Greater Paris Metropolitan Region
French-qualified lawyer and recognized general counsel with solid international background (France, Japan and the US) in private and publicly traded manufacturing companies, acquired through 20+ years post-qualification experience, advising senior executive and business teams on a broad spectrum of matters across multiple jurisdictions (civil law and common law) and extremely diverse cultural settings. Bilingual French/English. Multi-year assignments in Tokyo and Nashville. As member of the senior leadership team, able to navigate effectively in a Board and C-level environment and act as a trusted advisor on a broad variety of corporate governance, transactional and litigation matters. Experience as Board Secretary to a listed company (Euronext Paris). Strong knowledge and experience of the automotive sector and direct, hands-on involvement in M&A transactions of various size, joint venture and complex commercial transactions, OEM transactions, high-stake commercial and product litigation, supplier insolvencies and bankruptcies, internal investigations, dawn raids and crisis management. Pragmatic and commercially minded adviser, able to communicate impactfully with business clients at every level, provide clear legal advice, formulate sound risk assessments and help secure business opportunities. Significant experience in leading multidisciplinary and multicultural legal teams of various size (from 20 to 180 members, both direct and functional reporting lines), fostering a service-oriented, efficiency-based and commercial mindset. Able to manage and allocate resources efficiently. Significant experience in designing and proactively shaping legal teams in response to shifts in corporate strategies and organizational/geographical footprints. + 33 6 3542 9365 [email protected] Legal & General Counsel | Board Secretary | Global | Manufacturing | Automotive | Corporate Governance | M&A | Commercial Transactions | Complex Litigation | Compliance
• Serve as Chief Legal Officer and member of the Management Board & Executive Committee at GEODIS. • Oversee global legal and insurance operations, providing strategic counsel to executive leadership. • Develop and manage multidisciplinary legal teams focused on logistics and transportation. • Drive risk prevention programs and supervise major litigation while adapting to international regulatory changes.
French Business Confederation
• Oversaw Renault Group’s strategic product defense and white-collar crime litigation. • Collaborated with external litigation teams across France and key jurisdictions to devise effective strategies. • Led cross-functional teams, including subject matter experts and corporate communications, to ensure cohesive support. • Represented the company in procedural hearings, reinforcing Renault's commitment to legal integrity.
Reporting the CEO, member of the Management Committee: Responsibility for the global legal function (performance, budget and headcount), including 90 HQ-based employees (solid line) covering all areas of practice and 96 employees in subsidiaries (globally). Advisor to the Chairman and executive leadership team on all legal matters with strong strategic, financial or reputational implications. Representative matters: • Crisis management: as a key member of the crisis response team, I advised and helped company leadership navigate through a major corporate governance crisis and its global implications (strategic, legal and contractual implications, reputational exposure, conduct of internal investigations and response to external investigations.) • Proposed (but withdrawn) € 32.6 billion 50/50 cross-border merger between Renault S.A. and Fiat Chrysler: member of the deal team. • Strategic litigation: investigations and proceedings in relation to key product technology (constitution of an internal task force, proactive management of regulatory, civil and criminal implications); defence against executive compensation claims. Board Secretary, reporting to the Chairman of the Board (from 2019): • preparing and holding ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the Board, in adherence with the Bye-laws, the AFEP-MEDEF code of corporate governance and the Board’s regulations: proactively monitoring legal and regulatory developments, ensuring timely preparation and transmission of Board materials, assisting and advising the Chairman. • as Secretary to the Audit and Risks Committee and the Strategy Committee, preparing and acting as secretary to the Annual General Meetings (18/19/20). • Advising the Chairman on enforcement of the Alliance agreement with Nissan.
• Led key practice groups in M&A, commercial transactions, finance & securities law, and antitrust with a team of 22 employees. • Elevated the legal function to a global level by implementing systematic reporting and internal controls. • Played a pivotal role in significant acquisitions and joint ventures, including the €220 million Renault-Brilliance Jinbei Automotive venture in China.
Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel (Corporate Transactions): • Advisor to the Purchasing Department on a wide range of contracts (raw materials, parts, services, IS and logistics.) • Member of the Distressed Suppliers task force (supplier insolvencies and bankruptcies, distressed M&A in the U.S., Canada and Mexico): definition of early strategies, enforcement of contractual remedies, negotiation of supplier accommodations and monitoring of reorganization proceedings (Chapter 11, Concurso Mercantil), acquisition of assets (“§ 363 sales”), subsequent divestitures and related commercial agreements (transition services, IP licenses, leases, etc.)
Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel (International Affairs): • M&A transactions: acquisition of an industrial equipment supplier in Sweden (€ 120 million investment); negotiation and establishment of joint ventures in India and the UAE. • Complex commercial transactions: offshoring of engineering services, assembly, technology and trademarks licensing and distribution (contracts negotiation, enforcement and disputes.)
Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel (International Affairs): • M&A and corporate transactions (structuring and formation of joint-ventures in Iran and India; acquisition of a distressed OEM’s assets in Korea; acquisition of a minority interest in a US-based JV; establishment of a purchasing joint venture and antitrust filings). • Complex commercial transactions (development, assembly, technology and trademarks licensing, engine and parts supply, distribution). • Commercial disputes: post-closing price-adjustment and other claims, wrongful termination.