The team at FIDAL harnesses extensive experience in the business aspect of the sports law sector, offering expert knowledge in M&A deals and negotiating complex commercial contracts across a range of sports. Simon Darricau leads the team, advising leading actors in the sports industry in contractual, M&A, regulatory and financing issues, as well as leveraging a niche expertise in football operations. Based in Bordeaux, Benjamin Pondaven is active in M&A operations within the sports industry. Pascal Lavie leads on litigation and regulatory matters in Marseille, and Gacia Kazandjian, Karine Melcher-Vincchevleugel and Franck Jallas are noted as key contacts.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The Fidal team is fantastic. There is seamless communication among the team members and the team was able to assist us in many areas since we did not have familiarity with France, French law and French custom/culture. The legal advice was timely, practical and made all the difference getting our difficult transaction completed.'
'The team is both cross-functional, which is valuable, and at the same time very knowledgeable in terms of sports law. That's really appreciable. The work is fluid thanks to a good understanding of digital tools.'
'Simon Darricau is a valuable help to us, especially since he intervenes on subjects that are of high importance to us, both on a sporting and financial level.'
'The team is very flexible and adapts very well to our environment.'
'Simon Darricau is the lawyer who manages most of our cases. He is very available, innovative and has a great knowledge of our sport - football.'
'Strong in sport management law. Large firm with a very capable team of lawyers. English is readily used for communication which is helpful.'
- 'This is the best law firm I have worked with anywhere in Europe.'
'Simon Darricau: perfect English; a dream to work with, sharp, intelligent and easy communicator.'
Key clients
- National Union of Professional Football Players (UNFP)
- PARIS 2024 (Organisation Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympics)
- French Handball Federation
- Kilmer Sports Ventures
- French Olympic Committee
- Levallois Sporting Club
Work highlights
- Advising the Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels (UNFP), the sole labor union of professional football players in France, on all tax, corporate and labour law matters.
- Represented Kilmer Sports Ventures – a division of the Canadian-owned Kilmer Group - in the acquisition of AS Saint-Etienne.
- Assisted Levallois Sporting Club in two very important corporate and sports operations with a high technicality.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Simon Darricau