Europe - France

August Debouzy

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August Debouzy has a large and experienced able to assist clients at various stages, from early compliance to prosecution phases. The firm represents leading companies specialising in various industries (retail, defence, engineering, banking), as well as senior executives and some elected officials. Its caseload is as diverse and encompasses illicit advertising, insider dealing, corruption, fraud and money laundering offences. The team has gained particular expertise assisting companies negotiating deferred prosecution deals (CJIP) – it assisted clients in signing two CJIP in 2023 including a very high-profile one. The team also has strong knowledge of international sanctions and of companies’ criminal liabilities linked to conflict areas. Astrid Mignon Colombet has extensive experience and jointly leads the practice alongside Benjamin van Gaver, who litigates in all types of disputes, Valérie Munoz-Pons and Olivier Attias.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Inventiveness, good listening skills, ability to think in-depth.’

  • ‘Brilliant, creative lawyers who are extremely knowledgeable and very practical and commercial. Nice to work with. ’

  • ‘Benjamin van Gaver is smart, responsive, has excellent judgement, and is particularly adept at cross-border matters. He is a true pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Olivier Attias shows great availability, clarity and efficiency.’

  • ‘The team is very professional, has very good legal knowledge and a very good understanding of criminal tactics. They are also very client-oriented and take great care to explain.’

  • ‘Valérie Munoz-Pons is very professional, perfectly masters her subjects and is totally dedicated to the success of her clients.’

  • ‘Astrid Mignon Colombet is a driven lawyer, easy to contact, responsive and knowledgeable.’

Key clients

  • Technip UK
  • Penelope Fillon
  • SNCF
  • Nexa Technologies (top management)
  • Airbus group
  • Exxelia
  • Philip Morris
  • Guy Dauphin Environnement
  • Nicola Bulgari

Work highlights

  • Advised Technip UK on its negotiations with the French National Financial Prosecutor concerning allegations of foreign agent bribery, which were concluded on June 28, 2023 by the signature of a Convention Judiciaire d’Intérêt Public (CJIP).
  • Defendiug SNCF before the Paris Correctional Court, regarding the indemnification of victims of the 14 November 2015 Eckwersheim train derailment (trial route of the Paris-Strasbourg high speed train), which killed 11 and injured dozens of persons.
  • Defending Mr. Bulgari, heir to a brand that he sold to a luxury firm, in the context of the proceedings opened against him by the French Financial Prosecutor for insider trading.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Astrid Mignon Colombet, Benjamin van Gaver, Valérie Munoz-Pons, Olivier Attias, Basile Ader