Expertise
Practices
Arbitration
The firm acts in commercial arbitration (domestic and international) as well as in investment arbitration. We represent our clients in all industry sectors in ad hoc or institutional proceedings (ICC, LCIA, ICSID, CMAP, CCJA, etc.)
Our lawyers also appear before State courts (juge d’appui and courts of appeals) in all arbitration-related proceedings: appointment or challenge of arbitrators, annulment proceedings, exequatur and enforcement of awards, liability of arbitrations players.
The firm’s partners also regularly sit as arbitrators.
Our lawyers are recognized among the leaders in this field:
- Legal500 2023 : “The newly created firm represents several prominent clients in commercial arbitration and award exequatur cases.“
- Leaders League – Litigation & Arbitration 2023 – Strong reputation in International Arbitration
- Legal 500 – Alexandre Reynaud ranked as a “Next Generation Partner” since 2021
- Who’s Who Legal – Marina Matouseko and Alexandre Reynaud identified as “Future Leaders” since 2020
- Best Lawyers – Alexandre Reynaud: Arbitration, Mediation and Energy Law
- Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration Future Leaders 2022: “Ms Matousekova is a very dedicated advocate with a long vision for cases“, “Marina is a tireless fighter in arbitration cases”, “She is an excellent advocate“.
- Legal 500 (2022): “Alexandre Reynaud [is a] remarkable specialist in the field of international arbitration. [He]distinguish[es][himself] by his personal involvement, thoroughness and responsiveness”
- Legal 500 (2022): “Marina Matousekova is very bright and very calm under pressure.“
- Euromoney Expert Guide – Alexandre Reynaud identified as a “Rising Star” since 2018
Our firm’s recent experience in international arbitration includes:
- Counsel to World Natural Resources in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Congo in relation to a production sharing agreement (ICSID Case No. ARB/21/24)
- Counsel to a French aerospace group in three arbitrations relating to a license agreement (amount in dispute: €75 million, French and New York law, ad hoc proceedings in Paris and ICC New York, English language);
- Counsel to a US software company in an arbitration relating to a development agreement (New York law, ICC New York, English language)
- Counsel to an Asian company in an arbitration against an Asian group in a dispute related to the sale of a trademark in the luxury industry (amount in dispute: €30 million, French law, ICC Paris, English language)
- Counsel to a UK energy company in an arbitration against a former partner in relation to a joint-venture in the oil industry in Central Afrique (amount in dispute: €200 million, English law, ICC Paris, French language).
White-collar crime
The firm represents individuals and organisations before criminal courts in all areas of business life.
The team has developed a cutting-edge expertise in corporate criminal law (fraud, misuse of corporate assets, etc.), in corruption and related offenses (influence peddling, illegal taking of interest, etc.), in tax criminal law (fraud and money laundering), in labor criminal law (harassment, manslaughter and unintentional injuries, safety and environmental offenses), criminal health law and in media law (defamation and insult).
Our lawyers also act in numerous international cases (economic sanctions, financing of terrorism, Interpol notices, arrest warrants and extradition).
Our lawyers are recognized as leaders in the field:
- Legal 500 2023: “Competent, agile and reactive“;
- Legal 500 2023: “Martin Pradel has a rare experience, combining criminal, civil and arbitration proceedings expertise, in France and in Africa. He has a very good contact with judges“;
- Martin Pradel and Aloïs Blin are identified for their “strong reputation” in White-Collar Crime by the 2023 Leaders League ranking.
Our partners’ recent experience in white-collar crime includes:
- counsel to a Saudi businessman involved in a case of illegal financing of a presidential political campaign in France;
- co-counsel of the French Drugs Safety Agency (ANSM) during the landmark Mediator trial (biggest pharma law case in France);
- counsel to construction and logistics companies in criminal proceedings for unintentional injuries and safety violations;
- counsel to a clinic director charged with moral harassment;
- counsel to a French Member of Parliament charged with misappropriation of public funds concerning the use of his expense allowance;
- counsel to a Central African State in the Biens Mal Acquis case;
- counsel to a major French law firm charged with complicity in tax fraud;
- counsel to a French businessman charged with money laundering;
- counsel to a manager of a German financial institution in the context of European seizures.
Internal investigations and compliance
Our team advises companies on triggering and implementing internal investigations, in particular following whistleblower reports. We also assist them in submitting investigation reports requested by the judicial authorities, and in improving their compliance programme (Sapin II law).
Our lawyers assist in particular managers and employees in exercising their specific “rights of defence” in internal investigations.
Our partners’ recent experience includes:
- counsel to an executive of a French food company in an internal investigation relating to alleged acts of complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity in Central Africa;
- counsel to a French IT company in relation to anti-corruption legislation and international sanctions;
- counsel to a former director of public affairs of a distribution group in the context of an internal investigation relating to suspected corruption.
Commercial and Corporate Litigation
The firm acts before civil and commercial courts in all types of business law disputes.
Our lawyers act in all proceedings related to the performance or termination of contracts (services, sales, partnership, joint-ventures, license of trademark, patents or know-how, etc.) as well as in proceedings related to the termination of established commercial relations.
The team has a cutting-edge expertise in disputes between shareholders, including disputes on the withdrawal or exclusion of a shareholder, the performance of a shareholders’ agreement or the transfer of shares. Our team has extensive experience in litigation between law firm partners, which includes issues specific to the legal profession (ethics, unfair competition, etc.).
The firm also regularly acts as counsel in enforcement proceedings (seizures, attachments, etc.), including enforcement of decisions against foreign States (Loi Sapin II).
Our lawyers are recognized as leaders in this field:
- Martin Pradel and Alexandre Reynaud are identified as “Excellent” in Commercial Litigation by the Décideurs Litigation & Arbitration 2022 ranking
Our partners’ recent experience in commercial and corporate litigation includes:
- counsel to a French aeronautical group in a dispute relating to the termination of established commercial relations with a subcontractor (amount in dispute: €3 million, French law, Paris Commercial Court);
- counsel to a major French law firm in several disputes with former partners;
- counsel to an African businessman in a dispute between shareholders that gave rise to several commercial and criminal proceedings;
- counsel to a real estate developer in several court proceedings against former partners concerning numerous real estate projects (amount in dispute: €13 million, civil and commercial courts, courts of appeals).
Industries
Aviation industry
Our lawyers have extensive experience in disputes in the aviation industry.
The team assists aircraft operators, equipment manufacturers and subcontractors in their commercial disputes (contracts, partnership agreements, shareholders’ disputes) in international arbitration and before commercial and civil courts. Our lawyers have a specific expertise in disputes involving industrial property issues.
Our lawyers also assist their clients in criminal and civil proceedings involving their liability following accidents.
Our partners’ recent experience in international arbitration includes:
- counsel to a French aerospace group in three arbitrations relating to a licensing agreement (amount in dispute: €75 million, French and New York law, ad hoc proceedings and ICC Rules, English language);
- counsel to a French aerospace group against a US high-tech company in a dispute relating to the supply of aeronautical equipment (amount in dispute: $100 million, Swiss law, ICC Geneva, English language);
- counsel to a French aerospace group in a dispute between partners of a joint venture in the high-tech defense systems sector (amount in dispute: €30 million, French law, NAI Rotterdam, English language);
- counsel to a French aerospace group in a dispute relating to the breach of an equipment supply contract in the aerospace sector (amount in dispute: €47 million, French law, ICC Paris, English language);
- counsel to a French aeronautical group in an arbitration relating to the breach of an equipment supply contract in the aeronautical field (amount in dispute: €16 million, Swiss law, ICC Zurich, English language);
- sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a North African company and a European company in a dispute relating to the supply of aeronautical parts.
Our partners’ recent experience in criminal law includes:
- counsel to passengers victims of an aircraft accident;
- counsel to an airport operator in labor criminal law proceedings;
- counsel to an airport operator in criminal proceedings for unintentional injuries;
- counsel to a French aeronautical group in criminal proceedings for manslaughter following an aircraft accident;
- counsel to an aeronautical group victim of an espionage attempt.
Our partners’ recent experience in corporate and commercial litigation includes:
- counsel to a French aeronautical group in a dispute relating to the termination of established commercial relations with a subcontractor (amount in dispute: €3 million, French law, Paris Commercial Court);
- counsel to a French aerospace group in summary proceedings on a dispute between partners of a joint venture in the high-tech defense systems sector (Paris Commercial Court).
Construction
Our lawyers work with prime contractors, project owners, contractors and subcontractors in disputes relating to the execution of works, both in arbitration and before the commercial courts.
The team also has extensive experience in proceedings involving the liability of companies and individuals in the construction industry (accidents, labor criminal law, etc.).
Our partners’ recent experience in international arbitration includes:
- counsel to an Italian engineering company in an arbitration relating to delays in the construction of energy infrastructure in Algeria (€30 million, Algerian law, ICC Paris, French language);
- counsel to a French hotel group in an ICC emergency arbitration concerning the eviction of a contractor following the termination of a construction contract in Algiers (amount in dispute: €4 million, ICC Paris, Algerian law, French language);
- counsel to a French metal company in a dispute against a North African investment fund regarding delays and disruptions in the construction of a hotel in West Africa (amount in dispute: €46 million, ICC Paris, English language);
- counsel to a Belgian company in annulment proceedings against an award relating to a dispute between shareholders on several real estate projects (amount in dispute: €3 million, ad hoc proceedings).
Our partners’ recent experience in criminal law includes:
- representation of a French construction company in an investigation for unintentional injuries;
- representation of a French construction company in the context of a judicial investigation for unintentional injuries;
- representation of a French construction company’s employee prosecuted for manslaughter.
Our partners’ recent experience in commercial litigation includes:
- counsel to a real estate developer in several court proceedings against former partners concerning numerous real estate projects (amount in dispute: €13 million, civil and commercial courts, courts of appeals).
Energy and natural resources
The firm has extensive experience in energy and natural resources disputes.
Our lawyers act for investors, energy producers, States and state-owned energy companies in international arbitration and litigation in disputes over operating permits, partnership agreements and production sharing agreements.
Our partners’ recent experience in international arbitration includes:
- counsel to an international investor in an ICC arbitration against a West African State concerning the withdrawal of a license to operate a manganese mine (amount in dispute: $5 billion, civil law, ICC The Hague, French language);
- counsel to a Central African state-owned oil company in an arbitration against an oil broker concerning the termination of a contract for the supply of oil products (amount in dispute: $134 million, LCIA London, French law, French language);
- counsel to a Central African state-owned oil company in an arbitration against a French oil company regarding the recovery of oil costs (amount in dispute: $43 million, ICC Paris, French law, French language);
- counsel to an international investor in an ICSID arbitration against a West African State regarding two oil exploration and production sharing contracts (€77 million euros, Senegalese law, ICSID, French language);
- representation of an international mining group in an arbitration relating to an iron ore mine in Sierra Leone (amount in dispute: $75 million, English law, LCIA London, English language);
- counsel to a French energy producer in an arbitration against a partner concerning the development of a project in the field of renewable energies (amount in dispute: €6 million, ICC Paris, English language);
- counsel to a major player in the energy sector against a Namibian company in an arbitration relating to the mining sector (amount in dispute: $3.5 million, Swiss law, ICC Geneva, English language).
Our partners’ recent experience in commercial litigation includes:
- representation of a Central African state-owned oil company in a dispute relating to the release of a bank escrow (amount in dispute: $43 million, Judicial Court of Paris).
Hotel industry
The firm has extensive experience in hotel industry-related disputes and acts in cases involving lease agreements, management contracts and trademark license agreements.
Our partners’ recent experience in international arbitration includes:
- counsel to a French hotel group regarding its relations with a North African partner;
- counsel to a French hotel group regarding the execution of a management contract and a trademark license agreement for an hotel in North Africa;
- counsel to a French hotel group in an ICC arbitration against a West African State concerning the termination of a commercial lease (amount in dispute: €12 million, ICC Paris, civil law, French language);
- counsel to a French hotel group in an ICC emergency arbitration concerning the eviction of a builder following the termination of a construction contract in Algiers (amount in dispute: €4 million, ICC Paris, Algerian law, French language).
Our partners’ recent experience in commercial litigation includes:
- counsel to a French hotel group in two legal proceedings concerning the execution of a lease agreement and eviction (amount in dispute: €27 million, OHADA Common Court of Justice and Arbitration);
- counsel to a French hotel group in the enforcement of an ICC arbitral award against a West African State.
Pharmaceutical industry
Class actions, complaints to the “public health” divisions of courts and professional associations, health sector-related disputes have significantly increased in recent years. Health actors now face an increased risk of prosecution in a complex and uncertain legal environment.
From offenses against individuals (manslaughter and unintentional injuries, endangerment, non-assistance) to breaches of probity (illegal taking of interest, influence peddling, corruption), our lawyers have a recognized expertise in health criminal law and in the management of conflicts of interest.
Our partners’ recent experience in criminal law includes:
- co-counsel to the French Drugs Safety Agency (ANSM) during the landmark Mediator trial (biggest pharma law case in France);
- counsel to pharmaceutical companies charged with industrial espionage;
- counsel to health professionals before criminal courts and professional associations.
Commercial agent – Distribution – Franchise
Our lawyers act in matters relating to commercial agent and distribution contracts for purposes of risk mitigation, notably for bribery issues, as well as for the settlement of disputes, often of an international nature.
The combination of our expertise in international commercial contracts and in white-collar crime allows us to act effectively in disputes relating to compliance by commercial agents with anti-corruption legislations.
We have significant experience in disputes relating to distribution or franchise agreements, particularly in the retail and hotel industries.
Our partners’ recent experience in international arbitration includes:
- counsel to an Italian sales agent in annulment proceedings against an arbitration award issued in a dispute with a French aeronautics group (amount in dispute: €8 million, Paris Court of Appeal);
- counsel to a Swedish company in a dispute relating to the termination of an agency agreement for the sale of military equipment (amount in dispute: €3 million, French law, ICC Paris, French language).
Our partners’ recent experience in commercial litigation includes:
- representation of a commercial agent in the sector of organic cosmetic products (Judicial Court of Paris);
- representation of a commercial agent concerning the supply of an IT security solution in West Africa (Judicial Court of Montauban).
Banking – Finance – Insurance
The firm assists banking institutions, financial intermediaries, investment funds and insurance brokers in their compliance, criminal law and commercial litigation matters.
The team defends individuals and organisations charged with breaches of banking, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering legislations.
Our lawyers also intervene before the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers – AMF) and the French Anti-Corruption Agency (Agence Française Anticorruption – AFA).
Our partners’ recent experience in white-collar crime includes:
- defense of a banking institution and bank executives charged with breach of trust and violations of banking legislation, following the sale of their assets at a loss, in the context of the “subprime mortgage” crisis;
- defense of ethics correspondents of the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers – AMF), prosecuted by their employers following ethical alerts launched in the context of the implementation of anticorruption legislation;
- defense of insurance agents and brokers in cases of violations of legislation against bribery and fraud;
- defense of a payment institution in a money laundering case.
Our partners’ recent experience in international arbitration includes:
- counsel to a French company owned by a German investment fund in a dispute relating to the termination of a consulting contract in the real estate sector (amount in dispute: €5 million, French law, ICC Paris, English language).
Our partners’ recent experience in commercial litigation includes:
- counsel to an Israeli businessman in civil and criminal proceedings against a Luxembourg bank regarding the management of funds.
Defense of lawyers
The firm has developed a cutting-edge expertise in the field of litigation involving lawyers.
Our team acts for fellow lawyers:
- in disputes between partners concerning the management of law firms;
- in ethical and disciplinary procedures;
- when their professional civil liability is at stake;
- when their criminal liability is at stake before criminal courts or independent administrative authorities (Competition Authority, Financial Markets Authority, etc.).
Our lawyers implement a litigation strategy tailored to the specifics of the legal profession in order to best defend our fellow lawyers’ interest and limit the negative impact of these proceedings on their activity.
The firm also assists the representative institutions of the legal profession in disputes relating to the illegal practice of the legal profession by commercial companies.