Thomas Baudesson > Clifford Chance > Paris, France > Lawyer Profile

The aerospace and defence practice at Clifford Chance leverages the firm’s global network to advise on both domestic and cross-border aviation matters, ranging from transactional and compliance matters to cybersecurity and disputes. Dessislava Savova focuses on strategic industrial contracts and joint ventures, complemented by particular expertise in matters regarding technology. Compliance, investigations and white-collar crime are at the core of Thomas Baudesson‘s activity in the aviation sector, while Fabrice Cohen is noted for his experience in transactions and securities law.

Clifford Chance assists clients with the development and implementation of compliance programmes relating to anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and anti-competitive behaviours, in addition to conducting due diligence reviews and international investigations. With additional experience defending companies and individuals in regulatory enforcement actions and criminal prosecutions, the team has seen an increase in matters concerning EU, UK and US sanctions. Thomas Baudesson, who handles domestic and cross-border litigation and enforcement cases in the financial services, automotive and aeronautical sectors, jointly leads the team alongside Charles-Henri Boeringer, who assists clients in criminal proceedings, as well as fraud, corruption, money laundering and market abuse offences. Of counsel Dominique Laymand is another key contact in the group.

Clifford Chance remains at the forefront of the market for high-stakes commercial disputes, often raising complex consumer and distribution law aspects. For instance, the firm is regularly retained by leading digital and non-digital retailers to assists with high-profile disputes brought against competitors, key suppliers, consumer associations and regulatory agencies. The team is also entrusted to deal with complex governance and shareholders conflicts, as well as M&A-related disputes, notably in the healthcare and banking sectors. Its range of work is comprehensive and also includes complex international litigation. The practice is jointly headed by Thomas Baudesson, Diego de Lammerville and Thibaud d’Alès. Counsel Geoffroy Pascaud also contributes.

Clifford Chance is the key adviser to credit rating agency Standard & Poor, which it regularly assists with AMF-led investigations into stock-market law breaches, including those pertaining to the disclosure of financial information. The firm also occasionally acts for companies and individuals facing AMF investigations. The practice is jointly headed by  Thomas Baudesson, Diego de Lammerville and Charles-Henri Boeringer.

The ‘responsive and professional’ team at Clifford Chance exhibits skill across a broad range of areas, including M&A, allegations of abuse of dominance, and employment disputes concerning claims of employer negligence. The group advises a number of notable clients, including Cinven, Sofinnova Partners, and Teva Santé. All co-leading the team, Thomas Baudesson has longstanding expertise in product liability litigation; David Tayar regularly advises clients on merger control investigations, and restrictive arrangements; Dominique Laymand maintains a compliance and ethics focused practice; and Olivier Gaillard focuses on commercial contracts and consumer law issues.

Clifford Chance has extensive experience managing high-stakes international corruption, money laundering and tax fraud cases, but can also deal with a wider variety of cases including securities offences. The team stands out for its ability to handle complex cross-border cases involving other foreign investigation authorities, and is among the Paris-based firms that have signed the most deferred prosecution agreements (CJIP) with the PNF on behalf of its clients – in 2023 it concluded two more very sizeable ones. Its enforcement expertise goes-in-hand with strong internal investigation and compliance know-how. The team acts for leading corporations as well as many leading French and international banks, and can also assist individuals. Heads of practice Thomas Baudesson and Charles-Henri Boeringer are excellent. They are supported by counsel Alice Dunoyer de Segonzac.