Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier has long established itself as one of the country’s leading M&A and corporate firms. Its large and prominent team assists many of France’s leading corporations, spanning various industries such as retail, food, luxury goods, pharmacy and banking, while also advising board members and some investment funds. The team is retained to manage their clients’ most strategic transactions: either inbound or outbound, in the public or private M&A spheres, and including working on high-end corporate restructuring projects. The corporate team is also backed by state-of-the-art complementary tax, antitrust, regulatory and litigation expertise. The highly regarded Bertrand Cardi heads the practice, which also includes key partners Pierre Casanova, Hugo Diener, Olivier Huyghues Despointes, Christophe Vinsonneau and Laurent Gautier. Also recommended are Forrest Alogna, Orphée Grosjean, Cécile de Narp and Charlotte Ferran. Olivier Diaz and Charles de Reals joined from Gide Loyrette Nouel in March 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team demonstrates exceptional commitment at every stage. They stand out for their very strong legal expertise, with a nuanced understanding of governance issues, capital structuring, and complex contractual mechanisms. Their technical skills are always applied to a strategic and solution-oriented approach.’
- ‘Strong expertise. High added value in project management and in coordinating all parties involved. Strong ability to understand and advise on matters beyond the legal sphere (finance, accounting, IT, communication). Excellent interpersonal skills. Very good junior lawyers as well.’
- ‘The top of the market. Superb at both client handling and technical skills. They are creative and commercial and at ease at advising on multi-jurisdictional transactions. ’
- ‘Each project is tailor-made and crafted.’
- ‘Christophe Vinsonneau is a first class deal lawyer with a great talent for handling complex cross border mandates. It is always a pleasure to work with him. Strong combination of technical and social skills. Cécile de Narp is commercial and technically very strong. Also really good at client handling. ’
- ‘Competence, responsiveness, availability, and a search for compromise solutions’
Key clients
- Bouygues SA & Bouygues Telecom
- BPCE
- Carrefour
- Clariane
- Roquette
- Wendel
Work highlights
Advising Generali in the context of the creation of a joint venture with BPCE to create a major global champion with €1.9 trillion in assets under management.
Advising BPCE on the signing of a €6.4bn acquisition of Novobanco, Portugal’s fourth-largest bank.
Advising Carrefour in connection with its €1bn offer to acquire all outstanding shares of its subsidiary Grupo Carrefour Brasil (Carrefour Brazil).
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.
Pierre Casanova
Olivier Diaz
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Hugo Diener
Olivier Huyghues Despointes
Christophe Vinsonneau
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Charles de Reals
Practice head
Bertrand Cardi
Other key lawyers
Pierre Casanova; Hugo Diener; Olivier Huyghues Despointes; Christophe Vinsonneau; Laurent Gautier ; Forrest Alogna ; Orphée Grosjean, Cécile de Narp ; Charlotte Ferran; Olivier Diaz; Charles de Reals