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Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

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Herbert Smith Freehills LLP assists leading French banks as well as alternative leanders and digital banks, credit insurers and other asset management and financial institutions in dealing with a large array of issues: business reorganisation, sales of financial product portfolios, M&A deals as well as digital and payment issues. The team’s advisory practice is complemented by established experience in managing prudential and regulatory investigation, notably led by France’s prudential regulator ACPR. The team is co-headed by  Régis Oréal, Vincent Hatton, Antoine Juaristi  , Martin Le Touzé and Sonia Rogez  who joined as of counsel from Racine in June 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team knows the ecosystem and understands clients' issues.'

  • ‘Vincent Hatton is proactive and offers solutions.'

  • ‘Martin Le Touzé has undeniable technical qualities and fully understands expectations of his clients. He is pragmatic and gets straight to the point, while formulating the most subtle nuances in a simple way.'

  • ‘The team is humble, diligent and attentive. They combine professional and human qualities.'

  • ‘Sonia Rogez is a high-quality lawyer, who has strong expertise in payment services'.

  • ' The team is always available. Easy and fluid collaboration which allows files to move forward quickly.'

  • 'Antoine Juaristi and Martin Le Touzé bring undeniable added value through their extensive legal expertise and interpersonal skills.'

Key clients

  • AXA
  • Ayvens Group
  • BPCE/Natixis group
  • Bpifrance
  • BTP Banque
  • CNP Assurances
  • Crédit Agricole
  • Allianz Trade
  • FIFA Clearing House
  • Generali
  • Hoist Finance AB
  • La Banque Postale
  • Revolut (Fintech)
  • Orange Bank
  • Société Générale
  • Western Union International Bank Gmbh (WUIB)
  • Western Union Payment Services Ireland Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising BNP Paribas Cardif on the acquisition of 80-100% of the share capital of Neuflize Vie from ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and AXA SA.
  • Advised Ayvens, a French fleet managing and operational car leasing company, on the filing of applications for regulatory approvals with banking and insurance regulators in more than 25 jurisdictions in connection with the integration of the respective local businesses of ALD and Lease Plan.
  • Advised BTP Banque on the disposal of its shareholding in CGI Bat  to SMABTP.

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.
Antoine Juaristi
Hall of fameHerbert Smith Freehills LLP
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Martin Le Touzé
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Vincent Hatton, Antoine Juaristi, Martin Le Touzé, Régis Oréal, Sonia Rogez