Mergers & Acquisitions and corporate law are at the heart of Gide’s activities throughout the world, and we are proud to assist international clients in their establishment, acquisition, sale and joint venture projects.

Gide has become a major actor recognised as one of the best firms in M&A/Corporate in each country in which it is present, and regularly acts on operations in countries where it has no office thanks to its established network of local correspondents. Over 150 of our practitioners (of which 30 partners) work in this field of law, which, at Gide, means managing cases, training junior lawyers, and sharing knowledge and know-how. The firm’s practice covers all sectors (finance, services, industries, energy etc.) and all types of operations, more particularly the following specialties:

• Mergers & Acquisitions of non-listed companies, joint ventures  
• LBO
• Mergers & Acquisitions of listed companies   
• Venture Capital
• Corporate law
• Restructuring
• Listed company law
• Privatisations

Experience includes:

• Leroy Somer (motors, drives and electric power generation businesses): advising Japanese motor manufacturer Nidec Corporation on the acquisition of Leroy Somer, the motors, drives and electric power generation businesses owned by Emerson Electric Co., a diversified global manufacturing company.
   
• Privatisation of the Nice and Lyon airports: advising the French State Investments Agency (APE) on the privatisation of the Nice and Lyon airports.
   
• PFR / Bank Pekao / Unicredit: advising on the acquisition of 32.8% of shares in Bank Pekao from UniCredit S.p.A.
   
• Société Générale / Central Europe: advising Société Générale on the acquisition of Banque PSA Finance assets in central Europe.
   
• ABC / China / Africa: advising Agricultural Bank of China, one of China’s Big Four banks, on the establishment of a bank in the Republic of Congo, the Sino-Congolese Bank for Africa (BSCA).
   
• HNA Tourism Group / Pierre et Vacances: advising the tourism division of the Chinese conglomerate HNA Group on its 10% equity investment in Euronext Paris-listed Pierre et Vacances SA.
   
• Totalgaz: advising Total on the sale of Totalgaz, its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distributor in France, to UGI Corporation the parent company of Antargaz.
   
• Monoprix: advising Casino on the corporate, anti-trust and financing aspects of the acquisition by Casino of the 50% shareholding held by Galeries Lafayette in Monoprix, a joint venture in which Casino and Galeries Lafayette were each 50% shareholder since 2000.
   
• CA-CIB / CLSA / Cheuvreux: advising Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank (CA-CIB) on the sale of CLSA, its Asia brokerage activity, to CITICS Securities International Limited Company (CITICS) and on the sale of Cheuvreux, its French brokerage activity, to Kepler Capital Market.
   
• REAL Eastern Europe: advising the Auchan Group on the acquisition of Real Eastern Europe, i.e. 91 supermarkets in Eastern Europe, formerly held by Metro AG.
   
• Eurostar International Limited: advising SNCF on the creation of Eurostar International Limited, a company operating the Eurostar international traveller transport service.
   
• Areva T&D: advising Areva on the sale of its Transmission and Distribution (T&D) activity to the Alstom and Schneider consortium.
   
• Polkomtel: advising KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., Polish leader in the extraction of copper and silver, on the sale of its 25% stake in the capital of Polkomtel S.A. to Zygmunt Solorz-Zak.

This firm is the product of a joint venture between French firm Gide Loyrette Nouel and Spain's Cuatrecasas. Both backgrounds bring benefits, with excellence in projects, infrastructure and energy a notable synergy. Other areas of experience include the establishment and divestment of operations and subsidiaries for industrial and automotive clients.

Chambers Global 2021

Gide Loyrette Nouel is widely considered a go-to firm for international businesses investing into Algeria. The firm often assists clients with joint ventures and corporate structurings, and its expertise also extends to international arbitration and contract law. One impressed client noted the team's advice to be "very concise," adding that "they understand the kind of answers we require and how we want to hear them."

Chambers Global 2021

Widely regarded practice group with particular proficiency operating in OHADA law, as well as francophone and North Africa generally. Represents a number of African private equity funds, as well as international conglomerates and PE groups in their acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures on the continent. Notably active on transactions involving energy and oil and gas projects and assets. Additionally experienced acting in sectors including manufacturing and hospitality with experience advising government entities. The group's expertise is spread across a number of offices globally, with the practice being primarily run from Paris, Algiers, Casablanca and Tunis.

Chambers Global 2021

Widely respected dispute resolution practice with a long-standing commitment to the African continent and a particularly developed presence on mandates relating to the Maghreb and francophone Africa. Offers advice from its London and Paris bases, supported by offices in Algiers, Cairo, Casablanca and Tunis. Maintains an excellent reputation for its knowledge of the construction, oil and gas, and mining sectors, with a notable track record of advising governments and multinational banks. Handles a range of contentious mandates, including ICC, ICSID and LCIA international arbitration proceedings.

Chambers Global 2021

Polish outfit of a French firm assisting both international and domestic clients with all aspects of M&A. Also offers corporate advice. Regularly instructed by mid-market private equity funds investing in diverse sectors of the Polish economy. Active on deals relating to the financial services, healthcare and IT sectors. Strong following of Polish clients in addition to francophone names.

Chambers Europe 2021

Combines strong French expertise with the ability to advise international companies on cross-border matters. Regularly handles sophisticated joint venture and M&A transactions, as well as corporate structure issues. Enjoys a significant depth of experience in many different industries including banking, real estate, energy and insurance. Also acts for shareholders on the sale of companies.

Chambers Europe 2021

Combines strong French expertise with the ability to advise international companies on cross-border matters. Regularly handles sophisticated joint venture and M&A transactions, as well as corporate structure issues. Enjoys a significant depth of experience in many different industries including healthcare, retail and insurance. Also advises a number of domestic and international financial institutions and energy groups. Interviewees praise the lawyers' reliability in advising their clients, saying: 'They are always available, always flexible and able to find solutions in complex situations.' Additional sources highlight the quality of the team's work, as well as its 'good matter handling, responsiveness and ability to allocate people on short notice.'

Chambers Europe 2019