Next Generation Partners

Aviation in France

DLA Piper

The powerhouse aviation team at DLA Piper remains a market leader, leveraging the bench strength of a global network and the experience of its practitioners, to advise major aircraft manufacturers, insurers and airlines on a diverse spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters. The team is led by practice space authority Vonnick Le Guillou, who brings expertise to international liability claims and high-profile accident litigation; Gregory Tulquois, a specialist in aerospace and aviation digital transformation projects; and Stéphane Lemarchand, who has over 20 years’ experience and a background in IT-related issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Vonnick Le Guillou; Gregory Tulquois; Stéphane Lemarchand

Les références

‘Good knowledge of the market.’

Principaux clients

Airbus SAS

Airbus Helicopters

Allianz GCS

AXA XL

ATR

China Eastern Airlines

La Reunion Aerienne

Collins Aerospace

Airbus Defense & Space

Aura Aero

HFW

The aviation team at the Paris office of global firm HFW remains a force in the marketplace, assisting major airlines, insurers, airports and aircraft maintenance providers, involved in everyday matters and high-stakes litigation. Led by aviation expert Pierre Frühling, who operates out of Paris and Brussels, and Jean-Baptiste Charles in Paris, who is a specialist in multi-jurisdictional major catastrophe losses, the group handles dispute resolution, contracts, state aid, regulatory compliance and insolvencies. Senior associate Alix d’Arjuzon, who divides his time between Paris and Brussels, provides support on regulatory matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pierre Frühling; Jean-Baptiste Charles

Autres avocats clés:

Alix d’Arjuzon

Les références

‘Jean-Baptiste Charles: beyond the expected skills, his availability and commitment to the files is quite remarkable, as is the transparency in management/invoicing and the ability to meet the deadlines announced.’

‘Excellent analytical skills and very good communication with clients. Excellent relations between the lawyers of the different offices of HFW.’

Principaux clients

Aeromexico

Air Corsica

Aircalin

Allianz AGCS

All Nippon Airways

Arkia Israeli Airlines

AXA XL

Cathay Pacific

CMA CGM

Corsair

Croatia Airlines

Delta Air Lines

Delvag

El Al

Global Aerospace

Goshawk

Hi Fly

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Korean Air

La Réunion Aérienne

Mont Blanc Helicopteres / HBG Group

Latam

Saudia

Vietnam Airlines

Wizz Air

Principaux dossiers

  • Advised the shipowner CMA CGM in applying for a French Operating Licence and Air Operator Certificate, granted in June 2022, to start its aviation operations.
  • Advised Air Corsica in all its environment strategy, including leasing/buying new low emissions/low consumption aircraft and carbon offset projects.
  • Advised Blade Urban on entering into its cooperation agreement with Héli Sécurité (France) and Monacair (Monaco).

Clifford Chance

Drawing on the firm's global presence across five continents, the experienced aviation team at the Paris office of Clifford Chance has strength in advising major aerospace manufacturers and service providers and airlines, on strategic joint ventures, complex arbitration, procurement, regulatory investigations and regional expansion and development. The team is headed by Dessislava Savova, who is a specialist in commercial alliances, internal investigatory expert Thomas Baudesson and Fabrice Cohen, who manages complex corporate reorganisations. Simon Greenberg, an experienced international arbitrator with over 20 years’ experience, provides key support.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dessislava Savova; Thomas Baudesson; Fabrice Cohen

Autres avocats clés:

Simon Greenberg

Les références

‘This team knows the aeronautical environment very well.’

‘Dessislava Savova has great qualities as a facilitator.’

Principaux clients

Air France

Airbus

Airbus Defence and Space

Airbus Helicopters

Airbus SE

AirTanker

ArianeGroup

ATR (Avions de Transport Régional G.I.E.)

Principaux dossiers

  • Conducted multiple investigations into allegations of bribery and corruption and played a role in the successful resolution of the Airbus corruption case with the French enforcement authority, the Parquet National Financier, and in the global resolution of the case which also involved the UK Serious Fraud Office and the US Department of Justice and State Department.
  • Advising Airbus on its continued strategic, industrial cooperation with Mubadala for the development of the aeronautics industry in the UAE.

Kennedys

The experienced Paris team at Kennedys represents major airlines and insurers in high-stakes aviation disputes involving transport and cargo claims, air carriers’ liability and aviation product liability claims. Aurélia Cadain has strength in negotiations and litigation related to catastrophic accidents. Nicolas Bouckaert specialises in industrial risk and court-appointed technical investigations.

Responsables de la pratique:

Aurélia Cadain; Nicolas Bouckaert

Les références

‘The Kennedys team is capable and very efficient.’

‘Kennedys sets itself apart by its highly specialized individuals and their sector knowledge.’

‘Aurélia Cadain is a partner at Kennedys France and our main contact. She is very approachable, hands-on and pro-active.’

Signature Litigation AARPI

The Paris aviation team at Signature Litigation AARPI advises aerospace manufacturers and insurers involved in complex, cross-border litigation. Thomas Rouhette leads the team, bringing over 30 years’ experience to aviation disputes. Claire Massiera, who was promoted to counsel in July 2022, specialises in representing clients in major aviation accidents. Senior associate Ela Barda provides support in product liability mandates.

Responsables de la pratique:

Thomas Rouhette

Autres avocats clés:

Claire Massiera; Ela Barda; Solène Poitrinal

Principaux clients

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty

The Boeing Company

Continental Technologies Aerospace

Daher Aerospace

GE Aviation

Global Aerospace

Honeywell Aerospace

Jeppesen

Principaux dossiers

  • Assisting Boeing with the French law aspects of the 737 MAX-related disputes.
  • Representing Aerospace Technologies in proceedings following the hard landing of a Cirrus SR22 aircraft, which experienced an engine failure in cruise flight causing the pilot and his wife to sustain serious injuries.
  • Representing Honeywell International Inc., in a dispute against Valljet, a French business aviation company, following the repair and replacement of aircraft engines.

Courrégé-Foreman

The aviation group at Paris boutique firm Courrégé-Foreman represents manufacturers, aviation insurers, the European and French civil aviation authorities, air traffic controllers, pilots, and the airport authority involved in high-stakes contentious matters. The team is headed by founding partners Mauricia Courrégé, an expert in industrial accidents, and Simon Foreman, an experienced aviation litigator. Aurélie Girault is able to utilise her background in criminal science to assist clients in this space.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mauricia Courrégé; Simon Foreman

Autres avocats clés:

Aurélie Giraud

Les références

‘A very serious and expert team in its fields.’

‘Simon Foreman is an excellent criminal lawyer and a connoisseur of the aeronautical sector.’

‘Mauricia Courrege and Simon Foreman have a very in-depth knowledge of aeronautical activity, and an ability to always provide precise and relevant advice.’

‘Mauricia Courrégé and Aurélie Giraud know how to handle our files perfectly. Their approach to cases allows them to have great credibility with both clients and judges.’

‘It is a team of experts in aviation that perfectly masters all the workings of legal proceedings in the field of aeronautical claims.’

‘Mauricia Courrégé and Simon Foreman are particularly distinguished by their ability to meet the right need, with remarkable availability and efficiency.’

Principaux clients

Safran Group

Aeroports de Paris

Global Aerospace

La Reunion Aerienne

DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority)

Principaux dossiers

  • Assisting Safran in proceedings brought in the Paris district court by families of victims of Aeroflot flight 1492 crash in Moscow on 5 May 2019.

Leno Avocats

The team at boutique Paris aviation and aeronautics firm Leno Avocats has strength in advising airports, aircraft manufacturers, aircraft tooling manufacturers, insurers and aviation service providers on a wide range of matters. Headed by co-founders and experienced aviation and aerospace litigators Beatrice Fleuris and Laura Dubois, the group assists clients with product liability issues, personal injury, cargo loss and damage and aircraft accidents.

Responsables de la pratique:

Beatrice Fleuris; Laura Dubois

Principaux clients

Dedienne Aerospace

DMJG Holdings

La Réunion Aérienne

Global Aerospace

ERGO Versicherung AG

Club Mediterranée

Axa XL

Lloyd’s of London

Union des Aéroports Français

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty

Generali

Aerotec

WTW Global Aerospace

Derichebourg Aeronautics Services

Principaux dossiers

  • Assisting the insurer Allianz with a court-ordered investigation, arising from the fall of an aircraft engine during transportation.
  • Assisting the insurer Generali in a recourse claim arising from a loss within air transportation of surgical masks during the Covid crisis.