Simmons & Simmons has made a twin partner hire in Paris to expand its global restructuring practice.
The incoming lawyers are Isabelle Vincent and Arnaud Roiron, who join from French firm Fidal. The duo bring decades of experience advising companies that are facing financial distress, and they are joined by a team of three associates: Diana Lounana, Marielle Tyranowicz and Stéphanie Goinard.
Vincent’s practice focuses on restructuring complex debt situations and financing and refinancing deals for companies that have been experiencing financial difficulties, with particular expertise in real estate. Roiron, meanwhile, advises underperforming companies and their managers, shareholders and investors on restructuring measures to aid their recovery. He also advises potential buyers in distressed M&A transactions and administrators and judicial representatives in cross-border proceedings.
Ben Jones, co-head of Simmons’ international restructuring and special situations group, said: “Isabelle and Arnaud are two highly specialised partners who will be integral to our international restructuring, insolvency and special situations practice. Their hires strengthen the capabilities of our strong global network and its ability to offer cross-border advice.”
Vincent arrives after just under four years at Fidal, having previously worked at WTS France and VRL – the same path followed by Roiron. Roiron was also managing partner at VRL and WTS France.
Roiron said: “The choice of Simmons was a natural one. I was attracted by the firm’s cross-disciplinary expertise and its ability to mobilise cutting-edge skills in financing, litigation, corporate M&A, employment law and private equity. It is an international, collaborative and stimulating environment that meets the needs of the clients I work with on a daily basis.”
The duo’s arrival takes Simmons’ Paris partner headcount to 33 and its global restructuring practice to 25 partners.
Jacques-Antoine Robert, managing partner of Simmons’ Paris office, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Isabelle, Arnaud and their team. Their arrival significantly strengthens our offering in a strategic area and now enables us to support our clients on all issues related to corporate change.”
Other UK firms have been building out their Paris teams in recent months. Back in July, Freshfields hired a four-lawyer M&A group in Paris from French boutique Peltier Juvigny Marpeau & Associés, while the same month Linklaters added an eight-lawyer restructuring team from French boutique Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier.
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