Stéphane Puel heads the Investment Funds & Asset Management team. He advises French and international financial institutions on all regulatory matters, and in particular on structuring, setting up, documenting and distributing regulated and non-regulated French and foreign law open-end and closed-end investment funds, such as hedge funds, REITs, private equity funds, infrastructure funds and distressed debt funds. Stéphane is in regular contact with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) on all matters relating to licensing management companies, setting up investment funds, and distributing French and foreign investment funds and structured products. Stéphane also advises these entities on the conduct of business rules applicable to them and assists them with court or disciplinary proceedings linked to their activity. He is a member of the Gide team which assisted the ASPIM since 2004 on the revamping of the regulations applicable to French real estate funds (OPCI).
Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.
Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is particularly recognised for its high-level expertise in the asset management world where the firm assists top French and US investment funds with the regulatory aspects linked to the launch of new products and funds and the conduct of transactions and partnerships. The team is also highly regarded for its excellent know-how in dealing with banking and securities regulators (AMF/ACPR) undertaking compliance audit and disciplinary proceedings. Its range of expertise also extends to fintech and banking regulatory support, as well as providing ESG regulatory guidance and advising on the launch of new ESG compliant products. Stéphane Puel is a highly regarded expert in the field of asset management and co-heads the practice alongside younger partners Olivier Bernardi, Guillaume Goffin and Benjamin Delaunay.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Excellent technical expertise, responsiveness and availability, conciseness, precision and clarity of responses and notes, quality of signature, ability to provide operational, innovative responses adapted to customer needs, expectations, context and constraints. A team at the top, exceptional for its good knowledge of regulations, particularly European regulations, and of the interlocutors at the European Commission.’
- ‘Olivier Bernardi: efficiency, technical expertise, ability to provide innovative analyzes and operational solutions, to understand and adapt to customer expectations, excellent interpersonal skills, availability.’
- ‘Stéphane Puel: very high competence, significant availability towards his clients, strong expertise in asset management, strong visibility on the market, very good understanding of the subject, transparent invoicing.’
- ‘Undisputed leadership position of the regulatory team on the market in the person of Stéphane Puel and the most recent and brilliant partners Benjamin Delaunay and Guillaume Goffin. The team has long-standing and recognized experience and a highly developed knowledge of market practices and the regulator's positions, which sets it apart from other teams on the market.’
- ‘Benjamin Delaunay particularly stands out within the team for his expertise, the clarity and reliability of his analyzes and his ability to propose innovative and very business-oriented solutions to respond to particularly complex issues. He is a key player.’
- ‘Great technical knowledge of real estate investment funds and practices. Operational vision that goes beyond regulations allowing a great sense of adaptation to the recommended operation.’
- ‘Benjamin Delaunay: top expertise in the regulatory market and other practices linked to investment funds and expectations of the regulator.’
- ‘A reference in matters of law applicable to French funds. Their team covers a wide range of specialties ranging from regulatory aspects to tax advice as well as contract negotiation.’
Key clients
- Novaxia Investment
- KEYS REIM
- Tikehau Investment Management
- La Banque Postale Asset Management
- AXA Banque
- Agence Française de Développement (the French Development Agency)
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
- IDIA Capital Investissement
- Fundimmo
- WYV
Work highlights
- Advised AFD regarding the regulatory aspects of ESG rules.
- Advised Tikehau on all regulatory aspects regarding the setting up of a first-of-its-kind unit-linked investment product.
- Assisted Fundimmo in obtaining its conditional authorisation as a crowdfunding service provider (CSP) from the French financial markets authority (AMF).
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading individuals
Olivier Bernardi is a partner within Gide's Banking and Finance practice group in Paris. He specialises in banking and finance law, with particular focus on financial services. Olivier advises credit and financing institutions, as well as investment firms, payment institutions and electronic money establishments on the legislation and regulations applicable to their activity. He assists and represents these financial bodies in dispute proceedings before the French supervisory authorities (French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR) and French Financial Markets Authority (AMF)), as well as before ordinary courts of law. In this regard, Olivier handles issues pertaining to the structure of financial institutions, bank operations, investment services, payment services, new banking technologies and the distribution of banking and financial products. He also advises regulated financial institutions on the implementation of their internal procedures (internal control and compliance, risk management, AML/CTF issues, international economic and financial sanctions). He has extensive expertise in payment systems and services, and works with a number of companies in the sector. He is regularly involved with the French (Ministry of Finance, ACPR, AMF) and European authorities (European Commission, European Parliament) as regards the drafting of banking and financial regulations, or certain specific topics.
Next Generation Partners
Counsel Benjamin Delaunay practises within Gide's Investment Funds and Financial Services team. He assists management companies, credit institutions and French and foreign investors on all issues pertaining to banking and financial regulations, in particular in the areas of financial services and asset management law. His three main areas of specialisation are: - Structuring, and drafting documentation for investment funds (OPCVM, FIA), in particular in the real estate (SCPI and OPCI), private equity and infrastructure (FCPR, FCPI, FIP, FPCI, FPS, holding) sectors; - Banking and finance disputes before the French financial markets authority (Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF)) and the French prudential supervision and resolution authority (Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de resolution (ACPR)) during inspection, enquiries, and disciplinary procedures before the sanction commission; - Advising French and foreign financial entities on the regulatory aspects of their activities, in particular on issues of licence, European passport, internal organisation and control, compliance, KYC/money-laundering, marketing financial products, and implementing corporate operations (restructuring, acquisition, transformation, liquidation) carried out by these entities or investment funds.
Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2009, partner Guillaume Goffin specialises in financial services law and regulation, with a particular focus on investment funds (UCITS and all types of alternative investment funds including real estate funds, infrastructure funds, private equity funds and debt funds). Guillaume acts for investment managers, banks and fund promoters, insurance companies and other institutional investors in connection with the structuring, setting up and distribution of investment funds and investment mandates. His areas of expertise cover transactional and regulatory matters, including local business licensing. Guillaume also represents financial institutions in investigations and enforcement actions by regulatory bodies.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Stéphane Puel, Olivier Bernardi, Guillaume Goffin, Benjamin Delaunay