Ever since joining the conglomerate Mobivia as its general counsel in 2010, Stéphane Leblan has achieved notable successes on the transactional front culminating with his work on the acquisition of German company ATU in 2016. Impressing with his focus and business foresight, Leblan has made a key contribution to the transaction’s success by overseeing negotiations with US funds and adapting his team’s culture and approach to match the deal’s unique requirements.

Other achievements during Leblan’s tenure include the implementation of workshops between the community of lawyers in all business units of the group. ‘This has permitted synergies, efficiency and knowledge between the community’, he clarifies. Impressive professional victories during Leblan’s former career include his work on outsourcing an IT department in the US, as well as involvement in the acquisition of Castorama Italy by Leroy Merlin Italy (his first M&A transaction). ‘Pragmatic, business-orientated, available and a guardian of the corporate governance and its respect’, Leblan points out qualities that are, in his view, imperative to a corporate counsel in France.

‘The in house lawyer should be dedicated to respect the interests of the company and its shareholders’, he adds.