiveness.’

Key clients

La Banque Postale

Engie

Caisse des dépôts et consignations

Interparking

Corsica Linea

Total Raffinage France

Société d’exploitation des ports du détroit (concessionaire of ports of Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais)

British Embassy in Paris

Lexmark International

McCourt Global

NGE

Eiffage Construction

Eiffage Aménagement

Indigo

Crédit Agricole group

Meridiam

Léon Grosse

Veolia Energie France

Axxès (Vinci/Eiffage joint-venture)

Paris Saint Germain Football (PSG)

Semmaris

BPCE Lease

Union nationale des centres sportifs de plein air (UCPA)

Railcoop

Agence pour la formation professionnelle des adultes (AFPA)

Waga Energy

Siaci Saint-Honoré

Work highlights

  • Advised Railcoop on all regulatory, public law, financial and competition issues relating to the launch of its railway passenger services in France.
  • Advised Veolia Energie France on the awarding of a service concession contract for the creation and operation of a heating and cooling network in Issy-les-Moulineaux.
  • Representating McCourt Global in a major dispute relating to the award of the Pampelonne beach concession by the municipality of Ramatuelle.

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 3

CMS Francis Lefebvre' team advises bank and non-bank financial institutions, asset and fund management companies and insurers, on regulatory aspects of such matters as market entry, authorisation processes, internal organisation and governance, regulatory reporting requirements, Brexit impacts and relocations and AML/CFT policies and litigation before regulators. Jérôme Sutour heads the practice; he specialises in new regulations as they relate to the financial sector or blockchain.

Practice head(s):

Jérôme Sutour

Key clients

Hines SGP

N26

IM Global Partner

Kriptown

Agrica

Redburn (Europe) Limited

Market securities LLP

Makor Securities

Mirova

STELLIUM INVEST

Work highlights

  • Assisting N26 with its procedures and contractual relationships with its new clients, as a foreign digital credit institution entering the French market.
  • Assisting IMGP in the acquisition of SYZ Asset Management (a Luxembourg AIFM).

France > Environment Tier 3

Led by Céline Cloché-Dubois, CMS Francis Lefebvre‘s environment team advises on matters ranging from waste management and pollution clean-up to the ecological transition. The team works with lawyers from departments including corporate, energy and project finance, and has experience in transactional due diligence in addition to regulation and litigation.

Practice head(s):

Céline Cloché-Dubois

Other key lawyers:

Marc-Etienne Sébire; Clotilde Laborde; Anne Plisson

Testimonials

‘As soon as I have a complex question in terms of environmental law, I contact Céline Cloché-Dubois. In addition to exceptional responsiveness, she, and of course the members of her team, is very competent. Her answers are always written in such a way that they are practical and understandable to non-lawyers.’

Key clients

VEOLIA

ZEHNDER Group

USLEEP

SIEMENS

KSB

FUCHS Lubrifiant France

ENGIE

WAGA Energy

PHOTOSOL

Work highlights

  • Advised Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy on the sale of a 3.9GW portfolio of onshore wind projects worth €580m to SSE Renewables.
  • Advised Waga Energy on the financing of six newWagaBOX projects; units that produce biomethane.
  • Advised USLEEP on the negotiation of a commercial lease agreement for its first warehouse in France.

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 3

A highlight of CMS Francis Lefebvre’s competition practice is its strength in distribution law, with distribution expert Nathalie Pétrignet recently handling litigation in this space and Denis Redon gaining FCA clearance for acquisitions of distribution companies. The team covers merger notifications before the French and other European authorities and represents clients in litigation, including acting for Paris Saint Germain in an appeal against a sanction and bringing a follow-on damages action after an FCA cartel fine. EU law specialist Claire Vannini handles state aid issues. Olivier Leroy assists with competition issues during commercial negotiations.

Practice head(s):

Nathalie Petrignet; Claire Vannini; Denis Redon; Olivier Leroy

Other key lawyers:

Eleni Moraitou

Testimonials

‘CMS-FL is distinguished in particular by its very high technicality: we choose the European law and competition law team headed by Claire Vannini for cases with high added value.’

‘Claire Vannini (partner) and Eleni Moraitou (counsel) show a very high technical level on subjects which are generally not as well mastered by most of their competitors, such as questions of state aid, substantive European law, etc. They are both also very available, even in an emergency.’

‘The CMS team has an excellent command of competition law and in particular merger control and the regulations relating to state aid.’

‘Claire Vannini – excellent knowledge of state aid regulations and the practice of DG Comp; pragmatic approach, in listening to the needs of the client and in the search for solutions. Eleni Moraitou – rigorous analysis and effective support in terms of state aid, availability and responsiveness.’

‘Good technical knowledge. Rigorous work.’

‘Very reactive. Very relevant in answers.’

Key clients

NGE

CEGOS SA

Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) / Air Austral

Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE)

General Electric Energy Products France

Paris Saint Germain (PSG)

Bolton Solitaire

Trigano

SFS Group

Work highlights

  • Represented NGE before the French Competition Authority for obtaining clearance for the acquisition by Montefiore (private equity fund) of a controlling stake in its capital.
  • Advised Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) in state aid matters related to the refinancing and rescue aid authorised by the EU Commission and granted by the French state to Air Austral.
  • Advised PSG (Paris St Germain football club) in challenging the results of investigations made by the Ministry of Economy and subsequent penalties imposed for breaching payment terms.

France > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 3

CMS Francis Lefebvre is able to leverage its international presence to handle cross-border copyright matters, including collective copyright management in music, TV rights clearances, anti-piracy and pre-litigation infringement actions. Florentin Sanson‘s team assists clients from the film and TV, technology and music sectors, advising on copyright contracts and protections for firms and individuals, in addition to disputes and enforcement actions.

Practice head(s):

Florentin Sanson

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 3

The IP team at CMS Francis Lefebvre handles contentious trade mark work, ranging from infringement cases to cancellation, revocation and opposition actions, while also managing client’s IP portfolios and assisting with IP rights licenses and assignments. Companies from the cosmetics, automotive, pharmaceuticals, media and leisure industries rely on the firm for trade mark advice. Anne-Laure Villedieu and Jean-Baptiste Thiénot head up the firm’s IP team, with Sabine Rigaud leading the trade mark and designs sub-team.

Practice head(s):

Anne-Laure Villedieu; Jean-Baptiste Thiénot; Sabine Rigaud

Other key lawyers:

Anaïs Arnal

Testimonials

‘Anaïs Arnal is very pragmatic and reactive. The answers provided are clear and concise. Good management of files and good follow-up.’

Key clients

Advance Publications

SEMMARIS (marché de Rungis)

Hotel George V B.V.

Michelin

France > Private equity: Fund formation Tier 3

The diverse team at CMS Francis Lefebvre draws on numerous areas of expertise to provide clients with a comprehensive fund formation service, advising investment funds, asset management companies, as well as institutional and family investors. Jérôme Sutour leads on matters concerning financial services and asset management, and regularly assists asset managers with the establishment and operation of alternative funds. Practice co-head Thomas Hains works with clients across the hospitality, real estate, leisure, and retail sectors.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Hains; Jérôme Sutour

Other key lawyers:

Laurent Hepp; Jean-Charles Benois

Key clients

SAFER

Mirova

Columbus

Eurazeo Invesment Manager

Stanhope Capital SAS

Delubac AM

Quaero Capital

Technology & Strategy / Ardian

Idia Capital Investment

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 4

Practice head(s):

Grégory Benteux; Alexandre Bordenave; Geoffrey Levesque

Testimonials

‘Alexandre Bordenave – high-level, competent and customer-oriented lawyer.’

‘Good know-how. Able to adapt to smaller customers. Good coordination within the firm between the loan and bond teams (including private placement).’

‘Great expertise and reputation on the French market.’

Key clients

Société Générale

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

Natixis

LCL Le Crédit Lyonnais

CIC (including Crédit Industriel et Commercial, Banque CIC Est, Banque CIC Ouest and CIC Lyonnaise de Banque)

Arkéa Banque Entreprises et Institutionnels

NGE

Warburg Pincus / Groupe Polyplus Transfection

Crédit Suisse Asset Management

Work highlights

  • Advised Natixis and the pool of lenders in relation to the setting up of an additional CSR backed EUR 150m to Immobilière de Santé (the main holding company for the Ramsay Santé group’s long-term investments in securities and/or real-estate assets).
  • Advised NGE on the financing aspects reorganisation of its capital with a new EUR 350m facility and EUR 100m Euro PP bond financing, including RSE covenants.

France > Insolvency Tier 4

CMS Francis Lefebvre is retained to handle a range of restructuring and insolvency cases, acting for a diversity of stakeholders including shareholders, banks, debtors, commercial partners and investors. The practice manages small to mid-size cases, but also regularly earns mandates on larger matters. It is notably acting in major cases in the aviation, retail and industrial manufacturing fields. Alexandre Bastos heads the practice, which also includes counsel Guillaume Bouté.

Practice head(s):

Alexandre Bastos

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Multidisciplinary, efficient and dynamic team.’

‘Alexandre Bastos is dynamic, precise and efficient.’

‘The team is very well structured with two people involved in the file who are very complementary. Their strength is their responsiveness. They are also proactive in managing files.’

‘Guillaume Bouté is a very responsive lawyer, who is very comfortable in the hotel sector. ’

‘A team attentive to the needs and constraints of its clients, expert on the various subjects dealt with, which enables it to deliver very high-level advice and to be proactive as to the solutions to be provided.’

‘Alexandre Bastos combines rigour, responsiveness and intellectual agility: his exemplary mastery of legal subjects and his sharp tactical sense make him a leading lawyer. The fluidity and efficiency of exchanges are made possible by a perfect understanding of the needs and challenges of its customers. A fine negotiator, Alexandre Bastos stands out for his ability to anticipate potential obstacles and to propose innovative arrangements.’

‘Guillaume Bouté is to be distinguished for his ability to embrace complex issues, analyze them quickly and propose creative and effective solutions. His in-depth expertise and his frank and committed communication make Guillaume Bouté an ally of choice in the defense of our interests.’

Key clients

ATRADIUS

NAGRAVISION

SODIAAL

HAINAN AIRLINES

POLARIS

LS AQUASUD

BPCE GROUP

ALGONQUIN FRANCE HÔTEL SERVICES

UNI-MEDIAS

SAINT GOBAIN

BANQUE PALATINE and FCP MICADO FRANCE

MUTARES SE & Co. KGaA

Work highlights

  • Advised ATRADIUS, a credi insurer, within the conciliation and subsequent insolvency proceedings of CNIM.
  • Advised SODIAAL and its affiliates on the acquisition of the industrial activities of the drying unit of milk powder and whey owned by SYNUTRA INTERNATIONAL FRANCE, one of its major business partners.
  • Advised NAGRAVISION (KUDELSKI Group) on  the difficulties faced by SmarDTV GLOBAL and SmarDTV TECHNOLOGY under French insolvency proceedings and during the disposal of their activities.

France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 4

With a particular focus on the life sciences, electronics and mechanics sectors, CMS Francis Lefebvre frequently handles patent infringement litigation and associated claims for damages, as well as assisting in disputes between employers and employees in relation to the ownership of patents. The team around practice head Jean-Baptiste Thiénot also handles research and development contracts, assignment and licence agreements and portfolio audits. Anne-Laure Villedieu, who focuses on data privacy matters, heads the firm’s IP department.

Practice head(s):

Anne-Laure Villedieu; Jean-Baptiste Thiénot

Testimonials

‘The team is attentive to client needs. This allows them to give practical, business-oriented advice.’

‘Jean-Baptiste Thiénot: accessible, attentive, knows how to meet even tight deadlines and the needs of his clients.’

‘Multidisciplinary team, able to assist in all areas of intellectual property. Very good skills in patent and trade mark law.’

‘Jean-Baptiste Thienot is an excellent professional in patent law, with extensive experience in negotiation and litigation strategy.’

Key clients

E-Diagmed

Trilogiq

Amosan Distribution

Amosan Petrochemicals

Green Source

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 4

Practice head(s):

Alexandra Rohmert; Arnaud Hugot; Alexandre Delhaye

Key clients

VOLKSWAGEN/PORSCHE

EW GROUP

PRIMONIAL

SAINT-GOBAIN

ENGIE

NEXSTAGE AM

ARRK CORPORATION (Mitsui Group)

OAKLEY

VIVALTO SANTE

RAMSAY SANTE

BIOGROUP

NGE

Work highlights

  • Advised Volkswagen/Porsche on the Bugatti Rimac joint venture.
  • Advised VIVALTO SANTE on (i) the acquisition of Confluent alongside Icade Santé and on the reinvestment of certain sellers (deal value c. EUR 300M) and on the acquisition by Vivalto Santé of Hopitaux Privés du Littoral (HPL) group.

France > Real estate Tier 4

CMS Francis Lefebvre‘ real estate team, noted for its ‘beyond superb subject matter expertise’ is co-led by Benjamin Bill, Florence Chérel and Aline Divo. Across the team, there is an evident and impressive specialism in acquisition and disposal work, as well as lease and sale negotiation. Additionally, it has a strong ability to advise on construction and development work, on which it assists both investors and developers, and joint venture projects. Former team co-lead Philippe Riglet and Géraldine Machinet both departed to Franklin in November 2022.

Practice head(s):

Benjamin Bill; Florence Chérel; Aline Divo

Other key lawyers:

Arnaud Valverde; Lena Tchakerian

Testimonials

‘Arnaud Valverde was extremely responsive in our case. His legal analysis of the issues encountered was precise and effective.’

‘Aline Divo’s team is excellent when it comes to commercial leases, and more particularly when it comes to BEFA negotiations. There is great availability of the partner and his collaborators. Billing is clear and transparent also.’

‘Aline Divo, the partner, and Arnaud Valverde, her senior associate, are distinguished by their high technicality and their human values. Aline Divo is an outstanding commercial lease negotiator who combines technicality and relational intelligence.’

‘This team has a high level of real estate expertise in France and is capable of handling anything related to real estate (big or small) in France with exceptional expertise and professionalism. I appreciate their willingness to handle a broad range of commercial real estate project scopes.’

‘Beyond superb subject matter expertise, the team’s responsiveness (despite significant time zone differences) is impressive. Their English skills and creative thinking also stand out. We have worked most closely with Arnaud Valverde and Aline Divo, both in partnership and collaboration.’

‘Florence Chérel stands out for her great competence and her know-how in town planning. Benjamin Bill stands out through his total commitment to his clients in terms of commercial leases and negotiation of real estate projects.’

‘Florence Chérel has extensive knowledge of advice and litigation, and excellent creativity and innovation skills; senior associate Lena Tchakerian has strong technical expertise and availability.’

‘A team close to its clients, that knows its files inside out. There is a great competence in town planning and commercial leases.’

Key clients

Union Investment Real Estate

BNP Paribas Real Estate

Deka Immobilien

Munich RE – MEAG

Sienna Real Estate

Paref Gestion

In’Li

UBS Real Estate

Leon Grosse

CitizenM

Work highlights

  • Advised BNP REIM on the acquisition of a retail park located in the Paris area from Compagnie de Phalsbourg.
  • Advised Deka Immobilien for the acquisition of a fully refurbished office building located in the Paris CBD from Sienna Real Estate.
  • Advised MEAG on the off-plan acquisition of a logistics project in the north of Paris.
DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Banking, finance and capital markets
Business law and taxation for Africa
Commercial
Competition and EU
Consumer products
Corporate, M&A
Dispute resolution
Employment and pensions
Energy
Environment
Funds
Hotels and leisure
Infrastructure and project finance
Insolvency and restructuring
Insurance
Intellectual property
Life sciences
Patrimonial
Private equity
Public law
Real estate and construction
Tax
Technology, media and communications
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Christophe Aldebert photoMr Christophe AldebertHe is a tax specialist with expertise in VAT matters. He works…
Elisabeth Ashworth photoMs Elisabeth AshworthElisabeth Ashworth joined the Tax Intelligence Department of CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats…
Stéphane Austry photoMr Stéphane AustryCoordinates the tax litigation and controversy group of the firm (domestic and…
Annabelle Bailleul-Mirabaud photoMs Annabelle Bailleul-MirabaudPartner. She specialises in international taxation with an expertise on permanent establishments, CFC…
Alexandre Bastos photoMr Alexandre BastosHead of Insolvency & Restructuring team. Alexandre Bastos is a partner responsible for…
Ghislain Beaure d'Augères photoMr Ghislain Beaure d'AugèresPartner. His practice embraces both advice and contentious work for a clientele…
Kawthar Ben Khelil photoMs Kawthar Ben KhelilKawthar Ben Khelil is a Counsel within the Public law Department of…
Jean-René Bénichou photoMr Jean-René BénichouPartner in direct taxation. Jean-René Bénichou joined Bureau Francis Lefebvre Avocats in…
Jean-Charles Benois photoMr Jean-Charles BenoisJean-Charles Benois joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 2012 (and was co-opted as…
Grégory Benteux photoMr Grégory BenteuxPartner, Head of Securitisation and Structured Debt. He specialises in both domestic…
Gaëtan Berger-Picq photoMr Gaëtan Berger-PicqGaëtan Berger-Picq joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1997 and became a partner in…
Jean-Philippe Bidegainberry photoMr Jean-Philippe BidegainberryJean-Philippe Bidegainberry joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1997. A tax specialist, Jean-Philippe…
Benjamin Bill photoMr Benjamin BillBenjamin has extensive experience in the work with clients on complex real…
Henri Bitar photoMr Henri BitarHenri Bitar is a partner in VAT. He joined CMS Francis Lefebvre…
Pierre Bonneau photoMr Pierre BonneauPierre Bonneau joined the Employment Law Department of CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in…
Alexandre Bordenave photoMr Alexandre BordenaveAlexandre advises financial institutions and their clients in the implementation and negotiation…
Raphaël Bordier photoMr Raphaël BordierRaphaël Bordier is a partner in CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats’s Employment Law…
Guillaume Bossy (Lyon) photoMr Guillaume Bossy (Lyon)Guillaume Bossy is a partner lawyer in the employment law department of…
Guillaume Bouté photoMr Guillaume BoutéGuillaume is a consel specializes in insolvency law, corporate restructuring, acting both…
Jean-Fabrice Brun photoMr Jean-Fabrice BrunPartner specialised in civil law, commercial law, enforcement measures and criminal business…
Nicolas Callies photoMr Nicolas CalliesNicolas Cailles joined the Employment Law Department of CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in…
Pierre Carcelero photoMr Pierre CarceleroPierre works specifically in the field of corporate and group taxation, with…
Laurent Chatel photoMr Laurent ChatelLaurent Chatel specialises in local taxation. A partner at the firm since…
Florence Chérel photoMs Florence ChérelPartner. She assists investors as well as developers in the context of…
Céline Cloché-Dubois photoMs Céline Cloché-DuboisPartner and Head of the Environment Practice. She acts for a large…
Michel Collet photoMr Michel ColletHe has an extensive experience in assisting inbound and outbound investments. He…
Jean-Eric Cros photoMr Jean-Eric CrosJean-Eric joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1989 and is currently Head of…
Xavier Daluzeau photoMr Xavier DaluzeauXavier Daluzeau specialises in international taxation. His main practice areas are transfer…
Patrick Danis photoMr Patrick DanisPatrick Danis joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1984 and became a partner…
Damien Decolasse photoMr Damien DecolassePartner. He specialises in employment law and provides advice in collective and individual…
Pierre Dedieu photoMr Pierre DedieuPierre Dedieu is a partner in CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats’s International Taxation…
Vincent Delage photoMr Vincent DelagePartner specialised in employment law and pensions. He provides advice in collective…
Alexandre Delhaye photoMr Alexandre DelhayeHe is a partner at CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre’s Corporate/M&A department. He specialises…
Aline Divo photoMme Aline DivoShe is a partner in the Real Estate Legal Department. She works in…
Arnaud Donguy photoMr Arnaud DonguyArnaud Donguy is a partner in the Direct Contributions Department of CMS…
Philippe Donneaud photoMr Philippe DonneaudPhilippe Donneaud started his career in the Taxation Department of CMS Francis…
Pierre-Jean Douvier photoMr Pierre-Jean DouvierPierre-Jean Douvier specialises in international law. He co-manages the International team. His…
Ludovic Duguet photoMr Ludovic DuguetPartner specialises in direct taxation and works mainly on restructuring operations in…
Olivier Dutheillet de Lamothe photoMr Olivier Dutheillet de LamothePartner. Olivier Dutheillet de Lamothe joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 2014 as Counsel…
Rosetta Ferrère photoMs Rosetta FerrèreRosetta Ferrère is Partner in Capital Markets. She has a broad experience…
Richard Foissac photoMr Richard FoissacPartner in Tax.  He intervenes particularly in real estate taxation, wealth taxation,…
Christophe Frionnet photoMr Christophe FrionnetChristophe Frionnet is a direct taxation specialist and specifically handles matters relating…
Caroline Froger-Michon photoMrs Caroline Froger-MichonCaroline Froger-Michon is Co-Head of the CMS Employment & Pensions Group. In…
Stéphane Gelin photoMr Stéphane GelinStéphane Gelin is Head of the CMS Tax Group. In this position,…
Arnaud Gérardin photoMr Arnaud GérardinPartner in the Tax department. Arnaud is managing the Strasbourg office of…
Frédéric Gerner photoMr Frédéric GernerFrédéric is a partner at CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats specialising in direct taxes.…
Bruno Gibert photoMr Bruno GibertPartner specialised in international taxation and transfer pricing. On this last domain,…
Cathy Goarant-Moraglia photoMrs Cathy Goarant-MoragliaCathy joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1995, and became a partner in…
Bruno Gouthière photoMr Bruno GouthièreBruno Gouthière joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats on June 1, 1989.
Thierry Granier photoMr Thierry GranierHis practice mainly focuses on international taxation, particularly in relation to mergers…
Renaud Grob photoMr Renaud GrobPartner in corporate taxation.  
Anne Grousset photoMrs Anne GroussetShe specialises in VAT and Indirect Taxation. A lawyer at CMS Francis Lefebvre…
Philippe Grousset photoMr Philippe GroussetPartner in direct taxation Expert in direct taxes specialized in the following…
Daniel Gutmann photoMr Daniel GutmannDaniel Gutmann is a partner in the Tax Doctrine team. He is…
Dimitar Hadjiveltchev photoMr Dimitar HadjiveltchevDimitar develops services dedicated to the franco-bulgarian relations, together with Jivko Sedlarski…
Maxime Hanriot photoMr Maxime HanriotMaxime assists local and international clients in legal counselling and litigation, in…
François Hellio photoMr François HellioFrançois Hellio has over twenty-five years’ professional experience and is involved in…
Laurent Hepp photoMr Laurent HeppPartner specialised in Corporate taxation. He advises French and international groups on…
Alain Herrmann photoMr Alain HerrmannHe is mainly involved in national and international restructuring of companies, job preservation…
Arnaud Hugot photoMr Arnaud HugotPartner in Corporate/M&A department, he is specialising in M&A transactions, including private…
Luc Jaillais photoMr Luc JaillaisPartner in direct taxation.
Olivier Kuhn photoMr Olivier KuhnPartner. He is specialised in civil law, general business law, enforcement measures,…
François Lacroix photoMr François LacroixFrançois Lacroix joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1980. He became a partner…
Thomas Laumière photoMr Thomas LaumièrePartner.
Arnaud Le Boulanger photoMr Arnaud Le BoulangerArnaud Le Boulanger heads the Economics team of CMS Legal, in charge…
Christophe Le Camus photoMr Christophe Le CamusChristophe joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1990 and became a partner in…
Pierre Le Roux photoMr Pierre Le RouxPartner in direct taxation. He has broad experience in private equity investments (venture…
Dimitri Leboff photoMr Dimitri LeboffDimitri Leboff joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in May 1999 and became a…
Christophe Lefaillet photoMr Christophe LefailletChristophe Lefaillet joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1989 and became a partner…
Lionel Lenczner photoMr Lionel LencznerPartner in direct taxation, especially in relation to laxation of national and…
Olivier Leroy (Lyon) photoMr Olivier Leroy (Lyon)Olivier Leroy is a lawyer and partner in the Competition-Distribution Law department…
Pierre Marly photoMr Pierre MarlyPierre deals exclusively with international transactions relating to Africa. He has been…
Laurent Marquet de Vasselot photoMr Laurent Marquet de VasselotPartner specialised in Employment and social security law: National and international restructurings,…
Romain Marsella photoMr Romain MarsellaRomain is a tax specialist and works on advisory and litigation issues…
Edouard Milhac photoMr Edouard MilhacPartner specialised in international and domestic taxation. He advises on mergers and…
Laurent Mion photoMr Laurent MionPartner in banking & finance. He is particularly involved in banking and…
Rodolphe Olivier photoMr Rodolphe OlivierPartner in employment and pensions. He is mainly involved in litigation in…
Nathalie Pétrignet photoMrs Nathalie PétrignetPartner in EU, Competition & distribution. She is highly involved in national…
Denis Redon photoMr Denis RedonPartner in EU, Competition & Distribution. His activity covers all EU and…
Johann Roc'h photoMr Johann Roc'hPartner in international taxation. He advises clients on all tax issues related…
Alexandra Rohmert photo Alexandra RohmertPartner in Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions
Thierry Romand photoMr Thierry RomandHe has substantial experience in advising corporate clients on employment law issues.…
Laurent Romano (Lyon) photoMr Laurent Romano (Lyon)Laurent Romano is a partner of CMS Francis Lefebvre Lyon, in the Economic,…
François Rontani photoMr François RontaniPartner in international taxation.
Anne-Sophie Rostaing photoMs Anne-Sophie RostaingPartner specialist in corporate tax, Anne-Sophie assists French and international companies with…
Aurore-Emmanuelle Rubio photoMs Aurore-Emmanuelle RubioAurore-Emmanuelle Rubio is a counsel at CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats. She is…
Julien Saïac photoMr Julien SaïacPartner specialised in international taxation. He handles questions related to corporate taxation,…
Florentin Sanson photoMr Florentin SansonFlorentin is a counsel active in contentious and non-contentious matters in various…
Jean-Christophe Sauzey photoMr Jean-Christophe SauzeyJean-Christophe joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1987 and became a partner in…
Marie-Pierre Schramm photoMrs Marie-Pierre SchrammMarie-Pierre Schramm joined CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats in 1985 and was made a…
Marc-Etienne Sébire photoMr Marc-Etienne SébirePartner, Head of Capital Markets: Debt Capital Markets (plain-vanilla and structured bonds.…
Jérôme Sutour photoMr Jérôme SutourPartner, Head of Financial Services: Asset management (funds structuring with an emphasis…
François Tenailleau photoMr François TenailleauPublic contracts (including public procurement contracts, concessions, PPP). Public property, urban planning,…
Jean-Baptiste Thiénot photoMr Jean-Baptiste ThiénotJean-Baptiste Thiénot is partner in the IP team of CMS Francis Lefebvre…
Pierre-Sébastien Thill photoMr Pierre-Sébastien ThillPierre-Sébastien Thill is an expert in international taxation. Pierre-Sébastien has specialised in international…
Philippe Tournès photoMr Philippe TournèsPhilippe is a partner in the VAT department at CMS Francis Lefebvre…
Claire Vannini photoMs Claire VanniniClaire is a partner of the EU law, Regulatory & Competition department,…
Christophe Vezinhet photoMr Christophe VezinhetHe specialises in direct taxation and works mainly in the field of…
Anne-Laure Villedieu  photoMs Anne-Laure Villedieu Anne-Laure Villedieu heads the Technology and IP Team of CMS Francis Lefebvre.…
Philippe Zoubritzky photoMr Philippe ZoubritzkyPartner in direct taxation.
Olivier de Saint Chaffray photoMr Olivier de Saint ChaffrayOlivier de Saint Chaffray joint CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats’s Taxation Department in…
Agnès de l'Estoile-Campi photoMme Agnès de l'Estoile-CampiShe is a partner within the International Taxation team. She mainly works…
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