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
- Option Finance, “Force majeure, hardship and MAC clauses: three key tools to master in times of crisis”
- “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
Newsletter – Middle East Desk
France has firmly established itself as a premier destination for Middle Eastern investors. A stable legal framework, a mature private equity market, high-quality infrastructure and a dynamic innovation ecosystem make it ideally positioned for long-term investment strategies. This aligns closely with the diversification and globalisation objectives pursued under the various Vision 2030 programmes across the […]
JEANTET ADVISED IRIS VENTURES IN ITS STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN KRÈME
Paris, July 31, 2026 – Jeantet advised Iris Ventures in its strategic investment in Krème, France’s leading dermocosmetics brand pioneering microbiome-powered skincare, fueling its next phase of growth. Founded in 2020 by Juliette Lailler and Marie Belile, Krème pioneers microbiome-based skincare for sensitive skin, combining probiotic ferments with pharmaceutical rigor in natural, high-tolerance formulas made […]
Paris
Option Finance, “Force majeure, hardship and MAC clauses: three key tools to master in times of crisis”
In a context of increasing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, companies must anticipate the impact of crises on their contractual relationships. In Option Finance, Joséphine Hage Chahine and Ali Baydoun, Counsels and Co-Heads of Jeantet’s Middle East Desk, analyse the key contractual mechanisms available to parties facing exceptional circumstances: force majeure, hardship and Material Adverse Change […]
Middle East Desk
Jeantet’s Middle East Desk at Vision Golfe 2026
Joséphine Hage Chahine and Ali Baydoun, co-heads of our Middle East Desk, attended Vision Golfe 2026 on 18–19 June, organized by Business France, under the auspices of the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Hosted at the Ministry of Economy and at the […]
Middle East Desk
Newsletter Shipping – Middle East Desk
In a context of heightened geopolitical tensions and disrupted trade routes, the shipping industry is facing increasing operational, contractual and insurance-related challenges. We are pleased to share the first edition of Shipping Insights, prepared by Joséphine Hage Chahine and Ali Baydoun, Co-Heads of our Middle East Desk, offering practical and strategic perspectives on the current […]
Middle East Desk
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