Ropes and Gray has expanded its Paris office with a major acquisition of talent from Linklaters, strengthening its European private funds and tax practise.
The partners joining the firm are Edouard Chapellier and Jonathan Abensour. Chapellier’s practice focuses on fund formation and tax advice to corporates, private equity and banking work, and leveraged buyouts and joint ventures.
The firm’s media announcement is below –
Global law firm Ropes & Gray announced today that partners Edouard Chapellier and Jonathan Abensour, alongside a team of eight associates, have joined the firm’s Paris office, strengthening its position as a go-to firm for fund formation and transactional matters across Europe and globally.
Edouard is recognised as one of France’s preeminent practitioners in both funds and tax, advising corporates, private equity firms, and investment banks on domestic and international tax matters, as well as all aspects of fund formation. His expertise includes, on the funds side, advising on all aspects of fund formation, secondaries transactions, continuation funds and GP stakes and, on the transactional side, structuring complex cross-border corporate, banking, and capital markets transactions – including leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, infrastructure and real estate acquisitions.
Jonathan has extensive experience advising on both the tax aspects of M&A and private equity transactions – including structuring – and on the full spectrum of fund formation matters for private equity and other fund clients. Together, Edouard and Jonathan offer deep capabilities across fundraising, transactional, and tax matters, enhancing the firm’s ability to support clients in a broad range of matters and across sectors.
“Our clients count on us to deliver innovative solutions in the markets that matter most to them, and the arrival of Edouard and Jonathan adds exceptional strength and breadth to our fund formation and tax capabilities in the French market and in cross-border transactions in Europe and beyond,” said Julie Jones, Chair of Ropes & Gray. “Their combined experience, commercial orientation, and technical excellence will further enhance our ability to help clients take advantage of opportunities throughout the private capital lifecycle.”
“We are delighted to welcome Edouard and Jonathan, who are exceptionally well regarded in the French market for their expertise in private funds and tax work,” said Fabrice Cohen, Paris managing partner and co-head of the European Private Equity Transactions practice, at Ropes & Gray. “Their appointments mark a significant step forward for our Paris office, adding further depth to our European private capital and strategic M&A practices, and reinforcing our ability to serve clients on their most complex matters.”
“Edouard and Jonathan bring precisely the blend of market insight and technical excellence that our private funds clients expect,” said Peter Laybourn, co-head of the firm’s asset management practice. “Their combined strength in fund formation and complex cross border tax matters enhances our European platform and deepens our ability to guide clients through every stage of the investment lifecycle.”
“We are delighted to welcome Edouard and Jonathan to our European team,” said Tom Alabaster, partner in the asset management group and head of the firm’s funds practice in EMEA. “Their arrival marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of our private funds and tax offering across the region. Both bring an exceptional depth of experience and insight into the complexities of fund formation and cross-border tax matters, which are increasingly critical for our clients operating in today’s dynamic market. Their expertise will further strengthen our ability to deliver comprehensive, innovative solutions to asset managers and investors throughout Europe and globally, reinforcing Ropes & Gray’s position as a leading advisor in the private funds space.”
“The addition of Edouard and Jonathan to our Paris office significantly enhances our ability to advise clients on sophisticated cross-border tax and funds matters,” said Elaine Murphy, head of the firm’s tax, employment & benefits practice. “Their deep expertise and understanding of the evolving European regulatory environment will be invaluable as we continue to help our clients navigate complex transactions and capitalise on new opportunities in the private capital space.”
“With its industry-leading global private funds practice, Ropes & Gray is an ideal platform for us,” said Edouard Chapellier. “The evolving private capital landscape in France and Europe presents meaningful opportunities, and we look forward to collaborating with our colleagues to help our global clients successfully navigate these developments.”
“I am excited to join Ropes & Gray, a firm renowned for its outstanding reputation and deep expertise in private funds,” said Jonathan Abensour. “It is clear that the firm’s collaborative culture and commitment to excellence create an environment for delivering the highest quality solutions to clients.”
Ropes & Gray launched its Paris office in March 2025. With the arrival of Edouard, Jonathan and their team, the office now numbers 23 lawyers, including five partners.
Edouard and Jonathan are the latest partners to join Ropes & Gray’s European practice, which continues to grow in response to increasing client demand for the firm’s cross-border expertise. Their arrival builds on other recent additions to team, including partners Paul Dali in London and Alessandro Capogrosso in Milan.
