Freshfields LLP‘s litigation team stands out for its great versatility, which translates into a very diverse caseload, dealing with antitrust follow-on, corporate and commercial litigation, as well as banking, financial and industrial cases. Many leading French and international corporations are clients, including top names in the aviation, automotive, retail, IT and financial services sectors. The team regularly handles complex, challenging and long-standing cases. The practice is co-headed by Stéphane Bénouville, Dimitri Lecat and Anne-Laure Vincent. Julie Chapuy provides support.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Anne-Laure Vincent - commercially savvy and responsive, can handle sensitive matters and provide sound legal advice.'
- ‘They are commercially smart and engage quickly.'
- 'Dimitri Lecat is an excellent technician who is committed to understanding the industry in which his client operates in order to provide the best advice. He is available and clear in his recommendations. He is highly appreciated, great quality of work, particularly under the extremely tight deadlines we faced.'
- ‘Strong team, very responsive and close to clients.’
- ‘Stéphane Benouville and Dimitri Lecat are among the best in their field.’
- 'The team combines multiple areas of expertise, which is its strength in responding quickly and covering all possible aspects. The team is also stable, which provides continuity in discussions.'
Key clients
- Apple
- BPCE SA / Natixis SA
- Electricité de France (EDF)
- Ericsson
- Darius
- General Mills
- JPMorgan Chase Bank
- Lactalis
- La Poste
- Monte Paschi Banque
- Novartis
- Rio Tinto
Work highlights
Acting for two international automotive manufacturers in more than a hundred follow-on claims proceedings introduced in France following the EU commission decision sanctioning truck manufacturers for having exchanged information on gross trucks pricing and emission rules between 1997 and 2011.
Representing a multinational technology company in four actions filed by the Minister for Economic Affairs before the Paris Commercial Court following an investigation conducted by the DIRECCTE regarding the conditions in which distribution contracts, entered into between the client and the four French phone carriers, were negotiated.
Assisted Vivendi before the French courts in relation to an alleged distortion of financial information during the period 2000-2002 raised by professional investors.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners: Corporate and commercial litigation
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Dimitri Lecat
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Anne-Laure Vincent
Practice head
Stéphane Bénouville; Dimitri Lecat; Anne-Laure Vincent
Other key lawyers
Julie Chapuy