World Tax - Home
The comprehensive guide to the world's leading tax firms

Bredin Prat has a highly respected tax practise which specialises in M&A, private equity, corporate restructurings and real estate transactions. The team of 15 tax lawyers includes six partners.In September 2011, the team represented Rhodia in the largest ... [more]

Bredin Prat has a highly respected tax practise which specialises in M&A, private equity, corporate restructurings and real estate transactions. The team of 15 tax lawyers includes six partners.

In September 2011, the team represented Rhodia in the largest takeover bid in 2011 to involve a French target. The deal led to the merger of two large international industrial groups, in the chemicals industry, which required sophisticated tax structures.

In other work, the firm advised on one of the largest acquisitions to take place in the champagne sector. The team assisted Société Européenne de Participations Industrielles SAS (EPI) on its acquisition of the whole of the capital of Piper-Heidsieck-Compagnie, from Rémy Cointreau.

The team co-advised Ineos, the fourth largest chemicals manufacturer worldwide, alongside Slaughter and May. The €2 billion ($2.64 billion) deal was completed in July 2011.

Bredin Prat has a best friend's agreement with Italian firm Bonelli Erede Pappalardo, Hengeler Mueller in Germany, Slaughter and May in the UK and Spanish Uría Menéndez.

The firm advices French and foreign companies on all domestic and international tax issues and also assists clients in tax audits and disputes.

Baker & McKenzie has a strong tax team of 34 lawyers under the leadership of Véronique Millischer,A key practitioner clients recommend is Eric Meier. One client said: "I am more than pleased to work with Baker and more precisely with Eric Meier, the ... [more]

Baker & McKenzie has a strong tax team of 34 lawyers under the leadership of Véronique Millischer,

A key practitioner clients recommend is Eric Meier. One client said: "I am more than pleased to work with Baker and more precisely with Eric Meier, the best of the best for tax litigation issues in France. He's a great guy, a great professional, with an amazing track record as tax lawyer and litigator."

Another client says: "Yes, I'm very satisfied by Baker services and especially in secondary transactions. The team is solid and supportive."

"One name in France would definitively be Bruno Bertrand, an excellent professional. Meticulous, workaholic and inventive in the negotiations and structuring," said a client.

Notable work over the past 12 months has included advising on a number of international tax-optimisation operations involving simultaneous restructurings in more than 35 countries and using its large teams in France and abroad.

Guillaume Le Camus led a team that advised Sara Lee Group in its negotiations with private equity firm Sagard for the sale of Eurodough, a Sara Lee's European chilled dough business.

And Thierry Vialaneix led a team advising a leading company in the environmental sector in connection with VAT audit carried out by the tax authorities.

Clifford Chance is highly regarded by clients, who praise the tax team's efficiency."Apart from their prices, I am very happy with the services that are rendered to my firm by Clifford Chance Paris, the experience, reactivity and network. I would like ... [more]

Clifford Chance is highly regarded by clients, who praise the tax team's efficiency.

"Apart from their prices, I am very happy with the services that are rendered to my firm by Clifford Chance Paris, the experience, reactivity and network. I would like to mention especially Alexandre Lagarrigue and Pierre Briguet-Lamarre," said one client. "We work in confidence with them and the quality is very good," added another.

Eric Davoudet manages a team which includes one other partner and 15 fee earners.

The team advised Carrefour and Dia on the spin-off of the two groups and on Dia's listing in Spain.

In March 2012, Lagarrigue and Katia Gruzdova advised Clayton Dubilier & Rice, Axa Private Equity and Caisse des dépôts et du placement du Québec on the €375 million high yield bonds issue to refinance the Spie leveraged buy-out.

The team advised Qatar Holding in June 2012 on its acquisition of the Virgin building on the Champs-Elysées from Groupama. In April 2012, the firm advised the same client on a further acquisition of the Neo and Retiro Paris buildings from KANM.

The tax practice at Freshfields is managed by Cyril Valentin. Vincent Daniel-Mayeur stepped from counsel to partner in May 2012. The tax team of three partners and five fee earners, is highly regarded by clients who praise the quality of their technical ... [more]

The tax practice at Freshfields is managed by Cyril Valentin. Vincent Daniel-Mayeur stepped from counsel to partner in May 2012. The tax team of three partners and five fee earners, is highly regarded by clients who praise the quality of their technical skills. "I was quite satisfied by their assistance, the capability to understand precisely my specific needs and expectations," said a client. "For example they don't provide long general developments which are of no or low use, but focus on value adding technical analysis, and capability to explain clearly complex tax issues."

Daniel-Mayeur is acting for Idenix Pharmaceuticals, a listed biopharmaceutical company on the update of its transfer pricing policy and its associated legal reorganisation.

Valentin is representing Office Chérifien des Phosphates, the Moroccan-based leader in phosphates mining and phosphates-based products, on multi-country tax planning projects.

Antoine Colonna d'Istria has also been active, advising Astrium, an EADS group company, on its acquisition of Vizada, a key provider of fixed and mobile satellite communications, from Apax Partners France. Colonna d'Istria is also praised by clients who describe him as a key individual.

Mayer Brown's main area of focus is in M&A, corporate tax and individual tax. The team includes five partners and eight fee earners and is under the leadership of Laurent Borey."I can speak for the tax department of Mayer Brown in Paris, which is a top-notch ... [more]

Mayer Brown's main area of focus is in M&A, corporate tax and individual tax. The team includes five partners and eight fee earners and is under the leadership of Laurent Borey.

"I can speak for the tax department of Mayer Brown in Paris, which is a top-notch team for all transactional operations," said a client. "They combine a high degree of technical skills and understanding of the deals' mechanisms that provide a huge value to the client, tax or non-tax experts, and is hardly found in other firms," he adds.

In the first quarter of 2012 the tax team assisted an Italian client in the management of VAT issues relating to a stock of steel plates located in France, for which proper VAT procedures were not carried out initially.

Benjamin Homo is continuing to advise individuals on a tax audit in connection with the LBO of Editis, the publishing company. Homo and Borey are both praised by a client who said: "The combination of Laurent Borey and Benjamin Homo works perfectly well as those two are really creating much more value than the sum of the parts."

Taj, the associate tax firm of Deloitte, is a large group of 46 partners and 304 fee earners. The team is under the leadership of Gianmarco Monsellato.Work over the past 12 months included a range of transfer pricing projects for clients in the energy, ... [more]

Taj, the associate tax firm of Deloitte, is a large group of 46 partners and 304 fee earners. The team is under the leadership of Gianmarco Monsellato.

Work over the past 12 months included a range of transfer pricing projects for clients in the energy, IT, textile, telecommunications, biotechnology, and insurance sectors. Advice covered strategy, structuring and documentation, for example.

In corporate tax, some of the notable work covered the tax aspects of reorganisation after acquisitions, mergers, partial business transfers and joint-ventures. It has also advised clients recently on the application of VAT to e-commerce.

Anne-Sophie Coustel, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's tax chief in France, led colleagues advising Lafarge in the sale of its European and South American gypsum operations to Etex. Lafarge received net cash proceeds of about €850 million and a 20% ... [more]

Anne-Sophie Coustel, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's tax chief in France, led colleagues advising Lafarge in the sale of its European and South American gypsum operations to Etex. Lafarge received net cash proceeds of about €850 million and a 20% interest in the new partnership, which combined the European and South American gypsum activities of both groups.

Franck Berger and Patrice Jan advised a client in the logistics industry on the design and implementation of a global transfer pricing documentation model for 124 entities as well as advising on the project's management.

Jan also advised a company in the software industry on the design of a transfer pricing policy in the context of the 'on cloud' activity of the group.

Linklaters's competitors recommend Edouard Chapellier, the firm's tax leader, for his strong capabilities in M&A and finance related tax advice on both domestic and international matters. He has a team of one other partner and five fee earners.Chapellier ... [more]

Linklaters's competitors recommend Edouard Chapellier, the firm's tax leader, for his strong capabilities in M&A and finance related tax advice on both domestic and international matters. He has a team of one other partner and five fee earners.

Chapellier is advising CDC, an important shareholder, on the restructuring of Dexia, the financial services group. The firm also advised consortium members AXA Private Equity, Kallista and Neoen on the acquisition of the Poweo EnR group from Verbund. This included all onshore and offshore wind, solar and biomass assets.

Other work included advising Barclays Private Equity funds on the complex tax structuring involved in the acquisition of the Coventya group. The complexity arose from the fact that more than 80 managers in various jurisdictions invested in the acquisition vehicle.

Clients hold Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom's tax team of Philippe Derouin and two fee earners in high regard."I have worked with Sean Shimamoto, Andre LeDuc and Phillipe Derouin and think they are all great," said one. "In particular, Andre is ... [more]

Clients hold Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom's tax team of Philippe Derouin and two fee earners in high regard.

"I have worked with Sean Shimamoto, Andre LeDuc and Phillipe Derouin and think they are all great," said one. "In particular, Andre is great as a "senior statesman" who can help look at the big picture. Sean is great for alternative energy and Philippe is great for French tax litigation. All three are in the top group of lawyers I've worked with anywhere."

Work over the past year has included acting in cross-border and domestic transactions for corporations and partnerships, the advice extending to double tax treaty analysis and occasionally EU law.

The team represented The Middleby Corporation, a US company on its acquisition of 100% of Armor Inox, a leading manufacturer of thermal processing systems for the food processing industry, from the Dréano family.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher's tax department has been most active on corporate tax work over the past 12 months.In November 2011, Marie Hélène Raffin, the joint head of the tax group along with Pierre Ullmann, advised Arkema on its planned divestment of ... [more]

Willkie Farr & Gallagher's tax department has been most active on corporate tax work over the past 12 months.

In November 2011, Marie Hélène Raffin, the joint head of the tax group along with Pierre Ullmann, advised Arkema on its planned divestment of its vinyl products business segment. In the same month, Philippe Grudé represented Ingenico in its €67.7 million tender offer for Xiring shares.

The team also advised on tax matters to do with private-equity firm PAI Partners's sale of CEP.

August & Debouzy's tax department of two partners and eight fee earners mainly advised clients on corporate tax and transfer pricing issues this yearIn corporate tax work, Xavier Rohmer, one of the joint heads of the practice, and an associate advised ... [more]

August & Debouzy's tax department of two partners and eight fee earners mainly advised clients on corporate tax and transfer pricing issues this year

In corporate tax work, Xavier Rohmer, one of the joint heads of the practice, and an associate advised on the secondary LBO, including the restructuring of senior and mezzanine debt, of FDS by the FDS Group. The team also assisted Beezik and its shareholders on the merger with Ebuzzing.

The team is advising clients including Ipsos, Staples and Adisseo on drafting transfer pricing documentation under the master file and specific file concepts.

The firm recruited two associates this year. Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier specialises in corporate transactions, complex litigation and arbitration matters, and competition law. The firm's focus on M&A and private equity work has allowed it to develop ... [more]

The firm recruited two associates this year. Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier specialises in corporate transactions, complex litigation and arbitration matters, and competition law. The firm's focus on M&A and private equity work has allowed it to develop a strong relationship with its existing M&A clients such as Bouygues, Casino and PPR.

The Paris tax division is headed by Yann Grolleaud who is highly regarded in the market. He represented Amazon in an appeal against the search of premises and seizures performed by the French tax authorities against the group. Appeals were lodged in Paris and Orléans resulting in two different outcomes.

Over the past year the firm has also advised clients such as Lov Group, Sodiaal International and Italcementi/Ciments Français. De Pardieu Brocas Maffei covers three main areas of tax work: real estate transactions and financing, tax litigation and structured ... [more]

Over the past year the firm has also advised clients such as Lov Group, Sodiaal International and Italcementi/Ciments Français. De Pardieu Brocas Maffei covers three main areas of tax work: real estate transactions and financing, tax litigation and structured finance, and M&A and private equity. Clients praise the firm's strength in these areas, highlighting real estate and tax structuring in particular.

The tax department is under the joint-leadership of Emmanuel Chauve and Bernard Boutemy, who lead a team of three other partners and eight fee earners.

Alexandre Blestel represented Foncière Sagesse Retraite (FSR) and shareholders on its global sale of a complex real-estate portfolio to Gecina and the reorganisation of FSR's balance sheet and shareholding.

Marie-Laure Bruneel advised 21 Centrale Partners in connection with the disposal of their interest in the Vulcanic group.

Chauve also advised a consortium of investors on the acquisition of River Ouest, real-estate asset. The deal was particularly complex as the consortium included three partners with specific tax constraints.

The tax group at Dentons in Paris is led by Benoît Giraux, who specialises in advising high net worth individuals. The team includes four partners and 11 fee earners that are specialists in sectors including luxury products, pharmaceuticals, financial ... [more]

The tax group at Dentons in Paris is led by Benoît Giraux, who specialises in advising high net worth individuals.

The team includes four partners and 11 fee earners that are specialists in sectors including luxury products, pharmaceuticals, financial institutions, media and communications and also work with high net worth individuals.

In September 2011, the practice welcomed Anne Quénedey formerly the head of the Paris tax group of Bird & Bird and co-head of its international tax group

Sandra Hazan, Jessie Gaston and Stéphane Jaffrain are advising a client on a complex structuring that includes a short-term acquisition and resale. The team also advised a group on the structuring of its pan-European holding investment structure. The tax structure needed to accommodate personal tax issues of shareholders as well as corporate tax issues.

The firm is also working on a number of tax disputes and transfer pricing audits, as well as M&A, private equity, litigation, and international tax planning.

The arrival of Patrice Lefèvre-Péaron as head of the department has strongly reinforced the tax ranks at DLA Piper in Paris. He is adept at domestic and international tax advice.He leads a team of four fee earners, including Frédéric Lubczinski, a newly-hired ... [more]

The arrival of Patrice Lefèvre-Péaron as head of the department has strongly reinforced the tax ranks at DLA Piper in Paris. He is adept at domestic and international tax advice.

He leads a team of four fee earners, including Frédéric Lubczinski, a newly-hired associate, who focuses on transfer pricing and international tax law, and represents clients before administrative courts.

The firm's work over the past 12 months includes a number of transfer pricing projects, led by Lubczinski, which are to be completed.

Lefèvre-Péaron took the lead in advising 1886 Partnership in relation to the management buy-out of Arthur D Little Services SAS from Altran Technologies SA in December 2011.

McDermott Will & Emery's tax team focuses on cross-border transactional work advising clients on international tax issues, restructurings, M&A and joint ventures. It experienced an upheaval earlier in the year when Herve Bidaud, the former tax leader ... [more]

McDermott Will & Emery's tax team focuses on cross-border transactional work advising clients on international tax issues, restructurings, M&A and joint ventures. It experienced an upheaval earlier in the year when Herve Bidaud, the former tax leader and a well-known adviser in the market, left.

Antoine Vergnat is now head of department and works alongside one fee earner. He advises French and foreign investment funds, corporate groups and entrepreneurs working in the industrial, service and real estate sectors in particular.

Highlights for the firm over the past 12 months include advising a French listed oil & gas company on the restructuring of its activities in connection to a spin-off transaction. The team also advised a French-listed investment company on the leveraged acquisition of a majority stake in a leading industrial banking equipment company.

The team also advised various private equity firms and management teams on the structuring of management incentive packages.