Practice

Corporate/M&A

The M&A market is changing rapidly, with increasingly complex and strategic cross-border transactions. To meet these challenges, our clients need a trusted partner, capable of supporting them at every stage of their transactions.

With more than 150 experts, including 80 in Paris, we have one of the largest and most experienced teams. We cover all merger, acquisition, sale, joint venture, restructuring and spin-off transactions. We advise public entities, French and international investors in all key sectors, including industry, healthcare, chemicals, new technologies, defence and aerospace.

We offer industry-leading expertise which is tailored to our clients’ needs. We support our clients at every stage of the process, from defining a strategy to completing the transaction. This includes conducting due diligence work, drafting and negotiating contractual documentation, coordinating with local counsel and managing relations with the competent authorities.

We have an integrated and comprehensive approach. Benefitting from our international presence and a network of local partners, we have extensive knowledge of local markets. We work closely with our teams which specialise in M&A-related fields, including competition law, tax law, employment law, environmental law, intellectual property law, banking and finance law, capital markets law and litigation. This enables us to assist our clients with all the legal aspects of their cross-border transactions.

Areas of intervention

  • We advise on securities law, including transactions involving the share capital of listed companies (takeover bids, minority investments, agreements between shareholders or with the issuer, spin-offs, etc.), or in relation to financial communication issues and the corporate governance of listed companies.

  • We help industrial companies, investment funds, banks, service companies and more with acquisitions, sales, mergers, spin-offs, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, restructuring, carve-outs, etc.

  • We advise on all private equity transactions, including LBOs, MBOs, growth capital, venture capital , buy-outs, co-investments, refinancing, recapitalisations, exits, etc.

  • With €6.2 billion raised in the last 17 years and an average of 70 transactions per year, we have a leading Venture Capital team, which advises both investors and start-ups and provides its clients with a comprehensive range of business-focused services.

  • We have a dedicated team to advise executives, managers, company founders and family shareholders. We advise them on the structuring and implementation of management packages, incentive plans, governance and executive compensation issues.

  • As an industry leader, we support listed and non-listed companies and European financial institutions in the development and international implementation of their employee shareholding plans, compensation plans and related governance.

Awards

  • Chambers France 2025

    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability

    Band 2

    Gide are excellent at working through transactions that raise highly complex and novel issues and coming up with creative solutions." "Gide is a true full-service firm with high responsiveness.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - France 2025

    M&A

    Tier 2

    A team and quality of work that are simply exceptional: cutting-edge expertise in all market segments, very high-quality multidisciplinary teams within the firm, extremely in-depth and cutting-edge expertise and relevant advice on any national or international M&A transaction.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Turkïye 2025

    Foreign Firms

    Tier 2

    ODSA "have common perspective for Turkish Law, French Law, British Law, and Swiss Law." "The team's strength is that it responds to inquiries in a timely manner and with deep research results.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Turkïye 2025

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 4

    Combining local know-how with international expertise, the ‘highly motivated’ team at ODSA is well-positioned to advise on cross-border M&A work for clients from a wide range of sectors, including financial services, energy and industrial.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Tunisia 2025

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 3

    Gide's team in Tunis adeptly advises on cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and investments.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Poland 2025

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 2

    Gide has a diverse range of specialised attorneys who bring expert knowledge in various fields of law within range of M&A area. They have an ability to think critically and strategically which enables them to navigate challenges and advocate for their clients’ best interests.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Morocco 2025

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 1

    Gide 's team in Morocco offers expertise in cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and private equity. The firm attracts work across high-profile sectors including insurance and banking, oil and gas, and construction. "Excellent responsiveness, very invested in the files, professional honesty.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Algeria 2025

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 1

    Gide boasts deep expertise in corporate and M&A matters, consistently advising on some of the most significant and complex transactions in Algeria. "A high-level team, trilingual, dynamic, available and efficient. High-quality advice and unparalleled know-how.

  • Chambers Global/Europe - Poland 2025

    Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market

    Band 1

    Gide team in Warsaw has excellent organisational skills combined with expertise and experience, which makes it possible to solve complex transactional problems with a sense of determination to achieve the goal.

  • Chambers Global - Africa-wide 2025

    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity

    Band 2

    Gide provides legal expertise for M&A processes, impressive knowledge of the context of business in Africa and a dedicated team." "They are very pragmatic and their experience helps in identifying practical solutions. Their strong experience makes them an ideal partner to handle complex issues."

  • Chambers Global - Africa-wide 2025

    Corporate/Commercial: OHADA Specialists

    Band 1

    Gide is definitely a specialised law firm with extensive knowledge across the African continent and experience in dealing with governments." "The team brings attention to detail, understanding of local market standards and dynamics, and good communication."

  • Chambers Global - Algeria 2025

    Corporate/Commercial

    Band 1

    The team at Gide possess a high level of expertise and reactivity." "Gide has a diverse team of experienced experts.

  • Chambers Global - Morocco 2025

    Corporate/Commercial

    Band 2

    The firm offers various profiles within the team, with a good understanding of local requirements and market practices, as well as being accustomed to the best international standards."

  • Chambers Global - Tunisia 2025

    General Business Law

    Band 2

    The firm shows great professionalism and thoroughness. It is a serious, competent and always attentive team, focused on customer satisfaction above all." "Gide's responsiveness is excellent. We never have to chase."

  • Chambers Global - France 2025

    Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability: Foreign Expert for Africa-Wide

    Spotlight

    Gide combines strong French expertise with the ability to advise international companies on cross-border matters, notably in relation to European and African jurisdictions. The lawyers regularly handle sophisticated joint venture and M&A transactions, as well as corporate structure issues."

  • Chambers Global - China 2025

    Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms)

    Band 5

    The team offers high responsiveness despite the time difference." "They can well understand the client's intention and provide constructive legal suggestion."

  • Chambers Greater China Region - China 2025

    Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms)

    Band 5

    They can well understand the client's intention and provide constructive legal suggestion." "The team offers high responsiveness despite the time difference.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - France 2024

    M&A

    Tier 2

    Extremely goal oriented, dedicated and skilled in handling international and domestic transactions." "The team is a go-to for leading banks and major industrial companies in managing strategic publicly listed and private M&A transactions, as well as handling distressed M&A and corporate restructuring matters.

  • Chambers Global/Europe - France 2024

    Corporate/M&A: High-End Capability

    Band 2

    Gide combines strong French expertise with the ability to advise international companies on cross-border matters, notably in relation to European and African jurisdictions. The lawyers regularly handle sophisticated joint venture and M&A transactions, as well as corporate structure issues.

  • Chambers Global - Algeria 2024

    Corporate/Commercial: International Firms

    Band 1

    Gide is a top French law firm which is widely thought of as a go-to team for international businesses investing into Algeria.

  • Chambers Europe - Poland 2024

    Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market

    Band 2

    Gide Warsaw assists both international and domestic clients with all aspects of M&A. The law firm also offers corporate advice.

  • Chambers Global - Africa-Wide 2024

    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity

    Band 2

    Gide represents a number of African private equity funds, as well as international conglomerates [...]particularly active in transactions involving energy and oil and gas projects and assets. Clients benefit from the firm's strategic alliance with market-leading South African law firm Bowmans.

  • Chambers Global - Morocco 2024

    Corporate/Commercial

    Band 2

    Gide's team in Morocco boasts extensive expertise in projects, infrastructure and energy mandates. In these areas the team is well accustomed to assisting with the creation of PPPs and joint venture project companies, as well as counselling energy companies on the licensing and commercial contract issues essential to their operation.

  • Chambers Global - Tunisia 2024

    General Business Law

    Band 2

    Gide has operated in Tunisia for more than two decades, allowing it to advise on the full gamut of local and international business law. The group has substantial experience assisting foreign companies with the establishment of their local operations.

  • Chambers Global - Poland 2024

    International & Cross-Border Capabilities

    Band 4

    Gide Warsaw predominantly advises on finance and corporate matters across jurisdictions, adept at handling both inbound and outbound deals. Active on both public and private transactions.

  • Chambers Global/Europe - Poland 2024

    Corporate/M&A: High-End Capability

    Band 4

    Gide Warsaw is active on deals relating to the engineering, mining and energy sectors. The firm has a strong following of Polish clients in addition to francophone names.

  • Chambers Global/Europe - Turkey 2024

    Corporate/M&A

    Band 5

    ODSA offers notable experience in handling cross-border transactions for domestic and international clients. The team boasts extensive experience in advising on asset deals. The lawyers act for clients from a range of sectors including insurance, entertainment and technology.

  • Chambers Global/Greater China Region - China 2024

    Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms)

    Band 5

    Gide's corporate practice primarily acts for French corporates on inbound transactions, including acquisitions, joint venture formation and equity investments. It also represents Chinese clients in outbound transactions.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Algeria 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 1

    Gide is well known in the Algerian corporate and commercial market for its capacity to handle complex and high-value M&A and joint ventures, as well as novel deals, including the first squeeze-out transaction in the Algerian stock exchange.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Poland 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 2

    A set of dedicated professionals who supported our organisation throughout a complex divestment process. The quality of services rendered exceeded our expectations.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Morocco 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 2

    The M&A and corporate team at Gide is a trusted partner for major Moroccan and multinational clients embarking on high-stakes M&A transactions within Morocco and the broader southern African region.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Tunisia 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 2

    Advising international clients on their investments in Tunisia is at the heart of the corporate offering at Gide. Recent work in this area includes advising on the establishment of joint ventures and on the disposition and acquisition of Tunisian companies and subsidiaries.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Turkey 2024

    Foreign Firms

    Tier 2

    ODSA utilises its strong network of international lawyers in Africa, Asia and Europe to advise on insurance, dispute resolution, tax, banking and finance, and corporate and M&A mandates.

  • Legal 500 Asia Pacific - China 2025

    Corporate/M&A: Foreign Firms

    Tier 4

    Through a combination of technical expertise and practicality, the Gide practice advises multinational corporations and Chinese clients on all aspects of M&A, joint ventures, and corporate reorganisations.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Turkey 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 5

    The team at ODSA employs the expertise of its team to assist insurers, financial institutions, domestic and multinational corporates in oil and gas, energy, logistics, cosmetics and construction, with day-to-day matters and complex, cross-border transactions.

  • Legal 500 Asia Pacific - China 2024

    Corporate & M&A: Foreign Firms

    Tier 5

    Gide covers day-to-day corporate issues, M&A, joint ventures, reorganisations and corporate structuring.

  • IFLR1000 - France 2024

    Corporate and M&A

    Tier 2

    Gide is recognised in the following practices : Private Equity, M&A.

  • IFLR1000 - Algeria 2024

    Financial and Corporate

    Tier 1

    Gide is recognised in the following practice : Financial and Corporate.

  • IFLR1000 - Tunisia 2024

    Financial and Corporate

    Tier 1

    Gide is recognised in the following practice : Financial and Corporate.

  • IFLR1000 - Morocco 2024

    Corporate and M&A

    Tier 2

    Gide is recognised in the following practice : M&A.

  • IFLR1000 - Poland 2024

    Corporate and M&A

    Tier 3

    Gide is recognised in the following practice : M&A.

  • IFLR1000 - Turkey 2024

    Corporate and M&A

    Tier 3

    The team is recognised in the following practice : M&A.

  • IFLR1000 - China 2024

    Corporate and M&A

    Notable

    Gide is recognised in the following practice : M&A - Foreign.