CMS Francis Lefebvre > Paris, France > Firm Profile

CMS Francis Lefebvre > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > The regions Tier 1

CMS Francis Lefebvre is well-equipped to advise an impressive roster of French and international clients operating in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The practice is noted for its ‘cross-sectional vision’, drawing upon a deep bench of experts across business, tax and public law. Leading the team are employment law specialists François Coutard and Guilaume Bossy, alongside Jean-Thomas Heintz, a mergers and acquisitions specialist. François-Xavier Awatar also leads, leveraging expertise in distribution and consumer goods related matters. Other key contacts are construction law specialist Guillaume Belluc and Jérémy Duret, a direct taxation expert.

France > Capital markets: debt capital markets Tier 2

CMS Francis Lefebvre often assists French banking institutions acting as arrangers in relation to the setup of large EMTN programmes and subsequent issuance as well as with large covered-bond issuances. The practice is also a leading reference in the EuroPP field while also regularly advising on sustainable finance bond issuances. Finally, it also assists clients with some US private placements. The team is co-headed by the excellent Marc-Etienne Sébire and Rosetta Ferrère, with support provided by senior associate Yaël Fitoussi .

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

CMS Francis Lefebvre is proficient in handling contentious and non-contentious matters for its roster of clients which includes national and multinational companies, public entities, banks, gaming technology companies, and social media platforms. The team advises on clients’ responses to CNIL investigations and dawn raids, data regulatory compliance, and also has notable strength in data security. Anne-Laure Villedieu is an expert in personal data transfers and privacy impact assessments but also harnesses the firm’s employment team to advise on employee data transfers. Maxime Hanriot and Pierre Fumery are other names to note.

France > Derivatives and structured finance Tier 2

CMS Francis Lefebvre is recommended for its excellent securitisation know-how that covers a high diversity of assets and products (including synthetic securitization, non-performing loans and energy receivables), often assisting arrangers and credits institutions with the setting up and amend of programmes. The team also has a strong knowledge of covered bonds and also provides some advice on derivatives. Grégory Benteux and Alexandre Bordenave are excellent references in the field of securitisation, while Marc-Etienne Sébire and counsel Pauline Larroque advise on derivatives.

France > Employment Tier 2

The team at CMS Francis Lefebvre advises leading French and international clients on the full range of employment matters, including collective and individual litigation, relations with staff representatives and collective bargaining. The 'very attentive and particularly innovative' multidisciplinary team draws on a collaborative approach and a depth of experience across its global network. Laurent Marquet de Vasselot , Caroline Froger-Michon , Guillaume Bossy, Ludovique Clavreul, Vincent Delage , Nicolas Callies  and Pierre Bonneau  are key contacts, advising clients across a range of sectors and matters.

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 2

The TMC practice at CMS Francis Lefebvre has an excellent track record of assisting with all types of contentious and non-contentious matters, including regulatory compliance, data privacy, digitalisation, outsourcing and cloud contracts. Practice head Anne-Laure Villedieu is well-versed in advising domestic and international clients on information technology and data privacy matters. Other key names of note include Florentin Sanson and Maxime Hanriot.

France > Media and entertainment: Music Tier 2

The team at CMS Francis Lefebvre advises national and multinational companies on various commercial and copyright matters in the music sector, utilising cross-department expertise from the firm's IP and technology, media and communications departments. Florentin Sanson, who was promoted to partner in 2024, leads the music team and has strength drafting and negotiating production and exploitation agreements for podcasts and musical, audiovisual, cinematographic and advertising works.

France > Tax Tier 2

Well equipped to handle a range of corporate tax matters, CMS Francis Lefebvre is also a strong choice for strategic structuring and reorganisation transactions. Key names within the practice include Stéphane Austry, whose expertise lies in international tax and the application of tax treaties; Bruno Gibert, who is a key contact for transfer pricing matters; Edouard Milhac, who is active in the group's transactional work, notably M&A and private equity; Anne-Sophie Rostaing, whose strengths are in handling real estate tax matters for domestic property investment funds; Jean-Charles Benois, who is skilled at structuring tax-efficient financings; and Frédéric Gerner, who specialises in reorganisations, tax consolidation and corporate tax.

France > Administrative and public law Tier 3

CMS Francis Lefebvre wins praise for its ‘in-depth expertise‘ throughout the field of public law, advising key players across the media, transport, energy, infrastructure and telecoms sectors. On the litigation front, the team is recognised for its strength in high-profile administrative and constitutional cases, particularly involving complex issues of EU law. The firm also has robust experience of advising on public procurement and concessions contracts, particularly in the transport and energy spheres (and offers clients access to an online public procurement remedies toolbox). François Tenailleau, Kawthar Ben Khelil and Thomas Carenzi focus on matters concerning public contracts, while Claire Vannini and Eleni Moraïtou are noted for their expertise in litigation.

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 3

Headed by Jérôme Sutour, CMS Francis Lefebvre’s practice regularly assists asset management funds as well as some banks and insurers in dealing with their regulatory needs including compliance, business reorganisation and the setting up of their French activity. The team also assists clients in their dealings with French regulatory bodies regarding prudential requirements. Léa Hadjadj provides additional key support.

France > Construction Tier 3

A key port of call for builders, developers, and investors, CMS Francis Lefebvre‘s key strengths lie in construction contracts, leasing, and structured financing. Benjamin Bill is vastly experienced in property transactions, while Florence Chérel is knowledgeable of construction licenses. Aline Divo is noted for her strength in commercial leasing and Céline Cloché-Dubois specialises in renewable energy projects. Other key members of the team include Pierre-Edouard Vino and Lucie Menerault.

France > Environment Tier 3

The environment team at CMS Francis Lefebvre advises various types of clients including operators of ICPE facilities, developers, and investment funds across a range of environmental matters, including in the circular economy and renewable energy areas. Heading the team is Céline Cloché-Dubois who often assists clients with environmental regulation issues in relation to the real estate sector.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 3

The multidisciplinary energy team at CMS Francis Lefebvre assists major global energy developers and operators on significant contentious and advisory matters essential to the development of innovative projects. Heading the regulatory energy law practice, Aurore-Emmanuelle Rubio is an expert on project development and contentious matters concerning renewable and conventional energy projects. In the renewable heat and electricity segments, environmental and renewable energy practice head Céline Cloché-Dubois is a key contact, assisting clients on project permitting, planning, and regulatory matters.

France > Insolvency Tier 3

Acting for a wide array of debtors, investors, shareholders and creditors, CMS Francis Lefebvre is able to cover all aspects of restructuring and insolvency proceedings, including cross-border cases. In addition, the team has continued to expand its expertise in distressed M&A. Alexandre Bastos leads the team, and has a strong all-round practice that ranges from preventive procedures to restructurings through safeguard and receivership plans and insolvency-related litigation.

France > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 3

The team at CMS Francis Lefebvre offers its clients a wide-reaching comprehensive service advising on the full gamut of IP issues, including copyright infringement pre-litigation, contract drafting and negotiation, and litigation before French courts. Servicing some of the world’s biggest conglomerates, the team has a specialty within the entertainment, IT, internet, and real estate sectors. The team is led by Anne-Laure Villedieu, and she is supported by Florentin Sanson, who has strength in advising platforms in the digital media sector, as well as drafting and negotiating production and exploitation agreements regarding podcasts and musical, audiovisual, cinematographic, and advertising works.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 3

The team at CMS Francis Lefebvre regularly handles trademark infringement litigation, protection actions as well as the drafting and negotiation of agreements. The group also provides support to the firm's tax team on the reorganisation of IP portfolios. Sabine Rigaud, who is able to draw on previous experience gained in-house, has a broad advisory and litigation practice.

France > Private equity: Fund formation Tier 3

The team at CMS Francis Lefebvre is well-placed to assist investment funds, asset management companies and institutional investors with each stage of fund formation. Jérôme Sutour steers the practice and specialises in assisting managers with the establishment and operation of alternative and private equity funds; he also directs the firm's wider financial services group. Léa Hadjadj is noted for her banking and investment-related regulatory compliance expertise.

France > Real estate Tier 3

Lauded for its ‘expertise in commercial and residential leases’, CMS Francis Lefebvre is a key contact for builders, developers, and real estate agents. Benjamin Bill is vastly experienced in development transactions and property financing, while Florence Chérel is praised for her ‘high level of expertise’. Aline Divo is noted for her transactional capabilities, Céline Cloché-Dubois is proficient in renewable energy projects, and Arnaud Valverde is particularly active in the office sector. Other key team members include Pierre-Edouard Vino, who is knowledgeable about urban planning leases.

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 4

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 4

CMS Francis Lefebvre houses a broad competition practice which covers both advisory and contentious matters. The team advises on a steady stream of merger control cases, with growing expertise in related FDI and FSR filings, while other notable areas of strength include state aid and distribution matters. Denis Redon, distribution specialist Nathalie Pétrignet and Claire Vannini, who focuses on state aid and EU regulatory matters. Vincent Lorieul and Eleni Moraïtou are also noted.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 5

France > Capital markets: equity capital markets