Associé gérant de Gide depuis janvier 2012, Stéphane Puel dirige l'activité Fonds d'investissement & Gestion d’actifs du cabinet. Il conseille des établissements financiers, tant français qu'étrangers, pour l’ensemble de leurs questions réglementaires, et en particulier dans la structuration, la documentation et la distribution de fonds d'investissement de droit français ou étranger sur tous types de sous-jacents (hedge funds, private equity, immobilier, infrastructure, créances…).

Stéphane est l'interlocuteur régulier de l'Autorité des Marchés Financiers sur l'ensemble des questions liées à l'agrément de sociétés de gestion et la constitution de fonds d’investissement, ainsi que sur la commercialisation en France de fonds d’investissement ou de produits structurés de droit étranger.

Stéphane assiste également les établissements financiers dans le cadre de contentieux commerciaux ou disciplinaires liés à leur activité. Il fait partie de l'équipe du cabinet Gide qui est conseil de l'ASPIM depuis 2004 pour la mise en place et la modernisation du régime des OPCI.

Stéphane écrit régulièrement des articles dans des revues professionnelles françaises ou étrangères et intervient lors de séminaires sur la gestion d'actifs et les OPCVM. Co-auteur du chapitre "OPCVM" du Répertoire Commercial Dalloz, il est également co-auteur d'un livre sur la gestion d'actifs en France (Banque éd.) (à paraître). Il publie une chronique sur la gestion d’actifs dans la Revue Trimestrielle de droit financier.

Stéphane Puel est membre de la Commission consultative "Gestion et Investissements institutionnels" de l'AMF, du Haut Comité Juridique de la Place Financière de Paris, du Comité juridique de France Invest, ainsi que du Tax, Legal and Regulatory Committee de l'EVCA (European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association). Il participe en outre à l’Association Française pour la Gestion des Cybermonnaies (AFGC), créée en juillet 2017.

Stéphane Puel est référencé comme Leading Individual en Banking & Finance: Regulatory and Financial Services dans le guide Legal 500 (depuis 2014), Leading Lawyer dans le guide IFLR1000 2017 & 2018, ainsi qu'en Private / Investment Funds dans le Who's Who Legal 2017 & 2018 et Best Lawyers in France 2018 & 2019.

« Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. ‘has an excellent bank regulatory department’ and provides ‘excellent service and business knowledge’. Stéphane Puel and Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville, who impress with their ‘in-depth knowledge of regulatory matters’ and their ‘excellent contacts with regulators’, jointly head the practice. Their combined expertise includes banking, investment services and investment management regulations; fund-related regulatory matters (including issues concerning regulated and non-regulated French funds); infrastructure and distressed debt funds; business rules; and experience in acting for clients in disciplinary procedures and litigation. Highlights included advising China’s fifth-largest commercial bank, Bank of Communications, on the establishment of the Paris-based office of its Luxembourgian subsidiary; assisting Amundi Asset Management with setting up an investment platform dedicated to Coface, a leading insurance company; and handling the establishment of a new investment firm focused on equity trading in France for Morgan Stanley. Kepler Cheuvreux, Lombard Odier Europe and HSBC are also clients. Counsel Guillaume Goffin is the other name to note. »
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.' »
Chambers Europe 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 | Private Equity: Fund Formation

« Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. has a ‘strong practice’ that provides ‘customised solutions to clients' needs’. The ‘experienced team’ regularly acts for banks and asset management companies, has particular experience in handling AMF Enforcement Committee regulatory matters and is involved in several market-abuse and insider trading cases. Aviva Investors, Amundi, Natixis and BPCE are clients. Bruno Quentin is highly regarded and Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville as well as Jean-Philippe Pons-Henry enjoy ‘excellent reputation for their past litigation successes’. Stéphane Puel is ‘highly recommended for his commitment and skills, and is one of the best lawyers in France for investment funds’. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2018 | Stock-market Litigation

« Stéphane Puel is ‘an expert in asset management who provides fine analysis’. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2017

« Head of the investment fund and asset management group Stéphane Puel draws high praise from international sources for his exceptional work in the area. He regularly advises clients on the whole gamut of private fund matters from structuring and setting up, to documentation and fund distribution. »
Who's Who Legal Private Funds in France 2017