Ali Baydoun is a counsel in Jeantet’s Corporate and M&A department and co-heading of the Middle East Desk.
He has a strong experience in the M&A sector, mainly advising a wide range of French and international clients (industrialists, investment funds) in their external growth or investment transactions in France (acquisitions, participating interests, sale of activities, mergers, agreements).
He is also involved in advising groups in connection with their corporate and governance restructurings and the implementation of such policies in France.
He has also developed over the years a strong expertise in business contract law.
Ali is a lecturer in M&A at “Institut d’Etudes Politiques Paris” (Sciences Po).
Background
Lawyer since : 2006
Bar. : Paris
Language(s) : French - English - Arabic - Spanish
Training :
- PhD in Law – University of Panthéon-Assas (Paris II), 2005
- Postgraduate Diploma (DEA) in General Private Law – University of Panthéon-Assas (Paris II), 2001
Member of :
- Association Française des Docteurs en Français
- Association de Droit Privé Général de Paris II (Paris II General Private Law Association)
- Association LIFE
Publications
- “Middle East – A Region in Motion” – Insight from the Middle East Desk: MENA Legal & Market Overview, Second Semester 2025
- Distressed M&A – France 2025, Lexology, december 2024
- “Quelques dernières tendances de la pratique juridique des opérations de M&A”, Option Finance, May 2024
- “Distressed M&A: How to Undertake Distressed M&A in France”, Thomson Reuters, december 2023
- Distressed M&A – France 2023, Lexology, octobre 2022
- Update on promises and preference pacts, six years after the reform of the Civil Code – Option Finance, 04/19/2022
- Le « distressed M&A », hors procédure collective, à l’épreuve de la pratique – Quelques observations à l’attention des acquéreurs – Option Finance, 26/11/2021
- Distressed M&A – France 2021, Lexology, january 2021
- La gouvernance de la SAS à l’épreuve des règles du groupe – Option Finance, 17/02/2021
- Nos pratiques M&A à l’épreuve de la loi sur le « secret des affaires » – Option Finance, 04/03/2019
- De l’obligation d’information précontractuelle dans les opérations d’acquisition – ODA, 23/03/2016
The Middle East Desk at the “Investing in Iraq – Strategic Vision and Opportunities” conference, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq and the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Joséphine Hage Chahine and Ali Baydoun, representatives of Jeantet’s Middle East Desk, attended the “Investing in Iraq – Strategic Vision and Opportunities” conference, held on 15 January 2026 in Paris, and jointly organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in France and the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce. The event brought together institutional representatives, […]
“Middle East – A Region in Motion” – Insight from the Middle East Desk: MENA Legal & Market Overview, Second Semester 2025
The Middle East continues to transform at an unprecedented pace. With bold regulatory reforms, strategic investments in energy, transport, and technology, and a strong drive to diversify Gulf economies, the region remains a key player on the international stage. Discover our MENA Legal & Market Overview – Second Semester 2025, featuring insights from Joséphine Hage […]
The Middle East Desk of Jeantet at the Conference of Paris
Ali Baydoun and Joséphine Hage Chahine, representatives of Jeantet’s Middle East Desk, took part in the Conference of Paris, held on 16–17 December. The conference provided a high-level forum to address global economic, geopolitical and legal challenges in a rapidly evolving international environment. The discussions strongly resonated with developments in the Middle East, a region […]
Business France – Vision Golf 2025
On June 17–18, 2025, Jeantet, represented by Ali Baydoun and Joséphine Hage Chahine, Counsels and Co-Chairs of the Middle East Desk, took part in Vision Golfe 2025, organized by Business France in Paris. Bringing together more than 1,200 participants from both the public and private sectors, this major event positioned Paris as a strategic hub […]
Middle East Desk
Jeantet at the France – Türkiye Business Forum
On October 14, 2025, Jeantet, represented by Ali Baydoun and Joséphine Hage Chahine, Counsels and Co-Chairs of the Middle East Desk, took part in the France–Türkiye Business Forum organized by Business France in Paris. The event brought together numerous business leaders to explore cooperation opportunities between France and Türkiye, and to discuss key economic and […]
Middle East Desk
Newsletter – Investing in France : Managing a French Company as a Foreign Executive: Visa Requirements Explained
France stands out as a prime destination for Middle Eastern investors, combining a dynamic economy, an innovation-driven ecosystem, and dedicated support measures aligned with the Gulf countries’ Vision 2030. At the same time, setting up or expanding in France brings practical challenges for business leaders, from residency and visa requirements to choosing the right legal […]
Middle East Desk | CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY | ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
Free Zones: a Gateway to the Middle East
The GCC has become a global trade and investment hub, with innovation-driven free zones offering vast opportunities for investors—while requiring foresight and legal expertise. To view the Newsletter, please download it using the button at the top right.
Middle East Desk | CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY | ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
Jeantet advises COGELEC and the shareholders of COGELEC DEVELOPPEMENT, majority shareholder of COGELEC, in the context of the proposed acquisition of COGELEC DEVELOPPEMENT by LEGRAND, prior to the filing of a simplified tender offer on COGELEC shares
Paris, July 11, 2025 – Jeantet advises Cogelec (a company listed on the Euronext Growth Paris market), French specialist of the housing access control, as well as the shareholders of Cogelec Développement, indirect majority shareholder of Cogelec, in the context of the contemplated acquisition of the Cogelec Développement shares by Legrand (a company listed on […]
Paris | CAPITAL MARKETS AND STOCK EXCHANGE LAW
Jeantet strengthens its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its Middle East Desk
Paris, June 2, 2025 – Established in Paris for over 100 years, with a solid and recognized international reputation, Jeantet is pleased to announce the launch of its Middle East Desk, a new offering designed to support French and Middle Eastern companies in their cross-border projects. This strategic initiative aims at providing high-level legal expertise […]
Middle East Desk
Webinar: How to invest in France?
On May 13th 2025, Ali Baydoun, counsel (Corporate/M&A) and Gabriel Di Chiara, partner (Tax) will share their expert opinion at the occasion of a webinar session, co-organized by Jeantet and the Saudi French Business Council (CAFS), unveiling the main corporate and tax challenges companies encounter when investing in France.
Middle East Desk | TAX
“Quelques dernières tendances de la pratique juridique des opérations de M&A”, Option Finance, May 2024
Dans un contexte global de baisse du nombre des opérations de fusion-acquisition, un basculement progressif du rapport de force au profit des acquéreurs s’est souvent opéré durant la négociation contractuelle*. Consulter l’article via le bouton : Télécharger le PDF
| CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY
“Distressed M&A: How to Undertake Distressed M&A in France”, Thomson Reuters, december 2023
A Practice Note giving an overview of the legal framework applicable to distressed M&A transactions in France, with a global insight into the main features and the pitfalls specific to each situation. Read the Article : here
| CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY