PARIS, November 26, 2008 – The international law firm Bryan Cave LLP (www.bryancave.com) today received formal approval from the Paris Bar Council to establish a practice in the French capital. The opening of an office in Paris, located at 78 avenue Raymond Poincaré, continues a firmwide expansion that has seen new offices open in Milan, Hamburg and San Francisco within the past 17 months.
The Paris office is led by Partners Kathie Claret, Jilali Maazouz and Joseph Smallhoover. Joining them are Associates Sarah Delon-Bouquet, Fanny Kaufman, Franck Maréchal, Aude Pellegrin and Cécile Terret.
“Our clients have a long history of legal needs in France, so the addition of a Paris office was a natural choice,” said Don Lents, chairman of Bryan Cave. “France is an important destination for global businesses, and Paris often is chosen as the venue for the resolution of disputes among multinational parties.”
The Paris office initially will focus on commercial transactions, corporate, finance, mergers and acquisitions, labor, trade regulation, intellectual property, antitrust, litigation, arbitration and private client matters. It recently represented U.S. video game retailer GameStop in its acquisition of French peer Micromania for €480 million euros.
“Clients of our office can rely upon a team of attorneys with extensive legal experience, global reach and the vast resources that come with a well-established international law firm,” said Joseph Smallhoover. “We have the capability to counsel businesses on multijurisdictional M&A, complex litigation and other matters involving France, as well as day-to-day business operations.”
Background: Bryan Cave Paris Lawyers
Partners:
Kathie Claret is a member of the Paris and New York bars who has practiced in France for more than 30 years. Claret advises French and multinational companies on issues such as structuring mergers and acquisitions, sales, joint ventures, strategic alliances, data privacy, codes of ethics and licensing and distribution arrangements. She speaks English, French and Russian.
Jilali Maazouz is a member of the Paris bar and has practiced law in France for more than 10 years. He litigates and provides counsel on behalf of companies in civil, criminal and administrative matters. He advises businesses on employment issues such as termination, discrimination, harassment, restrictive covenants breaches, strikes and other collective conflicts. He speaks French, English and Arabic.
Joseph Smallhoover is a member of the Paris, California and Pennsylvania bars and has practiced law in France, Germany and Belgium for more than 25 years. He provides legal support and guidance to help clients create, operate, license, market and distribute both public and private funds ranging from hedge, mutual and offshore funds to non-U.S. investment vehicles, including SICAVs and unit trusts, as well as on French financial matters. He speaks English, French and German.
Associates:
Sarah Delon Bouquet has been practicing since 1999. Her practice is centered on labor law advice and litigation as well as on general commercial law and data protection issues. She speaks French and English.
Fanny Kaufman has concentrated her practice of seven years in French corporate law, as well as general commercial law. She speaks French, English and Spanish.
Aude Pellegrin was admitted to practice in New York in 2005 and in Paris in 2007. Her practice is centered on French labor law and litigation and corporate and commercial law. She speaks French and English.
Franck Maréchal passed the Paris Bar exam in 2008 and will be admitted to practice shortly. His practice will focus on general labor, commercial and corporate law. He speaks French and English.
Cécile Terret was admitted to practice in Paris in 2008. Her practice will focus on corporate, banking and financial, and commercial law and litigation. She speaks French, German and English.
About Bryan Cave LLP
Bryan Cave LLP has a diversified international legal practice. The firm represents a wide variety of business, financial, institutional and individual clients, including publicly held multinational corporations, large and mid-sized privately held companies, partnerships and emerging companies. The Paris office is operated through an English LLP which has been licensed by the Paris Bar to establish a branch in Paris pursuant to EU regulations. Aided by extensive investments in technology, Bryan Cave’s more than 1,000 lawyers and other consulting professionals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia efficiently serve clients’ needs in the world’s leading business and financial markets.
For more information, contact:
Meghan Clinton
mclinton@goodmanmedia.com
+1 (212) 576-2700 ext. 245
Joseph Smallhoover
Joseph.smallhoover@bryancave.com
+ 33 (0)1 44 17 77 10
Kathie Claret
Kathie.claret@bryancave.com
+ 33 (0)1 44 17 77 15
Jilali Maazouz
Jilali.maazouz@bryancave.com
+33 (0)1 44 17 77 22
Bryan Cave LLP
78 avenue Raymond Poincaré
75116 Paris
France
Main: +33 (0)1 44 17 77 00
Fax: +33 (0)1 44 17 77 77
