BDGS Associés' insolvency and restructuring team takes on high-profile, cross-border cases, showcasing a particular prowess in international matters involving strategic or politically sensitive assets. Guided by the seasoned Henri Cazala, who is praised for his 'inventiveness and determination to find solutions in complex situations', the team provides counsel to major shareholders, leading corporations, as well as debtors and bondholders. They have recently been instrumental in debt restructuring cases within the public events and healthcare sectors. Noteworthy figures in the practice also include Laurène Boyer and Antoine Gosset-Grainville.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Extremely efficient and responsive team, making strong progress in the difficult restructuring market.'

  • ‘Henri Cazala is particularly service-oriented and responsive.'

  • ‘Professional, competent and friendly team. Quality services provided, good project monitoring, business developers.'

  • ‘A leading team, technically sound and benefits from a formidable network. It's a pleasure to work with them.'

  • ‘I often work with Henri Cazala. I appreciate his inventiveness and determination to find solutions in complex situations. It is a trusted partner for our strategic choices.'

  • 'Laurène Boyer is excellent.'

  • ‘A remarkable team. The work is clear and always done on time.'

  • ‘Henri Cazala is a very high-level lawyer. He always understands our needs and is efficient in all circumstances.'

Key clients

  • Aether Financial Services
  • Agence des Participations de l’Etat
  • Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
  • Canal+
  • CMA CGM
  • Crédit Agricole Assurances
  • Eiffel Investment Group
  • Equitis Gestion
  • Mutares
  • Raise Impact
  • SNCF
  • Stokomani
  • Accor

Work highlights

  • Advising the Canal+ Group, a French audiovisual group, as part of the acquisition from Orange of OCS (a French pay-TV package dedicated to series and movies) and Orange Studio (a French film and series production company), following a competitive bid process.
  • Acted as mediator at the request of Orpea, a listed group and a leading global player in care and living pathways for vulnerable people, as part of the restructuring of its indebtedness and the research of new money under conciliation proceedings.
  • Advising SNCF, the French public railway group, in the context of in-depth investigation opened by the European Commission on 18th January 2023 regarding alleged State aid amounting to €5 billion received in the past by Fret SNCF, a subsidiary of SNCF active in the railway freight sector, especially on the strategy and arguments for challenging the alleged state aid, and on the implementation of a plan for the economic discontinuation of Fret SNCF announced by the French government last May to avoid any risk of the company being wound up.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Henri Cazala

Other key lawyers

Antoine Gosset-Grainville, Laurène Boyer