A Gide partner since 1994, Frédéric Nouel is the firm's Senior Partner and chairs the firm's Executive Committee since January 2021. He is a member of the Real Estate Transactions & Financing practice group, with an activity that focuses on investment funds and on M&A, real estate and financing transactions for both listed and non-listed operators on the European real estate market.

Acting regularly for the major investment funds and listed and non-listed real estate and hotel companies, Frédéric Nouel has played a crucial role in the creation in France of non-listed REITs ("OPCI OPPCI"), which now represent around 90 billion euros of assets under management. He has a significant expertise in professional alternative investment fund creation in all fields of the real estate and hospitality sector.

Frédéric advises on headline deals, with recent clients including Accorhotels, ADEO group (Leroy-Merlin), Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Icamap/Icawood, Swiss-Life, Domus-Vi, BNP-Paribas, KKR, EDF, Eurazeo, Aermont, SFL, Engie, Goldman Sachs, and PSA Peugeot-Citroën.

Consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in major expert guides such as Chambers Europe (Band 1), Legal 500 (Leading Individual), Frédéric is also listed among the best lawyers by Who's Who Legal and Best Lawyers. He was named "Lawyer of the Year in Real Estate" by American review Best Lawyers in France 2017 and 2020. In 2018, he has been inducted to The Legal 500 Hall of Fame and in 2019 in Who's Who Lawyer: Thought Leaders 2020.

Frédéric holds a postgraduate degree (DEA) in Business Law (University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, 1985) and an honours degree (Maîtrise) in Management (University of Paris-Dauphine, 1983). Frédéric is the co-author of a book, "Les OPCI - Organismes de placement collectif immobilier", Delmas Editions (2008), with Xavier Lépine and Daniel While. In 1999/2000, he was elected president of the Paris Young Lawyers Association (UJA).

« According to one client, Frédéric Nouel 'has an impressive background and knowledge in real estate. He is extremely involved in the deals and is a strong deal maker.' Nouel enjoys a solid reputation acting on complex real estate transaction mandates. He advised TechnipFMC on the negotiation of an off-plan commercial lease. »
Chambers Europe 2019

« Frédéric Nouel is one of the pre-eminent figures in the jurisdiction. He enjoys a stellar reputation for his leading work on financing and transactions across the real estate sector. »
Who's Who Legal 2019

« Gide Loyrette Nouel is praised for its ‘capability to go beyond typical real estate issues and advise on broader strategic and partnership matters’. The ‘responsive and efficient’ 50-lawyer team, which also has ‘an excellent proactive and solution-driven approach’, handles an impressive amount of high-profile investment and property finance deals each year, spanning the office, retail and logistics sectors thanks to its combination of top investment, finance and tax expertise. The group is retained by an outstanding domestic and international client base made up of top property investors and developers. Highlights included assisting Accor with the spin-off of Accor Invest; advising a sovereign wealth fund on the sale of 6-8 Boulevard Haussmann building; and acting for EDF on the sale-and-leaseback of a 250 asset and office portfolio. The team also advised landlords and tenants on lease negotiations of commercial and office spaces. The practice is headed by Frédéric Nouel. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2019

« Frédéric Nouel maintains his solid reputation in the French real estate market. His clients include real estate companies, hospitality sector leaders and investment funds. He boasts strong expertise in real estate transactions including acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and property development. »
Chambers Europe 2018

« The impressive Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is ‘among the top law firms in Paris, comes first for large deals’, is ‘very professional, delivers on time, and gives good insights on the market’s latest developments’. The large 49-lawyer team serves many high-profile European listed property companies, French and international investment funds, developers, industrial operators, high end-users and lenders and is consistently involved in the market’s largest investment deals. 

The highly recognised Frédéric Nouel, Stanislas Dwernicki, Eric Martin-Impératori and Renault Baguenault de Puchesse head the practice. Other key names in the team include Bertrand Oldra, Christopher Szostak who ‘anticipates clients’ needs and is a very trustful and pro-business adviser that you are glad to have on your side at the negotiating table’, the ‘always available’ Hugues Moreau and Nicolas Planchot. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2018

« Frédéric Nouel, who gives ‘to-the-point advice’ and is one of the best in the field. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2017

« Frédéric Nouel is a renowned practitioner in the French real estate market. He advises major players in the area, both listed and non-listed companies. His practice covers acquisitions and disposals of real estate assets. »
Chambers Europe 2017

« Frédéric Nouel specialises in real estate transactions and is a recognised authority on non-listed REITs or OPCIs. He is regarded by peers as 'one of the best in his field'. »
Who's Who Legal 2017

« ‘star partner’ Frédéric Nouel. »
« Frédéric Nouel qui est une vraie ‘star’ du marché. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2016
Legal 500 Paris 2016

« Peers regard Frédéric Nouel as 'a leader in the real estate market' when it comes to investments and associated tax regimes, with one source calling him 'a very sophisticated and well-experienced lawyer.' His recent work has involved the acquisitions, disposals and leasing of real estate in retail and commercial sectors. »
 Chambers Europe 2016