French law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel has elevated nine lawyers to partner in its latest promotion round, with more than half based in Paris.

This year’s round is a slight increase on the seven partner promotions announced last year, though fewer women made the cut, with just two female promotions compared to three in 2021. In addition to five Paris-based partners, Gide also promoted two lawyers in London and one each in Brussels and Warsaw.

The nine new partners takes the firm’s partner headcount to 119 across its 11 offices worldwide. 

The promotions include Romain Rard, who is a partner in the firm’s economic and European law team in Brussels. His practice focuses on EU regulation across a range of industries, as well as French and EU competition law. Rard has been with the firm for almost 12 years and is promoted from counsel.

London-based banking and finance lawyer Samir Bensaker and dispute resolution lawyer Saadia Bhatty also make partner. Bensaker’s practice focuses on domestic and international corporate and structured financing. He has been with the firm since 2013, having joined from Allen & Overy in Paris. Bhatty, meantime, focuses on cross-border disputes, particularly international arbitration proceedings in areas such as energy, oil and gas and construction in the Africa, Middle East and Asia regions. She has been with the firm for just under five years, joining from Clyde & Co.

The Paris promotions include Alexandre Bochu (tax), Paul Guillemin (M&A), Benjamin Krief (employment law), Guilhem Richard (banking and finance) and Cléopha Thomann (real estate).

Bochu’s tax practice focuses on funds and management companies, with significant experience in real estate transactions, as well as tax matters related to capital market deals. He has been with the firm for more than 11 years.

Guillemin’s practice focuses on M&A transactions and private equity, as well as general corporate law. He has been with the firm for just under three years, joining from Bredin Prat and Willkie Farr & Gallagher before that.

Krief’s expertise covers both individual and collective aspects of labour law, including around issues such as whistleblowing and discrimination. He has been with Gide for more than eight years, joining from Flichy Grangé.

Richard specialises in capital markets and corporate finance, advising issuers and banks on a range of transactions. He has also been with Gide for more than eight years, joining from Mayer Brown.

Thomann’s practice focuses on real estate transactions and finance, advising property companies and funds. She has been with the firm for almost 11 years.

Warsaw-based dispute resolution and IP lawyer Krzysztof Cieplinski completes the promotions round. He has been at Gide for almost 15 years.