70 Awards
National & international
Racine has been recognised for its experience in both an advisory and dispute resolution capacity.
We have been awarded on numerous occasions for our excellence and the quality of our teams, winning more than fifty prizes since 2007.
23Gold awards
38Silver awards
07Bronze awards
Rankings
Legal 500
2019
2019
Tax
Racine has ‘high-level expertise and enjoys good relationships with the French authorities’. The ‘available and business-oriented’ nine-lawyer team advises major companies, as well as significant property investment funds on transactional tax issues. It recently assisted Mediawan with its acquisition of EuropaCorp’s French TV business, and Deka Immobilien with the acquisition of Engie’s former headquarters. The firm also handles litigation and advises individuals. Eurotunnel, Infrared and Tristan Capital Partners are among its other clients.
2019
Real Estate - Construction
Racine provides ‘excellent support in a very efficient way’. The firm’s wide-ranging expertise spans investment, lease, construction and litigation matters. It can rely on strong tax support and a large regional office network. It is sought out by high-profile luxury brands and asset manager clients to negotiate commercial leases including flagship stores. The practice also assists property investors including Tristan Capital Partners, which it assisted with the sale of a portfolio. The team is also advising on building and hotel construction and renovation work. KanAm Grund, Gecina, BNP Real Estate, Cartier and Icade are other clients.
2019
Insolvency
Racine has a strong practice and is regularly instructed by key stakeholders and debtors to handle major industrial and LBO restructuring cases. The team recently acted for leading newspaper and magazine distributor Presstalis in high-stake conciliation proceedings and advised LBO France on the sale of its majority stake in Karavel-Promovacances and Fram. The practice also assisted investors with asset takeover offers.
2019
Employment
Racine’s ‘highly proficient, available and reactive’ 17-lawyer team advises high-profile French and international companies across various sectors including insurance, energy, transportation, distribution and telecoms. The practice, which has ‘great knowledge of the banking sector’, also acts for several leading French banks. The firm was recently in high demand to assist with reorganisations including collective downsizing and litigation. The team also advised on the employment aspects of M&A transactions, managers’ incentives, insolvency and sensitive litigation including sexual harassment issues.
2019
Competition/European Law
The competition and antitrust team at Racine consists of three partners. Valérie Ledoux recently assisted Groupe Perle du Nord and the main producers of endives in their appeal against the FCA’s decision to fine them on the grounds of collusion and the maintenance of minimum prices. She also acted for Brandalley in its complaint to the regulator pertaining to an alleged foreclosure strategy implemented by competitor Vente-privée through exclusivity agreements with most high-end fashion suppliers. Bastien Thomas is also a name to note; he recently oversaw the conclusion of PSA’s joint venture with Japanese group Nidec for the design and manufacturing of electric automotive engines in France. The firm’s recent caseload also includes a number of national and European-level regulatory investigations.
2019
IP/IT & Data protection
Racine has recruited a new team of four lawyers specialized in new technologies and personal data from Alain Bensoussan Avocats, which is led by the very experienced Eric Barbry who acts as DPD (Data Protection Officer) for several companies. The team advises large French groups and public bodies specialized in many fields.
2019
Public law
The Racine’s team is ‘highly available’ and ‘know how to work in difficult situations with high-pressure’. The firm is renowed for its strong expertise in urban planning law. The team was take on by Icade to audit a building permit for the transformation of an industrial site into a 92-room hotel complex near the Ourcq Canal. It also assisting Altarea Cogedim with the renovation project of the Gare du Nord and recently advised RWE on the renewal of power purchase agreement for one of its hydroelectric plants and managed litigation concerning an exploration permit. Finally, the firm is endowed with a strong and quite rare expertise in the rural field and agribusiness.
2019
Dispute resolution
Racine handles corporate, commercial and some arbitration cases. The firm acts for major companies and is notably involved in several individual and family shareholders’ disputes and international litigation.
2018
2018
M&A
“Racine ‘always intervenes in a very efficient way, by sizing the teams adequately and according to the complexity of the files’. The team advises major French and international groups, as well as investment funds.”
2018
Administrative and public law
“Racine has solid expertise in the field of town planning law. The 15-lawyer team also has extensive experience in the field of public contracts and in agribusiness and rural life.”
2018
EU Competition and Distribution
“Racine is handling some sensitive antitrust work in the agribusiness sector. The team is also dealing with abuse of dominance and cartel investigations in other sectors, as well as merger control work and distribution law.”
2018
Insolvency
Racine acts for distressed companies, the management and some investors. The 13-lawyer team regularly acts in key cases and notably represented the management in French magazine Marianne’s successful conciliation proceedings. The practice is also assisting CDR Créances with the high-profile Bernard Tapie case.
2018
Employment
“Racine ‘always intervenes in a very efficient way, by sizing the teams adequately and according to the complexity of the files’. The team advises major French and international groups, as well as investment funds.”
2018
Litigation
“Racine handles a diverse caseload. It is notably representing family members in several shareholders’ conflicts and is also acting for major French companies in commercial and corporate litigation.”
2018
Real Estate
“Racine’s lawyers are accessible and master the legal environment in the fields of real estate and construction. They provide indispensable advice in a changing legal landscape and can quickly mobilize their resources”.
2017
2017
Real Estate – Construction
“Racine has significant knowledge in real estate development and construction. The firm’s expertise ‘is highly sought by leading companies and developers for the negotiation of commercial and office leases.”
2017
Insolvency
“Responsive and efficient’, Racine’s team often represents shareholders or distressed companies. The firm is handling a high volume of work, including several high-profile and complex cases.“
2017
Employment
“Racine has more than 30 lawyers advising large French and international corporations. This practice has gained particular expertise in insolvency proceedings. Other recent work includes restructuring work and high-stakes litigation.”
2017
EU Competition and Distribution
“Racine is handling some sensitive antitrust work in the agribusiness sector. The team is also dealing with abuse of dominance and cartel investigations in other sectors, as well as merger control work and distribution law.”
Chambers
2019
2019
Restructuring
Well reputed for advising both debtors and lenders on debt restructurings, distressed M&A and liquidation proceedings. Additional expertise in safeguard and conciliation procedures, as well as insolvency disputes. Assists clients from a broad range of sectors.
2019
Real Estate
Advises clients on all aspects of real estate matters from project development to rental management. Client list includes real estate investors, developers and financial institutions. Strong expertise in both contentious and non-contentious leasing matters.
2018
2018
Real Estate
“Enters the rankings this year following positive market feedback. Advises clients on all stages of real estate projects from land development to rental management. Client list includes real estate investors, developers and financial institutions.”
One source highlights the responsiveness of the lawyers: “They are very reactive to the issues, respectful of the deadlines and give you a lot of information throughout the matter.”
Another client praises the team for being “really practical” and appreciates that the lawyers “understand the business.”The team acted for KanAm on the acquisition of Le Compernic, an office complex in the Paris region. They also represented Icade in its negotiations with an insurance group regarding two commercial leases in Nanterre.
2018
M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions)
The M&A team is “Adept at handling an array of corporate matters including corporate restructurings, distressed M&A and private equity deals.” They have a “Strong industry knowledge of the retail, energy, utilities and real estate sectors”. Clients praise the department’s “smart and very responsive lawyers.” They “assisted Mediawan and its founders on the establishment and structuring of a special purpose acquisition company. They also represented Adeo in its acquisition of Alice Délice”. The M&A team have “significant Clients has Nexity, Richemont, Manutan International, Eurofins and Cofely Endel”.
2018
Restructuring
“Well reputed for advice to both debtors and lenders on debt restructurings, distressed M&A and liquidation proceedings. Additional expertise lies in safeguard plans, distressed M&A transactions and insolvency disputes. They demonstrates capabilities in cross-border mandates.”
“Market commentators recognise the team for its experience in the French market, most notably in insolvency proceedings and LBOs.”
The department “Assisted Bruno Saint Hilaire with the restructuring of its 2012 safeguard plan and the reorganisation of its bank debt.” They also “advised Chez Clément on issues arising from the judicial receivership proceedings over the company.”
2017
2017
M&A
The M&A department features in the 2017 edition of Chambers Europe: “Adept at handling an array of corporate matters including reorganisations, M&A litigation and strategic alliances. Strong industry knowledge of the retail, energy, utilities and real estate sectors.”
2017
Real Estate
The Real Estate – Construction department is ranked on the “Other Noted Firms” list.
2017
Individual ranking
Nicolas Boytchev appears in the “Other noted practitioners” category
Option Droit et Affaires
2019
2019
Litigation
Band 3: Acquisition litigation
Band 4: Financial, capital market and regulatory litigation
Band 4: Criminal business law
2019
Restructuring
Band 2: Collective procedures (safeguards, judicial restatements and liquidations)
Band 2: Preventing difficulties and renegotiating debt
Band 3: Redundancy plans and related collective litigation
2018
2018
Restructuring
Band 2: Collective procedures (safeguards, judicial restatements and liquidations)
Band 2: Preventing difficulties and renegotiating debt
Band 3: Redundancy plans and related collective litigation
2018
Litigation
Band 3: Acquisition litigation
Band 4: Financial, capital market and regulatory litigation
Band 4: Criminal business law
Band 4: International arbitration
2018
M&A
Band 1: M&A with a majority of operations is less than 200 millions euros
2017
2017
M&A
Band 2: M&A with a majority of operations is less than 200 millions euros
2017
Litigation
Acquisition Litigation: Band 3
2017
Restructuring
Collective proceedings: Band 2
Prevention of corporate difficulties and debt renegotiation: Band 2
Redundancy plans and related collective litigation: Band 3
Décideurs
2019
2019
Competition - Distribution
Distribution and restrictive practices: Key player
State aid: Excellent
Antitrust and anti-competitive practices: Strong reputation
Merger control: Strong reputation2019
Public law
Town planning & development: Excellent
2019
Litigation & competition
Commercial litigation: Key player
Financial litigation & equity transactions: Excellent
High-risk litigation and criminal law related to employment: Excellent
International Arbitration: Recognized practice
Criminal law of health: Strong notoriety
Criminal business law: Quality practice2019
Tax law/ Private assets
LBO – Tax: Excellent
Real estate transactions – Tax: Excellent
Private assets: Excellent
Funds creation & funds structuring: Recognized practice2019
Mergers & Acquisitions
Operations up to 75M € : Key player
2019
Risk, Management, Insurance and Litigation
Industrial Risks, Insurance & Liability Litigation – Insurance Claims and Litigation : Strong Notoriety
Industrial Risks, Insurance & Liability Litigation – Product Liability : Deemed Practice
Industrial Risks, Insurance & Liability Litigation – Claims and Ground Transportation (Road and Rail) : Strong Notoriety2019
Real Estate - Construction
Construction litigation: Key player
Construction: Excellent
Commercial Leases: Excellent
Real estate development: Excellent
Real estate transaction litigation: Excellent
Real estate transactions – financing: Strong reputation
Real estate transactions – investment: Strong reputation2019
Employment law
Collective Bargaining & labour relations: Strong reputation
Redundancy plans and related collective litigation: Excellent
High-risk litigation and criminal law related to employment: Excellent
Labour aspects of M&A transactions and audits relating to labour matters: Strong reputation
Representation of management and company officers: Strong reputation
Collective and individual compensation: Strong reputation
Supplementary social welfare: Strong reputation
Mobility and expatriation: Recognized practiceEmployment – Territories
Employment law in Centre / Val de Loire / Pays de la Loire / Bretagne region: Key player
Employment law in Bourgogne / Franche Compté / Grand Est region: Excellent
Employment law in Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur – Corse region: Excellent2019
Distressed companies / Restructuring
Collective proceedings: advice for large-cap companies and their shareholders : Excellent
Clients: banks and debt securities holders : Strong reputation
Clients: Distressed buyouts : Key player
Clients: court-appointed receivers : Excellent
2018
2018
Public law
Town planning & development: Excellent
2018
Technologies, internet & Telecommunications
Data protection: Strong reputation
IT law: Strong reputation
Internet law: Strong reputation2018
Health / Pharmaceutical
Medical and hospital liability litigation: Strong reputation
Criminal law related to health care: Strong reputation
2018
Competition - Distribution
Distribution and restrictive practices law: Key player
State aid: Excellent
Antitrust and anti-competitive practices: Strong reputation
Merger control: Strong reputation
2018
Litigation & Arbitration
Commercial litigation: Key player
Financial and equity transaction: Excellent
High-risk litigation and criminal law related to employment: Excellent
International arbitration: Recognized practice
Financial, banking and equity transaction: Strong reputation
2018
Employment law
Redundancy plans and related collective litigation: Excellent
High-risk litigation and criminal law related to employment: Excellent
Collective bargaining and labour relations: Strong reputation
Labour aspects of M&A transactions and audits relating to labour matters: Strong reputation
Representation of management and company officers: Strong reputation
Collective and individual compensation: Strong reputation
Mobility and expatriation: Recognized practice
Supplementary employee welfare arrangements: Strong reputation
Employment law in the Centre / Val de Loire / Pays de la Loire / Bretagne region: Key Player
Employment law in the Bourgogne/Franche Comté/Grand Est region: Excellent
Employment law in the Auvergne/Rhône-Alpes region: Strong reputation
Employment law in the Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur/Corse region: Strong reputation2018
Real Estate - Construction
Construction litigation: Key player
Construction (procurement, construction work, contracts and advisory: Excellent
Real estate development: Excellent
2017
2017
Insurance
Industrial risks and insurance litigation: Strong reputation
2017
M&A
Capital market operations : Key player
Transactions up to €75 million: Key player
LBO lower mid cap & small cap : Key player
LBO – Tax : Excellent
Capital innovation : Strong reputation
2017
Public law
Commercial urban planning : Key player
Town planning and development : Excellent
Town planning and development tax : Strong reputation
Law of public ownership : Strong reputation
2017
Tax law / Private assets
LBO – Tax: Excellent
Real estate transactions – Tax : Excellent
Private assets : Excellent
Litigation and pre-litigation – Private assets : Well known
Taxation of associations and non-profit organizations: Excellent
M&A – Tax: Strong reputation
VAT: Strong reputation
Funds creation & funds structuring: Strong reputation
2017
Leading Strategist - Bruno Cavalié
2017
Competition-Distribution
Distribution and restrictive practices law: Key player
State aid: Excellent
Antitrust and anti-competitive practices: Strong reputation
Merger control: Strong reputation
2017
Litigation & Arbitration
Commercial litigation: Key player
International arbitration: Recognised practice
Financial, banking and M&A litigation: Strong reputation
2017
Health / Pharmaceutical
Medical and hospital liability litigation: Strong reputation
Criminal law related to health care: Strong reputation
2017
Real Estate – Construction
Construction litigation: Key player
Construction (procurement, construction work, contracts and advisory: Excellent
Real estate development: Excellent
Commercial leases: Excellent
Real estate transaction litigation: Excellent
Real estate transactions – financing: Strong reputation
Real estate transactions – investment: Strong reputation
2017
Distressed companies / Restructuring
Collective proceedings: advice for large-cap companies and their shareholders: Excellent
Clients: banks and debt securities holders: Strong reputation
Clients: Distressed buyouts: Excellent
Clients: court-appointed receivers: Key player
2017
Employment law
Collective bargaining and labour relations: Strong reputation
Redundancy plans and related collective litigation: Strong reputation
High-risk litigation and criminal law related to employment: Excellent
Labour aspects of M&A transactions and audits relating to labour matters: Strong reputation
Representation of management and company officers: Strong reputation
Collective and individual compensation: Strong reputation
Mobility and expatriation: Recognized practice
Supplementary employee welfare arrangements: Strong reputation
Who's Who Legal
2019
2019
Individual rankings
Eric Barbry is ranked in Who’s Who Legal France – Data
Bastien Thomas is ranked in Who’s Who Legal France – Competition – Future leaders 2019
Sylvain Bergès is ranked in Who’s Who Legal France – Energy
Laurent Jourdan is ranked in Who’s Who Legal France – Insolvency
2018
2018
Competition - Individual ranking
Bastien Thomas is ranked in Global Competition Review : Who’s Who Future Leaders.
Bastien Thomas “gets to the detail without losing sight of the big picture”, and “always knows how to deal with complex situations”.
2017
2017
Competition - Individual ranking
Bastien Thomas is ranked in Global Competition Review : Who’s Who Future Leaders.
Bastien Thomas “gets to the detail without losing sight of the big picture”, and “always knows how to deal with complex situations”.
International Financial Law Review
2019
2019
Restructuring
The team is ranked Band 4
Antoine Diesbecq is individually ranked as “Highly regarded”
2019
M&A
The team is ranked in “Other notable”
2018
2018
M&A
Other notable
2018
Restructuring
The team is ranked Band 4
Antoine Diesbecq is individually ranked as “Highly regarded”
2017
2017
M&A
Other notable
2017
Individual ranking
Antoine Diesbecq is ranked as “Highly regarded”
2017
Restructuring
The team is ranked in Tier 4
International Tax Review
2019
2019
Tax
Tax – France: Tier 3
2018
2018
Tax
Tax – France : Tier 3
2017
2017
Tax
Tax – France : Tier 3
Best Lawyers
2019
2019
Individual rankings
Bruno Cavalié is ranked in « Litigation »
Nicolas Boytchev is ranked in « Real Estate Law »
Antoine Diesbecq is ranked in« Insolvency and Reorganization Law »
Laurent Jourdan is ranked in « Insolvency and Reorganization Law »
Jean-Christophe Beaury is ranked in « Mergers and Acquisitions Law »
Fabrice Rymarz is ranked in« Tax Law »
Bastien Thomas is ranked in « Competition / Antitrust Law »
Eric Barbry is ranked in « Information Technology Law »
Sylvain Bergès is ranked in « Public Law »
Frédérique Chaput is ranked in « Competition / Antitrust Law »
Bernard Laurent-Bellue is ranked in « Capital Markets Law »
2018
2018
IP/IT & Data protection: Individual ranking
Eric Barbry is ranked in the “Information Technology Law” category
Magazine des Affaires
2019
2019
Social
Band 1 : PES and collective litigation
2019
Restructuring
Band 1 : Collective Procedures
Le Point
2019
2019
Insurance law
Racine is one of the best law firms in France in the category “Insurance law” of Le Point rankings
2019
Banking & Finance
Racine is one of the best law firms in the categories “Banking and capital market law” in Le Point rankings
2019
Real Estate - Construction
Racine is one of the best law firms in France in the category “Real estate” of Le Point rankings
2019
Employment law
Racine is one of the best law firms in the categories “Labour law” and “Social security law” of Le Point rankings
2019
IP/IT
Racine is one of the best law firms in France in the category “New technologies, IT & Communication law” of Le Point rankings
2019
Public Law
Racine is one of the best law firms in France in the categories “Public law” and “Environmental law” of Le Point rankings
2019
Tax law
Racine is one of the best law firms in France in the category “Tax law” in Le Point rankings.
2019
M&A - Corporate
Racine is one of the best law firms in France in the categories “Corporate law” and “Mergers and Acquisitions” of Le Point rankings
2019
Competition - Distribution
Racine is one of the best law firms in France in the categories “Commercial, Business and Competition law” and “Consumer law” of Le Point rankings
Awards
2019
Collective procedures and restructuring: Gold trophy
Received at the 17th edition of the Trophées du Droit
Real Estate - Promotion: Gold Trophy
Received at the 17th edition of the Trophées du Droit
IT, Internet & Personal Data: Rising Team
Received at the 17th edition of Trophées du Droit
Commercial Leases: Silver Trophy
Received at the 17th edition of the Trophées du Droit
Employment law - Restructuring: Silver Trophy
Received at the 17th edition of the Trophées du Droit
Public Contracts: Silver Trophy
Received at the 17th edition of the Trophées du Droit
ACQ5
Racine has been designated as the Agriculture Sector law firm of the year 2019 by ACQ5
Global Law Experts
Racine has been designated as the Agriculture and Agri-Food law firm of the Year 2019 in France by Global Law Experts
2018
Town planning: Silver Trophy
Received at the 2018 Palmarès des cabinets d’avocats
Restructuring: Silver trophy
Received at the 2018 Palmarès des cabinets d’avocats
Immobilier – construction: Silver trophy
Received at the 2018 Palmarès des cabinets d’avocats
Competition: Silver trophy
Received at the 2018 Palmarès des cabinets avocats
Real estate operations - transaction and financing: jury special prize
Received at the 16th edition of Trophées du Droit
Mergers & Acquisitions : Small & Mid Cap: Gold trophy
Received at the 16th edition of Trophées du Droit
Top Legal
Italian independent desk of the year 2018
Global Law Experts
Racine has been designated as the Agriculture and Agri-Food law firm of the Year 2018 in France by Global Law Experts
AI - Global Excellence Awards
Agricultural and Agri-business Law team receives AI trophy – Global Excellence Awards 2018
2017
Public law: Bronze trophy
Received at the 2017 Palmarès des cabinets d’avocats
Restructuring: Bronze trophy
Received at the 2017 Palmarès des cabinets d’avocats
Real Estate – Construction: Silver trophy
Received at the 2017 Palmarès des cabinets d’avocats
Litigation: Silver trophy
Received at the 2017 Palmarès des cabinets d’avocats
Multi-office firm and regional firm: Silver trophy
Received at the 15th Trophées du Droit et du Contentieux
Employment law: Silver trophy
Received at the 15th Trophées du Droit et du Contentieux
Restructuring: Silver trophy
Received at the 15th Trophées du Droit et du Contentieux
Construction: Gold trophy
Received at the 15th Trophées du Droit et du Contentieux
Commercial litigation: Gold trophy
Received at the 15th Trophées du Droit et du Contentieux
Restructuring: prize for “Turnaround deal of the year”