Ranking tables

Private Equity: High-end Capability | Europe

France

The below Private Equity: 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.

All Lawyers profiles

1

Band 1

  1. David Aknin
    1
    David Aknin
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 1 | 36 Years Ranked
    David Aknin is widely recognised as a leading figure in the private equity field. He acts for major domestic and international private equity funds on high-value LBOs and investments.
  2. Thomas Forschbach
    1
    Thomas Forschbach
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Latham & Watkins LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 1 | 36 Years Ranked
    Thomas Forschbach is a standout adviser on large-scale disposals and acquisitions and is regularly called upon by key private equity houses. He is well placed to handle both domestic and international mandates.
2

Band 2

  1. Christophe Garaud
    2
    Christophe Garaud
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 36 Years Ranked
    Christophe Garaud has long-standing experience assisting private equity clients with strategic acquisitions and disposals. His work portfolio encompasses domestic as well as cross-border cases.
  2. Eduardo Fernandez
    2
    Eduardo Fernandez
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 34 Years Ranked
    Eduardo Fernandez represents a clientele of investment and private equity firms in acquisitions and disposals. He is active across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, IT and food and drinks.
  3. Gaëtan Gianasso
    2
    Gaëtan Gianasso
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Latham & Watkins LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 34 Years Ranked
    Gaëtan Gianasso undertakes strategic LBO transactions on behalf of French and international private equity firms. He is well prepared to advise on multi-jurisdictional cases.
  4. Jean Beauchataud
    2
    Jean Beauchataud
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 34 Years Ranked
    Jean Beauchataud is recognised for his high-level expertise in large-scale acquisitions and disposals. He acts for a clientele of domestic and international private equity firms.
  5. Vincent Ponsonnaille
    2
    Vincent Ponsonnaille
    Kirkland & Ellis LLP
    Kirkland & Ellis LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 2 | 34 Years Ranked
    Vincent Ponsonnaille acts on large-scale investments and disposals, and can claim a client base of major investment and private equity funds. He is particularly adept at advising on cross-border transactions.
3

Band 3

  1. Alexandre Duguay
    3
    Alexandre Duguay
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked
    "He is very fair and does not take a stand just for the sake of it. He is a reference in the market."
  2. Denis Criton
    3
    Denis Criton
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Latham & Watkins LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 24 Years Ranked
    "Denis Criton was knowledgeable and managed to get the end result we wanted. He was heavily involved and had a great deal of oversight."
  3. Emmanuelle Henry
    3
    Emmanuelle Henry
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 36 Years Ranked
    Emmanuelle Henry advises international private equity houses and investment firms on high-stakes LBOs and investments.
  4. Florence Haas
    3
    Florence Haas
    Bredin Prat
    Bredin Prat | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked
    "Florence Haas provided outstanding input throughout our entire acquisition process: expertise, negotiation tactics, execution capabilities and commercial awareness."
  5. Florent Mazeron
    3
    Florent Mazeron
    Linklaters
    Linklaters | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 14 Years Ranked
    "Florent is a very commercial lawyer, who is able to identify and explain key risks and present innovative and workable solutions. Florent is a trusted legal adviser with a deep knowledge of the French legal market."
  6. Nicolas Barberis
    3
    Nicolas Barberis
    Freshfields
    Freshfields | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 28 Years Ranked
    "He is obviously very rigorous, but above all able to provide intelligent solutions regarding the various problems raised. He has a very good ability to negotiate calmly."
  7. Olivier du Mottay
    3
    Olivier du Mottay
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Latham & Watkins LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 3 | 24 Years Ranked
    Olivier du Mottay acts for domestic and international private equity funds on majority-stake acquisitions and disposals.
4

Band 4

  1. Arthur de Baudry d'Asson
    4
    Arthur de Baudry d'Asson
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 16 Years Ranked
    Arthur de Baudry d'Asson enters the rankings this year. He routinely handles investments and acquisitions on behalf of international investment funds, including US-based clients.
  2. 4
    Benjamin de Blégiers
    Clifford Chance Europe LLP
    Clifford Chance Europe LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 16 Years Ranked
    "Benjamin de Blégiers will take time to resolve issues for the clients. He provides a softer touch and has a great manner with the clients. He is very empathetic and also very strong technically."
  3. Cédric Hajage
    4
    Cédric Hajage
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 34 Years Ranked
    Cédric Hajage advises portfolio companies and private equity firms on acquisition transactions. He is also experienced in disposals.
  4. Fabrice Cohen
    4
    Fabrice Cohen
    Clifford Chance Europe LLP
    Clifford Chance Europe LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 34 Years Ranked
    "I have always had good experiences with him. He is very hands-on and personally reviews everything his team is sending us. As a partner himself, he is very involved; we know that it will be error-free and stamped with the highest quality. He recommends options to us and his negotiation skills are good."
  5. Gilles Lebreton
    4
    Gilles Lebreton
    Clifford Chance Europe LLP
    Clifford Chance Europe LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 30 Years Ranked
    "He is extremely serious, precise, accurate, sharp; he knows a lot, not only technically but also in terms of market knowledge. Also on the relationship, he is a deal-maker; he is here to facilitate and he is very available, and with the counterparty he is smooth, delicate and serene."
  6. Guy Benda
    4
    Guy Benda
    Freshfields
    Freshfields | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 36 Years Ranked
    Guy Benda boasts a solid track record advising domestic and international private equity firms on high-value LBOs. He is well placed to act on mandates of a multi-jurisdictional scope.
  7. Olivier Assant
    4
    Olivier Assant
    Bredin Prat
    Bredin Prat | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 36 Years Ranked
    Olivier Assant handles sales, acquisitions and minority investments on behalf of domestic and international private equity funds.
  8. Yann Gozal
    4
    Yann Gozal
    Freshfields
    Freshfields | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Band 4 | 26 Years Ranked
    Yann Gozal represents international clients on a range of private equity mandates, including disposals and investments.
U

Up and Coming

  1. Grégory de Saxcé
    U
    Grégory de Saxcé
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Up and Coming | 4 Years Ranked
    Grégory de Saxcé assists leading domestic private equity funds with strategic acquisitions.
  2. U
    Julien Rebibo
    Freshfields
    Freshfields | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Up and Coming | 4 Years Ranked
    "He has the ability to handle multiple cases at the same time with the same quality, from the big to the small. He is really agile. It is a real pleasure to work with him."
  3. U
    Laurent Victor-Michel
    Kirkland & Ellis LLP
    Kirkland & Ellis LLP | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Up and Coming | 4 Years Ranked
    "He was an excellent deal partner for the French aspects of the transaction. He has a strong combination of technical and commercial views on documents, is able to deal with complexity and was a good liaison with the UK partner to balance corporate considerations versus transaction-specific considerations."
  4. Romy Richter
    U
    Romy Richter
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Private Equity: High-end Capability
    2024 | Up and Coming | 4 Years Ranked
    "She is very involved, has an incredible work ethic and is very fast. She is really a brilliant person, is very nice and totally understands how the system works and is very helpful."