Ranking tables

Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability | Europe

France

The below Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability rankings table provides market-leading insights on the top ranked lawyers and law firms whose advice and legal services can be purchased in France. The rankings are the result of extensive research by our internal research team, who conduct interviews with in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers who have worked alongside them. Use our table and ranking system to identify the most suited provider of legal services for you.

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1

Band 1

  1. Bredin Prat
    1
    Bredin Prat
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 1 | 9 Years Ranked
    Bredin Prat is a market-leading firm that acts on a number of the most high-profile and high-value transactions in France. The firm boasts outstanding capabilities in a variety of different corporate matters, including public M&A. The corporate/M&A team often works with its leading antitrust, employment, tax, restructuring and financing teams to provide comprehensive support to clients. The law firm assists a portfolio of blue-chip French companies with the full spectrum of their corporate activities, while also utilising a strong network of international firms for cross-border mandates. The team offers expertise in regulated sectors including telecommunications, energy and financial services.
  2. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    1
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 1 | 9 Years Ranked
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton boasts a superb Paris-based corporate team that regularly acts for large blue-chip clients. The law firm handles a broad range of corporate transactions and offers particular strength in public M&A deals. The lawyers act for clients on transfers of interests and takeovers. The law firm is a strong choice for multi-jurisdictional transactions thanks to its international network. The corporate/M&A department additionally works in close collaboration with its well-reputed tax and antitrust teams.
  3. 1
    Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 1 | 9 Years Ranked
    Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier boasts an outstanding corporate practice covering the full range of M&A mandates including acting on transactions for publicly listed companies. The Paris-based team works in conjunction with international firms to assist clients with cross-border mandates. The law firm advises blue-chip corporate clients on inbound and outbound transactions in a range of sectors, including automotive, banking and TMT.
2

Band 2

  1. A&O Shearman
    2
    A&O Shearman
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 17 Years Ranked
    Shearman & Sterling is adept at handling a broad range of corporate matters including public and private acquisitions, share disposals and restructurings. The law firm boasts strong expertise in the pharmaceutical, TMT and financial sectors. The team frequently acts for international entities on cross-border mandates, utilising the firm's network of international offices.
  2. BDGS Associés
    2
    BDGS Associés
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 8 Years Ranked
    BDGS Associés boasts wide-ranging expertise covering public and private M&A and corporate governance, including regulatory matters. The lawyers assist a number of well-known domestic clients, with particular experience in dealing with state-owned companies. The law firm complements its corporate offering with strong teams in other practice areas such as competition, tax and litigation. The team is active in a range of industries including transportation, banking, insurance and TMT.
  3. Clifford Chance Europe LLP
    2
    Clifford Chance Europe LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 9 Years Ranked
    Clifford Chance's highly regarded corporate team benefits from a large international network. The lawyers are experienced in a variety of different industries including the energy, consumer goods, banking and infrastructure sectors. The law firm acts on a range of deal types, such as disposals and public M&A. The team works in close collaboration with complementary departments such as banking and finance, tax and antitrust. The lawyers advise an impressive roster of clients, including French and international corporates as well as investment firms.
  4. Freshfields
    2
    Freshfields
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 9 Years Ranked
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's Paris corporate/M&A team is highly skilled in regulatory and transactional corporate work. The lawyers combine excellent cross-border capabilities with strong domestic expertise. The team also provides clients with a multidisciplinary service thanks to its cooperation with the tax, antitrust and finance departments. The law firm boasts diverse industry expertise with a strong footprint in construction, TMT, energy and finance.
  5. Gide Loyrette Nouel
    2
    Gide Loyrette Nouel
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 9 Years Ranked
    Gide Loyrette Nouel combines strong French expertise with the ability to advise international companies on cross-border matters, notably in relation to European and African jurisdictions. The lawyers regularly handle sophisticated joint venture and M&A transactions, as well as corporate structure issues. The law firm enjoys a significant depth of experience in many different industries including banking, life sciences, energy and TMT. The team also acts for shareholders on the sale of companies.
  6. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
    2
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 9 Years Ranked
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges is skilled in a wide variety of matters in the corporate sphere including acquisitions, reorganisations and disposals. The law firm advises both buyers and sellers on a number of outbound transactions, also assisting public clients with acquisitions of foreign companies. The lawyers are well versed in a variety of sectors including TMT, retail, infrastructure, real estate and energy.
3

Band 3

  1. Herbert Smith Freehills
    3
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Herbert Smith Freehills' strong corporate team often handles international mandates, especially those with a European or African element, drawing on its global network of offices. The team's M&A expertise includes both public and private transactions, as well as reorganisation matters. The lawyers are highly experienced in handling both inbound and outbound transactions. The law firm assists clients from a range of sectors including energy, financial services, transportation and TMT.
  2. Latham & Watkins LLP
    3
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked
    Latham & Watkins utilises its wide international network to advise on cross-border transactions and complex high-end corporate deals. The lawyers have the ability to act on a broad range of operations including spin-offs, disposals and acquisitions. The firm is active in the healthcare, manufacturing, infrastructure and TMT sectors. The corporate/M&A department often works with the firm's finance, tax, employment and competition teams to provide comprehensive support to clients. It acts for public and private companies and investment firms.
  3. Linklaters
    3
    Linklaters
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked
    Linklaters has strong corporate expertise in a broad range of industry sectors spanning energy, banking, life sciences and infrastructure. The department benefits from a large international network, enabling it to administer seamless cross-border advice to clients. The lawyers act on a wide range of transactions including public and private M&A, joint ventures and divestments. The law firm maintains an enviable client base comprising blue-chip financial institutions, investment firms and high-profile corporates.
  4. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    3
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom's strong corporate practice is frequently instructed on large and complex deals. The team is adept at handling cross-border transactions, with significant experience and knowledge of US-related matters. The law firm frequently acts for automotive, consumer goods and TMT companies. The lawyers have additional expertise in representing clients in hostile takeovers.
  5. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
    3
    Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked
    Sullivan & Cromwell's strong international department regularly acts on complex cross-border transactions, with particular expertise in US-related matters. The lawyers advise clients on transactions in the pharmaceutical, automotive and financial services sectors. The team also has expertise in a variety of areas including mergers, sales and takeovers.
  6. White & Case LLP
    3
    White & Case LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked
    White & Case is well equipped to handle cross-border matters due to a wide network of offices across the world. The law firm acts on a range of transactions, including joint ventures, acquisitions and divestments. The team has particularly strong expertise in corporate issues involving the retail, energy and technology sectors. It offers additional expertise to clients from the healthcare, insurance and automotive industries.
4

Band 4

  1. Baker McKenzie AARPI
    4
    Baker McKenzie AARPI
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 7 Years Ranked
    Baker McKenzie's robust practice advises on all manner of corporate issues including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and spin-offs. The law firm acts for corporates as well as financial institutions, with particular expertise in the technology sector. The team also advises clients from industries including transportation, retail and life sciences. The practice is well placed to assist with cross-border M&A matters, leveraging its network of offices across the world.
  2. De Pardieu Brocas Maffei
    4
    De Pardieu Brocas Maffei
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 9 Years Ranked
    De Pardieu Brocas Maffei is adept at handling a broad range of matters in the corporate sphere including takeovers, sales, restructurings and tender offers. The firm has wide-ranging knowledge of the insurance, energy and TMT industries, with market-renowned expertise in real estate deals. The lawyers often collaborate closely with the firm's tax, competition and finance departments.
  3. Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP
    4
    Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    Hogan Lovells is experienced in handling transactions involving the technology, healthcare and insurance industries. The practice benefits from a broad international network that enables the team to advise clients on multi-jurisdictional matters. It draws on its wide array of practice areas to provide comprehensive support to its clientele, including regulatory considerations. The law firm also advises clients from the energy and manufacturing sectors, as well as a number of investment groups.
  4. Jones Day
    4
    Jones Day
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 9 Years Ranked
    The team at Jones Day is proficient in a range of public and private M&A deals, general corporate matters and regulatory considerations. The law firm assists large corporates and shareholders with acquisitions and disposals. The lawyers frequently advise on transactions in the energy, financial services, natural resources and life sciences sectors. The team is skilled at handling cross-border transactions due to its extensive network of offices throughout the world.
  5. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe France
    4
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe France
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 9 Years Ranked
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe advises on a diverse range of transactional work including public M&A and divestments. The lawyers handle instructions from multinationals, insurance companies and investment funds. The team frequently represents boards of directors in strategic M&A transactions. It acts for clients from the energy, TMT and infrastructure sectors.
  6. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    4
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 9 Years Ranked
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher regularly advises well-known corporates from the transportation, natural resources and TMT industries. The team handles a wide range of mandates including disposals, mergers, divestments and acquisitions. The law firm is experienced in international and cross-border processes, especially those involving the USA. Its client base comprises privately owned and publicly listed corporates as well as financial institutions.
5

Band 5

  1. August Debouzy
    5
    August Debouzy
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 5 | 7 Years Ranked
    August Debouzy assists large companies with a range of corporate and commercial matters, including share transactions, mergers and takeovers. The law firm is active in a wide spectrum of sectors, with particular knowledge of the finance, energy, TMT and infrastructure industries. The clients benefit from the firm's full-service offering and the close cooperation with its highly recognised employment, tax and intellectual property teams.
  2. Dechert LLP
    5
    Dechert LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked
    Dechert is active on a broad range of corporate matters including acquisitions, restructurings and disposals. The law firm has noteworthy activity on matters involving the life sciences industry, regularly advising on strategic transactions. It handles French and cross-border corporate transactions. The team is popular with large corporates and shareholders.
  3. Dentons
    5
    Dentons
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 5 | 9 Years Ranked
    Dentons has strong cross-border capabilities due to offices in a variety of jurisdictions and lawyers with experience in France, as well as other countries including China, Germany and the USA. The law firm handles acquisitions, joint ventures and divestments for domestic corporates, public companies and multinationals. The team represents clients from the food, technology and manufacturing industries. The department possesses particular expertise in life sciences transactions.
  4. DLA Piper France LLP
    5
    DLA Piper France LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 5 | 7 Years Ranked
    DLA Piper draws on its wide international network to assist clients with multi-jurisdictional sales and acquisitions. The lawyers have notable experience in the life sciences, IT, finance and automotive sectors. DLA Piper's clients also benefit from the support of the firm's finance, tax and employment departments.
  5. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    5
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 5 | 9 Years Ranked
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has broad capabilities in the corporate arena covering acquisitions and disposals, restructurings and corporate governance matters. The firm also regularly assists with joint ventures. The team is experienced in the manufacturing, insurance, healthcare and TMT sectors. The lawyers work with offices located around the world to aid clients with cross-border issues, particularly on US-related matters.
  6. Mayer Brown LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 5
6

Band 6

  1. ADVANT Altana
    6
    ADVANT Altana
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6 | 2 Years Ranked
    ADVANT Altana draws upon a wealth of experience in M&A transactions, advising on strategic acquisitions, joint ventures and disposals. The law firm is regularly sought out by clients across a range of sectors, notably retail, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and insurance. Under the banner of its law firm association and the international experience of its lawyers, Altana is well placed to assist with both domestic and cross-border transactions. The team is frequently supported by colleagues in the firm's IP, employment and antitrust departments.
  2. CMS
    6
    CMS
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    CMS boasts a solid corporate practice able to handle acquisitions, divestments and corporate restructurings. The lawyers work in close cooperation with the employment and tax teams to provide full support to clients. The law firm utilises its international network on cross-border deals. CMS attracts clients from a range of sectors, particularly healthcare, energy, technology and automotive.
  3. Eversheds Sutherland
    6
    Eversheds Sutherland
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Eversheds Sutherland's corporate practice advises clients on a range of matters including disposals, acquisitions and general corporate issues. The law firm offers further experience in corporate reorganisations and often acts on cross-border mandates. Its sectors of expertise include the transportation, technology, real estate and aviation industries. The team of lawyers also acts on inbound acquisitions and investments.
  4. Eversheds Sutherland
    6
    Eversheds Sutherland
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Eversheds Sutherland's corporate practice advises clients on a range of matters including disposals, acquisitions and general corporate issues. The law firm offers further experience in corporate reorganisations and often acts on cross-border mandates. Its sectors of expertise include the transportation, technology, real estate and aviation industries. The team of lawyers also acts on inbound acquisitions and investments.
  5. Jeantet
    6
    Jeantet
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Jeantet boasts broad corporate capabilities encompassing mergers, investment transactions and sales. The law firm handles industrial M&A and has noteworthy expertise in the manufacturing, technology and healthcare sectors. It offers a strong cross-border service with experience in a variety of jurisdictions, notably Germany. The team also handles inbound transactions from foreign clients. The lawyers regularly cooperate with colleagues from the firm's IP, tax and employment departments.
  6. Lacourte Raquin Tatar
    6
    Lacourte Raquin Tatar
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6 | 7 Years Ranked
    Lacourte Raquin Tatar demonstrates solid capabilities in the corporate field. The law firm frequently handles matters involving African and European jurisdictions. Its wide-ranging expertise encompasses joint ventures, acquisitions and reorganisations. The team boasts noteworthy expertise in real estate deals. The clients benefit from close collaboration with the firm's tax and finance departments. The lawyers advise companies across a variety of sectors, including TMT, banking, and food and drink.
  7. Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    6
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6 | 9 Years Ranked
    Paul Hastings handles both local and international mandates in the corporate space. The law firm is well known for its expertise in transactions involving a private equity element. The team represents investment groups and corporate clients, with notable expertise in the TMT, automotive and healthcare sectors.
  8. Peltier Juvigny Marpeau & Associés
    6
    Peltier Juvigny Marpeau & Associés
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Peltier Juvigny Marpeau & Associés frequently advises on acquisitions, structurings and disposals. The team represents corporate clients and shareholders, with notable expertise in the retail, technology and agribusiness sectors. The lawyers also advise on corporate governance issues and reorganisations.
  9. VGG & Associés
    6
    VGG & Associés
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    VGG & Associés has a solid reputation for complex public M&A mandates. The law firm demonstrates expertise in sales, acquisitions and restructurings. It acts for an enviable roster of high-profile domestic clients. The team is notably active for clients across the retail, automotive and TMT sectors, as well as investment companies.
  10. Viguié Schmidt & Associés A.A.R.P.I.
    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 6