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Bredin Prat is the go-to law firm for big-ticket, transactional work. The firm has continued to expand this year, hiring two associates. Two more are set to join in November bringing the numbers up to 15.Renaud Streichenberger heads the practice and ... [more]

Bredin Prat is the go-to law firm for big-ticket, transactional work. The firm has continued to expand this year, hiring two associates. Two more are set to join in November bringing the numbers up to 15.

Renaud Streichenberger heads the practice and is singled out by nearly all his peers. "He is quite simply the absolute best at what he does," said one partner. He specialises in M&A, corporate restructurings, financial instruments and tax litigation. The group also includes a number of up-and-coming partners who are seen as important for the future in the French tax market such as Pierre-Henri Durand and Sébastien de Monès.

Around two-thirds of the group's time is spent structuring transactions and negotiating and providing advice, and nearly all of its work has cross-border element to it. Clients cover a balance between traditional industries and financial services and include Saint Gobain, GDF Suez, Eurazeo, Credit Mutuel and Sonepar.

Last year Bredin Prat worked on several deals worth more than €1 billion ($1.4 billion). Durand and fellow partner Yves Rutschmann advised BPCE on the sale of the French real estate services group. The acquisition meant the unwinding of a number of different contractual agreements to do with the group structure of BPCE arising from a merger in 2009.

Julien Gayral advised Rhodia on the €3.4billion friendly takeover bid by Solvay, where he had to ensure was important to make sure that the tender offer did not jeopardise tax beneficiaries from the tax employee scheme. This was achieved by making sure the employees did not tender shares and instead were offered shares in the acquisition vehicle which they can then swap for cash later.

The group also advised Delachaux on the acquisition of a €1.1 billion stake in their business by the private equity group, CVC Capital Partners. This raised several issues various issues such as thin capitalisation, treatment of re-investment and tax treatment of future flows.

CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre is viewed by the market as a leading tax practice in France. The firm comprises around 170 professionals, which is much bigger than most of its competitors in the legal sector. This means it can offer expertise in addition ... [more]

CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre is viewed by the market as a leading tax practice in France. The firm comprises around 170 professionals, which is much bigger than most of its competitors in the legal sector. This means it can offer expertise in addition to the typical service lines, such as local tax department or what it calls a tax doctrine department to advise on changes in business law.

A number of its professionals are also leading figures in the market. Bruno Gibert is described as "very present on transfer pricing" and having "good client relationships". He has been recently reappointed chairman of the EU Joint Transfer Pricing Forum. Christophe Aldebert is described as a rising star in the field of VAT.

The transfer pricing group has continued to grow this year. The team, headed by Pierre-Jean Douvier, Stéphane Gelin and Gibert, has been active both in obtaining advance pricing agreements and also in handling disputes. Gibert is advising a client on the transfer pricing implications of their services and intellectual property, involving more than 150 jurisdictions. The transfer pricing group, unlike most other law firms, includes economists, which means that work does not have to be outsourced to the big-four or the niche consultancies in the field.

The tax team has also advised on many of the largest transactions in the French market over the last year. Edouard Milhac is advising on the completion of the cross-border merger of Nissan Belgium and the Netherlands into the French parent company, which is due to be completed in September. François Hellio also advised Media-Saturn Holding on the disposal of 34 of its stores.

The group advises major multinationals including many of the CAC 40 listed companies. Clients they have worked for this year include Foncière des Régions, SITQ-Caisse des Dépôts du Québec, Blackstone Real Estate, BNP Paribas, GE, Lafarge, Orange, Procter & Gamble and Fiat Group Automobiles.

Arsene Taxand has grown again this year. The practice is headed by Frédéric Donnedieu de Vabres, who is noted in the market as a corporate tax specialist. He leads a team of 62 fee earners.The practice provides a full range of business tax services including ... [more]

Arsene Taxand has grown again this year. The practice is headed by Frédéric Donnedieu de Vabres, who is noted in the market as a corporate tax specialist. He leads a team of 62 fee earners.

The practice provides a full range of business tax services including corporate tax, M&A, real estate, private equity, indirect tax and transfer pricing. Most of the partners practice corporate tax work in some way, with M&A and private equity work being most prominent.

Last year Denis Andres advised Bridgepoint on the acquisition of the two largest jewellery retailers in France. The deal, which closed last October, involved the implementation of a double LuxCo structure. Other work includes advising on the sale of a number of shopping malls in six different countries to a newly-created fund.

Other clients they have represented this year include Schneider Electric, SAP, Accenture, Smithfield and Casino.

With a team of 30 lawyers Baker & McKenzie is one of the larger tax practices in the Paris market. The group is headed by Véronique Millischer and comprises a number of well-regarded practitioners. Eric Meier in particular is singled out for his tax ... [more]

With a team of 30 lawyers Baker & McKenzie is one of the larger tax practices in the Paris market. The group is headed by Véronique Millischer and comprises a number of well-regarded practitioners. Eric Meier in particular is singled out for his tax controversy expertise. Evelyne Bagdassarian has joined this year and, in a notable coup for the practice, Caroline Silberztein moved to the firm in September 2011 from her role as head of the transfer pricing unit at the OECD.

The group has worked on a lot of high-profile transactions. Guillaume Le Camus advised AXA Private Equity last year on the €543 million acquisition of Natixis' proprietary private equity activities in France. Le Camus also worked alongside Thierry Vialaneix, Alain Sauty de Chalon and Bruno Bertrand on the merger of Veolia Transport and Transdev to create the world's to create the first worldwide urban public transport group.

The tax litigation group has also been busy this year and has advised on a number of multi-million dollar disputes, including a case that is pending before the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Clients that the practice has also represented this year include Club Mediteranee, Center Parcs, Morgan Stanley, Groupe Casino and Société Générale Securities Services.

Clifford Chance is praised by its competitors for the strength of its transactional work. The group is also particularly strong in the fields of real estate and fund structuring. The tax practice comprises four partners and 13 other fee earners and is ... [more]

Clifford Chance is praised by its competitors for the strength of its transactional work. The group is also particularly strong in the fields of real estate and fund structuring. The tax practice comprises four partners and 13 other fee earners and is led by Eric Davoudet who is well known for his cross-border structuring work. Partner Eric Zeller is also mentioned in the market for his capital markets work.

The group has been involved in some of the most well-publicised projects in France this year. Zeller and Aurélia de Viry, of counsel, advised Eurostar last year on the implementation of a new corporate structure, which resulted in SNCF, SNCB and LCR becoming shareholders and contributing their Eurostar-related assets. Partner Alexandre Lagarrigue has also been advising Clayton Dubilier & Rice, Axa Private Equity and Caisse des dépôts et du placement du Québec on the €2.1 billion leveraged buy-out of the SPIE Group.

The real estate team has also been busy this year. Davoudet and associate Jitka Susankova advised Norges Bank Investment Management on their €1.4 billion joint venture with AXA Real Estate Investment Managers. This is also the first time the Norwegian sovereign fund has entered the Paris market. And partner Julien Ruderman advised CDC on the structuring of a new infrastructure fund project.

Other clients they have represented this year include Carrefour, Riverstone, Apollo, the Carlyle Group, Standard Life and LaSalle Investment Management.

The tax team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has seen an increase in support work for the firm's corporate group. It has traditional strength in structured finance.Headed by Cyril Valentin, the group comprises eight feeearners. Eric Thomas has stepped ... [more]

The tax team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has seen an increase in support work for the firm's corporate group. It has traditional strength in structured finance.

Headed by Cyril Valentin, the group comprises eight feeearners. Eric Thomas has stepped down after nearly 20 years as a partner. The group benefits from the strength of Freshfields' global tax practice. It means that the group has been able to act as deal counsel on multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Vincent Daniel-Mayer advised General Mills, the US multinational food company, in the $1.2 billion purchase of a 51% stake in Yoplait, the yoghurt maker. This involved a reorganisation of the group: the operating company and the company owning the intellectual property and brand rights were spun off into two separate divisions.

There has been an increase in work in emerging markets this year. Antoine Colonna d'Istria and Daniel-Mayer acted for Danone, another food company, on its $2.7 billion joint venture with Unimilk in Russia and the CIS. Valentin has been advising Office Chérifien des phosphates, the national Moroccan phosphates company on several cross-border projects.

Mayer Brown has a strong reputation in private equity and leveraged buyout work. The group has also seen an expansion in restructuring work this year.The team is led by Laurent Borey, who is also one of the five practice leaders, heading Mayer Brown's ... [more]

Mayer Brown has a strong reputation in private equity and leveraged buyout work. The group has also seen an expansion in restructuring work this year.

The team is led by Laurent Borey, who is also one of the five practice leaders, heading Mayer Brown's global tax practice. He manages a large team of 16, representing a sizeable number of the total lawyers in the Paris office.

Partner Benjamin Homo advised the Carlyle Group on its acquisition of a controlling share in a holding company which purchased shares in the Giannoni group for $600 million. This was one of the first substantial leveraged buy-outs in France since the financial turmoil. The deal also involved a number of complicated restructurings and negotiations with the French authorities which were important in obtaining bank funding.

The firm has continued its fund formation activity, advising a number of private-equity houses on new international structures. Borey is working on a new type of structure for two big funds. This is intended to balance the reluctance of investors to put up money since the financial turmoil and the interests of the fund managers also.

The group also advised Molex on the disposal of its assets in France in a highly publicised case. Other clients include Montefiore Investment, EMI Group, General Motors, Rothschild Group, Zodiac and Consolis.

Taj is a firm of tax advisers and lawyers affiliated to Deloitte – tax and audit firms must operate independently in France – and has more than 370 professionals. Michel Aujean, the former director of tax analysis and policy at the European Commission, ... [more]

Taj is a firm of tax advisers and lawyers affiliated to Deloitte – tax and audit firms must operate independently in France – and has more than 370 professionals. Michel Aujean, the former director of tax analysis and policy at the European Commission, is singled out for his expertise. "There are few tax professionals in France with a better technical quality than him," said one practitioner.

The practice is structured along four main groups: corporate tax, transfer pricing, indirect tax and global employment services.

The corporate tax group is the largest and makes up roughly one-third of fee income. This year the group represented Cinven on the acquisition of Sebia, one of the leaders in the electrophoresis oncology diagnostics market.

The practice is also known for its transfer pricing capabilities. The group, headed by Jean-Luc Trucchi, this year represented a major French technology group on the management of its consolidated tax rate by the implementation and the global documentation of a new intra-group flows policy.

Taj represents both mid-sized companies and also multinationals. More than 70% of the companies listed on CAC40, the stock market index of the biggest companies in France, and 82% of French groups quoted in the Fortune 500 are clients.

Allen & Overy is widely viewed as having a leading tax practice among law firms in the Paris market. Siamak Mostafavi is praised regularly for his capital markets and financial products work. Jean-Yves Charriau has joined this year from CMS Bureau Francis ... [more]

Allen & Overy is widely viewed as having a leading tax practice among law firms in the Paris market. Siamak Mostafavi is praised regularly for his capital markets and financial products work. Jean-Yves Charriau has joined this year from CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre along with two other associates in a move which has been described as a "strong acquisition".

The practice is strong in corporate tax and finance-related work though there is a good balance to the firm's practice, particularly after the hiring of Charriau, who brought a number of real estate clients with him. True to the overall strength of the firm though, work for financial institutions still "represents a big chunk of the practice".

This year the practice helped structure the acquisition of a number of shopping centres for a € 750 million joint venture between two large real estate groups. The group also advised Société Générale on the structuring of a new proprietrary trading system and GE Capital on a large M&A deal.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's tax practice is led by Anne-Sophie Coustel and comprises three practitioners. Pascal Coudin, who works as a consultant, is highlighted by his peers for his cross-border structuring and corporate tax work. He is described ... [more]

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's tax practice is led by Anne-Sophie Coustel and comprises three practitioners. Pascal Coudin, who works as a consultant, is highlighted by his peers for his cross-border structuring and corporate tax work. He is described as a "key player in his field". Arnaud de Brosses left the firm to launch Anthera Partners in January 2011.

Coustel advised Sodiaal, the French dairy cooperative group, on the acquisition and subsequent debt restructuring of Entremont Alliance. This deal involved negotiations under the umbrella of the Comite Interministériel de Restructuration Industrielle (CIRI) and the Mediation du Credit, two governmentbodies responsible for facilitating industrial deals.

Other work this year includes advising Lafarge on the contemplated sale of its $1 billion European and South American gypsum operations, and advising Bridgepoint and Eurazeo on the acquisition of Foncia from BPCE. Other clients they have worked for this year include Veolia Environnement, GE Capital France, Total, BNP Paribas, HSBC and Société Générale.

Ernst & Young has cemented its reputation as having one of the strongest tax practices of the big-four this year. Eric Fourel heads a team of about 480, including legal. Cyril Maucour, formerly of Baker & McKenzie, has been appointed executive director ... [more]

Ernst & Young has cemented its reputation as having one of the strongest tax practices of the big-four this year. Eric Fourel heads a team of about 480, including legal. Cyril Maucour, formerly of Baker & McKenzie, has been appointed executive director to boost the firm's transfer pricing capabilities. Cyril Sniadower has also been appointed as a VAT partner.

The practice has a good breadth to the tax services it offers including a sizeable legal team which means that it is able to offer a complete service in transactional work. Transfer pricing work has grown this year, particularly documentation work, in response to increasing scrutiny from the authorities. Transactional work has also bounced back after a difficult few years and this has also helped to fuel the practice's growth.

This year the practice carried out structuring and legal work on an asset purchase agreement by a US group from a large telecommunications group which involved co-ordinating the purchase in more than 50 jurisdictions. Other work includes advising on the purchase of a real estate agency network by an institutional investor and a large M&A deal for a global food company. The group ahas a string of clients in the entertainment, consumer products, energy and automotive industries.

The tax team at Gide Loyrette Nouel is led by Olivier Dauchez. There are nearly 20 fee earners. Guillaume Jolly has been promoted to partner this year.The practice has a broad range of specialities including transfer pricing, tax planning, structured ... [more]

The tax team at Gide Loyrette Nouel is led by Olivier Dauchez. There are nearly 20 fee earners. Guillaume Jolly has been promoted to partner this year.

The practice has a broad range of specialities including transfer pricing, tax planning, structured finance, litigation and indirect tax. The team has particular strength in international tax and M&A work.

This year Laurent Modave advised Solvay on their €3.4 billion acquisition of Rhodia. This was a complex transaction which required dealing with the losses of the two groups. Gilbert Ladreyt advised the Yoplait group on the sale of a controlling 51% stake to General Mills in one of the few leveraged buy-out exits of the year.

Other work this year includes advising ContourGlobal on the acquisition of two thermal power plants from a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles and Dalkia Investissement. Clients that the practice has worked for this year are Sopra, BNP Paribas, Eiffrage Concessions, Lazard Frères and Veolia.

Fidal Direction Internationale, a tax and legal affiliate of KPMG, is viewed in the market as particularly strong in providing a broad range of tax services including corporate tax, M&A, VAT and transfer pricing in several offices in France. Marc Crette ... [more]

Fidal Direction Internationale, a tax and legal affiliate of KPMG, is viewed in the market as particularly strong in providing a broad range of tax services including corporate tax, M&A, VAT and transfer pricing in several offices in France. Marc Crette is mentioned by his peers for being "a good practitioner" for cross-border structuring. Gwenaëlle Bernier is also highlighted for her indirect tax work.

Landwell & Associés's tax practice is headed by managing partner Michel Combe. He oversees a team of around 300 fee earners. The practice has expanded this year which has included opening an office in Toulouse as part of its attempts to be present in ... [more]

Landwell & Associés's tax practice is headed by managing partner Michel Combe. He oversees a team of around 300 fee earners. The practice has expanded this year which has included opening an office in Toulouse as part of its attempts to be present in all regional cities. Jose Manuel Moreno has joined as a partner in the VAT team as one of four new partners this year.

As the firm forms part of the PwC network the practice provides a full range of tax services and is structured along four main sub-service lines: M&A, indirect tax, international mobility and transfer pricing. The amount of M&A work has increased by more than 20% this year and the practice has advised on some of the biggest deals in France.

This year Xavier Etienne, Jean-Philippe Brillet, Anne-Valerie Attias-Assouline and Jean Vincensini advised on the takeover of Alcan, the aluminium manufacturing group, which saw private-equity group Apollo taking a controlling stake. Two €1 billion+ deals included the acquisition of the Converteam group by GE, and the takeover by Steinhoff, a South African multinational, of Conforama.

Latham & Watkins's tax practice is recognised by the market for its strength in structuring work for complex business transactions. Christian Nouel has left the practice this year but otherwise the team remains unchanged.The practice has advised on a ... [more]

Latham & Watkins's tax practice is recognised by the market for its strength in structuring work for complex business transactions. Christian Nouel has left the practice this year but otherwise the team remains unchanged.

The practice has advised on a lot of private-equity work this year as the French market has begun to pick up. Olivia Rauche-Ravisé and her team advised AXA Private Equity on its purchase of Go Voyages, the French online travel agency. The group also advised the company in connection with its co-acquisition of Opodo, another online travel agency, which involved substantial post-acquisition restructuring.

Other work includes advising a bulge-bracket bank in connection with a senior secured bond issuance by Europacr to refinance a portion of the acquisition debt. The group mainly advises financial institutions and investment funds. Other clients include LBO France and Activa Capital.

Sonia Reeb-Blanluet focuses on tax knowledge management for the firm, which is not common in most law practices in France.

Linklaters is one of the strongest tax law firms in France for transactional work. A number of their professionals are frequently mentioned in the market for being leaders in their fields. Head of tax Edouard Chapellier and Remi Montredon are subject ... [more]

Linklaters is one of the strongest tax law firms in France for transactional work. A number of their professionals are frequently mentioned in the market for being leaders in their fields. Head of tax Edouard Chapellier and Remi Montredon are subject to praise for their M&A, with the former described as "one of the best on the Paris market". Michael Jaffe is mentioned for corporate tax.

This year the practice has been involved in some of the most innovative transactions in the market. Chapellier, alongside Thomas Perrot, of counsel, advised a global steel company on a demerger of part of its business in the first spin-off involving a listed Luxembourg company under the EU Prospectus Directive. This involved a lot of complex structuring and eventual offering of the shares of the new company.

Other work includes advising a large energy company on selling a 25% stake in a gas transmission operator as part of the implementation in France of the third EU directive on the liberalisation of the natural gas market, and advising a number of private equity groups on the acquisition of a stake in a manufacturing company.

Other clients they have worked for this year include Change Capital, AXA, Vodafone, EDF and BP.

Shearman & Sterling's tax practice is headed by Niels Dejean who is mentioned by his peers for his M&A work. The practice is particularly strong in transactional work, including reorganisations, M&A and private equity.Dejean advised a well-known German ... [more]

Shearman & Sterling's tax practice is headed by Niels Dejean who is mentioned by his peers for his M&A work. The practice is particularly strong in transactional work, including reorganisations, M&A and private equity.

Dejean advised a well-known German media group on its successful tender offer for a French online company. The practice also advised on a business combination between an engineering and infrastructure company and a construction and civil nuclear engineering company. The resulting business is valued at €815 million. The deal wentailed structuring for a number of different jurisdictions.

The group has been particularly busy in finance-related work this year and recently advised a company in the food & beverage industries on their €350 million senior secured bond offering.

The tax practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is led by Philippe Derouin. He heads a team of three which focuses mainly on cross-border transactions and tax disputes work.This year the team has worked on a number of high-profile transactions ... [more]

The tax practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is led by Philippe Derouin. He heads a team of three which focuses mainly on cross-border transactions and tax disputes work.

This year the team has worked on a number of high-profile transactions that have meant complex structuring, often involving France's new thin capitalisation rules. The group advised on the $1.2 billion acquisition of Compagnie européenne de prévoyance by JC Flowers in a deal worth. Dourain and Stéphane Héliot also advised Quicksilver on its $290 million bond refinancing.

The practice has experience in advising on tax disputes as far as the ECJ. This year the group advised on the impact of double tax treaties and EU law on disputes for a number of corporations. Other clients they have worked for this year include Société Générale and Crédit Agricole.

Sullivan & Cromwell is noted by its competitors for its strength in transactions, particularly in M&A, restructuring and capital marketa. Despite its small size, Gauthier Blanluet's team of five has been involved in a number of important deals in the ... [more]

Sullivan & Cromwell is noted by its competitors for its strength in transactions, particularly in M&A, restructuring and capital marketa. Despite its small size, Gauthier Blanluet's team of five has been involved in a number of important deals in the French market.

This year Blanluet and Nicolas de Boyens advised AXA on its $2.1bn insurance risk securitisation programme. This was a complex transaction which involved the use of an Irish special purpose vehicle, and was also notable because it was the first issuance under the securitisation programme, the largest euro-denominated catastrophe bond issuance to date.

The tax practice also advised EDF on its $2.1 billion tender offer for all outstanding shares of EDF Energies Nouvelles. The team represents mostly financial institutions and CAC40 companies. Clients it has worked for this year include Morgan Stanley, Renault, Technicolor and Eutelsat.

The tax practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher is co-headed by Pierre Ullmann and Marie-Hélène Raffin. Raffin is often mentioned in the market as one of the leading French practitioners. "She is certainly one of the most well-known, if not the best practitioner ... [more]

The tax practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher is co-headed by Pierre Ullmann and Marie-Hélène Raffin. Raffin is often mentioned in the market as one of the leading French practitioners. "She is certainly one of the most well-known, if not the best practitioner in France in tax restructuring work."

The team of five has extensive experience in corporate tax, including M&A, group restructuring and joint ventures. This year Raffin advised PAI Partners in the sale of an interest in Yoplait to General Mills in one of the most high-profile leveraged buyouts in France this year.

Philippe Grudé also advised a private-equity group on its contemplated €1 billion sale of French insurance broker Compagnie Europeenne de Prevoyance. This involved the negotiation of a double LuxCo structure by the vendor. Grudé also advised the group on the leveraged buyout of Kilotou.

Other clients they have worked for this year include the Lagardère group, Rantstad, Aérospatiale Protection Systems and Elior.

Ashurst's tax practice comprises five professionals in total. The team is led by partners Catherine Charpentier and Nadine Gelli.The practice mostly focuses on transactions, where they work alongside the private equity and fund structuring departments ... [more]

Ashurst's tax practice comprises five professionals in total. The team is led by partners Catherine Charpentier and Nadine Gelli.

The practice mostly focuses on transactions, where they work alongside the private equity and fund structuring departments in the Paris office. This year the group advised on one of the largest leveraged buy-out transactions on the French market, advising one of the investors on the acquisition of Compagnie Européenne de Prévoyance.

Private-equity work has picked up this year and the group has continued to develop a strong litigious practice, acting for Spanish investment and pension funds before the ECJ on the issue of French withholding tax. The practice mostly advises investment funds and other financial institutions.

August & Debouzy is a new entry in World Tax 2012. The tax group was formed by former professionals of PwC in 2005. Xavier Rohmer and Philippe Lorentz head the group.The team is large, consisting of 12 fee earners and is able to offer more advice on ... [more]

August & Debouzy is a new entry in World Tax 2012. The tax group was formed by former professionals of PwC in 2005. Xavier Rohmer and Philippe Lorentz head the group.

The team is large, consisting of 12 fee earners and is able to offer more advice on most areas of tax.

Last year the group worked on the carve-out of Inteva from Arvin Meritors and the subsequent acquisition by RenCo. Other deals worked on this year include the debt restructuring of a company under the control of Walon France, and assistance to the minority shareholders in their $200 million exit from Saverglass.

Cabinet Turot, a new entry this year, is a one-man law firm formed in 1993 by Jérôme Turot that specialises in tax litigation and tax controversies. Turot, a former member of the Supreme Court, is the subject of widespread praise. "He is the best in ... [more]

Cabinet Turot, a new entry this year, is a one-man law firm formed in 1993 by Jérôme Turot that specialises in tax litigation and tax controversies. Turot, a former member of the Supreme Court, is the subject of widespread praise. "He is the best in France for tax controversies" said one partner.

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier's tax practice is headed by Yann Grolleaud, who is mentioned in the market as the key tax practitioner in their department. He leads a team of three. Alain Maillot is the only other partner.The practice is particularly ... [more]

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier's tax practice is headed by Yann Grolleaud, who is mentioned in the market as the key tax practitioner in their department. He leads a team of three. Alain Maillot is the only other partner.

The practice is particularly well-established in M&A and private equity deals. The group has also seen an increase in tax litigation over the last two years with a particular emphasis on tax residency of foreign taxpayers. This year the group advised on General Mills' purchase of a 51% stake in Yoplait in a deal that generated tax work for other French firms too.

Other work included the purchase of Sun Capital of the Albea division from Rio Tinto, and the acquisition of the Cegelec group by VINCI, which involved Qatari Diar becoming the largest shareholder in VINCI. The bulk of the practice's clients are French multinationals.

De Pardieu Brocas Maffei is co-headed by Emmanuel Chauve and Bernard Boutemy. The practice comprises five partners and seven fee earners, and has a lot of experience across a range of tax areas including real estate, M&A, structured finance, litigation ... [more]

De Pardieu Brocas Maffei is co-headed by Emmanuel Chauve and Bernard Boutemy. The practice comprises five partners and seven fee earners, and has a lot of experience across a range of tax areas including real estate, M&A, structured finance, litigation and private equity.

The group has worked on a number of real estate acquisitions this year. Chauve and Marie-Laure Bruneel advised a joint venture of Altarea, ABP and Predica on the $600 million acquisition of a shopping centre in Nice. Alexandre Blestel advised a joint venture between Foncière des Murs and Predica on the acquisition of a real estate portfolio in Germany and France.

The team also advised Rothschild as minority investors in the acquisition of Go Voyages group. Other clients they have worked for this year included Carrefour and BNP Paribas.

Hogan Lovells's tax practice comprises two partners, James Vaudoyer and Xenia Legendre, after the departure of Hervé Israel in February this year. The practice focuses on two main streams of work: financing institutions and M&A.This year the tax team ... [more]

Hogan Lovells's tax practice comprises two partners, James Vaudoyer and Xenia Legendre, after the departure of Hervé Israel in February this year. The practice focuses on two main streams of work: financing institutions and M&A.

This year the tax team advised Lloyds TSB Bank as a trustee in the creation of a French-law governed security trust arrangement in the context of a pan-European securitisation. This was the first major structured finance transaction in France to make use of a French law security trust arrangement over bank accounts and cash flows located in France.

The team also advised Accor Services on the demerger of its hostelry and meal voucher activities carried. Other clients include AXA, BNP Paribas, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Crédit Agricole, ExxonMobil, Henderson Global Investors, Honeywell and Saeco.

Jones Day is viewed by the market as having a greater market presence than the size of its tax practice would suggest. Head of tax Vincent Agulhon is in the market for his corporate tax and litigation work. Emmanuel de La Rochethulon, the only other ... [more]

Jones Day is viewed by the market as having a greater market presence than the size of its tax practice would suggest. Head of tax Vincent Agulhon is in the market for his corporate tax and litigation work. Emmanuel de La Rochethulon, the only other partner in the practice, stepped up in December.

Both partners advised a number of banks on the $500 million leveraged buy-out by one private-equity firm of another's interest in a French company specialising in the rental of equipment for building sites. De La Rochethulon also advised on the negotiation of a $1 billion+ public-private partnership deal with the French Ministroy of Defence.

Other clients they have worked for this year include a large pharmaceutical company, a large energy company, a worldwide supplier of energy services and an online marketplace provider for small and medium enterprises.

Moisand Boutin & Associés's tax practice comprises three partners, all former professionals at PwC.The group provides a broad range of corporate tax services and a number of the partners have specific expertise. Dorothée Traverse specialises in M&A structuring ... [more]

Moisand Boutin & Associés's tax practice comprises three partners, all former professionals at PwC.

The group provides a broad range of corporate tax services and a number of the partners have specific expertise. Dorothée Traverse specialises in M&A structuring and has a number of real estate clients; Marie-Eve Chauvière has a number of clients in the aeronautic industry and specialises in VAT.

Previous work includes advising a major client in the food & beverages industry on the acquisition of a food ingredients company, which required EU approval under merger regulations. Clients they have worked for this year also include an aerospace manufacturer, a company producing scientific products, an international fashion designer and a global payments technology company.

The tax team at Salans has a sector-centred approach to tax advice. This means the group serves as more than a support group for the firm's other practices.Head of tax Sandra Hazan represents clients in the luxury products industry. Partners Jean-Luc ... [more]

The tax team at Salans has a sector-centred approach to tax advice. This means the group serves as more than a support group for the firm's other practices.

Head of tax Sandra Hazan represents clients in the luxury products industry. Partners Jean-Luc Cuadrado and Sybille-Salmon-Legagneur focus on pharmaceuticals and real estate respectively.

The group is particularly strong in both audit and transfer pricing work. Last year Cuadrado represented GlaxoSmithKline on the transfer pricing issues concerning a joint venture with Pfizer.

Other work includes tax structuring for Strategic Hotel and Resorts on the acquisition and resale of a hotel and refinancing of a European real estate fund, taking into consideration the new thin-capitalisation rules in France.

Weil Gotshal & Manges's tax practice is led by Stephane Chaouat and comprises four feeearners.The practice often works closely with the firm's other departments, especially in private equity work where the global tax practice has a strong reputation.Chaouat ... [more]

Weil Gotshal & Manges's tax practice is led by Stephane Chaouat and comprises four feeearners.The practice often works closely with the firm's other departments, especially in private equity work where the global tax practice has a strong reputation.

Chaouat provides advice on a broad range of tax matters including group reorganisations, M&A, real estate and securitisation. Associates Edouard de Lamy and Guillaume Valois have expertise in the banking, and aerospace and defence industries respectively, as well as providing a broad range of corporate tax advice.

Winston & Strawn's tax practice is led by Jean Pierre Collet, who specialises in group restructuring. The team comprises 11 fee earners and four partners Florence Bilger and Franck Lagorce both specialise in real estate work, while David Colin focuses ... [more]

Winston & Strawn's tax practice is led by Jean Pierre Collet, who specialises in group restructuring. The team comprises 11 fee earners and four partners Florence Bilger and Franck Lagorce both specialise in real estate work, while David Colin focuses on indirect tax. All of the partners formerlyworked together at Landwell & Associés and Fidal.

Transactional work makes up roughly half of all their work with general advisory and litigation making up the rest. This year the group advised a leading French healthcare company on the sale of part of its business to a competitor.

The practice has a number of clients in the real estate, healthcare and financial services sectors.

Brandford Griffith & Associés's tax practice is led by sole partner Roland Poirier. He advises mostly in M&A, group reorganisations and tax matters relating to financial instruments and real estate.Work includes advising a major French department store ... [more]

Brandford Griffith & Associés's tax practice is led by sole partner Roland Poirier. He advises mostly in M&A, group reorganisations and tax matters relating to financial instruments and real estate.

Work includes advising a major French department store company on the restructuring of its real estate assets and a large paper manufacturing company on the disposal of one of its businesses. Pure M&A work includes advising an Italian media group on the acquisition of a publishing company.

DLA Piper, a new entry, is one to watch over the next few years.Patrice Lefevre-Pearon joined as partner from Morgan Lewis in an attempt to increase the amount of standalone work the firm does. He joins Philippe de Guyenro, the only other tax partner ... [more]

DLA Piper, a new entry, is one to watch over the next few years.

Patrice Lefevre-Pearon joined as partner from Morgan Lewis in an attempt to increase the amount of standalone work the firm does. He joins Philippe de Guyenro, the only other tax partner in Paris and heads a team including three other fee earners.

The international scope of the work is testimony to the strength of DLA Piper's referral network. The firm has a lot of work in the real estate sector, though the group's clients come from a number of different industries including energy, entertainment, logistics and financial services.

Last year de Guyenro worked on one of the most significant European joint ventures for GMO Products.

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher's tax practice comprises two partners and is known for the strength of its cross-border transactional work, benefiting from the firm's strong global network. The practice is particularly strong in private equity and real estate ... [more]

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher's tax practice comprises two partners and is known for the strength of its cross-border transactional work, benefiting from the firm's strong global network. The practice is particularly strong in private equity and real estate work.

Jérôme Delaurière advised a major US real estate fund on the structuring of its investment in France. Ariel Harroch advised a number of investment funds on capital development transactions such as leveraged buy-outs.

Clients include a French media company and a major financial institution.

A significant entrant to the French legal market is McDermott Will & Emery. The firm opened its office in Paris in May and launched a tax practice shortly afterwards withone partner, Hervé Bidaud, formerly of Hogan & Hartson and TruePartners Consulting, ... [more]

A significant entrant to the French legal market is McDermott Will & Emery. The firm opened its office in Paris in May and launched a tax practice shortly afterwards withone partner, Hervé Bidaud, formerly of Hogan & Hartson and TruePartners Consulting, one of counsel and one associate. Given the strong showing of the firm in tax internationally, its French practice can be expected to make rapid headway.

Nixon Peabody's tax practice comprises five professionals including two partners. Former partner Claire Deléris left in January this year to join Zodiak Media as in-house counsel.Benefiting from the firm's international network, the practice is seen ... [more]

Nixon Peabody's tax practice comprises five professionals including two partners. Former partner Claire Deléris left in January this year to join Zodiak Media as in-house counsel.

Benefiting from the firm's international network, the practice is seen as particularly strong in providing tax advice in cross-border matters including M&A, joint ventures, private equity deals and finance-related transactions.

Arnaud de Senilhes, managing partner and lecturer at the HEC business school in Paris, is particularly well-known for his tax structuring advice for media, entertainment and technology clients. Jean-Sébastien Dumont, the other partner at the practice, is particularly strong in real estate work.

Paul Hastings's tax practice is led by Allard de Waal. The group focuses on all areas of corporate tax including private equity business restructurings and structured finance. The group also provides tax services during audit and litigation.This year ... [more]

Paul Hastings's tax practice is led by Allard de Waal. The group focuses on all areas of corporate tax including private equity business restructurings and structured finance. The group also provides tax services during audit and litigation.

This year de Waal advised a major French company on a $1 billion+ loan refinancing, which involved organising two facilities, one from a major bank and another from a syndicate of French banks.

Other recent work includes advising a company owned by a major financial institution on a management buy-out.

Taylor Wessing's tax team is led by partner Christophe Flaicher and comprises three feeearners in total.The practice provides a broad range of business tax services, mostly in relation to cross-border matters, including tax advice in relation to M&A, ... [more]

Taylor Wessing's tax team is led by partner Christophe Flaicher and comprises three feeearners in total.

The practice provides a broad range of business tax services, mostly in relation to cross-border matters, including tax advice in relation to M&A, group restructurings, tax planning, VAT and project finance. Flaicher acts primarily for major French multinationalsand international groups as well as for Japanese clients.

Clients include Eclosion, Concur US, Global Hotels Holdings and TN Sofres.

Tirard Naudin is a boutique tax practice specialising in international tax and estate planning. The practice consists of two partners.Jean-Marc Tirard, a former member of the French tax administration, focuses on international corporate tax issues and ... [more]

Tirard Naudin is a boutique tax practice specialising in international tax and estate planning. The practice consists of two partners.

Jean-Marc Tirard, a former member of the French tax administration, focuses on international corporate tax issues and tax disputes. He is the chairman of the French branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, or STEP.

Maryse Naudin advises mostly multinational corporations on cross-border transactions, particularly in the real estate sector, and on estate planning.

Veil Jourde's tax practice is led by Christophe Delrieu, who joined last year from Gide Loyrette Nouel and specialises in international tax, particularly group restructuring.The practice provides largely support work for the firm's other departments, ... [more]

Veil Jourde's tax practice is led by Christophe Delrieu, who joined last year from Gide Loyrette Nouel and specialises in international tax, particularly group restructuring.

The practice provides largely support work for the firm's other departments, especially the M&A team, providing advice on acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and pre- and post-acquisition restructuring.

This year the group advised on the recapitalisation of a French manufacturer of motorcycle helmets after the withdrawl of a private equity group as shareholder. The practice has a good balance of international and French clients.

White & Case's tax practice comprises seven fee earners in total and is headed by Norbert Majerholc. Fellow partner Alexandre Ippolito is highlighted for his M&A work.The tax practice advises across a broad range of business tax areas and is seen as ... [more]

White & Case's tax practice comprises seven fee earners in total and is headed by Norbert Majerholc. Fellow partner Alexandre Ippolito is highlighted for his M&A work.

The tax practice advises across a broad range of business tax areas and is seen as particularly strong in transactional work. This year Majerholc advised a major private equity group on the acquisition of a majority stake in a large French food & beverages company. Ippolito has advised a major pharmaceutical company on its dispute with the authorities which involved France's thin-capitalisation rules.

Ippolito has a particular expertise in advising private equity groups on acquisitions. Majerholc also has a number of clients in the luxury goods, pharmaceuticals and real estate sector. Examples of the practice's clients include Starwood Capital, Suez Environment and Société du Louvre.