BDGS Associés has expertise across the board of financial and industrial restructurings, insolvency-related litigation and distressed M&A, but focuses primarily on mid and large-cap restructurings, including complex cross-border transactions and cases with involvement from the French state. The team is skilled in advising debtors, shareholders and investors, with additional experience on the creditor side. Henri Cazala, who has significant experience in major financial and operational restructurings (both in and out-of-court proceedings) and distressed investments, leads the practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team is methodical and rigorous, yet highly responsive. Every stage of a takeover seems easy. The advice we give is based on past cases experienced by the team, who have a wealth of experience. The ‘start-up’ way of working, from which I come, has been mastered.'

  • ‘I worked with Henri Cazala and Diane Vié. Excellent personal relations and ability to spot promising entrepreneurs.’

  • 'Very good team with a very strong network.'

  • 'The team was very involved from start to finish in the process of assisting a takeover before the court. Constant availability, day and night... proactivity, attention to detail, adaptability to customer needs, high level of professional awareness, irreproachable ethics, independent advice. A tailor-made service!'

  • ‘The BDGS restructuring team is of a very high calibre, among the top ten on the market, while remaining easily accessible. Henri Cazala and his team are a pleasure to work with.'

  • 'I've been working with Henri Cazala for several years now. He has a remarkable ability to understand the challenges of our operations and to find solutions in difficult situations. He is a trusted partner.'

  • ‘We worked predominantly with Henri Cazala and his team who included other experts e.g. from finance where appropriate. The team combines in depth expertise in insolvency law with 24/7 accessibility and a very service oriented approach. The team guided us through very difficult negotiations with receivers and the French State. Any statements or drafts were sent to us within the agreed time. ’

  • 'BDGS is one of the key players in the market, and one that we come across when we're working on major projects. They are a leading firm in strategic situations, with a formidable network. The team is both accessible and easy to talk to.'

Key clients

  • Accor
  • Agence des Participations de l’Etat
  • Butler Industries
  • Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
  • Canal+
  • Corsair
  • Crédit Agricole Assurances
  • Eiffel Investment Group
  • Intercountry
  • IQ-EQ
  • LNA Santé
  • Mutares
  • Raise Impact
  • Sika
  • SNCF
  • Swiss Steel Group

Work highlights

  • Advised Butler Industries, a French investment fund and a global industrial player, as part of the investment contemplated by the consortium formed by Onepoint, Butler Industries and Econocom for the financial restructuring of Atos, within the framework of conciliation proceedings opened by the Nanterre Commercial Court.
  • Advised Swiss Steel Holding A.G., in its capacity as sole shareholder of the Ascometal group, as part of (i) the exclusive negotiations for the sale of several production sites of Ascometal in France, and (ii) the judicial reorganization proceedings opened by the specialised commercial chamber of the Strasbourg tribunal judiciaire.
  • Advising Crédit Agricole Assurances on the financial action plan announced by Clariane, a listed company on Euronext Paris, to strengthen its financial structure, strongly supported by its main shareholder CAA.

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

Laurène Boyer, Diane Vié