About

With just under a fifth of the global market share, Clermont-Ferrand-based Michelin is one of the largest tyre manufacturers in the world. In addition to its global premium Michelin brand, the company operates a number of leading national and regional brands, including BFGoodrich in the US, Kleber in Europe and Warrior in China. It has manufacturing facilities in around 20 countries and a wider sales network covering almost 200 countries. Along with rivals Goodyear, Continental and Bridgestone it has helped to define the age of mass automobile ownership. In recent years however it has started to look at the products and technologies that will define the next generation of transport and manufacturing. For example, through its joint venture AddUp, Michelin is now the leading metal 3D printing manufacturer in the world. The legal team was praised by sources for diligent work to help protect Michelin’s innovation and, in some cases, to further the development of new products through licensing agreements and partnerships. Severine Beaujard and Caroline Busnel, both lawyers in Michelin’s intellectual property department, were cited by nominators as supremely skilled and creative lawyers. General counsel Benoit Balmary was also credited with continuing the legacy of predecessor Philippe Legrez, maintaining the Michelin legal team’s position as among the very finest in the world.