Europe - France

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.

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Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. acts for an extensive roster of major France-based multinationals and international companies, demonstrating standout strength in antitrust litigation and follow-on damages claims (particularly in cartel-related cases). The team has an impressive record of representing clients in some of the most high-profile recent proceedings before the FCA and the national courts; Franck Audran and Laura Castex recently acted for several defendants in the bisphenol A cartel case (alongside the Brussels office), as well as for L’Oréal and Iveco in private enforcement actions. The firm also has a strong merger control practice, including handling multi-jurisdictional filings. Emmanuel Reille and Dimitri Dimitrov are the other leading figures in the practice, with experience across the full spectrum of EU and competition law.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘In-depth knowledge of the relevant authorities. Strong ability to strategize on cases. Availability to accept urgent cases.’

  • ‘Franck Audran remains our reference point for dealings with the authorities, in particular the DGCCRF, thanks to his deep knowledge and ability to strategize.’

  • ‘The main strength of Gide is of course its excellence in its areas of focus.’

  • ‘We work with Franck Audran, who has become a real ally in our risk management and in our strategies. His mastery of his files leads us to rely almost entirely on him.’

  • ‘Franck Audran has excellent expertise, a 360° overview of his cases, and is determined and committed.'

  • 'Elizabeth Gautier has excellent expertise and is an invaluable contact.'

Key clients

  • Affinity Petcare
  • Alibaba
  • Altaya Wines Ltd
  • Bureau Veritas
  • Legrand
  • Reworld Media
  • Rubis
  • TF1
  • Accor
  • Avril
  • BMW France
  • Bonduelle
  • BPCE
  • Coca Cola
  • Compagnie de Saint Gobain
  • Danone
  • Drouot Patrimoine
  • Eiffage Construction
  • Etam
  • Fedrus International
  • Iveco Group
  • Lacoste
  • L'Oréal
  • LVMH and affiliates
  • NRJ Group
  • Orange
  • Paris 2024
  • Phoenix Pharma
  • Saria
  • Savencia (Bongrain)
  • Spartoo
  • Stihl International
  • Vinci Energies

Work highlights

  • Representing six defendants, notably Bonduelle, in responding to a statement of objections issued by the FCA against companies involved across the supply chain of foodstuffs in containers that may include or have included bisphenol-A (or its substitutes).
  • Defending four Iveco Group entities in 71 damages claims proceedings initiated before the French courts, following the European Commission’s decision to fine several truck manufacturers for participating in a cartel.
  • Defending VM Building Solutions in a claim for damages for abuse of dominant position initiated by Rheinzink before the Paris Commercial Court.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Franck Audran

Franck Audran

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.

Franck Audran is a Partner within Gide's Competition & International Trade practice group. He joined the firm in 2007, and began his career in Gide's Bucharest office before integrating the Paris office European and Economic Law team. Franck was also seconded to the firm's Budapest office, which he co-headed over the 2014-2015 period. He specialises in French and European law on competition (cartels, dominant position, merger control), and works with our clients on litigation proceedings, both before supervisory bodies (cartel and abuse of dominant position) and commercial courts (compensatory remedies, restrictive competition practices, etc.). Franck has also acted on complex merger operations, some of which required commitments and/or the initiation of an in-depth investigation phase before the French Competition Authority, the European Commission, the national competition authorities of both EU member states (Romania, Greece, Poland, etc.) and non-EU countries (China, Korea, Brazil, Serbia, Bosnia, Turkey, etc.). Franck has also acquired significant experience in providing assistance to our clients in the solving of issues pertaining to the management of their distribution and franchise networks, both in France and in an international context. Franck has gained particular expertise in the digital economy sector, working with major digital industry players in their development phase, and institutional clients in the adaptation of their activities to new online consumption methods (luxury goods industry, hotel industry, etc.). Lastly, when working in our Bucharest and Budapest offices, Franck advised clients on conducting their investments through the implementation of cooperation contracts, joint ventures or acquisition operations. Franck is a member of the Desk in charge of our firm's activities in Central and Eastern Europe.

Next Generation Partners

Laura Castex

Laura Castex

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2006, Laura Castex specialises in European and French competition law as well as distribution law (distribution networks, commercial agreements, etc.) and consumer law, both in an advisory capacity and as a litigator. As regards merger control, Laura advises major French and foreign firms for their investments and divestments, including in non-EU jurisdictions. As regards anticompetitive practices, Laura has extensive experience in investigation proceedings and the design of bespoke compliance programs (private enforcement). She also assists our clients in private enforcement litigation. Lastly, as regards distribution and consumer law, Laura regularly advises our clients in the formalisation of their commercial relations and in litigation arising from them, as well as in the context of investigations carried out by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Prevention of Fraud (DGCCRF) and its local branches.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Emmanuel Reille, Franck Audran, Laura Castex, Dimitri Dimitrov

Other key lawyers

Elizabeth Gautier, Charles Terdjman