Villechenon

The firm: Villechenon was created in 1979. It is a niche business law firm focused on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, tax and employment law.

It is consistently ranked by specialist publications as a leading firm in M&A, private equity and venture capital and, in the past year alone, has advised clients on more than 50 deals (including leveraged buyouts, growth capital and venture capital transactions).

The firm of 10 partners and 20 other fee earners advises French and international investment funds on their transactions as well as a wide range of companies, from startups in the technology or biotech space to more traditional industrial groups.

Its expertise ranges from advising on venture capital and private equity transactions (including equity and debt fundraisings, mezzanine financing and leveraged buyouts) to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and initial public offerings (IPOs).

Villechenon accompanies clients on transactions from deal structuring (with its specialist tax and employment teams in particular) to execution, but it also follows clients with their day-to-day issues, such as commercial contracts, human resources or specialist advice on VAT and other indirect taxes.

Areas of practice
Venture capital/growth capital/leveraged buyouts (LBOs): this is the area where Villechenon’s expertise and reputation are the strongest. Recent highlights include acting for Siparex and Crédit Agricole on their LBO on Apside, existing shareholders and management on the Theradial MBO led by UI Gestion and EPF partners on the sale of independent private equity firm EPF to Apax.

Mergers and acquisitions/cross-border transactions: the firm is consistently ranked as a market leader for mid-market transactions, both French and cross-border. The firm’s international experience is particularly valued by clients. Recent highlights include acting for group Hachette on its takeover of IsCool Entertainment and group CNIM on its acquisition of Group Winlight.

Tax: the firm regularly advises clients (funds and managers) on deal structuring issues, including real estate-related transactions, and day-to-day tax management for international groups, small and midcap companies, as well as for major publicly listed entities. The tax department has developed a specific expertise in private equity-related tax issues, and wealth planning. The firm is also recognised for its VAT expertise and other indirect taxes in all sectors of activity. In this framework, the firm assists clients in matters relating to French and international law during tax audits, and before judicial and administrative courts.

General corporate: Villechenon assists clients on day-to-day issues and, as such, provides company secretarial services to hundreds of companies, from startups to listed groups. It also regularly advises clients on the implementation of French or international incentive plans (including employee stock-option plans, warrants, share purchase or free share plans, etc).

Securities/capital markets: the firm acts on initial public offerings (IPOs) and on subsequent financial transactions (including shares, hybrid securities or debt issuances) but also on de-listings. It also advises public companies on their obligations throughout their lives as listed companies. Recent highlights include advising Ekinops on market transactions in connection with its acquisition of OneAccess.

Employment: the firm advises clients on employment law issues for day-to-day HR management issues including redundancies, collective bargaining agreements, and setting up works councils or staff representatives. The firm also assists clients in connection with employment law related audits and before labour and administrative courts.