About

Groupe Duval is a family-owned company that holds a number of entities across many sectors, some of which are listed on the French Stock Exchange and others that are private. Didier Moutard general counsel at Groupe Duval has extensive experience in real estate, corporate and finance law. Initially working as a lawyer at Clifford Chance, Moutard moved in-house after 15 years with the firm to join Stam Europe as general counsel. Moutard is recognised for his involvement in the implementation of several investment funds in a number of European jurisdictions and for his structuring and follow up of investments in real estate across Europe, Africa and Asia. Now handling over six hundred companies for Groupe Duval, he reshuffled the legal department to better handle external services and put in place essential instruments, such as approval process procedures, to increase the efficiency of legal advice across the board. Moutard is one of the few individuals who finds working in-house ‘comfortable’. In explanation he says that ‘you have immediate contact with those you work with – you have access to a full picture of what is happening – it’s all real time communication’. Moutard notes that this is the biggest difference between in-house and private practice lawyers, as there is a greater sense of responsibility in an in-house role due to the lack of filters that are prominent when working with a law firm. As a true “people person” Moutard emphasises his enjoyment of management: ‘I truly enjoy this. If I had a 10 times bigger legal service I would love it. I have the chance to work with so many personalities that are gentle and hardworking’. He is also the founder and chairman of Juridim, an association for real estate general counsel.