FRANCE Trends and Developments
Trends and Developments Contributed by: Sophie Vermeille and Jens Waldner Vermeille & Co
Vermeille & Co is a Paris-based boutique law firm with a core team of six seasoned lawyers and finan - cial experts exclusively dedicated to representing in - vestors in complex, high-stakes matters where law, finance, accounting and strategy intersect. The firm has extensive experience in shareholder activism and securities litigation, including in highly regulated sectors such as the financial industry. The firm regu - larly develops novel legal strategies in public takeo - vers, and conducts high-profile disputes aimed at strengthening corporate governance and protecting
minority shareholder rights. Recent matters include acting for activist investors and engaged sharehold - ers in contested takeover situations (Esso, Vivendi). The firm is also involved in several landmark investor litigations raising major corporate governance and financial transparency issues in the French market, including proceedings against the statutory auditors of Atos on behalf of approximately 850 shareholders, claims against Casino, its former directors and offic - ers and its statutory auditors, and litigation against Worldline.
Authors
Sophie Vermeille is the founding partner of Vermeille & Co and has advised sophisticated investors in some of France’s most high-profile corporate battles over the past decade. As a former lawyer at leading
Jens Waldner is a partner at Vermeille & Co with more than 20 years of experience in corporate and regulatory litigation. His practice focuses on high-stakes and/or complex disputes including D&O and
international law firms, she is recognised for her ability to anticipate legal, financial and strategic angles in market-sensitive situations. In her recent engagements, she built complex legal strategies and managed proceedings under intense public scrutiny. She founded a policy-oriented think tank in 2012 and is valued for her transdisciplinary background. Today, Ms Vermeille continues to contribute to policy debates on shareholder rights with the French financial market authority (AMF) and the French Ministry of Finance.
statutory auditor liability, as well as post-transaction litigation. He has developed a strong expertise in matters at the intersection of corporate governance, financial regulation and securities litigation. Before joining Vermeille & Co, Jens practised for more than 15 years at leading international law firms, where he advised financial institutions and multinational companies in complex litigation and regulatory investigations. His experience includes defending major audit firms in a variety of liability cases, which provides the firm with valuable insights on accounting and auditing issues.
Vermeille & Co 11 bis rue Ballu F-75009 Paris France Tel: +33 185 095 784 Email: contact@vermeille-avocats.com Web: www.vermeille-avocats.com
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