White & Case LLP fields a strong team expert at managing cases mixing high-stakes commercial and distribution law issues. Several leading retail groups regularly instruct the firm when facing accusations concerning imbalanced or unfair commercial practices often raised by the French state or consumer associations; competition and distribution partner Yann Utzschneider has a strong know-how in this area. Through the highly regarded Diane Lamarche, the firm also has excellent corporate and financial dispute capabilities and acts on behalf of leading investment funds in highly complex cases involving multiple proceedings. The team also regularly manages disputes linked to high-profile debt restructuring procedures, while its caseload also encompasses a number of shareholders’ conflicts and M&A related disputes. The arrival of a leading team in early 2024 led by the highly regarded Kami Haeri and including Alexandre Kiabski from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP further bolsters the team's reputation in this area.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘They know how to get things done and work towards a very good result. They adapt their legal know-how to the case at hand.’
‘Diane Lamarche is truly outstanding. She is a go to person for high-value French disputes. She shows high technical skills, know-how and experience, is a strategic thinker and is solution-driven and pragmatic, while her drive and level of dedication is unparalleled. She works hard, is passionate and her passion and leadership has a very positive effect on her team. She can manage simultaneous court proceedings in different countries very well. ’
‘Yann Utzschneider is exceptionally experienced and talented. He is exceptionally convincing, thorough and pragmatic. He is always absolutely thorough and balanced in his approach’.
‘A high level of expertise and availability’.
‘Diane Lamarche is exceptional. ’
'A first rate team in commercial and regulatory litigation. Yann Utzschneider is highly regarded in the commercial litigation space. He masters the procedures, provides wise advice and pleads exceptionally well.'

Key clients

Orpea.
Nestlé Nespresso SA
Nespresso SAS
OCM Luxembourg ECS Retail France (OCM)
Intermarché
Luko
Free/Iliad Group
Mrs Cristiana Crociani
Mr Nicolas Delrieu
Mrs Delrieu
Inca-a.
Robert Zarra
The Republic of the Sudan
Dufour Yachts
IPF Partners
Starwood

Work highlights

Representing Orpea in 13 disputes in France and in the US initiated by creditors or shareholders in the context of the financial restructuring of the company.
Representing OCM in relation to the unwinding of its investment in Trimax Group.
Representing Nestlé Nespresso SA and Nespresso SAS in a case brought by a consumer association called La Confédération Consommation, Logement et Cadre de Vie (“CLCV”) before the Paris Judicial Court (Tribunal judiciaire de Paris) concerning alleged unfair commercial practices since 2016 by claiming that its coffee would be “100% carbon neutral” or that its coffee capsules would be “100% recyclable”.