Advising our clients in their external growth strategy (acquisition of listed or non-listed companies) and more generally on their strategic projects (divestitures, mergers, joint ventures, …) has always been one of our specialities. The transactional activity of our firm is undoubtedly one of the areas in which our ‘multi-specialist’ culture is best demonstrated, particularly in the planning of complex operations, at the stage of strategic reflection or project structuring. It allows us in the often delicate reconciliation of our clients’ objectives with the particular consideration for each individual case, whether they concern competition, tax, accounting, HR, media or political issues.

To seek efficient solutions to complicated questions has always been our goal, even when it might be simpler to suggest a standardized approach. Our independent, ‘tailor made’ culture has always given us full latitude in the management of negotiations, be they contractual or with administrative authorities. While we have a full understanding of market practices, we do not hesitate to put these methods into question, if necessary, in terms of our clients’ interest with regard to a particular deal.

Assisted by consultants who are among the leading French university professors in their field, our corporate-M&A department includes all the skills required to manage deals, which mark the development of a corporation (contributions, mergers, divestitures, restructurings), the establishment of organizational rules for listed and non-listed companies, whether between shareholders (shareholders’ agreements) or internally (good governance charters). We are particularly involved inreflecting new approaches in corporate governance issues, seeking specific models aimed at creating value in the current context (stakeholders’ value, corporate interest, responsibilities (senior management responsibility and remuneration) and the role of shareholders.

At the end of the spectrum from these matters, which mostly concern large listed corporations, is of course the area of private equity where, as part of transactions carried out for funds (or other shareholders) or for managers, we regularly structure management packages, in coordination with the other departments of the firm (labour department).

In our approach to these transactions, we naturally take into acount the risks of litigation (notably litigation involving takeover bids, representations and warranties), which is typically characteristic for law firms which, like ours, have not a completely separated advising and litigating activity. When they arise, our teams deal with these risks with the same spirit of creativity, thoroughness and independence which distinguishes our approach to legal practice.