What is new in your firm?
This year, our firm steadily continues to expand. The arrival of new partners, along with their teams, giving new practices and consolidating the others, has created a new positive and energetic movement in the firm. Consequently, we had also to recruit two associates in the labour law departments, one in real estate, one in litigation for examples, and three in corporate.
I am also proud and honoured to inform you that our law firm has won the first equality gender trophy organised for the first time by the Paris Bar. It is very important for me to be in a law firm where the value of equality (no matter the sex or the origin for example) is recognized and implemented. I also must say that many of our clients, especially the French groups, congratulate us on this. They are concerned that the law firms that they engage respect those values. Equality may finally come from the clients and their criteria to select their lawyers. Why not! It makes sense.
Which practice areas are the most in demand in your firm?
With the entry into of the GDPR in May 2018 (the European regulation for data protection) and the booming of high tech and innovation in France, I must say that my practice along with the TM activity lead by my co-partner of the IP IT TMT department Tissier has been intensively in demand. But it is also true that employment law, litigation and corporate / tax transactions remains our solid practices and are still recognised as our leading expertise.
We have decided to strengthen all practices in order to be a full medium service law firm turned to international matters. Restructuring, public law and real estate practices are also very active.
Can you share an example of cross-border work with another Legalink member?
We recently worked with Muñoz Tamayo & Asociados (MTA) upon its request on the French and EU competition and tax aspects of the acquisition of a minority stake in a Colombian company operating within Colombian infrastructure field by French companies. I am happy that we have just had the chance to give back the opportunity for MTA to assist one of the French major fashion group in men clothing, having some issues with its Colombian franchisee.
What are your views on Legalink expansion?
I think that Legalink has done a lot, in terms of network communication, network growth and network interaction. LEGALINK could maybe propose more interaction on High tech & data expertise, which is my focus expertise but also corresponding to the trend of business. It is more and more digital. Look at the latest conference in Amsterdam, we did not print any paper (which was good for the environment) thanks to the LEGALINK application!
How do you view Legalink?
We are very happy being part of LEGALINK. We think that the biggest strength of this network are its members. The fact that the members really want to personally know you and do know you, make it easier and funnier to work with. It is important to know the people we work with no matter the country, the law, the culture… By knowing each other, we can trust each other, and we are assured that the work will be taken seriously and with proficiency.
What is your favourite thing to do in your spare time?
Just enjoying time with the people I love and that I cannot see at work: Taking care of my two little daughters, my family and my friends. I must admit that I do not have a lot of time for myself. This is the common real life of a working mum. So, I cannot complain, I can only be proud of myself for having succeed to have both: a well-balanced life between my family and the job I am fulfilled in it!