Bird & Bird > Lyon, France > Firm Profile

Bird & Bird > The Legal 500 Rankings

France > Data privacy and data protection Tier 1

The team at Bird & Bird regularly handles regulatory compliance, GDPR issues, data transfers, personal data issues, ransomware attacks and data governance both in France and across other European states. Clients include large consultancy firms, sports organisations, banks and major players in the health and life sciences sectors. Digital compliance expert Ariane Mole heads the practice and has expertise in dawn raids, data-related litigation, cyber security and e-health. Willy Mikalef leverages his experience to advise on data protection and cybersecurity requirements among other matters. Oriane Zubcevic is noted for handling GDPR compliance audits and Julie Verdure provides additional support.

France > Industry focus: IT and internet  Tier 1

The team at Bird & Bird has a strong footing within the industry and expertise in AI, IT litigation, and cloud computing. The team is led by Stéphane Leriche, who is a transactional expert. Anne-Sophie Lampe is also a key name and combines her skill in litigation and advisory to handle the implementation of major IT projects, internet intermediaries, platforms’ liability, e-reputation, and cyber attacks. Willy Mikalef stands out for regulatory and contractual issues. Cen Zhang is also known for his competency in complex contracts.

France > Industry focus: Telecoms  Tier 1

Bird & Bird has a strong track record advising on projects in France and in emerging markets and is able to draw on the firm's strong capabilities in multiple areas to advise on competition issues, regulatory compliance, contentious matters, and commercial and public law issues. Clients include governments, private companies, technology conglomerates and telephone technology and handset manufacturers. Stéphane Leriche, who has a strong transactional practice, and Willy Mikalef, who combines space law with his specialism in telecoms, are the practice heads. Other key names include Jean-Claude Vecchiatto and Frédérique Dupuis-Toubol.

France > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 1

Servicing a broad range of clients whose industries extend to luxury goods, media, food and retail, telecoms, sports, publishing, and journalism, the team at Bird & Bird is one of the most respected IP teams in France. Noted by clients for having ‘deep and unrivalled’ knowledge, the firm handles the full gamut of issues extending from litigation, including liability claims, to copyright registration, protection, and exploitation. Known for masterfully crafting copyright licenses and agreements, the team is led by the erudite Géraldine Arbant who also handles brand management, transactional, and soft IP litigation. Supporting the team is Edouard Treppoz and Frédérique Bocqueraz, who handles the firm’s retail and consumer clients. Nathan Soulié makes a significant contribution to the practice, leveraging his experience in technical contract negotiations.

France > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 1

With an impressive record for handling complex multi-jurisdictional patent litigation before foreign courts, French courts, European IP offices, and the UPC, Bird & Bird is a well-respected industry player who caters to some of the world’s most emblematic conglomerates in industries not limited to software development, life-sciences, healthcare, electronics, food and beverage, and automotives. The team is led by Anne-Charlotte Le-Bihan, who in addition to being an erudite litigator, is also a soft IP expert and prolific negotiator. Co-head and Lyon-based Géraldine Arbant handles regional work. Described by one client as a ‘one-stop shop’, the team is supported by Thierry Lautier, who leverages his previous experience as an engineer to additionally advise on IP contracts and the IP-related aspects of corporate deals, including M&A. The ‘dynamic and inventive’ Alexandra Schellino is another noted name in the team.

France > Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs Tier 1

Bird & Bird is widely respected for its strength in advising on high-profile international and European trademarks and designs matters. The team is regularly sought out by manufacturers and technology companies across a variety of industries including retail, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and electronics for comprehensive trademark and design advice. Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan, who is noted for her expertise in pan-European litigation, and Géraldine Arbant , who has a wealth of experience advising on strategic IP management, are the practice heads. Edouard Treppoz is also noted.

France > The regions Tier 1

The team at Bird & Bird harnesses strong cross-sector expertise and a large multidisciplinary team, offering a full range of business law services at the local and international level. Assisting both French and multi-national corporations operating in the greater Rhone-Alps region, the firm is particularly well regarded for advising startups and SMEs. The team is led by Lyon-based David Malcoiffe, who leverages extensive expertise in advising investment funds and start-up companies in private equity and venture capital transactions at the national and international level. Géraldine Arbant  lends decades of experience in brand management, trademark and copyright litigation, whilst Anne-Florence Raducault specialises in contractual, commercial and corporate disputes and business criminal liability. Nathalie Devernay and Benjamin Lichtlé are also key contacts.      

France > Aviation finance Tier 2

Bird & Bird has a strong involvement assisting French and African airline companies with Air France featuring as a key and loyal client of the practice. Combining French and UK law expertise, the Paris-based team also regularly assists operating lessors, and is able to advise on a comprehensive range of issues including operating leases, financings, sale-and-leaseback. The highly experienced Laurence Hanley is at the helm of the practice, supported by Diane de Bustamante, Boubeker Moussaoui and Maria Miller.

France > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Emmanuelle Porte and Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan jointly lead the team at Bird & Bird, which stands out due to its strong focus on both contentious and non-contentious IP work within the medtech and pharma industries, in addition to its strong capabilities in handling tender offers. The team is particularly adept at advising venture capital funds and innovation-focused companies on their fundraising activities. Porte regularly advises on venture capital issues and M&A, assisting medtech, healthcare, and biotech clients, and Le Bihan is well known for her strength in patent litigation within the pharma industry, often coordinating pan-European litigation. Ariane Mole is an expert in data protection, often appearing before the French Data Protection Authority. Alexandre Vuchot often assists with commercial contractual issues, namely distribution and procurement arrangements, while Johanna Harelimana is noted for her broad regulatory experience, particularly in relation to market access and product qualification issues.

France > Private equity: venture/growth capital Tier 2

Lauded for its ‘impeccable professionalism, quality and speed of execution’, the team at Bird & Bird takes care of early-stage financing and series fund raising for companies in the tech, food, biotech and life sciences segments. Leadership is shared between co-managing partner Emmanuelle Porte, who specialises in venture capital, M&A and corporate finance transactions; and Gildas Louvel. Also noted are Carole Bodin (M&A and venture capital) and Bertrand Levy, who routinely advises investment funds on their acquisitions or divestment processes. Félicien Bardsley joined the practice from Goodwin in January 2024.

France > Industry focus: Energy Tier 3

Bird & Bird’s energy and infrastructure team regularly assists leading global corporates, sponsors, and lenders in impactful mandates which support the growth of renewable energy solutions across emerging markets. Sibylle Weiler is a key contact on regulatory and project development matters, assisting global energy solutions players regarding impactful renewable energy facilities. A further key contact is Boris Martor, who acts for global power developers, operators, and investors on development, finance, and commercial contracting matters concerning renewable energy assets.

France > Insolvency Tier 3

Advising creditors and stakeholders is the central pillar of Bird & Bird‘s restructuring and insolvency practice, which has a particularly strong emphasis on representing pools of banks in large-scale financial restructurings. The team is equipped to handle the full range of in and out-of-court proceedings, refinancings and insolvency-related litigation. Nicolas Morelli, who has significant litigation expertise, and Romain de Ménonville, who is well versed in debt restructurings, especially distressed LBOs, lead the team. Finance partner Jessica Derocque is also noted.

France > Banking and finance: transactional work Tier 4

France > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4

France > Employment Tier 4

France > Administrative and public law Tier 5

France > EU, competition and distribution Tier 5

Antitrust litigation before the FCA and the French courts is the forte of Bird & Bird, which frequently represents clients in sensitive investigations and subsequent proceedings. The team also advises on merger control, competition compliance and distribution law. Practice head Thomas Oster is routinely called upon to advise major international corporations.

France > Mergers and acquisitions Tier 5

France > Tax Tier 5

France > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory

France > Dispute resolution: White-collar crime