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.

« Heading up the ‘excellent‘ team is Stéphane Puel, who specialises in financial services and investment management. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Private Equity : Fund Formation

« [..] Financial services and investment management expert Stéphane Puel heads the team, with notable strength acting for the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) on the full range of matters and also advises funds on the conduct of business rules and court or disciplinary proceedings. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Banking & Finance : Bank Regulatory

« Stéphane Puel is noted for his broad expertise in regulatory mandates. He primarily acts on the regulatory aspects of fund management, including distribution agreements. He additionally advises clients on the relationship with the French regulator and on post-COVID-19 stimulus plans. Strengths: "His contribution to our cases has been tremendous and instrumental in our negotiations with different counterparties. He really understands our needs, has a very clear and accurate judgement on legal questions and understands perfectly the needs of the industry. He was also able to provide pragmatic answers based on his extensive knowledge of the regulations and practices of the financial sector. »
​Chambers Europe & Global 2023 - Financial Services Regulation

« 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