Stéphane Puel heads the Investment Funds & Asset Management team. He advises French and international financial institutions on all regulatory matters, and in particular on structuring, setting up, documenting and distributing regulated and non-regulated French and foreign law open-end and closed-end investment funds, such as hedge funds, REITs, private equity funds, infrastructure funds and distressed debt funds.

Stéphane is in regular contact with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) on all matters relating to licensing management companies, setting up investment funds, and distributing French and foreign investment funds and structured products.

Stéphane also advises these entities on the conduct of business rules applicable to them and assists them with court or disciplinary proceedings linked to their activity. He is a member of the Gide team which assisted the ASPIM since 2004 on the revamping of the regulations applicable to French real estate funds (OPCI).

He regularly publishes articles in professional reviews in France and abroad and frequently speaks at seminars on asset management and UCITS. He is the joint author of the "Investment funds" chapter in the Répertoire Commercial Dalloz and the co-author of a book on asset management in France (to be released). He also writes a column on asset management in the Revue Trimestrielle de droit financier.

Stéphane Puel is a member of the permanent commission on "Asset Management and Institutional investors" at the AMF; the French High Legal Committee for the Paris Finance Marketplace (Haut Comité Juridique de la Place Financière de Paris); the legal committee of the AFIC (French venture capital association); and of the Tax, Legal & Regulatory Committee of the European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (EVCA).

Stéphane was Gide's managing partner from 2012 to 2020.

Stéphane Puel is recommended as Leading Individual in Banking & Finance: Regulatory and Financial Services in Legal 500 (since 2014), Leading Lawyer in IFLR1000 2017 & 2018, and in Private Equity / Investment Funds in Who's Who Legal 2017 and Best Lawyers in France 2018.

« Stéphane Puel: excellent strategic view of the market, excellent communication and diplomatic approach to sensitive issues, precise and concrete answers, pragmatic approach to risks.
Stéphane Puel, has perfect knowledge of the subject of fund formation. The best specialist in France.
Stephane Puel and his teams are always available, relevant in their responses and creative when faced with problems. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Private Equity

« Practice head Stéphane Puel and Guillaume Goffin stand out. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Bank Regulatory

« Stéphane Puel is noted for his broad expertise in regulatory mandates. He acts on the regulatory aspects of acquisitions and mergers. He additionally advises clients on the relationship with the French regulator and Brexit-related issues. »
Chambers Europe & Global 2022 - Financial Services Regulation

« Stéphane Puel is recognised for his handling of regulatory issues in investment management. He is further adept at advising clients on the commercial issues surrounding Brexit. »
Chambers Europe & Global 2021

« Leading banking and finance practice with solid expertise across the financial sector, covering projects, real estate, asset and acquisition finance. Impressive client base comprising mainly key multinational banks. Also recognised for its prominent activity in the financial services regulatory field, advising credit and financial institutions on the migration and transfer of financing services. Further activity assisting banks with banking regulations and issues surrounding Brexit.»
Chambers Europe & Global 2021 - Financial Services Regulation

« Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.'s practice focuses on French, UK and US law. The team acts for domestic and foreign management companies, banks, financial institutions and investment funds, with extensive experience in bank lending, capital markets and structured finance. The department continues to be a key name for fintech regulatory matters, focusing on legal foresight and structuring on behalf of start-ups, scale-ups and incumbent players. Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville, who leads the practice alongside Stéphane Puel, is a force in regulatory disputes before French and European courts.»
Legal 500 EMEA 2021 - Bank Regulatory

« Stephane Puel has extensive experience and a global vision of projects allowing a clear understanding of the complexity of the issues.»
Legal 500 EMEA 2021 - Fund Formation

« The 'extremely reactive' team at Gide Loyrette Nouel provides 'pragmatic advice' and, 'due to its expertise, network and capacities', provides a 'one-stop shop' approach, which is 'a strong asset'. The group also impresses with its 'technical expertise and creativity' and fields a varied funds practice, ranging from private equity and venture funds to real estate funds, infrastructure funds, debt funds and UCITS funds. Managing partner Stéphane Puel, who 'provides tailor-made and business-oriented advice', and the 'very responsive' Ann Baker, known for her 'great knowledge of international standards', lead the team. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2019

« Stephane Puel advises various investors on domestic and cross-border fund structuring matters spanning the infrastructure, real estate and insurance spaces. He is singled out by interviewees for being 'pragmatic, efficient and innovative.' »
Chambers Europe 2019

« Gide Loyrette Nouel offers strong contentious and non-contentious expertise, with corporate support work making up a third key pillar of the practice. The group also boasts an innovation and fintech desk to assists start-ups and established players alike with the regulatory issues at the intersection of technology and financial services. Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville, who co-directs the practice with managing partner Stéphane Puel, advised Kepler Chevreux on regulatory issues relating to the acquisition of 28% of its share capital by Atlas Merchant Capital Fund and Edmond de Rothschild. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2019 - Bank Regulatory