CMS Francis Lefebvre has a comprehensive real estate offering, allowing the team to advise on acquisitions and disposals, financing, tax strategies and environmental law. Aline Divo is reputed for the depth of her expertise in commercial leases across logistics centres and retail premises. Benjamin Bill specialises in joint ventures and partnership agreements, while Florence Chérel excels in obtaining prior administrative authorisations for construction licences. Céline Cloché-Dubois advises on a wide array of renewable energy projects, and Arnaud Valverde is a name to note for strategic real estate management and lease arrangements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘A team perfectly suited for complex deals and capable of quickly structuring a high-quality, multidisciplinary team. Excellent interpersonal skills. Undoubtedly one of the best tax teams on the market.’
- ‘Aline Divo's team, including Lucie Menerault, provides top-quality support in real estate law with specialised expertise in leases for properties under construction.'
- ‘Lucie Menerault is an excellent real estate lawyer, skilled in both litigation and contract negotiation. She is highly professional, pragmatic, and efficient, with a concrete understanding of the issues.’
- ‘Aline Divo is a brilliant lawyer. She provides high-quality services perfectly tailored to her clients' needs.'
- ‘Aline Divo is a standout partner. She is THE reference for real estate, very accessible and with a deep knowledge of the market. She has a practical approach and is a real solution finder.’
- ‘Arnaud Valverde's expertise and availability are a real asset, and I will certainly use his services again in the future.’
Key clients
- Barings
- Columbia Threadneedle Investment
- Nuveen
- GSA
- Nvidia
- AXA IM
- Segro
- Union Investment
- PIMCO
- Reale Mutua Insurance company
- LSGI
- Warehouse de Pauw (WDP)
Work highlights
Advised Nuveen Real Estate and Global Student Accommodation (GSA) on the proposed acquisition of Gecina’s student housing assets, covering legal and tax aspects and structuring the transaction.
Advised WDP on the acquisition of two logistics sites—the Bollène logistics park in Vaucluse and the Oseraye logistics park in Puceul, Loire-Atlantique—from Altarea.
Assisted Lhyfe in reviewing in detail the provision of all leases pertaining to the French sites involved in a high-profile renewable energy project in Europe, also providing advice on all real estate concerns related to the matter.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Arnaud Valverde
Practice head
Benjamin Bill; Florence Chérel; Aline Divo; Céline Cloché-Dubois
Other key lawyers
Lucie Menerault; Arnaud Valverde; Claire Le Gloanec