Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance hires Fabrice Cohen leading French M&A Partner

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance today announced that Fabrice Cohen is to join the firm's global Corporate practice in Paris.

Fabrice Cohen specialises in private equity transactions, domestic and cross-border M&A and securities law. He regularly advises prominent private equity firms, listed companies, financial institutions and large industrial groups on all corporate aspects of public and private M&A and on corporate reorganisations. Fabrice is widely recognised as one of the top M&A lawyers in France.

Yves Wehrli, managing partner of Clifford Chance's Paris office commented: "Fabrice will be a fantastic addition to our M&A group bringing a strong mix of private equity and general M&A expertise to our existing client offer. He is amongst the leading individuals in the market. Fabrice has strong client handling skills and his client base is remarkably complementary to our own. We are very pleased to welcome such a talented lawyer."

Guy Norman, global head of Clifford Chance's Corporate practice, added: "Our Corporate team in Paris has been very successful.  Their ability to field exactly the right combination of experience and expertise has been critical to our domestic and international clients. Looking ahead, the addition of Fabrice Cohen, his M&A credentials and his reputation in the market will further bolster our outstanding team, helping it to achieve even greater success."

Clifford Chance's Paris-based Corporate practice has been involved in a number of high profile transactions recently, including acting for the Dongfeng Motor Group Co on its equity investment in PSA Peugeot Citroën Group and Société Générale on its acquisition of a 50% stake in Newedge Group from Crédit Agricole CIB.

Fabrice Cohen said: "I am delighted and particularly excited to join Clifford Chance's Corporate team in Paris, which comprises very talented and highly recognized lawyers. I am convinced that the combination of our shared expertise in the French market, the synergies with our clients and Clifford Chance's leading global M&A and Private Equity platforms will be a great success for the firm." 

Fabrice Cohen has advised on many significant matters including:

• Advising Caisse des dépôts et consignations and Bpifrance Participations on the IPO of Euronext;
• Advising Airbus Group on several major transactions, including the creation of the new Airbus Defence and Space division and the transformation of the listed top holding company into a European Company (SE);
• Advising General Motors on its strategic alliance with PSA Peugeot Citroën, including notably the acquisition by General Motors of 7% of the share capital of PSA Peugeot Citroën and the entering into long term supply, joint venture development, joint purchasing and logistic agreements.