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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a thriving merger control practice and is routinely called upon by major French and international companies to handle complex cases before the FCA, the EC and the competition authorities of French overseas territories, as well as advising on related FDI and FSR filings. The team is also skilled in antitrust investigations and state aid matters. Practice head Faustine Viala has particularly strong expertise in merger control, especially advising prominent private equity funds. David Kupka, who is based in Brussels, and Maud Boukhris are also noted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Dynamic and pragmatic team that mobilises to move cases forward. Excellent knowledge of the most technical procedural points before the competition authorities.’

  • ‘Faustine Viala brings her dynamism to the files she is responsible for.’

  • ‘Great expertise, strong instincts, creativity.’

  • ‘Faustine Viala combines a fine mastery of the legal issues with an ability to provide sound advice, taking into account the operational constraints of a company like mine.’

  • ‘The team led by Faustine Viala is extremely responsive and of a very high level in its analyses and in the pragmatism of its advice. Its members are very motivated and the quality of the relationships within the team is felt in the relationships with the clients, which always remain very friendly, even in stressful situations.’

  • ‘The WFG competition team is very insightful. The topics are mastered quickly. The work is done on time and the team is very available. After several months of collaboration, they were practically part of our legal department.’

  • ‘A dynamic, available and, above all, innovative team. Always there to find a solution.’

  • ‘Faustine Viala never gives up, is always thinking of a way to find a different, dynamic approach and, above all, is very strong in negotiations with the opposing party!’

Key clients

  • Air France
  • Air Liquide
  • Ardian
  • Arkema
  • Bel Group
  • Bpifrance
  • Bureau Veritas
  • Casino
  • CDC
  • CMA CGM
  • Danone
  • Elior Group
  • Ethypharm
  • Insight Partners
  • KKR
  • Lagardère Group
  • Latour Capital
  • Mecachrome
  • Meridiam
  • Naval Group
  • Orange Concessions
  • PAI Partners
  • SAF Aerogroup
  • Saint Gobain
  • Searchlight Capital
  • Waterland Private Equity

Work highlights

  • Advised CMA CGM on merger control and FDI aspects regarding its strategic acquisition of Bolloré Logistics.
  • Advised Ardian on an in-depth investigation by the FCA regarding the acquisition of sole control over SPMR.
  • Advised PAI Partners on the acquisition of a carve-out of Vamed AG, requiring several merger control and FSR notifications.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Faustine Viala

Other key lawyers

David Kupka, Maud Boukhris