The insolvency division of Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier maintains its distinguished reputation in the market, known for its adept handling of intricate transactions and legal disputes, including distressed M&A, asset takeover proposals, and litigation. Led by François Kopf, the team stands out for its combined proficiency in advisory and litigation matters. With extensive experience in restructuring transactions and high-profile insolvency proceedings, Kopf serves a diverse client base, including debtors, managerial stakeholders, investors, and parties involved in judicial liquidations. The department’s success is further bolstered by Mathieu Della Vittoria, co-head of restructuring and insolvency, who is recognised for his expertise in distressed litigation and courtroom experience, supported by a deep understanding of civil and commercial procedures.

Gibson Dunn’s restructuring and insolvency team remains a formidable presence in the market, distinguished by its track record of advising on the most intricate proceedings and transactions in recent years. This team draws upon the collective expertise of specialists in insolvency, banking, litigation, employment, and tax. Helmed by the seasoned Jean-Pierre Farges, the group offers strategic counsel to a diverse client base, encompassing distressed companies, banks, creditors, shareholders, hedge funds, auditors, and seasoned insolvency practitioners experienced in navigating restructurings, both domestically and across international jurisdictions. Notable contacts within the firm also include Amanda Bevan-De Bernède, a dedicated expert in complex cross-border debt transactions, as well as distinguished restructuring transaction specialists Bertrand Delaunay, Pierre-Emmanuel Fender, Benoît Fleury, and Nataline Fleury.

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP provides comprehensive assistance to a diverse array of stakeholders, encompassing debtors, shareholders, investors, corporations, the French state, and judicial administrators in intricate legal matters. Under the leadership of renowned expert Philippe Druon, the team collaborates with lawyers from various practice areas, offering specialised expertise spanning the entire transaction spectrum, with capabilities encompassing refinancing, restructuring, insolvency, and distressed M&A cases. Additionally, key contacts in the firm include Astrid Zourli, known for her adept representation of debtors and creditors in domestic and international insolvency proceedings, and Cécile Dupoux, recognised for her track record in handling a wide range of complex restructuring and insolvency issues.

Latham & Watkins’ restructuring team adeptly guides clients through a broad spectrum of scenarios, ranging from out-of-court pre-insolvency work-outs to intricate insolvency proceedings. In the vibrant French market, the team boasts a formidable reputation for its expertise of high-profile distressed LEO work-outs, debt-to-equity swaps, share deals, insolvency arrangements, and complex cross-border restructuring cases. At the helm is the seasoned Alexandra Bigot, who orchestrates the team’s efforts in harnessing the collective knowledge of the firm’s banking, private equity, capital market, employment, tax, and finance specialists. This depth of expertise, complemented by their industry sector insight, ensures the successful execution of restructuring endeavours. The team also includes key contacts, such as Hervé Diogo Amengual, with experience representing international clients in both transactional and litigation aspects of restructurings, alongside accomplished recently promoted partner Thomas Doyen.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s restructuring division is an undisputed leader, with strong recognition across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Continental Europe. This practice, adept at navigating a significant caseload and catering to a diverse client base, offers expert guidance on intricate cross-border matters. Its purview encompasses LBO restructuring, amicable proceedings, and insolvency cases, where they actively engage in some of the market’s most substantial affairs. Facilitating this strength is a culture of collaboration, with co-leaders Anne-Sophie Noury, Jean-Dominique De Cassini and new arrival Céline Domenget-Morin at the helm, integrating with other divisions, especially those immersed in transactional and financial activities. Laura Bavoux further fortifies the practice, specialising in high-stakes French pre-insolvency and insolvency cases, along with cross-border restructuring, across various sectors such as law, retail, media, telecommunications, and sports. Cesar Puech Routier joined the firm alongside Domenget-Morin in late 2023.

Ashurst LLP’s restructuring and insolvency practice holds a prominent position in the French market, excelling in both transactional and contentious cases. Their expertise has been instrumental in advising creditors, sponsors, and new money providers in navigating complex cross-border situations and overseeing numerous significant debts restructuring cases. Practice head Noam Ankri, with a diverse background spanning New York, London, and Paris, brings a unique multicultural perspective to cross-border deals, coupled with his proficiency in high-yield bonds within French restructurings. The team also features notable professionals such as Elsa Decourt, specialising in complex cross-border restructurings, and Astrid Hubert-Beniost, who offers experience in distressed M&A transactions and various corporate issues related to reorganisations, in both amicable and judicial contexts.

The team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP excels in intricate cross-border transactions, actively participating in restructurings and transactions within the French market in recent years. Leveraging the extensive experience of co-heads Guilhem Bremond and Laurent Mabilat, the practice offers guidance across both in-court and out-of-court restructurings. They are also adept in litigation and provide counsel on distressed investments, representing major companies, their shareholders, and creditors, with a notable presence in the transport, retail, and industrial sectors.

Linklaters’ team boasts expertise in the field of restructuring and insolvency, regularly tackling intricate restructurings on both domestic and international fronts. Their counsel extends to a diverse client base, including shareholders, management, creditors, investors, and debtors. Co-heading the practice is Aymar De Mauléon, a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in insolvency and restructuring. His involvement in high-profile restructurings, such as Casino, Orpea, and Rally, is complemented by his proficiency in insolvency-related litigation. Collaborating as co-head is Carole Nerguararian, who engages across the full spectrum of processes, spanning from out-of-court to judicial proceedings, specialising in cross-border financial and operational restructuring; leveraging the firm’s international network to handle global cases effectively.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s restructuring team collaborates with colleagues across various departments, providing assistance to international bondholders, key shareholders, debtors, and corporations in navigating intricate and substantial restructuring mandates. Under the leadership of cross-border restructuring expert Lionel Spizzichino, the practice has recently played a pivotal role in significant debt restructuring cases within the French market, including the high-profile Casino and Orpea cases. Additionally, the team has been instrumental in guiding debtors through France’s largest bankruptcy case this year, offering counsel to GoSport and GAP France in their insolvency proceedings. Among the firm’s notable experts is Audrey Nelson, renowned for her experience in complex out-of-court restructuring matters, as well as her expertise in LBO debt and lender-led restructurings.

Clifford Chance’s restructuring and insolvency team is a recognised global authority, featuring experts spanning key European jurisdictions, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Its reputation stems from its proficiency in handling intricate, cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters, encompassing all aspects, including financing, litigation, market regulation, real estate, and employment law. Delphine Caramalli leads the team, with strong support from Marie Crumière, having recently made significant contributions to cases in the French market, including the Orpea group and Getir BV.

With its holistic approach, CMS Francis Lefebvre's restructuring and insolvency practice guides a diverse client base, including debtors, investors, shareholders, and creditors, through every facet of amicable and insolvency proceedings. Alexandre Bastos, with over 20 years of experience in restructuring and insolvency law, leads the practice, actively overseeing major ongoing cases spanning various industry sectors. One notable highlight is his advisory role in a high-value matter involving multiple jurisdictions for Allicance Green Services. The practice also boasts the expertise of key figures, including Guillaume Bouté.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s restructuring and insolvency team, comprising a diverse group of lawyers, offers comprehensive counsel on all facets of restructuring and insolvency deals. The practice services clients in the telecommunications, technology, and investment funds sectors, adeptly handling a broad spectrum of high-profile, multi-jurisdictional insolvency matters. Additionally, the team plays a pivotal role in assisting the French government with the granting and restructuring of state-sponsored loans. Under the leadership of corporate debt restructuring specialist Pauline Bournoville, the team has experienced substantial growth in recent years, particularly in its role on the creditors’ side, an expansion fuelled by noteworthy new instructions from both French and foreign banks.

Jones Day possesses a distinctive ability to respond swiftly and effectively to both French and cross-border restructuring cases. Under the leadership of Fabienne Beuzit, the team has played a pivotal role in numerous transactional restructurings and bankruptcies over the past decade, providing counsel to a diverse array of stakeholders, including debt and investment funds, banks, debtors, and corporations, across various aspects such as bankruptcy proceedings, in and out-of-court restructurings, M&A, and insolvency-related litigation. Notably, Rodolphe Carrière has been involved in matters concerning start-up and tech companies in recent months.

PLM Avocats thrives on a demanding caseload, skilfully navigating diverse challenges through both amicable and judicial means. At the helm is Patricia Le Marchand, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience from leading international law firms. Her leadership drives significant engagement across a wide array of sectors, encompassing health/biotech, investment funds, real estate, and luxury industries. Complementing her expertise are standout team members, including Stephanie Garcia, Florian De Coulon de Labrousse, Morgane Michel, and Lea Besson.

Simon Associés houses a seasoned team who represent debtors, shareholders, and investment funds. Their portfolio spans a wide range of cases, encompassing a significant portion of small and mid-market matters, while consistently attracting larger mandates. Notably, the practice are currently advising CDiscount on the restructuring of its financial structure and equity within the context of the Casino Group restructuring. The practice is co-headed by Jean-Charles Simon and Emmanuel Drai, with key contributions from Philippe Saigne and Hubert de Frémont.

VALOREN, specialising in restructuring and insolvency, offers comprehensive representation to companies, shareholders, investors, and credit institutions across a spectrum of matters. The team's expertise spans amicable proceedings, social and financial restructuring operations, and M&A transactions. Co-led by Virginie Verfaillie-Tanguy, a distinguished litigator with a specialisation in special situations and liability matters within the context of insolvency, and Virginie Lockwood, renowned for her proficiency in social law restructuring, the practice is well-regarded for its ability to adeptly handle intricate cases across diverse industries, including the hotel, pharmaceutical, and retail sectors.

With robust support from the firm’s complementary areas of restructuring, spanning finance, M&A, litigation, real estate, taxation, and social and public law, A&O Shearman’s restructuring and insolvency practice is well-equipped to offer clients comprehensive assistance on intricate restructurings. Under the leadership of Hector Arroyo, the practice caters to a diverse client base that encompasses debtors, international creditors, private equity, hedge funds, shareholders, and investors. Its cross-border and cross-practice approach ensures effective support for complex restructuring endeavours.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s restructuring and insolvency department extends its services to a diverse client base, encompassing debtors, creditors, stakeholders, and shareholders, both nationally and internationally. Benefitting from a robust cross-border capacity spanning France, the US, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, the team, led by the dual-qualified Didier Bruère-Dawson, offers a spectrum of business advisory and crisis management skills, along with formidable litigation expertise. Notable figures in the department include Philippe Métais, who handles litigation before the French and European courts, and bankruptcy, restructuring, and insolvency expert Marie Gicquel, who joined the practice in June 2023.

Chammas & Marcheteau’s restructuring and insolvency practice, established in April 2020, has been steadily building a strong reputation in this field. The team handles transactional and corporate restructuring mandates, with notable expertise in assisting SMEs with debt renegotiations and financing arrangements. Under the leadership of Stéphane Cavet, the group offers cross-practice expertise to both domestic and international clients. Its recent engagements span a wide array of sectors, including service and industrial companies, e-commerce, and real estate. Additionally, the team has been further strengthened this year with the additions of Jérôme Opalinski and Marie Thomas.

Under the guidance of insolvency expert Audrey Molina, Dentons’ restructuring and insolvency department provides counsel to distressed companies on matters related to insolvency procedures, court-ordered reorganisations, and litigation, both domestically and internationally. The team’s primary strengths lie in debtor representation, cross-border restructuring, distressed M&A, and out-of-court workouts. With the added support of their cross-practice collaboration, the team advises individuals across a wide spectrum of industries, including banking, entertainment, food, and travel, enabling them to offer comprehensive and full-service capabilities.

DLA Piper’s restructuring and insolvency practice stands as a full-service powerhouse, uniquely equipped to navigate international restructurings. The practice’s advantage lies in the vast expertise available across the firm’s various departments, encompassing corporate finance, tax, environmental, real estate, and more. Guided by Caroline Texier, an expert in international distress and bankruptcy litigation, the team boasts an impressive client base, routinely sought after to advise large organizations and their subsidiaries.

With expertise spanning multiple regional offices, FIDAL’s restructuring and insolvency team plays a pivotal role representing major banks in substantial debt restructuring cases. Simultaneously, it provides assistance to debtors, court-appointed receivers, and investors in smaller-scale matters. Co-led by Isabelle Vincent, Arnaud Roiron, and Brigitte Petitdemange, the team offers multifaceted expertise across various industry sectors, including banking, real estate, healthcare, and tourism.

Jeantet‘s restructuring and insolvency practice distinguishes itself with its comprehensive, cross-functional approach. This approach encompasses legal, economic, financial, operational, and social considerations, providing support to businesses, shareholders, and partners in both out-of-court and legal proceedings. Headed by Laïd Estelle Laurent, the practice brings robust expertise to the technical and operational aspects of restructuring operations. The team excels particularly in matters that entail a corporate and M&A dimension, with ongoing high-profile engagements in the aviation sector.

Co-headed by Bérangère Rivals, an expert in restructuring disputes, and Lionel Lamoure, a specialist in underperforming LBOs and distressed M&A, the insolvency practice at boutique firm Lamoure Rivals is continuously expanding its presence in the market. The practice offers support to a diverse client base across a spectrum of matters, including recent cases involving financial restructurings, distressed M&A acquisitions, as well as conciliation and insolvency proceedings. It covers all aspects of the amicable and judicial phases of managing distressed companies, serving debtor companies, shareholders, investment funds, financial investors, prospective buyers, and creditors, currently on a trajectory of ongoing growth in the market.

Norton Rose Fulbright's restructuring and insolvency practice offers comprehensive guidance on financial restructuring and insolvency matters, including cross-border cases and international arbitration disputes. Led by Philippe Hameau, a veteran with over 30 years of experience in litigation, the team brings a wealth of expertise from its leading partners. They have recently advised clients across diverse sectors, such as manufacturing, commodities, finance, and retail.

Osborne Clarke's restructuring and insolvency practice has steadily expanded its presence, engaging in counselling and litigation, representing a diverse client base that includes debtors, shareholders, creditors, buyers, and insolvency practitioners. Under the leadership of Nassim Ghalimi, the team collaborates closely with the firm’s corporate and M&A division. Its advisory role in cross-border cases underscores the team's evolving expertise in the restructuring and insolvency practice.

Led by Serge Pelletier, the insolvency practice at Rescue Law provides multifaceted solutions, catering to a diverse client base that encompasses small and mid-cap companies, ETIs, receivers, and investment funds. The team, bolstered by the valuable input of professionals such as Sollenn de Corta, offers comprehensive support to clients, both domestically and internationally. Notably, the practice is noted for its expertise in real estate litigation, further strengthening the firm’s dedication to delivering all-encompassing legal services.

Simmons & Simmons' restructuring and insolvency practice offers strategic counsel to mid and large-cap international companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and institutions. Their expertise covers both transactional and litigation proceedings, with a significant emphasis on cross-border matters and specialised French situations, small ecosystems, and related entities. The practice is under the leadership of Sandra Esquiva-Hesse, a dual-qualified practitioner admitted to the New York and Paris bars. Over the past year, the team has been actively engaged in various industries, including banking, real estate, and pharmaceuticals, leading to the recent expansion with the appointment of two new associates, Maxence Boucher and Aya Lemseffer.