DLA Piper houses a comprehensive insurance offering, handling the full range of contentious, transactional and regulatory mandates for major French and international insurers (including cross-border cases). On the litigation front, the firm has robust expertise in industrial, cyber, W&I, product liability and Covid-19 business interruption claims, with significant strength in insurance disputes in the aviation sector, where practice co-head Vonnick Le Guillou is a leading reference. In addition, the team frequently advises on financial regulatory issues, the design of innovative insurance products, and M&A in the insurance field. Co-head Luc Bigel has notable experience in regulatory and cross-border corporate matters and financial lines litigation. Hamza Akli, an expert in regulatory issues, and Alexis André are also highlighted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Good responsiveness and good knowledge of the sector, players and regulators. Ability to cover multi-jurisdictional issues while maintaining a high quality of service.’

  • ‘We have known and worked with this team for several years. Their responsiveness, the quality of their advice and the strength of their network of specialists is highly appreciated.’

  • ‘We particularly appreciate the listening skills of the team, who understand the challenges of our international organisations. The insurance department stands out in particular for its sense of customer relations.’

  • ‘The team stands out for its availability and market knowledge.’

  • ‘A team with very good knowledge of insurance. Pragmatism in assessing situations. Understandable, concise and easily useable documentation. Good knowledge of our activities and ability to understand complex situations.’

  • ‘Luc Bigel and Hamza Akli are competent, responsive and know us well. It's nice to work with them.’

  • ‘The DLA Piper insurance team is one of the most experienced teams on the French market. It is able to advise on a very wide range of operations and activities (products, distribution, reinsurance, compliance, etc.). The communication is very fluid and the team is able to be extremely responsive in all circumstances.’

  • ‘Luc Bigel and Hamza Akli regularly advise us on numerous French and cross-border operations and issues. They form a remarkably efficient and available duo.’

Key clients

  • Allianz Group
  • AXA Group
  • Global Aerospace
  • Generali
  • AIG
  • MS Amlin Insurance SE
  • La Réunion Aérienne
  • RSA
  • Zurich Insurance PLC
  • Chubb
  • Aon
  • Sogelife
  • Marsh
  • Munich Re
  • MIC Insurance Company SA
  • Beazley Insurance Solutions Limited
  • Odyssey Re
  • MAIF
  • AXA Climate
  • Oney Insurance
  • Wakam
  • CNP Assurances
  • Crédit Suisse
  • Starstone
  • Swiss Re
  • FM Insurance Europe SA
  • Lombard International Assurances
  • Euclid Transactional
  • Transact
  • Allianz IARD
  • Crédit Agricole Assurances
  • La Mondiale Europartner

Work highlights

  • Advising Axa Climate on contractual, reinsurance and ESG matters, notably in the field of parametric insurance and ESG fund structuring.
  • Advising Swiss Re on a range of Covid-19 related claims and litigation.
  • Advised Compre Group on the acquisition of medical malpractice insurance portfolios covering French risks and the restructuring of the related reinsurance scheme, as well as putting in place third party management delegation schemes.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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.

Vonnick le Guillou, Luc Bigel

Other key lawyers

Hamza Akli, Alexis André