---
title: "Mergers & Acquisitions"
id: "2038"
type: "expertise"
slug: "mergers-acquisitions"
published_at: "2026-01-26T09:06:16+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-07-28T14:22:34+00:00"
url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/mergers-acquisitions/"
markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/mergers-acquisitions.md"
excerpt: "Driving your growth operations with agility and precision M&A transactions concentrate strategic, financial, and human challenges that require precise coordination. Each acquisition, disposal, or merger shapes the company’s future and demands expertise capable of anticipating risks while seizing opportunities. We..."
taxonomy_language:
  - "English"
taxonomy_post_translations:
  - "pll_69772e88b1117"
taxonomy_tax_expertise:
  - "Mergers & Acquisitions"
taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise:
  - "Transactional"
---

## Driving your growth operations *with agility and precision*

M&A transactions concentrate strategic, financial, and human challenges that require precise coordination. Each acquisition, disposal, or merger shapes the company’s future and demands expertise capable of anticipating risks while seizing opportunities.

We convert legal complexity into actionable insights. Our approach combines technical expertise with operational pragmatism: from target identification to deal completion, we structure each stage to safeguard your interests and accelerate your projects. Tax, financing, employment law, competition, intellectual property: we bring together a bespoke multidisciplinary team, able to operate both in France and internationally.

Listed groups, investment funds, family-owned mid-sized companies, hyper-growth start-ups — we support those who move the lines. Each matter benefits from our availability and commitment to building lasting relationships.

## *our*Capabilities

### (01) Acquisition and Divestment Strategy

We manage the entire transaction process, from the first strategic analyses to closing. Public takeovers, asset disposals, joint ventures, distressed transactions, cross-border mergers — we handle all transaction formats across a wide range of sectors. Our method combines in-depth due diligence, negotiation of key agreements, and coordination of regulatory filings. Representations and warranties, shareholders’ agreements, financing mechanisms — we design robust frameworks that protect your interests.

### (02) Managing Social and Tax Aspects of Transactions

Every external growth operation generates social and tax implications that must be anticipated. We assess risks, analyze collective agreements, design harmonization strategies, and oversee information and consultation procedures. Our integrated approach prevents post-acquisition bottlenecks and preserves operational performance. Legal compliance, tax optimization, social dialogue — we orchestrate every dimension to ensure smooth integration and protect the value created.

### (03) Intra-Group Restructurings

Mergers, spin-offs, partial asset contributions, subsidiaries — internal reorganizations often pursue objectives of performance, governance, or regulatory compliance. We design and implement these transformations for French and international groups, taking into account fiscal, social, and financial constraints. Each structure is conceived to streamline the organization, optimize flows, and strengthen the group’s legal coherence.

### (04) Disputes

Post-acquisition litigation, shareholder disputes, or warranty claims require both technical and strategic defense. We represent clients before all courts to protect their rights, whether it involves director liability, valuation challenges, or contractual performance. Our approach combines procedural rigor with a business-oriented understanding of each case. We defend your interests with determination, always favoring the most effective outcome.

Collective excellence

at the service of the

*highest standards.*

Team

[Gilles August ( Founding Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/assemblee-des-associesmanagement-committee-comex-3/)

[Julien Aucomte ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/julien-aucomte/)

[Jean-Damien Boulanger ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/jean-damien-boulanger/)

[Jérôme Brosset ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/jerome-brosset/)

[Valéry Denoix de Saint Marc ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/valery-denoix-de-saint-marc/)

[Etienne Mathey ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/etienne-mathey/)

[Antoine Ricol ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/antoine-ricol/)

[Julien Wagmann ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/julien-wagmann/)

[Bernard Attali ( Senior Advisor )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/bernard-attali/)

[Pierre Descheemaeker ( Senior Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/pierre-descheemaeker/)

[Louis Degeorges ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/louis-degeorges/)

[Virginie Desbois ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/virginie-desbois/)

[Ergen Ege ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/ergen-ege/)

[Ruben Grouchka ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/ruben-grouchka/)

[Maxime Legourd ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/maxime-legourd/)

[Audrey Thomas ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/audrey-thomas/)

[Pauline Desplas ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/pauline-desplas/)

[Sophie Faulcon ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/sophie-faulcon/)

[Coralie Foucault ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/coralie-foucault/)

[David Neuwirth ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/david-neuwirth/)

[François Richard ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/francois-richard/)

[Elina Alfarmini ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/elina-alfarmini/)

[Louise Bégué ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/louise-begue/)

[Hortense Coulon ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/hortense-coulon/)

[Ninon Durousseaud ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/ninon-durousseaud/)

[Albane Shehabi ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/albane-shehabi/)

[Juliette Vachet ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/juliette-vachet/)

Précédent     Suivant

## Contact Us

## *our*References

Mergers & Acquisitions

#### Cameco Corporation – Westinghouse Acquisition

French aspects of USD 7.9bn acquisition Advising Cameco (world’s largest uranium company) on French aspects of contemplated Westinghouse Electric Company (nuclear services) acquisition for USD 7.9bn enterprise value. Coordination with Covington & Burling (US law).

Mergers & Acquisitions

#### French State – Alcatel Submarine Networks Acquisition

80% group acquisition from Nokia via APE Assisted French State (APE) in acquiring 80% of Alcatel Submarine Networks from Nokia. Complex industrial carve-out, legal structuring and multi-jurisdictional coordination. Industrial sovereignty context.

Mergers & Acquisitions

#### Dassault Aviation – ExecuJet Acquisition

Worldwide ExecuJet maintenance activities acquisition Advised Dassault Aviation on acquisition of ExecuJet’s (Luxaviation) worldwide maintenance activities. Strengthening of Falcon maintenance network in Asia-Pacific, Oceania, Middle East and Africa.

**Rankings**& Recognitions

m

- (01)Best Lawyers 2027 – France Corporate M&A
- (02)Best Lawyers 2027 – France Corporate M&A
- (03)Le Point 2026 – France Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)

[More distinctions](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/distinctions/?search_tax-expertise%5B%5D=mergers-acquisitions)

## *Latest* News

[27/08/26 Deal 1 min August Debouzy advises Etherna Immunotherapies on its combination with Valerio Therapeutics to accelerate the development of targeted RNA-based therapies August Debouzy advised Etherna Immunotherapies on its proposed acquisition by Valerio Therapeutics. The €30 million transaction, supported by a €40.25 million PIPE financing, will create an integrated biotechnology company focused on RNA-based medicines.](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/deal/august-debouzy-advises-etherna-immunotherapies-on-its-combination-with-valerio-therapeutics-to-accelerate-the-development-of-targeted-rna-based-therapies/)

[30/06/26 Deal 2 min August Debouzy advises Spacinov’s founding shareholders on Quilvest Capital Partners’ investment in Spacivox August Debouzy advised the founding shareholders of Spacinov, the French software company behind Spacivox, an omnichannel SaaS platform for B2C debt collection orchestration, on the investment by Quilvest Capital Partners as reference shareholder.](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/deal/august-debouzy-advises-spacinovs-founding-shareholders-on-quilvest-capital-partners-investment-in-spacivox/)

[19/06/26 Press release 7 min August Debouzy Announces the Promotion of Three Partners and Strengthens Its Corporate and Employment Law Practices](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/press-release/august-debouzy-announces-the-promotion-of-three-partners-and-strengthens-its-corporate-and-employment-law-practices/)

[18/06/26 Deal 2 min August Debouzy advised Continental AG on the sale of its French service, distribution and tire retreading operations to ASC Investment August Debouzy a conseillé le groupe allemand Continental AG, l’un des leaders mondiaux des solutions pneumatiques et de services de mobilité, dans le cadre de la cession de ses activités françaises de services et de distribution et de rechapage de pneus, ContiTrade France, à ASC Investment.](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/deal/august-debouzy-advised-continental-ag-on-the-sale-of-its-french-service-distribution-and-tire-retreading-operations-to-asc-investment/)

[18/06/26 Opération 3 min August Debouzy accompagne Airbus dans le cadre du projet de joint-venture avec Technip Energies, Safran et Tereos visant à développer une production de carburants d’aviation durables en France](https://www.august-debouzy.com/operation/august-debouzy-advises-airbus-on-the-joint-venture-project-with-technip-energies-safran-and-tereos-to-develop-sustainable-aviation-fuel-production-in-france/)

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Précédent     Suivant

[Find our latest news](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/le-hub/)
News

## *FAQ*

### (01) How does a law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions structure a buy-side or sell-side transaction?

Every M&A transaction (acquisition, disposal, merger, joint venture) shapes the company’s future and requires precise coordination between legal, financial, tax and operational dimensions. From target identification to closing, we structure each stage: negotiating letters of intent, conducting legal due diligence, drafting SPAs and transfer protocols, structuring warranties and indemnities, and coordinating signing and closing. Our approach integrates corporate law, tax, employment law, intellectual property and sector-specific regulations to secure the transaction as a whole.

### (02) What employment and tax issues must be anticipated in a mergers and acquisitions transaction?

Article L. 1224-1 of the French Labour Code provides for the automatic transfer of employment contracts to the new employer in the event of a change in the employer’s legal situation (merger, sale, demerger). This transfer by operation of law requires anticipating its consequences: assumption of contractual obligations, continuation of collective guarantees, management of company agreements and information of employee representative bodies. On the tax side, we secure the treatment of capital gains, structure acquisition vehicles and ensure compliance with favourable restructuring regimes.

### (03) How can you secure an intra-group restructuring (merger, demerger, partial asset contribution)?

Intra-group restructurings enable companies to rationalize legal structures, simplify governance or prepare for a disposal. Article L. 236-15 of the French Commercial Code grants non-bondholder creditors whose claims predate publication of the merger plan a right of opposition within thirty days. The opposition does not suspend the merger but may render it unenforceable against the creditor absent repayment or provision of guarantees. We manage these operations by combining corporate law, tax and operational constraints, from drafting the merger agreement to post-completion formalities.

### (04) How should you handle litigation arising from a mergers and acquisitions transaction?

Post-acquisition disputes (warranty and indemnity claims, price challenges, earn-out adjustments, misrepresentations, breach of protocols) can undermine the economics of a transaction. We defend buyers and sellers before commercial, civil and arbitral courts, combining litigation strategy, financial expertise and negotiated solutions. Each dispute is approached with a cross-cutting perspective integrating contractual, corporate and reputational dimensions to protect our clients’ interests and preserve transaction value.

### (05) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for mergers and acquisitions in France?

Listed group executives, investment funds, family-owned mid-caps and fast-growing start-ups entrust us with their most transformative transactions. Our approach combines technical expertise with operational pragmatism: from target identification to closing, we structure every stage to secure our clients’ interests and accelerate their projects. Tax, financing, employment law, intellectual property, sector-specific regulation: our integrated team mobilizes all required skills to deliver each transaction under the best possible conditions.