Lawyers in France

Benoit Bailly

Benoît Bailly joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 2007 and became a partner in 2019. He practices in tax law and advises executives, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth families on the tax aspects of managing their business and personal assets. For businesses, he handles disposals, contributions, and transfers, including under the “Pacte Dutreil”, a favourable tax regime for transferring family businesses. For individuals, he advises on matters including gifts, exit tax and property. He’s clients include private banks, trusts, and French and international family offices. Benoît Bailly also works with investment funds on portfolio structuring, financing and refinancing, and on compensation packages for fund managers. He advises corporate groups and companies on international investments, particularly in the luxury hotel sector. In addition, he supports clients in their dealings with the tax authorities, including audits, litigation, and compliance.

CMS Francis Lefebvre

Benoit Marpeau

Avocat à la Cour, Benoit is a partner in our Global M&A and Capital practice in Paris. A highly regarded lawyer, recognized for his negotiating skills and his talent for crafting innovative solutions to complex challenges, he advises corporate clients on domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions and on their strategic operations in France.

Freshfields LLP

Benoît BOMMELAER

Partner

Cornet Vincent Ségurel

Benoît Bardon

Partner

CLEACH Avocats

Benoît Boussier

Benoît Boussier is co-head of the Real Estate Law department in the Paris office. He deals with every real estate aspect of corporate life (merger, restructuring, asset divestment) and asset management.

Delsol Avocats

Benoît Charrière-Bournazel

With more than 25 years of experience in M&A, private equity and corporate law, he assists French and international clients with their external growth transactions (mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, joint ventures, strategic alliances), as well as on the structuring and ongoing management of their corporate law matters (corporate governance and compliance), their cross-border investments and related litigation and arbitration. He works in particular in the energy, healthcare, new technologies, tourism, transport, agri-food and financial services sectors. His main areas of expertise are: External growth transactions: assisting entrepreneurs and companies at every stage of their mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, joint ventures and strategic alliances, from the negotiation of the letter of intent to the finalisation of the transaction. Corporate law and governance: assisting entrepreneurs and companies at every stage of their mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, joint ventures and strategic alliances, from the negotiation of the letter of intent to the finalisation of the transaction. Cross-border investments and international matters: advising French and international clients in connection with their cross-border investments and international projects. Litigation and arbitration: assisting clients in connection with litigation and arbitration arising in connection with these areas of practice.

Gramond

Benoît Dambre

Partner

PDGB

Benoît Delort

Counsel

Bredin Prat

Benoît Dubessay

Partner | Attorney registered with the Paris Bar Association

Chassany Watrelot & Associés (CWA)

Benoît Foucher

Benoît Foucher joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 2006 and became a partner in 2023. He practices in tax law and advises French and international banks on their asset financing, structured financing and trading activities. He also advises asset managers on the taxation of investment funds. Benoît Foucher regularly represents clients in tax audits and litigation proceedings involving banks. His work often involves issues related to financial markets and the financial arrangements of large corporates. An amateur trumpeter, Benoît Foucher is recognised as an expert on Aubertin trumpets and has written several articles on these instruments in specialist publications.

CMS Francis Lefebvre

Benoît Gomel

Benoît Gomel joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 2015 and became a partner in 2023. He practices in mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions, representing clients across a range of sectors, including industry and investment funds, as well as senior executives and company founders. He advises industrial clients and infrastructure funds on all aspects of complex, long-term corporate projects. He also advises industrial groups and investment funds on establishing joint ventures. Benoît Gomel has a successful track record in the health sector and extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional complex transactions.

CMS Francis Lefebvre

Benoît Gréteau

Partner - Tax law

Veil Jourde

Benoît Javaux

Partner

Squadra Avocats

Benoît Provost

Benoît Provost joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 1990 and became a partner in 2020. He primarily advises on consolidation and restructuring transactions for both listed and privately held companies. Benoît Provost handles all aspects of corporate law and transactions involving business consolidation, reorganisations and restructuring (mergers, spin-offs, domestic and cross-border reorganisations), private equity, and management packages. He also supports companies and corporate groups on governance issues, including the appointment of corporate officers, limits on the powers of directors, executive compensation, delegation of authority, and succession planning. He assists clients with their sustainability reporting obligations (CSRD) and with drafting corporate and legal documents.

CMS Francis Lefebvre

Benoît Thirion

Benoît Thirion is a partner in the Corporate Department, in charge of the Public Law practice, and is based in the firm’s Paris office. He advises and litigates public law/projects matters on behalf of public entities and private companies, investment funds and financial institutions. Benoît has developed significant experience with, and a keen understanding of, the strategic and legal issues of Energy and Infrastructure sectors (including transportation, telcos, data centers, water and waste, etc.) and has established close relationships with many key players in these sectors. Benoît assists his clients in the structuring, negotiating, drafting and executing their public contracts (concessions, complex public contractual arrangements, occupancy contracts) as well as project contracts (EPC, O&M, PPA contracts, etc.). He is involved in all matters relating to the granting of authorizations or regulations applicable to economic activities in a variety of contexts (capital transactions, structuring and implementation of greenfield projects, regulatory issues, and litigation). He specializes in regulatory, environmental law and state aid law. He works closely with the firm's M&A, Private Equity and Financing teams. Benoit is ranked “Up & Coming” in Chambers France 2026, with clients noted that “Benoît Thirion is an excellent professional. He provides very good level of service." Benoît teaches public law at Sciences Po Paris Law School. He regularly publishes articles on topics related to his practice.

Paul Hastings LLP

Berenice Ferrand

Squair

Bernard Ayache

Partner

Mayer Brown

Bernard Bessis

Partner Bernard Bessis assists his clients, both French and foreign companies, in developing their business and resolving their commercial disputes. He is an expert in real estate law, with a particular focus on commercial leases (offices, shopping centers and shopping malls): negotiation and drafting of leases, advice and litigation. He assists real estate operators, companies and individuals in the acquisition and sale of real estate and business assets, and advises companies on real estate development projects. Bernard has also developed expertise in aviation and transportation law. He assists airlines, operators and carriers in negotiating contracts, resolving insurance and liability issues, and handling passenger and cargo litigation.

Bessis Avocats

Bernard Cazeneuve

Partner

August Debouzy

Bernard Cazin

Partner

FTPA

Bernardine Tyl-Gaillard

Partner

NMCG Avocats

Bertrand Andriani

Bertrand is Head of the Energy & Infrastructure department in the Paris office. He specialises in structured finance, including major project financings, leveraged finance, banking, secured and unsecured syndicated loans, derivative products, insolvency and corporate restructuring. Bertrand is also Head of the Francophone Africa Desk.

Linklaters

Bertrand Barrier

Partner - Corporate M&A

Jeantet

Bertrand COSTE

Partner

Cornet Vincent Ségurel