Gide Counsel Rima Maîtrehenry is admitted to the Paris bar and focuses on the structuring of private equity funds (LBO, venture, funds of funds, secondary funds, etc.). Her practice covers fundraising operations on behalf of sponsors, negotiation of terms on behalf of institutional investors (such as international organisations, sovereign funds or family offices), buy-side and sell-side secondary transactions (with or without the spin-off of the management team), as well as certain regulatory aspects relating thereto (AMF approvals, AIFMD questions) and issues involving the management teams (carried interest, incentives). With this experience, Rima Maîtrehenry frequently advises on international transactions covering various European countries, the U.S. and Africa, and requiring the negotiation and implementation of market standard terms.

Before joining Gide, Rima Maîtrehenry was the in-house counsel and compliance officer of a portfolio management company specialised in venture and LBO transactions and a fund lawyer in the Paris office of two US law firms.  Rima Maîtrehenry holds a maîtrise en droit (USJ, Lebanon), a DEA (Paris I), a Master’s degree from business school HEC and a PhD (Paris I).

Rima is recommended as an Up and Coming Lawyer by Chambers Europe 2018 and as a Next Generation Lawyer by Legal 500 EMEA 2018.

« The ‘truly transaction-oriented’ Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. ‘always delivers an outstanding level of service’, with ‘a great response in terms of time, substance and general guidance’ and, according to one client, has ‘by far the best mix of technical expertise and practical experience among asset management lawyers’. The team ‘knows the industry in France, Europe and North Africa’ and is considered ‘a trendsetter with a reliable global network’ as well as ‘a great partner for long-term matters as it provides stability’. The fund formation practice is part of the firm’s wider investment management department, and it advises sponsors and investors on private equity funds and other private funds. The team’s workload is largely domestic, although Ann Baker, who co-heads the practice with Stéphane Puel, is also admitted to the New York bar. The ‘very-well connected’ Puel ‘has an in-depth knowledge of the asset management industry in all regulatory aspects and from a business standpoint’ and is ‘a sharp-witted strategist’ and ‘key influencer in asset management and finance regulation in France’. Counsel Rima Maitrehenry provides key support. Recent highlights include advising Omnes Capital on the structuring of a fund dedicated to investments in high environmental performance buildings, a first on the French market. The group assisted Unigestion Asset Management with structuring its fourth dedicated private equity secondary fund, and also acted for Korelya Capital on the structuring and formation of the K-Fund 1, which is focused on financing European, and in particular French, start-ups. Amundi, Eiffel Investment Group and Idinvest are also clients. Benjamin Delaunay made counsel in January 2017.
Legal 500 EMEA 2018

« Outstanding private equity team with particular focus on venture capital and fund-raising, acting for both investors and companies. Recognised for its expertise in the technology sector. Also noted for its leading practice in fund formation matters including private equity, real estate and infrastructure funds. Clients appreciate the team's 'really quick and good understanding of who we are and our constraints.' Sources value the provision of 'the multi-expertise of a one-stop shop and the follow-up on all subjects by a single team.' Acted for Omnes Capital on the structuring of a EUR100 million fund dedicated to investment in high environmental performance buildings. Assisted Partech Ventures with the formation of the Paris-Saclay Seed Fund, designed for investment in technology and service start-ups by students, graduates and researchers of Paris-Saclay University. Admitted to the Paris and New York Bars, Ann Baker specialises in fund formation, fund structuring and regulatory issues. Clients appreciate the quality of her 'strategic advice' when advising sponsors or investors, including on multi-jurisdictional mandates. Stephane Puel  joins the rankings as a result of positive market feedback. He focuses on setting up and structuring private equity, real estate and debt funds. Sources note his 'availability, serenity and sense of risk.' Rima Maitrehenry makes a ranking debut this year with market feedback confirming her as an up-and-coming name in the field of fund formation, with a focus on private equity. Interviewees praise her 'availability, technicality and ability to solicit good complementary expertise internally.' »
Chambers Europe 2018