Villechenon, Société d'Avocats

Managing Partners: Morgan Hunault-Berret, Alexander Kotoupolis, Isabelle Burel-Blasoni, Erwan Tostivint, Amélie Maindron.

Number of partners: 5

Number of lawyers: 11

Languages: English, French, German, Greek

Firm Overview:

Villechenon was created in 1979 and is a niche business law firm with a strong focus on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital and tax. It is consistently ranked by specialist publications as a leading firm in these areas and in the past year only has advised its clients on more than 60 M&A, private equity and venture capital deals (leveraged buyouts, growth capital and venture capital transactions). Villechenon advises French and international investment funds on their transactions as well as a wide range of companies from startups in the technology or biotech space to more traditional industrial groups. Its expertise ranges from advising on venture capital and private equity transactions (equity and debt fundraisings, mezzanine financing and leveraged buyouts) to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and initial public offerings (IPOs). Villechenon accompanies its clients on transactions from deal structuring to execution but also follows its clients with their day to day issues such as commercial contracts.

Main Areas of Practice:

Venture Capital / Growth Capital / Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs):

This is the area where Villechenon’s expertise and reputation are the strongest. Recent highlights include acting for BPI and Amundi on their LBO on Aramine, Withings on its fundraising, Amundi, MBO Partenaires and Arcado on the build up on Aux Produits Saugets, Siparex Mezzanine on their LBO on Pack Solutions, Sofinnova, Breamer and Demeter on the investment of Aledia and Broadpeak on its fundraising with Eutelsat.

Mergers & Acquisitions / Cross-Border Transactions:

The firm is consistently ranked as a market leader for mid-market transactions, both French and crossborder. The firm’s international experience is particularly valued by clients. Recent highlights include acting for Dejbox in its acquisition of Carrefour, Acerde in its acquisition of a major player in medical imaging, Kang in its acquisition of MRVL Management GmbH, Privateaser on the sale of Youshould, Esofthings in its acquisition of Lacroix group.

General Corporate:

Villechenon assists its clients on day to day issues and as such provides company secretarial services to hundreds of companies, from startups to listed groups. It also regularly advises clients on the implementation of French or international incentive plans (employee stock-option plans, warrants, share purchase or free share plans, etc).

Securities / Capital Markets:

The firm acts on initial public offerings (IPOs) and on subsequent financial transactions (shares, hybrid securities or debt issuances) but also on de-listings. It also advises public companies on their obligations throughout their life as a listed company. Recent highlights includes advising Ekinops on its IPO on NYSE Euronext Paris and Stentys SA on all its market operations. The firm also advises UCAR (car rental company listed on Alternext) with regards to its legal obligations as a listed company.

Commercial Contracts:

The firm regularly assists and advises clients on commercial law issues, in particular with regards to commercial contracts, operations on businesses/ goodwill and commercial leases.

Wealth & Asset Management:

The firm devises optimal structures for companies whilst ensuring that managers’ and founders’ assets are protected.