Freshfields LLP is equipped to operate comfortably across a diverse range of transactions, spanning many industries such as financial services, infrastructures and automotive. The firm is retained by leading French and international corporations, as well as investment funds, to manage large transactions. Particularly present in the financial services industry, with other key names including Guy Benda, Guillemette Burgala, Olivier Rogivue , Sami Jebbour and Benoit Marpeau, who joined the firm in 2026 and further bolsters the team’s capabilities in international transactions. Arnaud Mouton and Myriam Khetib-Khatiri are also names to note. Hervé Pisani left the practice in March 2026.
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.
- ‘Benoit Marpeau, who recently joined the team, has everything it takes to become a key lawyer for the firm and the market. The fact that he is both an excellent negotiator with above-average interpersonal skills and a highly skilled professional capable of adapting to a wide range of situations makes him a formidable M&A lawyer.’
- 'Very quick grasp of the issues, highly effective support during negotiations, flawless execution.'
- ‘Benoit Marpeau stands out for his negotiation skills, his strength in negotiating, his business acumen, his excellent interpersonal skills, and his strategic vision. He is excellent!’
- ‘Guillemots Burgala - fully available, understands business needs.’
- ‘Olivier Rogivue: a very good negotiator, excellent judgment, and a deep understanding of market practices. A pleasure to work with.’
- ‘Sami Jebbour provided exceptional support in negotiating the Master Services Agreement with the mobile network operator, demonstrating a strong grasp of commercial sensitivities and operational nuances critical to the tower sector. His pragmatic approach and ability to balance legal precision with business priorities were key to securing favourable terms.’
Key clients
- BNP Paribas FDJ United Sanofi Saint-Gobain CVC DIF Phoenix Tower International Groupe La Poste JD Sports plc EDF Bio-Rad One Equity Partners Global Communications Infrastructure Manulife Infrastructure
Work highlights
Advised BNP Paribas Group in relation to its acquisition of 100% of AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM).
Advised FDJ United on the filing of a public tender offer to acquire the entire share capital of Kindred Group Plc (Unibet).
Advised Sanofi on the transfer of a 50% controlling stake in Opella, its consumer healthcare business.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Guillemette Burgala
Other key lawyers
Guy Benda; Guillemette Burgala; Olivier Rogivue; Sami Jebbour; Benoit Marpeau