Ayache

Number of partners: 16

Number of counsels: 7

Number of lawyers: 55

Languages: English, German, Italian, Spanish

Firm Overview:

AYACHE is a leading independent French business law firm established over 32 years ago, which has developed a recognised and prominent expertise in private equity transactions and, more generally, corporate finance and financial engineering. The firm advises and represents French and foreign clients in a wide range of legal areas. The firm’s client base mainly comprises groups and companies operating in the industrial sector, investment banks, financial institutions and private equity funds. The firm provides efficient and personalised services tailored to the specific needs of each client. AYACHE is a member of France Invest (the French Investment Capital Association), and of NYSE EURONEXT™.

Main Areas of Practice:

AYACHE is equipped to deal with all aspects of domestic and international corporate transactions, whether relating to M&A, banking and finance, or restructuring matters. The firm is ranked as one of the best independent French firms involved in private equity.

The firm has the following expertise:

Private Equity:

AYACHE is well known for its LBO practice, particularly advising the sponsors. It is also very active in turnarounds, growth capital and venture capital transactions.

Contacts: Alain Levy, Bernard Ayache, David Ayache, Grégoire Zeitoun, Gwenaëlle de Kerviler, Olivier Tordjman

Mergers & Acquisitions:

The team has been active in all kind of M&A deals (acquisitions, sales, joint ventures, spin offs, carve-out, corporate reorganisations, etc), advising both buyers and sellers from French and foreign companies in a wide range of business industries.

Contacts: Bernard Ayache, David Ayache, Grégoire Zeitoun, Gwenaëlle de Kerviler, Olivier Tordjman

Banking & Finance:

The banking and finance practice covers a wide range of areas: credit agreement (bilateral and syndicated), acquisition finance (senior and mezzanine), asset finance, project finance, international trade finance, real estate financing and derivatives. The firm is also a recognised specialist in debt and equity restructurings and reorganisations.

Contacts: Alain Levy, Gwenaëlle Kerviler, Olivier Tordjman

Tax:

Tax lawyers at the firm have solid and recognised experience in both domestic and international company and private tax.

Contacts: Bruno Erard, Jacques Messeca, Laurent Bibaut

Competition, Distribution, Commercial Contracts:

This practice has first-ranking expertise for antitrust and merger control matters, both at the French and EU levels. It also handles distribution and commercial law work.

Contact: Frédéric Fuchs

Employment:

This team is particularly active in the following areas, for French and foreign clients: individual and collective labour relation, social security and social protection issues. It has also developed a particular recognised know-how in M&A and restructuring transactions.

Contacts: Caroline André-Hesse, Justine Coret

Technology:

This team has a very broad sectorial expertise that covers IT law (development, software licensing and integration, technology services), Internet law (e-Commerce, platforms, Big Data, etc.) and New frontiers (artificial intelligence, Blockchains and crypto assets, etc)

Contact: Guillaume Seligmann

Litigation:

The firm has a considerable expertise relating to banking and financial disputes, securities litigation, and commercial and post-acquisition disputes, as well as white-collar crime, and alternative dispute resolutions.

Contacts: Julien Andrez, Michel Ayache

Business Ethics:

This practice is active in all matters related to Rules of ethics and probity, especially as anti-corruption, conflict management, anti-competitive practices. The firm also advises its clients in the context of Internal organisation and governance issues and manages the control and investigation procedures on their behalf.

Contacts: Caroline André-Hesse, Fréderic Fuchs, Gwenaëlle de Kerviler, Jacques Messeca, Julien Andrez, Michel Ayache

Real Estate:

The team advises and negotiates for clients involved in business real estate investments as well as in the management of real estate assets and rental portfolio. The real estate team’s clients have very diversified profiles, such as national or international brands, individual or institutional investors.

Contact: Denis Salama

Insolvency:

This practice covers a wide range of areas, such as, the restructuring of insolvent companies and the acquisition of bankrupt companies.

Contact: Denis Salama

Employee Share Incentive & Saving Schemes:

This practice, created in 2009, is dedicated to helping clients set up their share incentive and saving schemes, on a national or worldwide basis.

Contacts: Alain Levy, Bruno Erard, Olivier Tordjman

International Work:

Cross-border transactions represent a significant part of the activities of AYACHE. Many attorneys have been educated or have had a professional experience abroad and, in particular, in the United States. Over the years, the firm has developed a strong network of foreign correspondents, allowing it to serve its clients worldwide.