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Corporate Law and Financial Market Law

An increase of the remuneration control instruments for directors, new constraints imposed by the notion of social and environmental responsibility: listed companies and their directors are facing more critical problems. They not only have to comply with regulatory constraints but, they also have to strive to meet the aspirations of civil society – which means knowing how to anticipate them.

Our practice areas

Listed companies of all sizes, companies in the phase of pre-initial public offering or providers of investment services, our cross-functional and specialised teams will accompany you in:

  • Optimisation of corporate governance and shareholder advice:
    - Structuring of pay and directors’ retirement plans
    - Structuring shareholders’ agreements and concerted actions
  • Annual and daily management of market obligations:
    - Advice on financial communications
    - Drafting of registration documents and annual reports, preparation of General Meetings
  • Issues related to initial public offering (by public offer or by private placement on Euronext, Alternext or the free market):
    - Advice on public offerings of debt instruments and equity securities
    - Detailed consideration of the appropriate exchange and the issue type
  • Public offer management:
    - Public offer, block purchase, public buy-back offer – squeeze out, Public to private, Private investment in public equity (PIPE)
    - Advice on companies targeted for takeover bids
  • Management of pre-litigation and litigation stages:
    - Prevention of insider trading and misconduct
    - Pre-litigation strategy, assistance in control of investigation and hearing stages, and conflicts between shareholders
Our approach
  • A global and multidisciplinary approach: fully aware of the economic and financial implications of their recommendations, and depending on the complexity of the case, our lawyers work closely with other tax, legal and employment experts in order to provide a comprehensive advisory service.
  • Decision-making support based on advice and assistance: we take your objectives into account in order to ensure you make the right decisions for the long term.
  • The ability to deal with matters of an international nature: in cooperation with other members of CMS, we have a thorough knowledge of local business law thanks to our historic footprint.
  • Rigorous methods: we conduct needs assessments and put in place tailored strategies to partner you through the different phases of your operations, for both our advisory and dispute settlement services.
Our team
  • Our team consists of lawyers specialised in stock exchange law.
  • As every mission you entrust to us is different, where necessary, we create ad hoc teams coordinated by a partner. The partner's role is to provide you with a single point of contact, and guarantee quality of service, conflict of interest management and billing.
 
Virginie Corbet-Picard
Virginie Corbet-Picard
Partner
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Virginie Corbet-Picard joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 2007. Virginie specialises in M&A transactions, particularly private equity, restructuring programmes, joint-ventures and other aspects of corporate...
Jean-Eric Cros
Jean-Eric Cros
Partner
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Jean-Eric joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 1989. He became a partner in 2003. Jean-Eric handles all aspects of mergers & acquisitions and restructurings for both listed and unlisted companies: drafting...
Alexandre Delhaye
Alexandre Delhaye
Partner
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Alexandre Delhaye joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 2001. He is a partner at the Corporate/M&A department. Alexandre specialises in corporate law, M&A and stock exchange law, he handles all aspects of...
Christophe Lefaillet
Christophe Lefaillet
Partner
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Christophe Lefaillet joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 1989 and became a partner in 2005. He specialises in all matters relating to consolidation and restructuring operations for listed and unlisted co...
Benoît Provost
Benoît Provost
Partner
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Benoît Provost joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 1990, coopted partner in 2020. Benoît specialises in all matters relating to consolidation and restructuring for listed and unlisted companies
Marc-Etienne-Sébire VDEF
Marc-Etienne Sébire
Partner
Global Co-Head of the CMS Banking & Finance Group
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Marc-Etienne is partner and co-heads the CMS Banking & Finance Group, which consists of over 550 lawyers in 40 countries. Marc-Etienne set up the Capital Markets practice in France. He advises on a wide...
Bertrand Sénéchal
Bertrand Sénéchal
Partner
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Bertrand Sénéchal joined CMS Francis Lefebvre as a partner in November 2023. His main practice is securities law and in particular equity capital markets transactions (initial public offerings, capital...
Jérôme Sutour
Jérôme Sutour
Partner
Head of Financial Services
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Jérôme joined CMS Francis Lefebvre in 2007. He is responsible for the Financial Services Group within the firm's Banking, Finance & Insurance Department and co-chairs the Funds and Regulation Practice...
Jean-Charles Daguin
Jean-Charles Daguin
Counsel
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Jean-Charles Daguin joined CMS Francis Lefebvre for the first time in 2006, until 2014. He then worked as an in house M&A counsel for CNP Assurances. In 2023, he returned to CMS Francis Lefebvre as a...
François Gilbert
François Gilbert
Counsel
Docteur en droit
France, Neuilly-sur-Seine
François Gilbert holds a Ph.D. in private law and is a senior lawyer at the legal doctrine department of CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats. He provides legal advices to the lawyers and clients of the firm...