Baker McKenzie has one of the largest international tax groups in France for a business law firm. The firm offers a whole range of top level expertise, embracing corporate and M&A tax, transfer pricing, litigation, real estate tax, VAT and patrimonial tax. Many leading French and foreign multinationals are clients, as well as digital companies, investment funds and wealthy individuals. In the field of corporate tax, the practice often advises on large transactions or complex tax reorganisation, areas where practice head Veronique Millischer, Guillaume Le Camus and Charles Baudoin, who was promoted partner in June 2022, are key names. The tax control and litigation practice also ranks among the very best in France through Eric Meier, Ariane Calloud and Régis Torlet, who assist many leading French companies as well as top digital companies with high-stakes financial tax disputes, notably pertaining to permanent establishment, foreign tax credit and large tax readjustment issues. Also recommended are the excellent Caroline Silberztein for transfer-pricing matters; senior counsel Thierry Vialaneix, who is knowledgeable in VAT issues, real estate tax expert Virginie Louvigné and Agnès Charpenet, who is skilled in wealth management matters. Charles Baudoin is also noted.
Tax in France
Baker McKenzie
Responsables de la pratique:
Véronique Millischer
Autres avocats clés:
Guillaume Le Camus; Eric Meier; Caroline Silberztein; Ariane Calloud; Régis Torlet; Thierry Vialaneix; Agnès Charpenet; Charles Baudoin; Hanna El Rouah
Les références
‘The level of commitment is excellent.’
‘We can only emphasize the professionalism and availability of Véronique Millischer. We are very satisfied with the work accomplished.’
‘The tax litigation team, and in particular Ariane Calloud, offers very high quality support, combining availability and expertise.’
Principaux clients
Accenture
Accor
Air France KLM
Auchan
Bio-Rad
Bristol Myers Squibb
Carrefour
Casino
Catella
Club Med
Consortium Airbus/Safran/Ace Capital
Conversant
Cora / Match
Criteo
CryptoBlockchain Industries
Darty / Fnac
Decathlon
ECP Partners
Embraer Aviation
Etoile Properties / South Korean Investors
FEDEX
Jardins d’Arcadie / Sandaya
Johnson Controls
Keys Asset Management
Leroy Merlin
LVMH
M6
Mediawan Group and ZAG
Monoprix
Pierre et Vacances Center Parcs
Société Générale
Sofidy
Swiss Life
TF1
Truffaut
Vacancesselect
WP Carey
Principaux dossiers
- Assisting the Pierre et Vacances-Center Parcs group in the process of strengthening its equity and of reducing its important debt in particular with the conversion of more than EUR 550 million of creditors’ debt into shares.
- Assisting Air France-KLM with corporate income tax issues.
- Advising on the tax issues linked to the listing of CryptoBlockchain Industries on the Paris stock exchange in October-December 2021.
Bredin Prat
Bredin Prat ’s tax team is a jewel in the field of corporate tax. The tax practice, which works in close collaboration with the firm’s M&A department, advises the largest corporations and investment funds on the largest M&A transactions. It is as strong in the public and private M&A fields and can handle large global deals as well as highly strategic public M&A ones. In addition, the tax team also has strong ability in the litigation arena. It assists many leading CAC 40 and US leading corporations in dealing with highly sensitive tax reassessment issues, while also challenging legal provisions before courts. The tax team recently advised McDonald’s on the signing of a landmark tax judiciary settlement with the authorities. The tax practice is supervised by Yves Rutschmann, and includes many of France’s best tax advisers in Sébastien de Monès
, Pierre-Henri Durand
and Julien Gayral
, followed by a younger guard led by Anne Robert and Jean-Florent Mandelbaum. Counsels Franck Morhain and Victor Camatta provide support.
Responsables de la pratique:
Yves Rutschmann
Autres avocats clés:
Sébastien de Monès, Pierre-Henri Durand; Julien Gayral; Anne Robert; Jean-Florent Mandelbaum; Franck Morhain; Victor Camatta
Les références
‘The Bredin Prat tax team as a whole is at the forefront of the French private equity market. The cumulative experience of the team and the volume of transactions on which they work are a real added value for clients who can thus be informed in real time of the latest market practices.’
‘Jean-Florent Mandelbaum is probably one of the most advanced tax experts on the French Private Equity market, with extremely strong expertise in the aspects of structuring and in particular of those of the investment managers.’
‘Every team member is excellent – no weak point. Seamless combination of tax and M&A practices.’
‘Jean-Florent Mandelbaum stands out ; he quickly understands all the details of a complex case, immediately raises the relevant and difficult questions, and provides top notch, business-driven analysis and advice.’
‘The team is excellent, they are very professional and absolutely knowledgeable. Quality of their tax opinion is not behind anybody in France. Capacity of understanding business and client’s need are also key success factors.’
‘Yves Rutschmann and Sébastien de Monès are absolutely tier 1 tax lawyers.’
Principaux clients
Apollo Global Management
Atos
Axa
BPCE
Casino
Covéa
Crédit Agricole
Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale
EDF
Danone
D’Ieteren
Eurazeo
ENGIE
Essilor
General Electric
iliad
KKR
LVMH
Mc Donald’s
Microsoft
Natixis
Saint Gobain
Sanofi
Stellantis (formerly Groupe PSA)
Téthys Invest
Vivendi
Wendel
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Covéa on its acquisition of PartnerRe for €7.9 billion.
- Assisting McDonald’s with the conclusion of a major “public interest judicial agreement” (Convention Judiciaire d’Intérêt Public – “CJIP”).
- Advising KKR on its friendly tender offer for Albioma’s shares and warrants for €2.7 billion
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP’s tax team is a reference for the market’s largest and most complex M&A and litigation matters. The client base is top-notch and includes many of France’s top companies. The tax team often acts alongside the M&A practice on the structuring of France’s top public and private M&A transactions, as well as advising on the tax aspects of global or outbound transactions. On the litigation front, the practice is involved in several of France’s outstanding tax evasion cases. It also assists companies, as well as some state entities, with large tax reassessment disputes, often dealing with quite complex legal issues. Highly regarded duo Gauthier Blanluet and Nicolas de Boynes are the practice heads.
Responsables de la pratique:
Gauthier Blanluet; Nicolas de Boynes
Allen & Overy LLP
Allen & Overy LLP’s tax team has a wide-ranging transactional practice; spanning the structuring of financial, M&A, private equity, fund formation, property and infrastructure deals. The team regularly advises on large M&A and private equity deals, including recently handling a high-profile complex cross-border deal in the African logistics sector. It has a strong presence among leading banks and investment funds. The Paris tax team also increasingly advises on the creation of major debt and private equity funds, benefiting from the presence of a Luxembourg desk in Paris. Finally, its litigation activity is also growing, working notably in combination with the criminal law practice in tax evasion matters. The tax team is also increasingly instructed by banks to conduct internal investigations following the emergence of new tax litigation risks. Mathieu Vignon and Guillaume Valois co-head the practice, with counsel Charles del Valle being the third key member.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mathieu Vignon; Guillaume Valois
Autres avocats clés:
Charles del Valle
Les références
‘The team is very available and knows how to adapt to the needs of its clients’.
Principaux clients
123 Management
Advent
Air Liquide
Alderan
Amundi
Andera
Apax
Ardian
Ares
AXA IM
AXA REIM
Banque de Luxembourg
BPCE
BPI
Biogroup
Bolloré
BRIDGEPOINT
Cathay
CDC
Compagnie des Alpes
Crédit Mutuel Arkéa
Credit Mutuel Equity
Cromwell EREIT
DTZ Investors
DWS
Engie
Epopée Gestion
Eurazeo
Extendam
General Electric
Groupama
Groupe Arnaud
HIG
Hivest
HOOPP
Icade
ICG
Ipsen
Kingstreet
Korian
LBO France
L’Oréal
Mubadala
Naxicap
Nuveen
OFI Pierre
Oman Investment Authority
Omnes
PAI
Pimpco
Quadreal
Ruane Cunniff & Goldfarb LLP
Seagate
Sienna Capital
SCOR IP
Société Générale
Thalès
Tikehau
Waterland
Weinberg
Wren House
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the Bolloré Group on the sale of Bolloré Africa Logistics, which includes all the transport and logistics activities of the Bolloré Group in Africa, to the MSC Group.
- Advised Société Générale on the sale to Interros Capital of Rosbanb and its insurance subsidiaries in connection with Société Générale’s decision to withdraw from the Russian market.
- Advised Eurazeo on the sale of a majority interest in the Seqens Group to US private equity firm SK Capital.
Arsene
Arsene is a powerhouse on the French market with a team of more than 150 lawyers. The tax firm offers a broad range of expertise; from day-to-day management to strategic tax reorganisation, due diligence, transactional tax structuring, transfer pricing, international taxation and litigation. The firm is especially strong in the field of private equity and LBO, where it is retained by many leading French and international investment funds to assist with the due diligence and tax structuring. The firm also advises large corporations and fields an excellent transfer pricing practice. It also handles real estate tax. Managing partner Denis Andres is highly regarded, while other key members include: Mirouna Verban and Alexandre Rocchi for corporate tax advice; Roland Schneider for tax litigation; François Lugand and Franck Llinas for real estate tax, as well as Vincent Desoubries and Benoit Bec for international tax and transfer pricing. Yoann Chemana is also forging a reputation in this area.
Responsables de la pratique:
Denis Andres
Autres avocats clés:
Mirouna Verban; Alexandre Rocchi; Roland Schneider; François Lugand; Vincent Desoubries; Benoît Bec; Yoann Chemana; Franck Llinas; Fabien Billaert; Nathalie Habibou
Les références
‘Team dedicated to tax law with a 360° view on the subject. Great capacity for initiative and analyses on all tax issues ranging from operational taxation to structuring’.
‘François Lugand and his team, including Pierre Lucas, are clearly the best tax lawyers in Paris. they have a very strong ability to innovate, find solutions to problems, anticipate all needs. They are deal makers, know how to make you make the right decisions, and are decisive.’
‘The team is proactive.’
‘Fabien Billaert is generally very available to his clients and finds pragmatic solutions that can easily be implemented by companies. Nathalie Habibou assists us on VAT and provides very operational advice. She knows how to adapt to her interlocutor.’
‘Responsiveness and competence, and good listening to the customer’.
‘Denis Andres has considerable experience. Yoann Chemama shows great responsiveness and pragmatism’.
‘Arsene has a very competent, responsive and business oriented team. It always knows how to understand the needs of its clients, seeks out the best specialists according to the issues at stake and ultimately finds innovative and appropriate solutions.’
Principaux clients
ACCENTURE
ACCOR
APAX
ARDIAN
BRIDGEPOINT
CASINO
CMA-CGM
CAP GEMINI
CHOPARD
FIVE ARROWS PRINCIPAL INVESTMENTS (FAPI)
HLD
IK PARTNERS
INTERMARCHE
KERING
L’OREAL
LVMH GROUPE ARNAULT
M6
PERNOD RICARD
SAP FRANCE
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
Principaux dossiers
- Advised M6 within the merger with TF1 (leading French Media groups).
- Advised Pernod Ricard Group worldwide on its Transform & Accelerate Plan.
- Advised Five Arrows Principal Investments (FAPI) on the acquisition of GEDH.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Led by Anne-Sophie Coustel, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton‘s tax practice is known to be among the best for tax transactional work. Combining forces with the corporate practice, the team advises on the structuring of the largest public and private M&A transactions. The practice is also well versed in assisting issuers and underwriters with equity and debt capital markets transactions. The practice also advises on tax finance work and handles litigation work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Anne-Sophie Coustel
Les références
‘The team is very responsive and very competent.’
‘Anne-Sophie Coustel has a high technical level in French and international taxation’.
Principaux clients
Sienna Capital
Solvay
OVHcloud
Veolia
NVHL/Novasep
Latour Capital
Worldline
Tikehau Capital
Crédit Agricole
Natixis
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Veolia Environnement in its successful €12.9bn acquisition of Suez and its €2.5bn rights offering
- Advised Solvay on its project of separating into two independent companies
- Advised Sienna Investment Managers on its acquisition of a majority share capital in Malakoff Humanis Asset Management
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance is a strong name for transactional tax issues, especially in the M&A, private equity and property fields. The team advises on the structuring and reorganisation of complex and large transactions. In the field of real estate tax, the team also has strong expertise and assists leading names in the field with the market’s largest investment and partnership transactions. The practice is co-headed by Eric Davoudet and Alexandre Lagarrigue, and also includes promising counsel Pierre Goyat. Former counsels Jitka Susankova and Omar El Arjoun left the firm in 2022.
Responsables de la pratique:
Eric Davoudet; Alexandre Lagarrigue
Les références
‘Small team, homogeneous but multidisciplinary which is both rare and very valuable from the customer’s point of view.’
‘Skills, multi-disciplinarity, availability and good quality of listening. Alexandre Lagarrigue and Pierre Goyat are remarkable’.
‘Very high technical expertise, very high availability.’
Principaux clients
AEW
Atos SE
Rexel
RedTree Capital
AXA
Eurazeo
QIA
EDF
Amundi
Accor
Schroders
Ipsen
Primonial
L’Oréal
Engie
Amundi
Spie
Oreima
Axel Springer
DWS
IREIT Global
Pernod Ricard
BlackRock
TotalEnergies
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Atos on an ambitious group spin off into two publicly listed companies.
- Advising Mannai Corporation on the disposal of Inetum to a group of investors led by Bain Capital Private Equity.
- Advising the French Rugby Federation on the long-term strategic partnership between Six Nations Rugby and CVC.
CMS Francis Lefebvre
CMS Francis Lefebvre has one of the market's largest workforces with more than 200 tax lawyers; the vast majority are based in Paris with a small team also located in the Lyon office. The firm’s range of expertise is extensive and it covers a whole range of issues, from mainstream tax to more complex and niche areas. Its international tax, transfer pricing and litigation capabilities are among the best on the market. The team regularly handles high-stakes disputes where high financial amounts are at stake, acting for leading companies and banks. The team assists a prominent client base, made up of leading French and international corporations. It also advises on complex tax reorganisation work and provides tax advice on M&A transactions, including recently advising on some significant deals in the energy sector. The firm’s tax real estate expertise is also to be noted. Key names include the highly regarded Stéphane Austry, who coordinates the firm’s tax litigation and controversy group, Bruno Gibert, who specialises in international taxation and transfer pricing, and Edouard Milhac, whose main focus in on transactional tax issues. Also noted are Anne-Sophie Rostaing, Frédéric Gerner, Jean-Charles Benois and Ludovic Duguet.
Autres avocats clés:
Stéphane Austry; Bruno Gibert; Edouard Milhac; Anne-Sophie Rostaing; Jean-Charles Benois; Frédéric Gerner; Ludovic Duguet; Alexia Cayrel
Les références
‘Very professional team, extremely competent, available and benefiting from a very strong credibility with the administration.’
‘Jean-Charles Benois: knows perfectly the problems of our company. Excellent advice, always available, fast, knowledgeable. Alexia Cayrel: enormous capacity for work, precise, high quality work that gives confidence’.
‘A dynamic, responsive, involved and technically very high quality team’.
‘Availability. Responsiveness. Quality of advice. Ability to have a business vision. Ability to understand clients’ issues’.
‘CMS Francis Lefebvre’s response has always been of high quality and has very often enabled me to resolve disputes with the tax authorities.’
‘I mainly work with Anne-Sophie Rostaing. I appreciate her availability, knowledge of our group, responsiveness in handling my requests and the relevance of her analyzes on often very specific subjects.’
‘The firm does an exceptional job at making you feel like their most important client!’
‘Edouard Milhac is always available, responsive and provides advice in a cogent, clear manner.’
Principaux clients
Vivendi
BNP Paribas
EDF SA
Orange
Rubis Terminal Group
IDIA Capital Investment
ABC Artbitrage
Perial
Eurazeo
Egym
Principaux dossiers
- Assisting VIVENDI with tax litigation procedure claiming the reimbursement of corporate tax paid for fiscal years 2011 (€365 million), 2012 (€ 315 million), 2015 (€ 203 million), 2017 (€4.2 million) and 2018 (€1.3 million).
- Assisting DF SA with the signing of an exclusive agreement with GE for the acquisition of GE Steam Power’s nuclear activities relating to the conventional island of nuclear power plants.
- Assisting RUBIS TERMINAL GROUP in connection with the structuring of the disposal of their Turkish subsidiary, Rubis Terminal Petrol, acquired by Transpet Petrolcülük ve Enerji A.Ş., a Turkish leading player in the energy sector.
Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier
Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier’s tax practice is a key component in the firm’s stellar M&A practice. Working alongside the corporate department, the tax team regularly advises on the market’s largest public and private M&A transactions. It was recently involved in strategic deals concerning various sectors including media, car leasing, energy, real estate, professional football, financial services and industrial. The tax team also runs a stand-alone activity, notably in tax real estate, where it assists leading Anglo-Saxon funds on large asset and portfolio transactions. The highly regarded Vincent Agulhon co-heads the practice alongside Loïc Védie.
Responsables de la pratique:
Vincent Agulhon; Loïc Vedie
Principaux clients
Accor
Banijay Group
Banques des Territoires (Caisse des dépôts et consignations)
Batipart
Blackstone
Bouygues
BPCE
Brookfield
Carlyle
CCI de Nice
Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance (CACF)
Devoteam
Fimalac
Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques (Sciences Po)
HeidelbergCement
Inmobiliare Colonial
Kering
KKR
La Redoute 6 years
Les Petits Chaperons Rouges
LPCR
Ligue de Football
Professionnel (LFP)
LOV Group
Malakoff Mederic
Milleis
Northwood Investors
OVH Cloud
Pfizer
TF1
CNIM Groupe
Société Générale
Sodiaal
Lagardère SCA
Saint Gobain
Tikehau
Westbrook
Principaux dossiers
- Advising CACF on the reorganization of its partnership with Stellantis regarding car leasing.
- Advised Inmobiliaria Colonial on the capital restructuring and asset exchange of Société Foncière Lyonnais with Predica involving a public offering.
- Advised Bouygues in the context of the acquisition of Equans.
De Pardieu Brocas Maffei
De Pardieu Brocas Maffei combines outstanding real estate tax expertise and strong corporate and LBO tax know-how. The tax team works alongside the firm’s leading real estate practice to advise the market’s most prestigious investors on their largest corporate, fund and asset deals (spanning a range of property assets); practice head Emmanuel Chauve and Alexandre Blestel have forged strong reputations in this area. Through Priscilla van den Perre and Anne-Laure Drouet, the tax team advises investment funds and companies on M&A and LBO transactions, often acting alongside the corporate department. The practice recently completed several notable transactions in the media and healthcare sectors. The tax team also advises on financing and infrastructure deals and in the context of debt restructuring and insolvency cases.
Responsables de la pratique:
Emmanuel Chauve
Autres avocats clés:
Alexandre Blestel; Priscilla van den Perre; Anne-Laure Drouet
Les références
‘Fast, efficient and relevant.’
Principaux clients
TISHMAN SPEYER
BATIPART
CARREFOUR
GECINA
ALTAREA
EMERIGE
COVIVIO
CREDIT AGRICOLE ASSURANCES
ROTHSCHILD
ERGON CAPITAL
EMZ PARTNERS
ITS GROUP SA
KARTESIA
FLORAC
PGIM REAL ESTATE
ALGONQUIN AND CARDIF
APOLLO
EDIFY
PIERRE ET VACANCES – CENTERS PARCS
MBWS
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Altarea on a long-term partnership with Crédit Agricole Assurances involving €1 billion in investments in assets held by Altarea.
- Advising Exor N.V on the signing of a long-term partnership with Institut Mérieux under the terms of which Exor will acquire, through a capital increase, a 10% stake in Institut Mérieux for an investment of €833 million.
- Advising the Altice Media group in connection with the acquisition from the M6 group of the TV channel “6ter” and with the acquisition from the TF1 group of TV channel “TFX”.
Ernst & Young Société d'Avocats
Ernst & Young Société d'Avocats has a considerable pool of resources in France, in addition to the firm’s global capabilities. The tax practice, which includes more than 300 tax experts, is able to offer a full range of services: transactional tax, international tax, business tax, transfer pricing, tax technology transformation and indirect tax. Its client base comprises many of France and the world’s largest companies and investment funds. The team is regularly appointed by large private equity funds in France to assist with the due diligence and tax structuring of their largest transactions. The practice also regularly advises corporations, notably in their cross-border deals. Key names in the practice include: managing partner Lionel Benant; Cédric Devouges, Matthieu Autret and Benjamin Pique for transactional tax work; Eric Verron who heads the international tax services department; Xavier Dange, who is in charge of the business tax services practice; Philippe Vailhen, who manages the business tax practice in the regions; Benoit Gabelle, who heads the transfer pricing practice; Gwenaelle Bernier, who chairs the tax technology and transformation practice; Jean-David Vasseur, who manages the indirect tax practice; and Alexandra Loran, who is in charge of the tax innovation offering. Nadia Sabin is noted for transfer pricing work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lionel Benant; Cédric Devouges; Philippe Vailhen; Matthieu Autret; Eric Verron; Xavier Dange; Benoit Gabelle; Gwenaelle Bernier; Jean-David Vasseur; Alexandra Loran
Autres avocats clés:
Nadia Sabin; Amandine-Allix Cieutat
Les références
‘I work with the transfer pricing team led by Nadia Sabin. The team is capable to deliver a high quality product under pressure of time, and we have established an excellent way of working together as they adapted to our organization very well.’
‘Nadia Sabin is an absolutely outstanding individual, making the difference in finding the correct and pragmatic solutions of very complex and relevant international tax topics. Capable to collaborate with advisors all over the world, she delivers high value to our organization and she always understand, on top of the tax, the business perspectives.’
‘Amandine-Allix Cieutat is very available, responsive and digs into the files to the end and in detail. She fully understands the issues for an international case.’
Principaux clients
Axpo
Ball Beverage
Bacardi
Debiopharm
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP houses a high-level tax team which often supports the corporate and finance departments on their transactions. The tax team is able to assist with the tax structuring of large and complex M&A deals, spanning large global transactions, public and private M&A deals as well as prominent infrastructure deals. The practice has a strong presence among leading French and international banks. It recently advised on a high-profile M&A deal in the French banking sector, and regularly assists banks with large debt restructuring cases. The tax team also handles sensitive litigation, including representing a leading bank in a major tax reassessment case and handling a major dispute concerning withholding tax. The practice is headed by Cyril Valentin and includes managing partner Vincent Daniel-Mayeur.
Responsables de la pratique:
Cyril Valentin
Autres avocats clés:
Vincent Daniel-Mayeur
Les références
‘Cyril Valentin is a tax specialist with a particularly broad field of expertise and whose technical knowledge is highly reliable.’
‘Best in class tax practice. Leading expertise on financial services and dispute resolution. Excellent service levels with prompt turnaround when business demands require it.’
‘Cyril Valentin is an outstanding tax partner providing clear and informed advice. Juliette Brasart and Jean Benech provide strong support.’
Principaux clients
Bank of America
Barclays
Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC)
Citi
Engie
Getlink (formerly Eurotunnel)
Goldman Sachs
Holcim
HSBC
Icade
JP Morgan
Morgan Stanley
Natixis
PAI Partners
Phoenix Tower International
RWE
Sitel Group
Sofina
UBS
Principaux dossiers
- Advised HSBC Continental Europe on the sale of its French retail banking business to Cerberus.
- Advised CMA CGM on a USD 2.2 bn freight receivables securitisation facility.
- Advised Holcim Group Services Ltd on the €6.5 bn sale of its Indian business to Adani Group
Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.
Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is able to provide a whole range of transactional tax expertise. The team has strong abilities in the M&A space, including advising on complex reorganisations, large transactions and publicly listed deals through Magali Buchert and Olivier Dauchez. Many leading French and international companies are clients. The practice also covers private equity work via Paul de France, who often assists the management on manager incentives package issues in the context of large transactions. Real estate tax remains a strong area of expertise and the practice is sought out for large office, hotel and other property asset investments. The team assists prominent property investors, including with real estate tax fund issues. Laurent Modave and Bertrand Jouanneau are two recognised names in that field. Of note, Alexandre Bochu was promoted to partner in 2022, adding further strength in transactional tax.
Autres avocats clés:
Laurent Modave; Magali Buchert; Olivier Dauchez; Bertrand Jouanneau; Paul de France
Les références
‘The team is very familiar with indirect real estate investments and real estate joint-ventures. Ability to provide cross-border France-Germany advice in an integrated manner.’
‘Ability to review financial documents and BPs from a fiscal but also financial perspective. Provides decision-making support in a complex environment. The team is always very courteous and available.’
‘Extensive knowledge of corporate taxation and management issues. International approach which allowed us to understand taxation issues from a European point of view. Excellent knowledge of the taxation of the managers’.
‘Responsive, transparent, efficient, cost-conscious.’
‘Paul de France is an excellent professional, informative, inventive, daring and skilful.’
‘Confidence, technicality, constancy, responsiveness, proactivity, availability. Their memos are very concise and very clear, and they know how to take a stand.’
‘Olivier Dauchez is a reference and a gifted tax lawyer on the market. Beyond his indisputable technical skills, he has this ability to take a step back from issues at hand. He perfectly masters underlying financial and legal mechanisms, and understands the real issues facing companies. He is also a very friendly, responsive and available person.’
‘Bertrand Jouanneau is very responsive. In terms of invoicing, Bertrand is organized in such a way as to offer packages with caps, which are rather well calibrated from the start and on which we generally do not have to go back.’
Principaux clients
Saint-Gobain
Antin
Eiffage
Silver Lake
Wendel
Amundi Immobilier
Swiss Life Asset Managers
MSC
Foncière Atland
Renault
Fnac Darty
Five Arrows Principal Investment
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert
Centaurus
Eurazeo
Brookfield
Icamap
Nuveen
Redevco
CNP Assurances
Aviva
Casino
Naos Hotel
Tikehau
Ivanhoé Cambridge
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company with all the tax aspects of the acquisition of 100% of Bolloré Africa Logistics.
- Assisted Antin Infrastructure Partners with the tax structuring of its initial public offering (IPO) on the regulated market of Euronext Paris for a total offering amount of EUR 632.5 million.
- Advised BNP Paribas on the acquisition of Club Med Alpe D’Huez from Lagune.
Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins has outstanding private equity and LBO tax expertise. The tax practice, which often acts alongside the firm’s corporate department, advises many leading French and British investment funds on the structuring of large transactions, including jumbo and cross-border deals. The tax practice also advises companies on M&A deals, as well as on the tax aspects of debt capital issuances, including high-yield bonds. Practice head Xavier Renard and Olivia Rauch-Ravisé are the key contacts.
Responsables de la pratique:
Xavier Renard
Autres avocats clés:
Olivia Rauch-Ravisé
Les références
‘Excellent tax level, of very high added value in complex deals’.
‘Very high level of expertise. Xavier Renard has an excellent level of expertise in the LBO field. The team also takes into account concrete and structural aspects. Members are available’.
Principaux clients
Albéa
Ardian
Astorg Partners
Atos
Autodistribution
Babilou
Bank of Ireland
Barclays Bank Plc
BNP Paribas
Bridgepoint
Burger King
Carrefour
Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
Crédit Industriel et Commercial
Crédit Mutuel Arkea
Eutelsat Communication /Eutelsat SA
Fortress Investment Group
Groupe Bertrand
Groupe Casino
HSBC France
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
ING Bank N.V.
iQera group
Kersia Group
L’Oréal
Mainstay Medical
Natixis
Pernod Ricard
Platinum Equity
PSP Investments
Rémy Cointreau
Sagard
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe Limited
TA Associates
TechnipFMC
Total
Unicredit
Vivalto Partners
Vivalto Santé Group
Worldline
Linklaters
Linklaters' tax team has a strong repute when it comes to the structuring of large and complex private equity and M&A transactions. The tax team, which often combines forces with the firm’s corporate department, frequently acts for leading investment funds and companies on the structuring of their transactions, including public M&A deals. It is also regularly involved in large fundraising and global companies’ combinations and mergers. The team also has specific know-how in tax project finance, regularly advising on domestic brownfield and M&A renewables transactions. Finally, the practice has a strong presence among banks and financial institutions which it advises on strategic M&A work but also in the field of financing and capital markets deals. The team also has a stand-alone activity, notably in the litigation space. The highly regarded Edouard Chapellier heads the team. Cyril Boussion is the other key member.
Responsables de la pratique:
Edouard Chapellier
Autres avocats clés:
Cyril Boussion
Les références
‘Perfectly masters the tax issues of its clients and other associated expertise (corporate, structuring, accounting, private equity). It is an extremely differentiating and unique feature on the market’.
‘They show great availability and precise knowledge of their client’s needs. The team always makes recommendations that are “business oriented”.’
‘High quality team.’
Principaux clients
ARDIAN
GIP
Lease Plan
Bel
Unibel
Mirova
Valeco
Webhelp
Meridiam
Nuveen Real Estate Management Limited
Marguerite Adviser S.A
Financière Agache
Electra SAS
Waterland Private Equity
Solvay
Omnes Capital
Caisse Fédérale du Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe CFCMNE
Macquarie – Green Investment Group Limited
Partech Partners
AXA Venture Partners
Antin Infrastructure Partners
LVMH
NW Storm
InfraVia Capital Partners
Principaux dossiers
- Advised ARDIAN and Global Infrastructure Partners on their contemplated takeover offer for Suez (waste and water management company) in the context of the hostile takeover battle between Suez and Veolia.
- Advised the shareholders of LeasePlan on its contemplated combination with ALD, Société Générale’s car leasing division, for €4.9bn.
- Advised Bel on the €700m sale of the iconic European cheese brand Leerdammer and related rights to Lactalis.
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown's tax practice is a popular choice for many of the market’s leading French and international private equity funds. The firm’s footprint among private equity funds is particularly impressive. It is retained to advise on the market’s largest LBO’s transactions, while also having equally recognised ability to assist companies' management in deals. Additionally, the team is also praised for its litigation and tax audit expertise. In that area, the team defends investment funds, as well as companies in various contentious matters such as management incentive package and withholding tax issues. Practice head Laurent Borey, Benjamin Homo, Christopher Lalloz, who focuses on litigation, Olivier Parawan, Elodie Deschamps and Nicolas Danan are the key names.
Responsables de la pratique:
Laurent Borey
Autres avocats clés:
Benjamin Homo ; Christopher Lalloz; Olivier Parawan; Elodie Deschamps; Nicolas Danan
Les références
‘Innovation. Responsiveness. Team spirit’.
‘Laurent Borey is an eminence in business taxation. Christopher Lalloz is a great tax technician who combines technical knowledge and commercial acumen’.
‘Best tax team for LBOs in Paris. Provides innovative solutions to ever changing landscape. Very strong on management incentive package, combining both tax and financial knowledge’.
Principaux clients
Abertis Infraestructuras
Altice
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Asmodee (Management)
Bridgepoint Development Capital
Charterhouse Capital Partners
Cooper Consumer Health
CVC Capital Partners
Digicel
Epsa
Eurazeo
Funecap
Groupe Burrus Courtage
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
Labelium
L Catterton
L-GAM
Magellan Partners
Marlin Equity Partners
Mediawan and founders
Montefiore Investment
Next Private B.V.
Oaktree Capital Partners
Ophiliam Management
Primonial (management)
Qualium Investissement
Quilvest Private Equity
RAISE
Sagard
SERB group
SIACI Saint-Honoré
Stirling Square Capital Partners
Ultra-Premium Direct (founder)
Union Bancaire Gestion Institutionnelle
UTAC CERAM
Verescence Luxembourg Perfumery Holdings Sàrl (VLPH)
Principaux dossiers
- Advised investment firm CVC Capital Partners on the investment commitment agreement with France’s Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) in connection with the creation of the LFP’s commercial subsidiary and CVC’s minority investment in its capital.
- Advised the French private equity firm Antin Infrastructure Partners on structuring its initial public offering (IPO) on Compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris.
- Advised the management of Asmodee, leading board game publisher and distributor, on the sale of the group by PAI Partners to Embracer, a publicly traded Swedish video game publisher.
Pwc Société d'Avocats
Pwc Société d'Avocats stands out for its large resources comprising more than 400 lawyers and professionals, based in Paris and in the regions. The firm is able to offer the full spectrum of tax expertise, spanning corporate tax, transfer pricing, indirect tax, audit and litigation, and R&D among others. It acts for a large client base, which includes many leading French and international corporations and investment banks. The team has a strong transactional practice in the private equity field where it advises on many of the market’s largest deals. It is also called upon to assist with highly strategic and complex M&A deals, such as advising recently on landmark transactions in the energy sector, and also handles litigation. The practice is co-headed by managing partner Loic Le Claire, Guillaume Glon, Elisabeth Rivière and Jean-Philippe Brillet. Also noted are Anne-Valérie Attias-Assouline, Marc-Olivier Roux, Nicolas Arfel, and Katia Gruzdova on the transactional side, as well as Catherine Cassan for litigation work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Loïc Le Claire; Guillaume Glon; Elisabeth Rivière; Jean-Philippe Brillet
Autres avocats clés:
Anne-Valérie Attias-Assouline; Marc-Olivier Roux; Nicolas Arfel; Katia Gruzdova; Catherine Cassan
Les références
‘Robust team with a strong global and regional presence.’
‘The strength of the team is their availability, rapid response and clear/straight answers.’
‘Katia Gruzdova is very clear in her answers and takes a position.’
Principaux clients
McDonald’s
BC Partners
Worldline
Bonduelle
PAI Partners
Exclusive Networks
KKR
Bain Capital
Sodiaal
Générali
Vivendi
Eurazeo
3i
Groupe Vyv
Archimed
Groupe Avril
Credit Mutuel
Bridgepoint
L Cartterton
Permira
LafargeHolcim
Eutelsat
TowerBrook
Bouygues Telecom
Principaux dossiers
- Advised McDonald’s in respect of the signing of a French “public interest judicial agreement” (CJIP).
- Advised on the tax structuring and modelling as well as the negotiation of the tax clauses of the contract on behalf of a consortium of investors bringing together Meridiam, GIP, Caisse des dépôts and CNP Assurances, as part of the acquisition of “new Suez”.
- Advised Worldline in relation to the carve-out and disposal of its Terminals, Solutions & Services (TSS) business line to Apollo.
Dechert LLP
Dechert LLP is a leading name in the field of asset management and private equity. The practice assists many leading international private equity funds and prestigious family funds with fund structuring, fundraising, regulatory and carried interest work. The practice also handles transactional M&A and private equity tax, and also advises on real estate tax matters. Practice head Sabina Comis is highly regarded. Senior associate Etienne Bimbeau is also a key name in the team.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sabina Comis
Autres avocats clés:
Etienne Bimbeau
Les références
‘Pragmatic and responsive, with in-depth knowledge of both tax and regulatory aspects applicable to the private equity and asset management sector. Able to model their tax advice on excel and offer effective and innovative solutions. Undoubtedly one of the best private equity teams on the market.’
‘A great technician, Sabina Comis also has in-depth knowledge of the asset management market in France and abroad. She is able to anticipate problems specific to funds with European and American strategies. Her knowledge, her experience and her qualities as a negotiator make her a real deal-maker. This is the person you want to have by your side when entering a meeting or negotiation.’
‘The tax team, of limited size, operates in “task force” mode with high added value for its clients.’
Principaux clients
17 Capital
ArchiMed
Arev Capital
Blisce/
CACIB
Caravelle
Cathay Capital
Certares
Edmond de Rothschild REIM
Elyan Partners (ex- Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity France)
Groupe Artemis – Financière Pinault
ING Bank N.V.
KKR
Lauxera Capital
LVMH Investissements
Natixis
Rothschild Martin Maurel
Sofinnova Partners
Supernova Invest
Téthys Invest
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Crown Holdings on the French tax aspects of the partial sale of its European Tinplate business to an affiliate of KPS Capital Partners.
- Advised Five T Hydrogen on the tax structuring on a joint venture between Five T Hydrogen and Ardian.
- Advised ArchiMed on the tax structuring of the purchase of a majority stake in CARSO group.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper has key strengths in the private equity sphere. The tax team is a leading name in the field of private equity tax fund structuring, where it assists many prestigious asset management firms on the structuring of mid-to large investment funds; Raphaël Béra is a key name in that area. For transactional private equity tax work, practice head Fanny Combourieu is highly knowledgeable and regularly involved in mid-cap transactions, while also advising on large-cap deals. The practice also advises on real estate tax issues, and in Antoine Faure has solid transfer pricing expertise, which extends to contentious and non-contentious issues. Counsels Gwenael Kropfinger and Thomas Guillier also provide support.
Responsables de la pratique:
Fanny Combourieu
Autres avocats clés:
Raphaël Béra; Antoine Faure
Les références
‘Raphaël Béra is an excellent technician with a great command of tax matters relating to private equity funds.’
‘Antoine Faure offers clear pragmatic advice on complex transfer pricing matters.’
‘The team is used to structuring investment funds and can therefore explain our challenges to its counterparties abroad for our operations outside France.’
Principaux clients
Access Capital Partners
Advent
Antin Infrastructure Partners
BlackFin
Bridgepoint
Quilvest
Rothschild & Co / Five Arrows
Sagard
Sofinnova
Astorg
Antirion
Bpifrance
Carlyle
Circet
Eurazeo
Harbert Management Corporation
Merieux Equity Partners
MML Capital Partners
Real IS
PAI Partners
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the founders and management of CIRCET, a European leading telecoms infrastructure services company in connection with the entry into exclusive negotiations with ICG, for the sale by ADVENT of its stake in CIRCET and their co-investment with ICG.
- Advised Bridgepoint on the French tax structuring of their flagship private equity investment fund Bridgepoint Europe VII, including advice related to carried interest.
- Advised Five Arrows on the tax aspects of their fund of funds FAPEP II (Five Arrows Private Equity Programme II), a second multi-strategy private equity fund closed at €366 million.
Gibson Dunn
Gibson Dunn's tax team has strong knowledge of the M&A and private equity fields. It advises investment firms on their deals, but also assists managers with OBO deals and management incentives packages. Jérôme Delaurière also advises on tax real estate, debt restructuring matters and on litigation (recently handling a transfer pricing case). Corporate and tax expert Ariel Harroch also contributes.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jérôme Delaurière; Ariel Harroch
Principaux clients
Hopps Group
Tikehau Ace Capital
KKR
Anjac Group
NetApp
S.I.T.I R (Pierre et Vacances SA / Center Parcs)
Group Vivarte
Mutares
Kartesia
Goodwin
Goodwin’s tax team is a strong fit for private equity tax issues. The tax team, which works in close collaboration with the firm’s corporate and fund formation practices, assists leading French and international investment funds with their mid- to large-cap LBO transactions. The practice also advises asset management firms on the structuring of their funds. It also assists with the management of tax issues linked to financing deals and also advises corporations. Practice head Marie-Laure Bruneel and Charles-Henri de Gouvion Saint-Cyr are key names.
Responsables de la pratique:
Marie-Laure Bruneel
Autres avocats clés:
Charles-Henri de Gouvion Saint-Cyr
Les références
‘Charles-Henri de Gouvion Saint-Cyr works in perfect coordination with other Goodwin teams, whether for fund structuring or a transaction. He has a perfect knowledge of his customers which facilitates our interactions (no need to explain our structure or internal constraints). He responds directly and simply to tax issues!’
‘Charles-Henri de Gouvion Saint Cyr is available and fast. He applies a transactional approach to taxation – talking directly with his clients’ counterparties’.
‘The tax team has deep technical knowledge of the French tax law and is able to convey tax analysis in a structured and comprehensive manner.’
‘Charles-Henri de Gouvion Saint Cyr provides very good coverage from the French tax perspective, including providing extensive tax analysis on complex matters, reviewing contractual documentation and also putting together financial models highlighting tax implications.’
‘Reactive, professional, provides solutions. Appreciated by management teams, friendly. Very good value for money’.
‘Goodwin’s tax law team is of high quality. They show high availability, thoroughness, editorial excellence, inventiveness and are deal makers. It is always an asset to have them as adviser on transactions.’
‘Charles-Henri de Gouvion Saint Cyr is an excellent tax lawyer. Reactive and rigorous, he was able to support us with precision, both during due diligence work and on structuring issues.’
‘Commercial team, ready to provide support and useful advice at every stage of the process.’
Principaux clients
FrenchFood Capital
Equistone Partners Europe
Lion Capital
Lauxera Capital Partners
Eurazeo
Holdco SAS
GTT Communications, Inc.
Jolt Capital
Cerba HealthCare
Committed Advisors
Rossignol
Sagard
Ready Education, Inc.
Tikehau Ace Capital
Tikehau Capital
IK Partners
Mentor
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Lion Capital on the tax aspects of the refinancing of the Picard group.
- Advised IK Partners on the tax aspects of the acquisition of International Correspondence Schools Holdings Limited from Primary Capital Partners LLP and certain management sellers, through Skill & You.
- Advised Holdco SAS on the financing of the simplified public tender offer for iliad SA shares launched by HoldCo II, a holding company controlled by HoldCo.
Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP
Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP‘s tax team mainly focuses on advising companies and private equity investors on the structuring of their deals. The team assists a prominent client base, which includes private equity funds for which it handles a high volume of mid to large-cap LBOs. The practice also has strong ability in the management of large cross-border transactions. The team also represents clients facing tax audits, notably in relation to transfer pricing issues. Managing partner Xenia Legendre heads the practice, which includes the Ludovic Geneston and counsel Thomas Claudel.
Responsables de la pratique:
Xenia Legendre
Autres avocats clés:
Ludovic Geneston; Thomas Claudel
Les références
‘The team has a very good understanding of issues raised and clients’ needs, with an approach that is both technical and pragmatic, enabling them to fully meet expectations.’
‘Thomas Claudel, counsel, perfectly meets clients’ needs by being both technical and pragmatic.’
‘Thomas Claudel is brilliant. He simply explains complex issues and finds creative solutions to ad hoc problems.’
Principaux clients
ID Logistics
EDF
2M Promotion / Mat Immo Beaune
TowerBrook Capital Partners L. P.
Cathay Capital and Sagard NewGen
Tikehau Capital
Apax Partners
Kamet Ventures
Gimv
Andera Partner
IDI
Principaux dossiers
- Advising 2M Promotions SAS and Mat Immo Beaune SAS on the sale of its stake in Groupe Opaline to Colisée Group.
- Advised ID Logistics on its acquisition of Kane Logistics in the United States.
- Advising EDF on the major cross-border restructuring and sale of assets held by Citelum SA in France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Brazil, Chili, Mexico, India and China.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP‘s tax team has a strong reputation among private equity clients. The tax team assists large investment funds with their mid and large cap transactions, including cross-border ones. Practice head Nadine Gelli is a key name and is surrounded by Sonia Bouaffassa, who was promoted to the partnership in 2022.
Responsables de la pratique:
Nadine Gelli
Autres avocats clés:
Sonia Bouaffassa
Les références
‘Nadine Gelli and Sonia Bouaffassa are both excellent practitioners, who offer solutions taking into account international and corporate constraints.’
‘Extraordinary technical mastery.’
‘Nadine Gelli is clearly above the rest with a technical mastery, far above her colleagues on complex subjects, and has a remarkable ability to clearly explain even the most complex subjects.’
‘Nadine Gelli combines both immense professional and personal qualities. Her skills are real and go well beyond the French borders alone. She makes herself available.’
‘Efficient, creative; ability to think “out of the box”, good international network’.
‘Ability to support clients over time with balanced advice; ability to innovate and resolve difficulties while maintaining a concern for sustainable and reliable tax structures.’
‘Extremely technically competent in the tax transactional field (M&A and similar transactions) and great knowledge of the market, practices and innovations (structuring, guarantees, arrangements); provide highly relevant and useful analysis and decision-making support; conduct effective negotiations.’
‘Nadine Gelli and Sonia Bouaffassa are always available, with a great ability to work within very tight deadlines. They have the ability to discuss both technical points with the tax department and to translate the complexities of tax points and their financial/legal issues to non-specialist interlocutors. Finally, they provide real added value in terms of complex structuring, allowing the client to have realistic and secure options.’
Principaux clients
Technicolor
IVC Evidensia, a portfolio company of EQT Private Equity
Fortius, a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Ares Management
World Quantum Growth Acquisition Corp
Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking
Ethypharm
Kereis (formerly trading as Financière CEP)
Financière DSBG
Warburg Pincus
Wendel
Equistone Partners Europe
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Technicolor on its spin off and refinancing of the overall company’s debt.
- Advised Equistone Partners Europe on the setting up of a newly created single-asset continuation fund for the reinvestment in the Sicame group.
- Advised IVC Evidensia, a portfolio company of EQT Private Equity, on the acquisition of VetOne group, a group specialising in veterinarian services.
Lacourte Raquin Tatar
Lacourte Raquin Tatar's tax team has a stellar reputation for real estate tax. It advises many leading property investment funds and developers on large asset and portfolio deals, spanning office buildings, towers, shopping malls, hospitality and logistics assets. The team also handles fund structuring work and advises on M&A and private equity deals outside the real estate sector. The highly regarded Jean-Yves Charriau co-heads the practice alongside Julien Souyeaux and David Sorel. Counsel Sophie Duboy-Maurel also contributes.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jean-Yves Charriau; Julien Souyeaux; David Sorel
Autres avocats clés:
Sophie Duboy-Maurel
Les références
‘Unparalleled expertise in real estate tax law’.
‘Jean-Yves Charriau is a key figure; David Sorel is a rising figure, in the succession of Jean-Yves’.
‘Team understands the financial stakes and is able to transcribe in a very comprehensible way the financial / tax / accounting impacts of a decision (in particular by avoiding lengthy notes but with very clear Excel tables).’
‘Jean-Yves Charriau is undoubtedly one of the best lawyers on the market in terms of real estate taxation in particular. His understanding of financial issues makes him a definite asset.’
‘Jean-Yves Charriau: quality of advice, reliability and flawless investment.’
‘Excellent knowledge of the real estate market and its practices; excellent technical skills and ability to propose innovative and creative solutions; excellent pro-activity and responsiveness; always available. For me, it is the best team on the market’.
Principaux clients
Vinci Immobilier
Allianz Group
Poste Immo (La Poste Group)
Axa
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Ivanhoé Cambridge
JP Morgan Asset Management
Korian
Aermont Capital LLP
Lasalle Investment Management
MCS & Associés
SFL
Immobel
Tishman Speyer
Quartus
Antin Infrastructure
Gulf Islamic Investments (GII)
Almaviva Santé
Clarion Partners Europe
Prologis
Viparis
KKR real estate
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield on the sale of 45% of the shares in the entity owning the shopping mall Westfield Carré Sénart to Société Générale Assurances and BNP Paribas Cardif.
- Advised Covéa and AEW on the setting-up of a French specialised financing vehicle with sub-funds, dedicated to Covéa entities and managed by AEW.
- Advised Compagnie des Alpes on the negotiation and execution of an offer relating to the acquisition by Compagnie des Alpes of 85% of the shares of MMV SAS, holding of the MMV group.
McDermott Will & Emery AARPI
McDermott Will & Emery AARPI has a good-sized team. The tax team has a strong transactional practice and also provides strategic advice to multinationals and private clients, often in an international environment. The tax team is also increasingly advising on large M&A and private equity deals, often working alongside the firm’s corporate team. The team also handles litigation work for major international and domestic clients. The practice is led by Antoine Vergnat and includes Romain Desmonts, who was promoted to partner in early 2023, and counsel Côme de Saint Vincent.
Responsables de la pratique:
Autres avocats clés:
Les références
‘Very good team for translating US tax complexities into French issues. Reactive and efficient.’
Principaux clients
Colisée
Vivalto Santé
Ardian
Raise
Idemia
Andera Partners
Five Arrows Principal Investment (FAPI)
Campari Group
IK Partners
Fabernovel
MML Capital Partners
Amundi Private Equity Funds
Vallourec
Eurazeo
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Colisée, 4th largest nursing home group in France, on the acquisition of the SGMR nursing home group, operating under the tradename “Les Opalines”.
- Advising Ardian, through its fund Ardian Expansion V, on its acquisition of Group RG.
- Advising Campari group on the acquisition of Baron Philippe de Rotschild Distribution and of Lallier.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright's team is regularly entrusted by leading investment funds and financial institutions, as well as several large companies seeking high-level advice. The team works on complex issues, providing strategic advice to private equity funds and family offices on tax structuring, management incentives and carried interest matters. It also advises on corporate and complex asset transactions, notably in the energy and aviation sectors, and has particular expertise advising insurance companies on tax risks associated with transactions. Antoine Colonna d’Istria heads the team. Associate Mathieu Jung also contributes.
Responsables de la pratique:
Antoine Colonna d’Istria
Autres avocats clés:
Mathieu Jung
Les références
‘Very knowledgeable and a true trusted adviser.’
‘Antoine Colonna D’Istria is our first choice adviser in France who provides clear advice, straight to the point.’
Principaux clients
TotalEnergies SE
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co
Natixis
Major French banks (Société Générale, BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole)
123 IM/Sandaya
Elopak
Icen Risk
Principaux dossiers
- Advising French energy company TotalEnergies SE on a synthetic infrastructure agreement with Global Infrastructure Partners in connection with its 27.5 per cent interest in the Gladstone LNG Project in Queensland.
- Advised Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co on the structuring of its new French investment as well as on the day-to-day management of several portfolios.
- Advising Norwegian group Elopak, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carton food packaging, on the acquisition of 100% of Naturepak Beverage Packaging.
Orrick
Orrick's tax team regularly advises major US and French companies on M&A and internal reorganisation issues. The firm has a strong presence in the IT and infrastructure sectors. It assists a number of US, French and European unicorns and startups with M&A, fundraising and restructuring deals notably through Anne-Sophie Kerfant. Also active in the field of transactional tax, Jessie Gaston advises on M&A and private equity transactions. She also has specific expertise advising insurers on insuring tax risks, recently advising on a highly strategic energy transaction. The tax team is also noted for its litigation expertise which is increasingly sought out by leading French corporations to assist with strategic tax audit and litigation through practice head Laurent Olléon.
Responsables de la pratique:
Laurent Olléon
Autres avocats clés:
Anne-Sophie Kerfant; Jessie Gaston
Les références
‘Strong litigation skills.’
‘The team is very diligent and keeps the deal moving forward while making sure details are not missed.’
‘Engaged, informed, efficient, responsible advice.’
‘Jessie Gaston – eminently qualified, disciplined, client-oriented, spirited and insightful.’
‘An extremely professional and competent team, which proposes clear, efficient and innovative solutions’.
‘The tax team and in particular Anne-Sophie Kerfant excels in the fields of venture capital and fundraising, in line with the firm’s thriving corporate practice in that area.’
‘The team has a very strong knowledge of the local tax regulations and a very good understanding of the IT sector as well.’
‘Anne-Sophie Kerfant has the ability to understand very quickly customers’ needs and she makes her best effort to meet very tight deadlines. We work very closely with her and we strongly recommend her. She is very professional.’
Principaux clients
3i European Operation Projects Fund
AIG Europe
Akiem
Alan
Anaplan
Axa-REIM France
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
BNP Paribas
BPCE Group
BT Group
Cajoo Technology SAS
Carrefour
Cisco Systems
Claranova
Danone
Dassault Systèmes
Dataiku
DIF
Engie
Equinix Hyperscale 1 Holdings BV
Groupe Vendome
Hachette Livre
JCDecaux
L’Oréal
LVMH
Maybourne Hotels Group
Natixis
Pasqual
Renault
RTE
Sellsy
SIACI Saint Honoré
SNCF
Société Générale
Sorare
Tenergie
Tokio Marine hcc
Veolia Environnement
Vivendi
Wildenstein
Principaux dossiers
- Advised L’Oréal on the tax aspects of its € 8.9 billion strategic transaction by Nestlé.
- Advising Ardian Infrastructure, in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in GreenYellow.
- Assisting BNP Paribas with their major VAT and corporate income tax disputes.
Paul Hastings LLP
Paul Hastings LLP has excellent capabilities in the field of LBO and private equity. The tax team, which often combines forces with its M&A counterparts, assists a prominent client base of French and international investment funds with the structuring of mid to large-cap private equity transactions, areas where Allard de Waal and of counsel Thomas Pulcini are particularly strong. Bruno Leroy and of counsel Damien Fenard provide strong complementary general tax advice to corporations and companies' management, spanning tax reorganisation, R&D, transfer pricing, transactional work, tax audit and litigation.
Responsables de la pratique:
Bruno Leroy; Allard de Waal
Autres avocats clés:
Thomas Pulcini; Damien Fenard
Les références
‘Very competent and available team’.
‘Allard de Waal and Thomas Pulcini are extremely competent, “solution-driven” and always very available. Very very good united and efficient team’.
Principaux clients
Red Bull France
GGB
A2MAC1
Everaxis
Technetics
Leone Kapital and i-Kapital
Fairbanks Morse
Peters Surgical
Jifmar Offshore Services
Groupe Sterne
Bpifrance
Amundi Private Equity Funds
Socadif
Ardian Expansion
Tikehau Investment Management
Astorg
EQT
Cerba Healthcare
Equistone Partners Europe
Keensight Capital
Andera Partners
Siparex
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Shearman & Sterling LLP’s tax team has excellent transactional tax expertise. The group often assists its Parisian and international corporate and finance counterparts with the handling of tax aspects of deals. It regularly advises leading French banks on their strategic tax M&A and corporate work, as well as leading companies and investment funds on their domestic or cross-border transactions. The tax team also has strong knowledge advising banks on large French, European and US bond issuances. Practice head Niels Dejean is a strong name in the field, with counsel Anne-Sophie Maes and associate Charles Filleux-Pommerol being two other key members, regularly playing a lead part in key transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Niels Dejean
Autres avocats clés:
Anne-Sophie Maes; Charles Filleux-Pommerol
Les références
‘Very technical team and on the ball. Very good knowledge of the files.’
‘The team can intervene in different areas of taxation, with a complete analysis of a subject (legal, accounting, French and European case law). The technical analysis is very sharp compared to other firms.’
‘The lawyers in charge of the file (Niels Dejean, Benjamin Lambert and Anne-Sopgie Maes) have a very specialized profile in taxation and a great capacity for analysis in various issues.’
Principaux clients
Schneider Electric
Bpifrance
Mubadala
ICG
Trail
Société Générale
Altice
BNPP
Florac
LBO France
Simmons & Simmons
Simmons & Simmons is noted for its excellent expertise in the fields of real estate tax and fund formation. The tax team, working hand-in-hand with the fund formation practice, assists with the structuring and fundraising of large cap funds alongside top asset management firms. It handles tax matters relating to sectors including energy, infrastructure, real estate, environment and urban development. Additionally, the tax team also advises leading real estate funds on large asset and portfolio transactions, including offices, logistics and hospitality assets. Practice head Chloë Nessim and senior associate Jérémie Yéni are the key names.
Responsables de la pratique:
Chloë Nessim
Autres avocats clés:
Jérémie Yéni
Les références
‘The tax team in Paris combines an undeniably high level of expertise and has the humility required to be able to say “this is new, we need to look into it”. The team is also good at thinking out of the box, at imagining potential solutions and, more recently, has shown a genuine willingness to co-construct solutions in collaboration with other specialized firms in France and the UK.’
‘A very pragmatic approach, a desire to fully understand business/technical needs and constraints before providing a tax response and great flexibility.’
‘Chloë Nessim and Jérémie Yéni are flexible and close to business issues.’
Principaux clients
Valor Real Estate Partners
Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity
Infravia Capital Partners
Meridiam
RGreen Invest
Quaero Capital
Generali Global Infrastructure
Mark
Assembly
Weinberg Capital Partner
Morgan Stanley
Goldman Sachs
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Union Investment on the acquisition of a property located at 59 Boulevard Haussmann (Paris 8th).
- Advised MARK on the sale of the shares of the company owning the Pershing Hall building, a property located 49 Pierre Charron street (Paris 8th).
- Advised Valor Real Estate Partner on the sale of a pan-European real estate portfolio for circa €1 billion.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP's Thomas Perrot provides key support to the firm’s M&A practice. The tax team often advises on the structuring of complex large transactions, often cross-border ones or with strong US components. It advises prominent French corporations, as well as investment funds and international clients.
Responsables de la pratique:
Thomas Perrot
Les références
‘Thomas Perrot is a reference on the French market, and has an incomparable and recognized expertise in tax law, particularly applied to bond financing. He benefits from solid transactional skills and knows how to best navigate the complexities of a deal.’
‘Very international team, specialized in American operations.’
‘Thomas Perrot is a highly competent professional on American tax matters.’
Principaux clients
Acofi
Air France-KLM
Axa XL
Axian Group
Capgemini
Coty Inc
Criteo SA
Daimler-Mercedez Benz AG
F.I.L.A. Fabbrica Italiana Lapis ed Affini S.p.A.
Financière Lhoist France SAS
Haivision Systems Inc
Iliad
L’Occitane International SA
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.E.
Perella Weinberg Partners (PWP)
Pfizer
Silver Lake Partners
Sodelho
Willis Towers Watson plc
Principaux dossiers
- Representing Air France-KLM in connection with a definitive agreement entered into with Apollo Global Management, whereby Apollo-managed funds and entities will make a €500 million investment into an ad hoc operating affiliate of Air France that will own a pool of spare engines dedicated to the airline’s Engineering and Maintenance activities.
- Advising Pfizer Inc. in connection with an equity investment by Pfizer in Valneva SE, a French speciality vaccine biotech listed on Euronext Paris and on Nasdaq.
- Advised Perella Weinberg Partners LP on its merger with FinTech Acquisition Corp. IV at an enterprise value of $975 million.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has high-level capabilities in the field of private equity. The tax team, which works in close combination with the corporate department, advises many leading private equity funds on large-cap to jumbo LBOs. It also assists growth capital funds and sometimes acts for the company or management in deals. The tax practice also regularly handles large M&A transactions, including recently advising on a strategic deal in the energy sector. Edouard de Lamy is in charge.
Responsables de la pratique:
Edouard de Lamy
Les références
‘Responsive, flexible, creative and up to date with the latest market trends’.
‘Very high quality team, who consistently provides commercial, practical and market leading advice under high pressure circumstances. Not cheap, but if you are willing to pay for their service they will give you top-notch legal advice.’
‘They are very pragmatic and easy to deal with. No long essay emails, they know us well and what matters to us.’
Principaux clients
Montagu Private Equity
Eurazeo
Groupe Casino
Altarea
Groupe Paprec
Adagia Capital Europe
Clayton Dubillier & Rice
Icon Infrastructure
Infravia
3i
Capza Expansion
Providence Strategic Growth
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Montagu Private Equity and a consortium of investors comprising Partners Group, Téthys Invest and BPI for purposes of the tax structuring of the acquisition of HTL from Bridgepoint.
- Advised Casino on the tax aspects of the sale of its stake in Floa Bank to BNP Paribas.
- Advised Groupe Cerba and its management in the context of the investment of EQT into the group.
White & Case LLP
White & Case LLP's tax team provides key support to the firm’s corporate practice, where it advises on large M&A and private equity deals. The tax team is also in high demand in the capital markets and banking fields. It recently worked on complex transactions, including advising on Europe’s largest de-SPAC deal in the entertainment sector and on large IPOs. The tax practice also works with the restructuring and real estate departments and is increasingly involved alongside investors regarding investments made in tech companies. The practice is co-headed by Alexandre Ippolito and Estelle Philippi.
Responsables de la pratique:
Alexandre Ippolito; Estelle Philippi
Les références
Principaux clients
Forvia Faurecia
Gapave
Angelo Gordon
Liberty Global
Mérieux
Ebro Foods
Bpifrance
Korian
DEE Tech
Accor Acquisition Company
EPSA
Goldman Sachs
Believe
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Cube Infrastructure
Peugeot Frères Industrie
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Pegasus Entrepreneurs and its sponsors Tikehau Capital, Financière Agache, CEO Pierre Cuilleret, Jean-Pierre Mustier and Diego De Giorgi on its de-SPACing with FL Entertainment.
- Advising Forvia Faurecia on the acquisition of HELLA through a tender offer.
- Advising Eurazeo in connection with its investment in the Sevetys Group, one of the largest groups of veterinary clinics in France.
Arkwood SCP
Arkwood SCP has established itself as a key destination in the wealth management space and is routinely retained by multinational family controlled groups, entrepreneurs, investment funds, insurance companies, and ultra-high net worth families and individuals. The team often works in a very international context and assists clients in relation to estate planning, including assisting with litigation issues, wealth management, succession and corporate matters. The practice also regularly assists wealth insurance groups with the structuring of their tax products. Practice head Stéphanie Auféril, Marine Dupas, Michaël Khayat, Julien Riahi and Arnaud Tailfer are noted.
Responsables de la pratique:
Stéphanie Auféril
Autres avocats clés:
Marine Dupas; Michaël Khayat; Julien Riahi; Arnaud Tailfer
Les références
‘The Arkwood team is of exceptional quality. Each partner demonstrates exceptional competence combined with notable commercial qualities.’
‘Stéphanie Auféril is a brilliant lawyer with exceptional skills. The relationship she maintains with her clients attests to her exceptional personal qualities. It combines expertise and teaching, a decisive point for clients.’
‘Availability, efficiency, great friendliness, competitive pricing, very good communicators and teachers’
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the French founders of a unicorn valued at $3 billion sold to a US company.
- Advised a French family group valued at €200 million on implementing a new governance model that involves a transfer of ownership to the next generation.
- Advised a Saudi billionaire on a corporate restructuring involving Switzerland and Italy to benefit from the advantages of the bilateral tax treaty on his real estate investments.
Ashurst LLP
Ashurst LLP's compact tax team shows a good range of coverage in the field of transactional tax. Acting alongside the corporate and finance departments, the team assists managers and investment funds with the structuring of their investments, while also being active advising lenders and borrowers on the financing of their transactions. The team also has a strong know-how in real estate tax. It recently advised on large asset and portfolio transactions, notably in the logistics sector, while also providing tax advice in relation to several of France’s offshore wind projects. Emmanuelle Pontnau-Faure heads the team.
Responsables de la pratique:
Emmanuelle Pontnau-Faure
Les références
‘Great proof of ingenuity and availability.’
‘Emmanuelle Pontnau-Faure Lawyer is very available and shows great ingenuity in her responses to the tax authorities.’
‘Team’s great experience and track record are the most important factors to know.’
Principaux clients
Permira
Bpifrance
CEIDF Mezzanine
Schelcher Prince Gestion
CEHDF Mezzanine
Arcmont Asset Management
Klee Group
Mastern and La Française REM
The managers of the Chryso Group
A consortium of major international sponsors
AFV Acciaierie Beltrame S.P.A.
Sevetys (Vet Dev Group)
Oaktree Capital Management
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the mezzanine lenders consisting of CEIDF Mezzanine, Schelcher Prince Gestion, CEHDF Mezzanine and Arcmont Asset Management on the tax aspects of the financing of the acquisition of Atlas for Men by Motion Equity Partners from Latour Capital.
- Advised the shareholders of Klee Group in the context of the minority investment by an LBO fund called MBO & Co, in the Service branch of Klee Group.
- Advised La Française REM on behalf of Korean investors on the tax aspects of the acquisition and of the financing of a French logistics portfolio composed of 9 last mile logistics buildings rented to Amazon.
AYACHE
AYACHE's team combines expertise in transactional tax and private client matters. In the first area, Bruno Erard and counsel Laurent Bibaut assist large and mid-cap private equity funds with their LBO and investment in SMID-cap transactions. They also advise companies and the management. Jacques Messeca has a strong presence in the football area, where he notably assists top footballers with managing their tax issues. He also advises non-sporting private clients on their various wealth management, tax investments and tax audit issues.
Responsables de la pratique:
Bruno Erard; Jacques Messeca
Autres avocats clés:
Laurent Bibaut
Les références
‘The team works in close collaboration with the other departments of the firm, which facilitates the processing of matters. This is an asset to meet customer expectations.’
‘Great use of information technology to communicate and manage remotely.’
‘Perfect knowledge of real estate estate taxation. Great responsiveness and strong work abilities. Precise and relevant argumentation. Quality of writing. Great listening skills.’
Principaux clients
ICG
EDF
Chausson Matériaux
HOLDER Groupe Ladurée
Groupe Premium
FCDE
ISAI
SAGARD & SAGARD New Gen
TOWERBROOK
La Foir’Fouille
CAPZA
WATERLAND
Dior
Principaux dossiers
- Advised CAPZA in the context of its acquisition (LBO) of Wifirst.
- Advised Towerbrook in connection with the tax structuring of their acquisition of Uperio.
- Advised SAGARD in the context of the minority acquisition of Audensiel.
BDGS Associés
Headed by Guillaume Jolly, BDGS Associés’ tax team has strong ability in the field of tax M&A and private equity. Acting alongside the corporate department, the tax practice assists a prominent client base of French companies and international investment funds with the structuring of large public or private M&A transactions. It recently advised on several prominent deals in the French and Spanish energy market.
Responsables de la pratique:
Guillaume Jolly
Les références
‘Beyond his very specialized knowledge of tax matters, Guillaume Jolly is very pragmatic, innovative and adapts to the constraints of our group. He is also very responsive. He always has the will to bring an operation to a successful conclusion, whatever the constraints.’
‘Experienced and practice-oriented team with good knowledge of current and intended tax trends especially for management-led PE transactions.’
‘Ability to find an excellent compromise between challenges and solutions; a competent team available and efficient; great quality of proposals/negotiating positions that are innovative, strategically relevant and truly expand the options available.’
‘Great availability and clear and justified answers.’
‘The responsiveness as well as the skills of the teams is greatly appreciated.’
‘It is a real pleasure to work with Guillaume Joly.’
Principaux clients
Crédit Agricole Assurances (Predica)
McArthurGlen
Opengate Capital
French State / Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
Engie
EIM Capital
Principaux dossiers
- Advising CDC on the acquisition by a consortium composed of Meridiam, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and Groupe CDC (CDC and its subsidiary CNP Assurances) of strategic assets from Veolia and Suez in the context of Veolia’s public offer for Suez.
- Advising Engie on the sale of the Equans group, which is specialised in multi-technical solutions, to the Bouygues group.
- Advising Crédit Agricole Assurances group (CAA) as reference shareholder of Société Foncière Lyonnaise (SFL), listed on Euronext Paris, on a transaction on SFL’s share capital consisting in the filing by Inmobiliaria Colonial (Colonial), listed on the Madrid and Barcelona stock exchanges and majority shareholder of SFL, of a mixed public offer for SFL.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is highly respected in the field of real estate tax, where it has extensive experience. The tax team often advises leading property investors on large office, residential or logistic deals, where it acts on a stand-alone basis or alongside the firm’s real estate practice. The team also regularly handles M&A tax work for real estate clients, and has also recently advised on a number of renewables energy corporate and fundraising transactions. Christine Daric and Olivier Mesmin are in charge.
Responsables de la pratique:
Christine Daric; Olivier Mesmin
Les références
‘Partners are excellent and proactive.’
‘This team is particularly competent and provides high-quality advice.’
‘Olivier Mesmin has been advising our company very effectively for many years and we have complete confidence in him.’
Principaux clients
CDC Habitat
SEGRO
HIG
Schroders
Whiteberry Partners
TRS
RevCap
Rgreen
Capital Croissance
GCI
Principaux dossiers
- Advised CDC Habitat on all the French tax aspects of its divestment to CNP Assurances of 85 per cent of the Lamartine fund, managed by Ampère Gestion.
- Advised SEGRO on the acquisition of several logistics assets located in Paris and Marseille.
- Advised HIG regarding the sale by SCI Flemming Babylon of one of the biggest properties located in Lyon to a subsidiary of Principal Real Estate.
Cazals Manzo Pichot AARPI
Tax boutique Cazals Manzo Pichot AARPI handles a wide range of tax issues but is particularly active in the transactional tax area and also has a strong presence in the private equity sphere among managers, CEOs and target companies. It recently advised on a record venture capital deal and regularly assists the management with mid- to large-cap transactions. The team also assists companies with their M&A deals and tax restructuring. Real estate tax and tax litigation and audits are other strong areas of expertise. Thomas Cazals, Maxence Manzo, Romain Pichot, Bertrand de Saint Quentin, Pierre Ullmann and Xavier Colard are the practice heads. Virginie Aïdan left the firm.
Responsables de la pratique:
Thomas Cazals; Maxence Manzo; Romain Pichot; Bertrand de Saint Quentin; Pierre Ullmann; Xavier Colard
Les références
‘Great responsiveness, technique and reliability. The team has experts on all tax topics, particularly in transactional taxation and management incentive packages.’
‘Bertrand de Saint Quentin has extensive expertise in private equity. He combines in-depth technical knowledge with a business sensitivity, making him indispensable for his clients.’
‘Strong technique. Great commitment from partners and associates. Good listening to customers and their expectations. Reactivity and creativity.’
Principaux clients
Qonto
Comdata Group
Groupe Arnault
Recocash
Safic Alcan
Andera Partners
Biose Industrie
Flowbird
Fiducial
Thalgo Cosmetics
La Poste
AIG
Blackstone
Carlyle
CMA-CGM
Picture Asset Management
LFPI
Rakuten
Kamet Ventures
Ayor
Abiomed
Autodisribution
Mata Capital
Ardian
Intellia Therapeutics
Hopper Inc.
Omnes
Trèves
Serris
Budget Insight
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Qonto on his record fundraising.
- Advising the CEO and the management team of Flowbird on the purchase of the company by investment fund Searchlight Capital Partners.
- Advising the CEO and the management team of Comdata on his association with Konecta.
Cohen & Gresser LLP
At Cohen & Gresser LLP, Franck Le Mentec's practice focuses on managing international tax issues on behalf of companies, private clients and families. The practice is defending a major financial company in a high-profile tax evasion case. It has also been busy recently handling private client litigation.
Responsables de la pratique:
Franck Le Mentec
Principaux clients
William Brad Pitt
UBS AG
Impala Group
FORACO
Owkin Group
Apple Tree Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advising UBS AG on the tax aspects of its appeal against the decision rendered by the French criminal court in February 2019 that applied a fine of EUR 4.5 billion to UBS AG for money laundering related to tax evasion.
- Advising TP Ferro Concesionaria SA in the context of an arbitration led against both the French Republic and the Kingdom of Spain.
- Advising Brad Pitt on all the corporate and tax aspects of his French assets.
Delaby Dorison Avocats
Boutique tax firm Delaby Dorison Avocats has a solid practice in the private equity field. The team has particularly strong know-how advising companies' management on management incentives packages, notably in the context of mid and large private equity transactions. It is also retained by major investment funds and companies to assist with the tax structuring and due diligence aspects of transactions; Emmanuel Delaby is the key contact here. Sophie Dorison has expertise in the field of wealth management.
Responsables de la pratique:
Emmanuel Delaby; Sophie Dorison
Principaux clients
Ardian
Credit Mutuel
Galileo Global Education
Abenex
Groupe Bernard Hayot
Flowbird
Motion Equity Partners
LFPI
Tiama
Siblu
Bertin
Destaing Participations
Alixio
Dentons
Dentons' team grew in 2022 following the arrival Laurence Clot from Bird & Bird, who has expertise acting for insurance and mutual insurance companies with tax corporate and tax specific issues and also has good knowledge of IP tax issues, as well as the promotions of Jérôme Le Berre to the partnership and Fabrice Korenbeusser to counsel. The tax team is able to cover a wide range of issues, spanning litigation, transfer pricing and transactional tax. The team assists a prominent client base in the field of luxury goods, notably with sensitive transfer pricing matters. The practice also has solid transactional corporate and real estate tax expertise. It was recently involved in the structuring of a high-profile public M&A deal and frequently operates with its global colleagues on cross-border matters. Practice head Gianluca Calisti, Sandra Hazan and Julien Le Guyader are key names.
Responsables de la pratique:
Gianluca Calisti
Autres avocats clés:
Sandra Hazan; Jérôme Le Berre; Julien Le Guyader; Laurence Clot
Les références
‘Solid, competent, good strategy, combative’.
‘Sandra Hazan has great experience and shows strong availability and knowledge of international aspects.’
‘Competence, proximity, availability, experience’.
Principaux clients
AIG
Boston Scientific
Celplast
ITM Entreprises
Katara Hospitality
KKR
Kyowa Kirin Pharma
Laboratoires Théa
Maybourne Hotels Group
Veolia Environnement SA
Principaux dossiers
- Advised H.A.C. Pharma in connection with the tax aspects of the acquisition of a minority stake in H.A.C. Pharma by Turenne Santé and BNP Paribas Développement.
- Advised Lighthouse Capital Management (and its joint venture partner, Resilient REIT, a listed South-African REIT) in connection with the tax structuring of the acquisition of a portfolio of shopping malls in France from Wereldhave N.V.
- Advised CityVision B.V. in connection with the implementation of a cross-border reverse merger.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
At Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Bruno Knadjian has a great capacity to deal with a wide range of matters. The practice provides key support to the firm’s transactional M&A and debt capital markets departments. The tax team recently worked on major domestic transactions in the banking, renewable energy and telecoms infrastructure sectors. It was also involved in some large DCM transactions. In addition, the tax team has excellent tax real estate expertise and also handles work related to Africa, notably contentious matters in the oil and gas sectors.
Responsables de la pratique:
Bruno Knadjian
Les références
‘Pragmatic, efficient, very professional team.’
‘Practical. High availability’.
‘The team is practical.’
Principaux clients
AFD Technologies/Hartwood
Amarenco
Air Liquide
Altran Technologies
Boluda
CDS Group
Cellnex Telecom
EssilorLuxottica
Gras Savoye Willis Towers Watson
Green Investment Group
Groupe SEB
La Française Real Estate
MCA Group
Oracle France
SAMSIC
SOS Oxygen
Stago
Teleperformance
EasyJet
Principaux dossiers
- Advised BNP Paribas on its acquisition of Floa Bank and its long-term commercial partnership with Casino and Cdiscount.
- Advised Korian on the conclusion of a long-term real estate investment agreement with several BAE Systems Pension Funds.
- Advised SoftBank Robotics Group Corp. (SBRG) on the sale of its French subsidiary SoftBank Robotics Europe (SBRE).
Jeantet
Jeantet has a solid tax team, which notably advises major investment funds on the structuring of tax M&A and private equity transactions. The tax practice, which often works alongside the corporate team, recently provided advice on deals in relating to insurance, streaming services and aviation. The tax team also assists companies and asset management firms with tax restructuring work and litigation. Jacques-Henry de Bourmont is the practice head. Counsel Gabriel di Chiara is also a key member.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jacques-Henry de Bourmont
Autres avocats clés:
Gabriel di Chiara; François-Xavier Simeoni
Les références
‘The tax and corporate teams work very close; correct advice.’
‘Gabriel di Chiara and François-Xavier Simeoni are always available to discuss any tax matter, and provide valuable advice.’
‘They are very well known on the market.’
‘Preparation. Speed. Availability.’
‘Strong team across the board, especially in tax.’
‘Gabriel di Chiara is fantastic : responsive, technically accurate and delivered clear advice.’
Principaux clients
OTTO GROUP
GENERALI
NATIXIS
INVESCO REAL ESTATE
KINGFISHER
BEY MEDIAS
Metropolitan Filmexport
Jeausserand Audouard
Jeausserand Audouard combines personal and corporate tax expertise. The firm excels at advising the management of companies on private equity, M&A and capital markets transactions. The team handles a high amount of work and has recently advised on the tax aspects of several LBO transactions. It was also recently involved in a major IPO alongside the management of a company. The practice is co-headed by Jérémie Jeausserand, Tristan Audouard, Pascal Gour and Carole Furst, as well as Sarah Espasa-Mattei, who focuses on tax litigation where she represents leading corporations and banks.
Responsables de la pratique:
Tristan Audouard; Jérémie Jeausserand; Pascal Gour; Carole Furst; Sarah Espasa-Mattei
Les références
‘Highly committed and available.’
Principaux clients
ALMAVIVA SANTE
WOONOZ
ARTEFACT
TVH CONSULTING
MARLINK
VALGO
CARAT CAPITAL
KEM ONE
NOVASEP
IMMR
LABORATOIRES AUDEVARD
OVHCLOUD
FONCIA
CROMOLOGY
FORSEE POWER
ALLIANCE MARINE
BOUYGUES GROUPE
AUTOFORM
POSSIBLE FUTURE (EX FRENCH BUREAU)
STOKOMANI
SYNACKTIV
ALLIANCE ELECTRONICS
GROUPE ORYX (PROPRIETES-PRIVEES)
ETANCO
CULTURESPACES
LV OVERSEAS
SITES
SOFIA DEVELOPPEMENT
ONDURA (ONDULINE, ALWITRA, CB)
GSF
BASERRIA (MAISON LARTIGUE & FILS)
L’ECOLE FRANCAISE
LEETCHI.COM (MANGOPAY)
HORIZON SOFTWARE
GROUPE THOIRY
LATECOERE
ALBIOMA
QUBIT PARMACEUTICALS
HAVEA GROUP
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the Klaba family, founders of the OVHcloud group, Europe’s leading provider of cloud computing services, on the company’s admission to the regulated market of Euronext Paris.
- Advising the management of Foncia, a leading residential real estate services group, on the sale of a minority stake by Partners Group.
- Assisting the management of the GSF group, one of the French leaders in cleaning and hygiene, in the context of an LBO with Towerbrook.
Jones Day
Jones Day's tax team handles a whole range of transactional tax matters. The team particularly stands out for its ability to assist startups and internet companies with their growth transactions. The practice also advises several leading French and European companies on tax transactional issues, including M&A. It worked recently on the carve out of an activity pertaining to a major pharmaceutical company. The tax team also has expertise in the field of energy and real estate transactions, and also regularly advises on fund structuring and financing work. Emmanuel de La Rochethulon and Nicolas André are the practice heads.
Responsables de la pratique:
Emmanuel de La Rochethulon; Nicolas André
Les références
‘The French tax practice is very reliable, both on general tax matters and specific issues faced by a fast-growing tech company. They always provide on-point and business oriented advice. The Paris tax practice can also be trusted with equity incentives and executive compensation matters, and they work seamlessly with their colleagues to make sure that all relevant points are addressed as efficiently as possible.’
‘The integration of the Paris tax practice with the other practices (capital markets, corporate, compliance, labor) is truly impressive. Their internal collaborative approach means that they are up-to-date.’
‘Nicolas André is becoming the go-to lawyer for fast-growing tech companies Recommandations on corporate structuring matters are always very clear and helpful. When discussing with Nicolas and his team, you feel that they always know how to find the right balance between technical advice and business strategy.’
Principaux clients
Tikehau Investment Management
EDF
TotalEnergies
Armor
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ)
Sanofi
ACV Auctions
Swile
Deezer
Nanobiotix
Pigment
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Tikehau Investment Management on the fundraising of T2 Energy Transition Fund and its co-investment vehicles dedicated to energy transition.
- Advising EDF on the acquisition of a minority stake in a real estate holding in France.
- Advised Armor on the acquisition and financing of International Imaging Materials.
King & Spalding LLP
Led by Aurélia De Viry, King & Spalding LLP's practice has a strong focus on stand-alone tax matters, covering real estate, investment funds and litigation. The team advises companies, family offices and investment funds. The team also provides support to the firm’s corporate practice. Of particular note is the arrival of a second partner in Olivier Goldstein, who joined from Reinhart Marville Torre at the end of 2022.
Responsables de la pratique:
Aurelia de Viry
Autres avocats clés:
Olivier Goldstein
Les références
‘Aurélia de Viry provides prompt and excellent advice, often working late into the evening. She is very knowledgeable regarding French tax law and gives sound practical advice.’
‘Very sharp skills and very aware of new developments.’
‘Aurélia de Viry is a very dynamic lawyer, very “creative” in the search for solutions.’
Principaux clients
Neotys
France Galop
Sidetrade
DALET
McPhy
EODEN
Banque Mirabeau
ENVEA
Fermentalg
Alex Gambal
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB) and Société Générale (Gilbert Dupont) on Acticor’s IPO.
- Advised Banque Mirabaud Luxembourg on the structuring of an investment fund named “Grand Paris”.
KPMG Avocats, France
KPMG Avocats, France is able to draw on a sizeable team in France to advise on transactional tax, international tax, R&D tax, VAT and indirect tax, customs and international trade, mobility and transfer pricing. The practice is regularly retained by large companies and investment funds to conduct tax due diligence on large transactions. The tax practice also advises companies and investors on the tax structuring of deals. Mustapha Oussedrat and Christophe Bergerot are the practice co-heads. Other key names are Sophie Fournier-Dedoyard, Mathieu Gautier, Xavier Houard and Jérome Talleux for transactional and corporate tax. Also recommended is Stéphane Chasseloup, who is an expert in customs law issues. Delphine Capelli and Anne-Laure Benoist were promoted to the partnership in 2022.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mustapha Oussedrat; Christophe Bergerot
Autres avocats clés:
Sophie Fournier-Dedoyard; Mathieu Gautier; Xavier Houard; Jérome Talleux; Stéphane Chasseloup
Les références
‘Good custom tax team.’
‘Stéphane Chasseloup is open-minded, understands the business corporation environment, and is fluent in English.’
Principaux clients
ICG
CNP Assurances
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
Cerba Healthcare
Bouygues
Wendel
Vivalto Partners
KKR
Croix Rouge Française
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) on the acquisition of Bolloré Africa Logistics.
- Advised Bouygues on the €7.1bn acquisition of Equans.
- Advised Wendel on the €907m sale of Cromology.
LPA-CGR avocats
LPA-CGR avocats has a sizeable team which routinely handles tax transactional matters. The group has expertise in the field of tax real estate, where it advises investors on the market’s largest transactions alongside the firm’s real estate practice. The team also has a considerable work stream advising on mid-cap transactions in the field of renewables and healthcare. Additionally, the team also handles tax controversy and litigation work, and also advises on mobility and management incentives package deals, often in an international context. The team is headed by Mathieu Selva-Roudon and includes Sandra Fernandes, who is a reference in the field of tax property, Bertrand Galvez and Martine Blanck-Dap, who leads a strong private client practice.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mathieu Selva-Roudon
Autres avocats clés:
Sandra Fernandes; Bertrand Galvez; Martine Blanck-Dap
Les références
‘Sandra Fernandes: availability, business oriented, very good knowledge and understanding of stakes. Always looks for solution.’
‘Strong competence of the tax department. Great ability to explain the ins and outs.’
‘Strong expertise.’
Principaux clients
AVANTAGE COURTAGE
ELO AUDIO
IMPACT FIELD MARKETING GROUP
SYMRISE
LABORATOIRES DELBERT
MITEM PHARMA
ORANO
BANQUE DES TERRITOIRES
CORSICA SOLE
GINKGO
Opleo Avocats
Opleo Avocats is a popular choice for companies’ management undertaking large LBO transactions. The firm is retained to advise on major transactions in this space and recently assisted the management with a major IPO. Additionally, the team also has expertise in managing sensitive tax litigation regarding managers’ tax incentives packages. The team combines corporate and personal tax advice expertise and also advises private clients on tax planning. The practice is co-headed by Pierre-Olivier BERNARD and Aude CHARTIER.
Responsables de la pratique:
Pierre-Olivier Bernard; Aude Chartier
Les références
‘Seriousness, professionalism and responsiveness.’
‘A relationship of trust.’
Racine
Racine has a very solid team, able to handle a wide range of matters. The practice, which combines personal and corporate tax expertise, routinely assists founders, individual shareholders and companies' management, as well as companies and investment funds. The tax team recently completed cutting-edge work in the field of SPACs; advising on the creation and IPO listing of several SPACs, and more recently on de-SPAC deals by way of a merger. The tax team also handles M&A and private equity tax work. It is also recognised for its real estate tax expertise. The practice is co-headed by Fabrice Rymarz, Xavier Rollet and public law professor Marc Pelletier, who joined in 2022 from Frenkel & Associés to handle tax litigation work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Xavier Rollet; Fabrice Rymarz; Marc Pelletier
Les références
‘Constant delivery of high performance work throughout the whole process even in complex and intense matters’.
‘High level of services’.
‘High commitment, dedication, profound knowledge and experienced team members’.
‘High technical skills, ability to find concrete solutions and manage very complex files, sense of customer service.’
‘Very diligent, collaborative and responsive team.’
Principaux clients
Weinberg Capital Partners
Bain Capital Credit
ARA Europe
G.A.C. Group.
Tristan Capital Partners
Braxton Asset Management
SFO Capital Partners
SPAC I2PO
SPAC 2MX ORGANIC
Airmob Group
Hemisphere
Blackfire.io
Principaux dossiers
- Advised I2PO on its merger by absorption of Deezer, a global music streaming platform.
- Advised Weinberg Capital Partners on the acquisition of the office building located at 22 rue Bayen in the 17th arrondissement of Paris.
- Advised the founder and the management in connection with the reorganisation of the capital of G.A.C. Group.
Scotto Partners
Scotto Partners excels at advising companies' management on the structuring of their managers' incentive tax packages during large LBO and corporate transactions undertaken by leading investment funds. The tax team works on the largest transactions in that area. It also advises companies' management on the tax restructuring of incentive packages. Jérôme Commerçon heads the team.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jérôme Commerçon
Les références
‘Jérôme Commerçon’s tax team is well organized and supports well management teams.’
‘Jérôme Commerçon is an excellent technician who demonstrates great pragmatism, which allows transactions to progress serenely.’
Principaux clients
Greenyellow
Imerys HTS
Arkopharma
Mail in Black
Linxis
Kiloutou
Lapeyre
Diot-Siaci
Adista
Wifirst
Akuo
Molotov
Minitubes
Vinventions
Agora Technologies
+Simple
Rydoo
Aquilus
ISGA
Eidosmedia
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the managers and founders of Greenyellow on the sale by Casino of its majority stake to Ardian Infrastructure.
- Advised the management team of Siaci on its purchase of Siaci.
- Advised the founder and the management team on the purchase by Capza of Amundi and BPI’s stake.
Viguié Schmidt & Associés
Viguié Schmidt & Associés' tax team works in close cooperation with the firm’s corporate department. The practice handles a good variety of transactional tax work. It advises on standard mid-cap to complex and larger M&A transactions. The group also regularly assists venture funds with their investments as well as investment funds and managers with private equity deals. Clients include French and international companies. Practice head Christel Alberti is highly regarded. She is supported by senior associate Maxence Dubois.
Responsables de la pratique:
Christel Alberti
Les références
‘Technical and reliable advice, agility and responsiveness.’
‘The team is very competent.’
‘The tax law team demonstrates a great deal of professionalism and pragmatism. The team also demonstrates great technicality and is extremely available.’
‘Christel Alberti is always available, shows great rigor and responsiveness in sometimes very urgent requests and her advice is always supported by flawless technical knowledge.’
‘Christel Alberti and Maxence Dubois form a duo of formidable competence in all areas of taxation. Christel Alberti has exceptional drafting skills.’
‘Christel Alberti, beyond her broad and undeniable technical skills, has exceptional writing skills. She is also extremely reassuring. She has an excellent ability to extract from pressures that may exist’.
‘Best value for money.’
‘Availability, clarity and great quality of advice’
Principaux clients
Alstom
Nextstage AM
Geodis
Galeries Lafayette group
Sibelco
Teneo
Caisse des dépôts et consignation
Sony Music Entertainment France
Calcium Capital
HiPay Group (listed on Euronext)
Vendis Capital
Fimalac Entertainment
Sonepar
Alter Equity
LPCR Groupe (Grandir)
LBO France
Headline (e.ventures)
Astanor
Darewise
IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)
Media Participations
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Headline (San Francisco based VC fund) in connection with its investment in SORARE.
- Advised Nexstage AM on its investment in a joint venture holding a significant stake in Eurobio Scientific, listed on Euronext Paris.
- Advised Alstom on the disposal of its Reichsoffen business to CAF.
Villey Girard Grolleaud
Villey Girard Grolleaud's Yann Grolleaud has strong ability in the field of transactional tax, working on a stand-alone basis or alongside the corporate department. The tax team assists prominent entrepreneurs, investment funds, family controlled groups and companies with M&A and private equity deals, as well as with tax restructuring and litigation work. The tax team recently advised on a prominent IPO deal in the entertainment sector and also assisted a prominent French family controlled group with a major acquisition in the US in the beauty care sector.
Responsables de la pratique:
Yann Grolleaud
Les références
‘Yann Grolleaud is excellent, especially in litigation.’
Principaux clients
Financière Lov
Asclepios Capital
Amos Holding
Abénex Capital
Stellantis
Famille C
Lov Group
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP's special European counsel Philippe Grudé works hand-in-hand with the firm’s corporate department on the tax structuring of transactions. The tax team regularly advises large private equity funds undertaking large private equity transactions. It is also proficient in an international environment and is also highly knowledgeable in the field of M&A and financing transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Philippe Grudé
Principaux clients
PAI Partners
Adagia Partners
Intermediate Capital Group
Caisse des Dépôts
InVIivo Group
Qualium Investissement
Inipex
Principaux dossiers
- Advised InVivo Group on the financing of its acquisition of Soufflet Group.
- Advised Etanco and ICG on a €725 million binding offer to acquire the group by Simpson Manufacturing.
- Advised Qualium Investissement in connection with the proposed sale of its majority stake in IMV Technologies to Montagu Private Equity and management.
August Debouzy
Responsables de la pratique:
Xavier Rohmer; Philippe Lorentz
Principaux clients
FONDATION EURAZEO
FONDATION PARTAGE ET VIE
TRIGANO
SIEMENS AG
ROBECO FRANCE
DEVOTEAM
LIU JO
OGURY LTD
SIA PARTNERS
GROUPE CAHORS
ABF
BIJOUX BURMA SAS
BOTIFY
CATHAY CAPITAL
CHARLES RIVER
COMPAGNIE D’EFFRETEMENT ET DE TRANSPORT
COVEA
CPI GLOBAL
ONET
EYROLLES
GDE ECORE
IPSOS
IST CARDIOLOGY
LABORATOIRES GRIMBERG
LABVANTAGE LIMITED
LA MAISON BLEUE
MICROPOLE
THIBIERGE & COMAR SA
TNP CONSULTANTS
VALTECH
XMCO PARTNERS
YOHJI YAMAMOTO
5M VENTURES
VH 15 NOTAIRES
Berrylaw
Responsables de la pratique:
Pierre Bouley, Stéphanie Desprez; Paul-Marie Schneider
Les références
‘Reactive, great knowledge of files and clients, pragmatism. Great flexibility.’
‘Extensive knowledge of the sector of shareholder families.’
‘An efficient team that knows each other well and acts very quickly in the interests of customers’.
Principaux dossiers
- Advised LNA Sante on the reorganisation of its share capital and the structuring of a new financing.
- Advised PSG and SKEEPERS on four strategic acquisitions.
- Advising AMAZON STUDIO on the management of the French tax incentive on international production for its French projects.
BG2V
Responsables de la pratique:
Jean-Marc Valot; Jean-Sébastien Dumont
Principaux clients
CE CAPITAL PARTNERS (TIKEHAU GROUP)
IVC EVIDENSIA
AEROPLAST GROUP
ALTICE
CAISSE DES DEPOTS ET CONSIGNATIONS
SOPIC
WESHAREBONDS
GROUPE SCAFF
PHYSITEK DEVICES
EDF
EDF
Chammas & Marcheteau
Responsables de la pratique:
Christophe Moreau
Les références
‘Accurate. Straight to the point. Business-oriented.’
‘High quality team.’
‘Christophe Moreau: good expertise in corporate taxation’.
Principaux clients
CS Group
Bpifrance
Amundi
Neoxam
Orange Digital Venture
Extens
Afrincinvest Europe
NCI Gestion
Immobilière Dassault
Edmond Rothschild Private Equity
Babyzen
Innovafonds
Nextstage
Epopee Gestion
Snap On
Azulis
AdBio
Ecotree
Educapital
Andera
Anaxago
Siemens
Krono-Safe
Wavy
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Andera on the tax structuring of its €150 million Andera Smart Infra 1 infrastructure fund.
- Advised ZEN on the tax aspects of the sale of its shares to Stokke.
- Advised Krono-Safe in respect of the tax aspects of the sale of its branch, Krono-Safe Automotive, to Aptiv.
Couderc Dinh & Associés
Responsables de la pratique:
Christian Couderc; Emmanuel Dinh; Hervé-Antoine Couderc
Autres avocats clés:
Bertrand Daresnes
Les références
‘Great responsiveness and availability. Result oriented’.
‘A hyper-responsive, efficient and extremely ingenious team. Top notch advice.’
‘Emmanuel Dinh is a top tax lawyer. His collaborator Bertrand Daresnes is particularly brilliant and committed.’
Principaux clients
Karl Lagerfeld Heirs
HM Finance and Hervé Matuszewski
AEF (Atlantic Entrepreneur Fund)
Kitsuné
Groupe CA Traiteur & Salaisons
Gilbert et Thierry Costes
Principaux dossiers
- Advising some of the largest family groups, family offices, and investment funds in the world to secure their assets and their fortunes.
- Advising on the succession of Karl Lagerfeld, which involves the resolution of a major tax dispute.
- Advised HM Finance, owner of Sepur, as well as Hervé Matuszewski, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and founder of the company, in the context of the acquisition of Sepur by Cube IM.
Deloitte Société d’Avocats
Responsables de la pratique:
Sophie Blégent-Delapille; Thomas Perrin; Vanessa Irigoyen; Christina Melady; Arnaud Mourier; Lucille Chabanel; Grégoire de Vogüé
Autres avocats clés:
Olivier Venzal; François Pierson; Ariane Châteaux
Les références
‘Innovative, pragmatic, collaborative, reactive’.
‘The team has a holistic approach that takes into account all aspects and not just tax aspects of matters, with a good understanding of issues faced by the business sector’.
‘François Pierson shows availability, responsiveness and adaptability’.
Principaux clients
General Atlantic
GIP/ Suez
D’Ieteren Group
Mayoly Spindler
Altice SA
CVC Capital Partners
Blackstone
Apax Partners
InfraVia Capital Partners
Janssen Cilag
Delsol Avocats
Responsables de la pratique:
Jean-François Defudes; Mathieu Le Tacon; Julien Monsenego; Frédéric Subra
Les références
‘Outstanding technical skills. High quality work and responsiveness.’
‘Proximity and responsiveness.’
‘In-depth knowledge of tax incentive mechanisms related to technology in France and more generally of intellectual property.’
‘Attention to customers, very sharp technical knowledge.’
Principaux clients
BMG Group
Cyclable
Dentsu
Evolem
Financière Tiepolo
FoxIntelligence
Holnest
Rhône-Alpes PME
Runa Capital
Santé Cie
Zalando
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Holnest on exclusive negotiations with Eagle Football Holdings in the perspective of the acquisition by the latter of a majority stake in OL Groupe.
- Advised Demeter Investment Managers, CDC and CMA CGM Ventures on Telaqua’s fundraising.
- Advised Financière Tiepolo on its merger with J. de Demandolx Gestion.
Desfilis
Responsables de la pratique:
Eglantine Lioret
Autres avocats clés:
Valérie Farez; Caroline Astoux, Laure Vacher, Gaëlle Surmely
Les références
‘Valérie Farez and Laure Vacher deal with complex tax issues with ease. They offered practical and pragmatic solutions.’
‘Valérie Farez is clearly extremely smart, but also a genuinely nice person to work with. She is now our go-to lawyer for complex French tax advice.’
‘Close-knit team and coordinated action providing great availability and strong responsiveness.’
Principaux clients
SICAME
SC CONVICTIONS IMMOBILIERES
UBS-DEO
OPCI SOFIDY PIERRE EUROPE
SELECTIRENTE
OPCI SOREF 1
OMNIUM FINANCES
KINGSTREET
POMONA
FRIAL
GAÏA GROUP
AIR PARTNER INTERNATIONAL
Principaux dossiers
- Advised SICAME funders on a €500m deal.
- Advising Air Partner International’s French subsidiary before the French tax authorities concerning a tax audit which challenged the VAT regime on international, Corsica and domestic flights chartered by API.
- Advised OMNIUM FINANCES on the acquisition of a majority stakeholder in Colocatere group.
DWF (France) AARPI
Responsables de la pratique:
Vincent Lazimi
Les références
‘ Vincent Lazimi on international private client matters knows how to effectively mitigate the French tax exposures; he is an expert in his field.’
‘Vincent is very responsive, completely up to date with all aspects of French law and provides great service.’
Eight Advisory Avocats
Responsables de la pratique:
Guillaume Rembry; Hubert Christophe
Les références
‘High availability. Analytical skills. Deal driven’.
‘Involvement and availability. Good level.’
Principaux clients
Bain Capital
Ardian
Capza
Eurazeo
Engie
Cube Infrastructure
Vauban Infrastructure
For Talents
Inetum
Talan
Imerys
Omnes Education
Spie
OVHCloud
ID Logistics
2MX Organic (Teract)
Wendel
Fedrigoni
Predica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Bain Capital (tax due diligence and modelling) on the acquisition of Inetum from Mannai Corporation.
- Advised Imerys (tax structuring and tax due diligence) on the carve-out and sale of its High Temperature Solutions business.
- Advised Ardian (tax due diligence) on the acquisition of GreenYellow from Casino.
Everlaw&Tax
Responsables de la pratique:
Vincent Renoux; Catherine de Manneville; Isabelle Savin
Principaux clients
1.2.3. Venture
Alberta Ferreti
Alexandre Vauthier
Ariston
Artal
Azzaro
Ba&sh
Barilla France
Beaubourg Audiovisuel
Biolog
Biscuit International
Breitling
Bristol
C.W.F.
Christophe Lemaire
Comviva
Consort
Crêches Attitude
Crédit Mutuel Arkéa
CVE
Devoteam
Dexxon
DSI
Eleven Paris
Engie
Eucelia
Euro Ressources
Expléo
Fauchon
Feau Boiseries
Fime
Finindusco (Groupe Tranchant)
Fondation de France
Gyminvest
Groupe Sebbin
Heinz
Hermes International
History Group
Hive
Hôtel Castille
Humens
Iamgold
Ingie Paris
Iniciativas
Inter Invest
Jacquemus
Le Bristol / Eden Roc
Lectra
Lucien Barrière
Marc le Bihan
Marcolini
MB 92
Monaco Marine
Moschino
MSDental
Neste Demeter
Oddo BHF
Petit Navire
Photosol
Piepacker
Pinko
Relais et Châteaux
Senda (Fuxia)
Sivu Co Cli Co
Smart Corp
Sporoptic Pouilloux
Surys
TBES
Tech Mahindra
Thai Union Group
Trainvest
Trigo
Ugitech Asco Metal
Véronique Leroy
William Grant
ZePlug
Ze Way
Fairway A.A.R.P.I.
Responsables de la pratique:
Emmanuel Galifer
Les références
‘Professionalism. Sympathy. Reactivity. Quality of advice. Pro-activity.’
‘We had the opportunity to work with Emmanuel Galifer on a dispute with the tax authorities regarding property taxation. Beyond his in-depth knowledge of tax law, Galifer was able to put in place an effective strategy that made it possible to advance the file in the context of various negotiations with the administration.’
‘Very professional and very responsive team’.
‘Availability. Responsiveness. Very pleasant. Optimized fees. Conclusion: the perfect combination’.
‘Emmanuel Galifer knows how to transmit his analyzes with great clarity.’
‘Emmanuel Galifer is a very accessible lawyer, relevant, serious and always available in case of urgent question. Strong sense of service. Reassures the customer by finding appropriate solutions.’
‘A real team spirit and cohesion. It is reassuring to know that the information flows in a coherent way from us to the firm and vice versa.’
‘Emmanuel Galifer is always available, knows how to assess risks and put them into context.’
Principaux clients
STAM EUROPE
DENTRESSANGLE INITIATIVES
INTUITAE
JC DECAUX HOLDING
ARES MANAGEMENT
MERCIALYS
AG2R LA MONDIALE
AXA REAL ESTATE
PRIMEVEST CAPITAL PARTNERS
VIVENDI
GROUPE LES ETINCELLES
CLOUD HQ
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
Principaux dossiers
- Advised ICG on the off-market acquisition and financing of a portfolio of 26 assets.
- Advising Les Etincelles on acquiring 100% of the shares of a French company, owning multiple hotels.
- Advising on the development of the biggest data centre in France to be located in Lisses near Paris.
FIDAL
Responsables de la pratique:
Gaëlle Menu-Lejeune
Les références
‘Very responsive and highly professional.’
‘Good English skills. Very dedicated to their work and responsive.’
Principaux clients
SMACL
LAFARGE
OCEINDE
LYNRED
SORESUM
MONYV
MIROVA
BUT
Principaux dossiers
- Advising SMACL in respect of the set-up of a joint venture with another French insurance company (MAIF).
- Advising LAFARGE on a reorganisation covering 4 countries and concerning 6 entities involved.
- Advising OCEINDE on the acquisition of shares.
Fieldfisher
Responsables de la pratique:
Antoine Gabizon
Autres avocats clés:
François de Senneville
Principaux clients
HDF Energy
Groupe Berkem
Omer-Decugis & Cie
Nomadic Labs
Cardashift
SWEN Capital Partners
Iponweb
Luxempart
DealbyDeal Invest
Credit Mutuel Equity
Franklin
Responsables de la pratique:
Autres avocats clés:
Les références
‘Jacques Mestoudjian is a tax expert with sharp skills, with a very strong customer oriented/friendly approach. He shows great availability and is a real source of proposals/solutions. He was able to surround himself with Rudy Marouani who promises to be a very good professional.’
Principaux clients
BEX Capital
Efeso Consulting
EIT Innoenergy
Eurazeo
Groupe Diffusion Plus
Magellim
Perwyn
Sprint
Tikehau Ace Capital
Vantage Infrastructures
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Vantage Infrastructures on the acquisition of the France-based company, Agronergy.
FTPA
Responsables de la pratique:
Nicolas Message
Autres avocats clés:
Sophie Jouniaux
Les références
‘I would specially mention Sophie Jouniaux for her professionalism and tax knowledge. She always tries to understand where our problem is and thinks of the best option for us in the most efficient way. I also appreciate her transparency and honesty. In sum, I can’t think of any better tax professional in France for a foreign group.’
‘Sophie Jouniaux is very capable, always available and very pragmatical.’
‘Great responsiveness and tailor-made capacity’.
‘Nicolas Message is brilliant.’
GALM Avocats
Responsables de la pratique:
Pierre Appremont; Paméla Le Jeune
Principaux clients
AG Real Estate
Colliers Global Investors France
PREDICA
Foncière Magellan
Eternam
ALTIXIA
Crédit Agricole Immobilier
LBO France
Transact
Goodman
Virtuo
Keys REIM
Swiss Life Asset Managers France
Principaux dossiers
- Advising PREDICA on various real estate deals.
- Advising ETERNAM on investment funds matters.
- Advising LBO France on the acquisition of a majority stake in Honotel.
Grant Thornton Société d’Avocats
Responsables de la pratique:
Stéphany Brévost; Anne Frede; Elvire Tardivon-Lorizon; Pascal Luquet
Autres avocats clés:
Thibaut Grange
Les références
‘Responsive’.
‘They have an opinion and good foresight’.
‘Throughout the duration of the project, the teams showed great availability and genuine listening. Their great expertise in the sector, the legal framework and case law combined with the desire to be pragmatic makes it possible to find solutions.’
‘Stéphany Brevost and Thibaut Grange are real experts in their field who show great availability’.
‘Very responsive and professional team.’
‘Available, pleasant, very cordial and always present to help and give very good advice to the customer.’
‘Great professional and human qualities. A great sense of results and commitment. Great listening skills which allows them to identify the needs and specificities of the environments in which they operate.’
‘Great flexibility with respect to customer needs while providing high quality and innovative information on certain topics such as cryptocurrencies’
Principaux clients
Azulis
Capgemini
BPI France
Logitrade
SEMIA (CMG group)
Credit Mutuel Equity
Tikehau Ace Capital
Expanscience
Shang Xia
Ricoh Imaging Europe
Kalray
UTI International
Principaux dossiers
- Advising on the LBO of Logitrade.
- Advised SEMIA on the acquisition of D.J.B. Instruments France, a leading European manufacturer of accelerometers and associated instruments and calibration services.
- Assisted KILOUTOU Group with its acquisition of AB MATERIELS, a key French regional player in construction equipment.
HOCHE AVOCATS
Responsables de la pratique:
Eric Quentin; Eugénie Berthet; Christophe Lefebvre; Jérôme Mas
Les références
‘Great quality of its advice and personalized support in dealing with the tax issues. In addition, Eric Quentin has exceptional knowledge of tax regulations and remarkable experience in auditing and litigation. They allow us to make informed choices for complex and high-stakes issues.’
‘A very cutting-edge firm on complex domestic tax issues, particularly in terms of corporate tax and tax integration.’
‘I worked exclusively with partner Eric Quentin, whom I greatly appreciate for the quality, fluidity and spontaneity of the exchanges. Eric knew how to manage not only the technical aspects but also to have a strategic approach.’
Principaux clients
Groupe Sterne
Meanings capital partners
Derichebourg Group
Eurofeu
Intys’ Group Shareholders
Initiative & Finance
La phocéenne de cosmétique’s founders
IK partners
21 Invest France
Quilvest Capital Partners
Excellence Imagerie Group
KEELS Avocats
Responsables de la pratique:
Laurent Partouche
Les références
‘They are very close to the client, responsive, available and know how to match their client’s knowledge while allowing them to benefit from their expertise.’
‘Laurent Partouche demonstrates an exceptional technicality that goes hand in hand with a lot of pragmatism and humility. Particularly in management package structuring, he is extremely sharp.’
‘Professionalism and rigor in tax law and cutting-edge technique. The team has a great sense of empathy and very fluid communication.’
‘Lawyers have this ability to distinguish real problems from false problems. The team has a target and is not letting go. Laurent Partouche is always available and puts his know-how at the service of his clients.’
‘Client first approach.’
‘Laurent Partouche is available, attentive, precise in his advice and balanced in his judgements.’
‘Entrepreneurial team.’
‘Laurent Partouche is available, humble and surgical in his recommendations.’
Principaux clients
Naxicap Partners
Capza
Emera
Trajan Capital
FnB
Eureka group
Stellian
Dental Monitoring
Astek
MonVeto
LT Capital
Les Secrets de Loly / Kelly Massol
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Naxicap Partners on the tax structuring of the sale of the THOHR group to Bain Capital.
- Advised HTL Bioltechnology management within the context of the sale of the group to Montagu.
- Advised MonVeto on the tax structuring of a global reorganisation and unitranch debt.
Klein Wenner
Responsables de la pratique:
Sophie Borenstein
Les références
‘Quality and detail of the recommendations’.
‘Reactivity, good listening and always looking for the latest updates to validate the recommendation’.
‘This team had a good understanding of the complexities of international relocation, and the interaction with diplomatic postings. I was impressed by the responsiveness, thoroughness and professionalism of the team.’
Mamou & Boccara
Responsables de la pratique:
Laurent Mamou; Elie Boccara; Hélène Leclère; Virginie Aïdan
Les références
‘Available, fast, efficient, precise, leaves nothing out of DD reviews. Laurent Mamou is also extremely friendly.’
‘Attentive firm, with high-level lawyers, available and rigorous’.
‘Laurent Mamou is a pragmatic, precise, rigorous and efficient lawyer with human qualities’
Principaux clients
Ardian
Parquest
Criteo
Capza
Clinadent
Vinci Technologies
Omnes
Homnicity Group
Turenne CAPITAL
Innova Software
APSYS GROUP
MONK
Kaspr
Mermoz Avocats
Responsables de la pratique:
Philippe Rolland; Nicolas Privat ; Laurent Ragot
Les références
‘‘Laurent Ragot is precise in his recommendations and has international experience on cross-border deals’.
‘Laurent Ragot is a trustworthy person on whom one can rely on 100%. He is of rare reliability. He is a very good technician, who knows his files inside out. He is always attentive and very responsive.’
Principaux clients
SPARRING CAPITAL
ORYX MANAGERS
CICLAD
SPARRING CAPITAL and POP / CUBIK
IMX
PINSON PAYSAGES
NOVETUDE SANTE
MBO&CO
21 INVEST
ACT-ON Group
THE INDEPENDENTS
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Sparring Capital and the managers of Oryx group, on the tax aspects and structuring of Oryx’s LBO.
- Advising Ciclad on the tax aspects and the structuring of Desmarez’s LBO.
- Advising Novetude on the French aspect of the acquisition of Maltese Icom.
Moncey Avocats
Responsables de la pratique:
Frédéric Bosc
Les références
‘Great in-house expertise. Complementary team, with a very pleasant collective and present together at the various stages of the transaction. Great business intelligence depending on the type of deal, very deal oriented. Very good internal communication.’
‘Proximity. Friendly. Have the appropriate solutions to the issues raised by M&A / Management advice.’
‘Great availability of the team and direct and constant involvement of partners in the project’.
‘Very available and attentive team. Anticipation of problems and innovative solutions. Gender balance in the team. Electronic signature tools.’
‘Frédéric Bosc is a high quality lawyer.’
‘Frédéric Bosc is a commercially focused lawyer who understood and engaged with complex Irish tax issues arising on a transaction. Pleasure to work with.’
‘Excellent knowledge of tax law. Innovation. Excellent availability of partners.’
‘Frédéric Bosc has excellent expertise in tax law, is always available and does not hesitate to propose innovative solutions in the application of current case law.’
Principaux clients
Capza
MBO & Co
Apax Partners
Siparex
EMZ Partners
Quilvest Capital Partners
Andera Partners
Sparring Capital
Trajan Capital
Activa Capital
B & Capital
M80 Partners
Raise
Trocadero Capital Partners
Cerea Capital
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Capza on its €100m acquisition of Nutravalia, a French laboratory specialising in food supplements and pharmaceuticals.
- Advised MBO & Co on its €80m acquisition of L.E.N. Médical Group, a leading marketing and communication platform dedicated to healthcare professionals.
- Advised Apax Partners on its €80m acquisition of CEME Group, a leading national and independent energy player.
Cabinet Nouvion
Responsables de la pratique:
François Nouvion
Principaux clients
Assala Energy
Agence France Presse
Maurel et Prom
Apave
Efluid/UEM
Afentra plc
Panoro Energy ASA
Tullow Oil
Caroil SAS
Cinven Capital Partners
Esri
Osborne Clarke
Responsables de la pratique:
Dorothée Chambon
Les références
‘Work well both in French and English.’
‘Dorothée Chambon is a true Swiss army knife, capable of intervening in corporate tax cases as well as in asset taxation, financial taxation, international taxation, etc. She is extremely knowledgeable. She always makes herself available, has an impressive capacity for work and respects the very tight deadlines that are (often) imposed on her.’
Principaux clients
Free2move
CircleCI
Connected Capital & Partners
Arquant
Onepoint
Causeway technologies
Upstone
Principaux dossiers
- Advising CircleCI on the tax structuring of its acquisition of 100% of the capital of SAS Ponicode.
- Advising the Dutch investment fund Connected Capital & Partners on its acquisition of a majority stake in Squarance SAS.
- Advising Free2Move eSolutions, a JV created by Stellantis and Engie EPS, in connection with the launch of products and services dedicated to electric mobility.
PDGB
Responsables de la pratique:
Olivier Decombe; Vincent Garcia; Thierry Jestin; Benoît Dambre
Les références
‘Great expertise in tax law. Files are processed with quality and within very responsive deadlines. The support is tailor-made with detailed documentation, clear explanations. The firm has the ability to propose and implement concrete and relevant operational solutions. Finally, the relationship is excellent and very professional.’
‘Vincent Garcia has good tax skills and knowledge of the banking sector, providing informed and responsive advice. He also has excellent interpersonal skills.’
‘The team is very attentive to the requests of its customers and has experience in the banking field. They go into the detail of matters and provide concrete implementation. The mode of collaboration is very close to the expectations of the customer.’
‘Vincent Garcia is very competent and very responsive and attentive to customer requests’.
‘Creativity; practical sense’.
‘Thierry Jestin: very great skill, very great creativity; great practical sense’
Principaux clients
BANQUE POPULAIRE RIVES DE PARIS
FAYARD FAMILY / SOCIETE DU DOMAINE DE LA SOURCE SAINTE-MARGUERITE
BANQUE POPULAIRE MEDITERRANNEE
Caisse d’Epargne Hauts de France
ULYSSE
POP
PRIMA
BOTICINAL
MEDIAN
Sekri Valentin Zerrouk
Responsables de la pratique:
Jérôme Assouline
Les références
‘High quality team, both very competent and available’.
‘Great human qualities and legal expertise that allows them to fully understand situations.’
Principaux clients
Qima
Apax Partners
ba&sh
Izipizi
Turenne
Zouari
Valtus
Mutares
Milestone Investisseurs
Chequers Capital
Dai Nippon
Société Générale Capital Partenaires
IN Groupe
Entoria
Synlab
Principaux dossiers
- Advising QIMA on the acquisition of a minority stake by CDPQ (Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Quebec).
- Advising BA&SH in the context of its takeover by the HLD fund.
- Advising the Zouari family on its acquisition of Stokomani.
Stephenson Harwood
Responsables de la pratique:
Olivier Couraud; Omar El Arjoun
Principaux clients
Netiwan
BNP PARIBAS / CIC
CIC
Compagnie du Ponant
2050
Mata Capital
Andera Partners
EasyVista
Groupe TF1
Principaux dossiers
- Advised 2050.do on the tax structuring of the fund and the organisation of the carried interest.
- Advised CIC as arranger and investor, and CIC and MUFG as senior lenders, on the financing of the first of five LNG vessels.
- Advised a major Asian aircraft leasing company on the reorganisation proceedings of several of its French SPVs.
Tirard Naudin A.A.R.P.I
Responsables de la pratique:
Maryse Naudin; Jean-Marc Tirard; Ouri Belmin
Les références
‘Very detailed approach to technical regulations. The firm has an excellent quality approach and experience.’
‘Maryse Naudin is one of the best tax practitioners that I have ever worked with.’
‘The firm has a detailed knowledge of French law residence. Succession is also an area of expertise. A lot of personal attention.’
‘Jean-Marc Tirard is extremely well known and has vast knowledge and experience. Maryse Naudin is also well known and very responsive. Both are leaders of their areas of practice in France’
‘An excellent team at the forefront of private client structuring in France. Highly responsive and reliable advice.’
‘Maryse Naudin is a real technical specialist, and an excellent tax lawyer.’
‘A team specially dedicated to the interests of the client, with outstanding knowledge, and more than exceptional experience in their field.’
‘Especially suited to wealthy people set-ups with a complex financial situation, whether in France or abroad.’
Vaslin Associés
Responsables de la pratique:
Marc Vaslin; Nicolas Billotte; Lara Despicht
Les références
‘Excellent expertise in tax matters for high net worth individuals in Western Europe. Total cohesion of the team in the different countries, which shows real unity.’
‘Marc Vaslin is completely personally involved in cases.’
‘A real interaction with the partners.’
Principaux clients
Faiveley Family
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the founder and main shareholder of DDS in the context of a majority fundraising and the integration of new acquired companies.
- Advising the President of “Commanderie des Hospitaliers” on the tax structuring and tax aspects of a sale.
Veil Jourde
Responsables de la pratique:
Benoît Gréteau
Les références
‘Great technique and efficiency. Always great advice’.
‘The team sees the full picture.’
‘Experts in their field.’
Principaux clients
Vinted
L’Oréal
EDF
Sanofi
Danone
Fnac Darty
IKKS
Maincare
Publicis
Boehringer Ingelheim
Ermewa
Ariane (family office)
Safti
Arts & Biens (family office)
Smart Adserver – Equativ
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
French national olympic committee
Société Générale
Crédit Agricole and its subsidiaries
Principaux dossiers
- Advised investment fund MBO and the managers of the emagine group on the sale of their entire shareholding.
- Assisted fund LFPI and Etudinvest with the acquisition of IFOP.
- Assisted LVMH with its acquisition of luxury perfume and cosmetics company Officine Universelle Buly.
Vivien & Associés
Responsables de la pratique:
Jérôme Chapus; Marine Pelletier-Capes
Les références
‘A spectacularly responsive, knowledgeable and impressive practice. We had a particularly complicated and extremely time sensitive transaction involving property and offshore entities. The team led by Marine Pelletier-Capes was professional and against all odds managed to provide more than one viable option to ensure the transaction completed within the very tight time frame.’
‘Marine Pelletier-Capes brings calm and order to what otherwise might have been a very chaotic transaction. The team stands out for their pragmatic approach, their in-depth knowledge of the world of French tax (especially as it relates to offshore trust structures) and their ability to achieve the impossible.’
‘Available, expertise, clear answers. Great internal communication with the firm’s corporate and restructuring department. Great anticipation’.
Principaux clients
InVivo group
Xerfi
ROBIN & Co
IDEMIA
Electrolux
Idemia
Side
PSB Industries
Principaux dossiers
- Advised InVivo Group in connexion with the acquisition of Soufflet Group, a French international agri-food family group.
- Advised Xerfi Group and its co-founders Laurent Faibis and Valérie Cohen in connection with the investment made by NextStage AM.
- Assisted ROBIN group and its founders on the sale of a majority stake to Federation Entertainment.
Watson Farley & Williams LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Romain Girtanner
Autres avocats clés:
Hélène Ibos
Les références
‘Competent, available, commercial and nice. Highly recommended’.
‘Romain Girtanner is an excellent professional that had a pragmatic approach with deep knowledge of tax environment in France. He brings solutions and explains well tax matters.’
‘Good knowledge and customer focus’.
Principaux clients
Access Capital Partners
BNP Paribas
Bpifrance
CMA CGM
Commerz Real AG
DIF Capital Partners
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
Groupe Crédit Agricole
JCDecaux Holding
MSC
RGreen Invest
Société Générale
Total Eren
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Société Générale and other financial institutions on the financing under a French lease of two 174,000 cbm Class LNG Carriers for the Knutsen Group.
- Advising Glennmont Partners on the tax aspects of the sale of a 100MW French onshore wind portfolio to TTR Green Fund IV and its co-investors.
- Advising Crédit Agricole Group, Bpifrance and Caisse d’Epargne CEPAC on the tax aspects of the €300m refinancing of 3 renewables portfolios comprising of 12 wind farms and one solar plant with a total capacity of 200 MW sponsored by Valeco, Mirova and GEG (Gaz Electricité de Grenoble).
YARDS
Responsables de la pratique:
Jerôme Barré; Dorothée Traverse; Marie-Eve Chauvière; François Morazin
Autres avocats clés:
Julia Novak
Les références
‘Very competent, both on advisory and on litigation. Large experience on which to rely on.’
‘Jerome Barré and Julia Novak are very competent, particularly in an international context.’
‘The private clients’ team has profound expertise in international cases. Their work is excellent and very efficient.’
‘Jérôme Barré: an outstanding and experienced tax lawyer for cross-border cases. Julia Novak: very knowledgeable tax lawyer with expertise in inheritance law’.
Principaux clients
Adevinta