Leads the Practice
Nathalie Rigal
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Founding Partner
Restructuring and companies in difficulty
Career
• AWARE (Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions) - President since 2022
• Sygna Partners – Partner since 2004
• Partner - Moisand Boutin & Associés (2000-2004)
• Associate lawyer – Cabinet Fauvet-Santoni (1994-1999)
Education
• Master’s degree in European Business Law, Paris I - Panthéon-Sorbonne University
Languages
French
English
After several years with the Parisian firms Fauvet-Santoni and Moisand Boutin & Associés, Nathalie Rigal founded Sygna Partners in 2004 with Caroline Edwardes-Ker, Nathalie Rigal being in charge of the Restructuring and companies in difficulty division.
Nathalie Rigal specializes in the transfer of companies, combining her legal expertise in the management of insolvency proceedings with a thorough knowledge of the financial and commercial issues that a company in difficulty may face.
Nathalie Rigal was appointed president of the association AWARE: Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions on March 10, 2022. Co-founder of AWARE in 2014 and having contributed to all the key stages of the association, Nathalie Rigal has officiated as Camille Morineau's right-hand woman since the beginnings of the association, where she has voluntarily accompanied the major strategic decisions such as the financial and legal construction of the association (website : www.awarewomenartists.com)
Antoine Benech
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Partner
Leads the practice
Commercial dispute resolution
Career
• Sygna Partners - Partner since 2006
• Partner - LYSIAS (2000-2005)
• Partner - MIGNARD TEITGEN GRISONI (1997-2000)
• Associate lawyer - SCP MIGNARD TEITGEN GRISONI (1991-1997)
After several years with Lysias Partners as an associate and then as a partner, Antoine Benech joined Sygna Partners in 2006 along with Jean-Marc Thouvenin to develop the firm's corporate restructuring and litigation activities. Antoine Benech is now in charge of the Dispute Resolution division of the firm.
With extensive experience in negotiations and litigation strategy, Antoine Benech advises and assists Sygna's clients in their development and restructuring strategy as well as in disputes, pre-litigation and litigation before the courts, regulatory authorities or arbitration procedures for all commercial, social or criminal disputes.
Jean-Marc Thouvenin
Leads the practice
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Partner
International litigation and arbitration
Career
• Sygna Partners – Partner since 2006
• Partner - LYSIAS (2001-2005)
Education
• Agrégation in public law
• Doctor in public law, Paris Nanterre University
• Master’s degree in International and European Law, Paris Nanterre University
Languages
Jean-Marc Thouvenin joined Sygna Partners in 2006 as a partner in charge of the International Litigation and Arbitration division. Jean-Marc Thouvenin is also a Professor of Public International Law and author of numerous books and publications in International and European Union law.
Jean-Marc Thouvenin regularly advises and represents States before international courts. He has advised and is advising several African, Asian, Latin American and Eastern European countries.
In addition to his activities at Sygna Partners, Jean-Marc Thouvenin also holds the following positions:
• Associate Professor of Public Law at the Paris Nanterre University;
• Secretary General of the Hague Academy of International Law;
• Co-Director of the International College of Law;
• Co-Director of the Master’s degree in International Relations and European Union Law of Paris Nanterre University.
French
English
Leads the practice
Competition, regulatory and compliance
Career
• Sygna Partners (since 2006) – Partner since 2011
• Associate lawyer - Lysias (2004-2006)
• Lecturer in Competition Law, Paris Nanterre University (2007-2012)
Education
• Master’s degree in International and European Economic Law, Paris Nanterre University
Languages
After a first experience in Commercial Law and Litigation with Lysias Partners, Luke Vidal joined Sygna Partners in 2006 and became a partner in 2011.
Luke is in charge of Sygna Partners' Contractual Negotiation and Regulations division, advising clients on all commercial law issues, both contractual and litigious, with a multidisciplinary legal practice in the areas of competition law, intellectual property law and public business law. Luke also developed a real expertise in aviation law, having worked for several years with companies in the aviation sector in the negotiation of international transactions.
Luke also brings his expertise on Public International Law issues to the International Litigation and Arbitration division in order to advise and represent States and companies before international and European courts.
French
English
Helen de Larrinaga
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Partner
Career
• Sygna Partners - since 2012
• Associate lawyer - Gramond & Associés - Sport and New Information and Communication Technologies division (2012)
• The Walt Disney Company - Consumer products Europe division (2011)
Education
• LL.M in European Union Law, Reading University – United Kingdom (2010)
• Bilingual Master’s degree in European and Anglo-American Law (Master II Etude bilingue des droits de l’Europe et droit anglo-américain) - Paris Nanterre University (2009)
After several experiences in companies and law firms in the field of distribution and competition law, Helen de Larrinaga joined Sygna Partners' Contract Negotiation and Regulations division in 2012.
Helen developed her practice in aviation law, assisting several companies in the sector both with their commercial and financial activities. This expertise is reinforced by Helen's activities in the International Aviation Womens Association, an association promoting the advancement of women in the aerospace industry. In 2019, Helen set up and led the Legal Direction of a 140 employee group in the field of aircraft conversion, trading and leasing.
Helen holds a Bilingual Master’s degree in European and Anglo-American Law from Paris Nanterre University and an LL.M in European Union Law from Reading University in the United Kingdom.
Languages
French
English
Leads the practice
Contracts and projects financing
Célia Tellaa
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Associate
Career
• Sygna Partners (2020)
• Cover Avocats (2020)
• Srouji Avocats (2018)
• Legal Departement of Disney Consumer Products - Walt Disney Company EMEA (2017)
Education
• Master' degree in International and European Litigation, Paris X University - Nanterre - International Program - University of Winsconsin, Madison, USA
After several experiences in legal departments and law firms dedicated to business law, Célia Tellaa joined the Contracts and projects financing division of Sygna Partners in 2020.
Célia holds a Master II degree in International and European Litigation from the University of Paris X – Nanterre - partly pursued at the University of Wisconsin Madison (USA).
Languages
French
English
Colin Halard
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Associate
Career
• Sygna Partners (2020)
• Idaect Avocats (2018)
• Artemia Avocats (2015)
• Alinéa Avocats (2012)
Education
• Master's degree in Business Law, Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas University
• DJCE (corporate law), Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas University
After several experiences in law firms specialized in business law, mergers & acquisitions and private equity, Colin Halard joined Sygna Parners' Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law division in December 2020.
Colin holds a Magistère in business law, a DJCE (specialization in corporate law) and a Master II in business law from the University of Paris 2 - Panthéon-Assas.
Languages
French
English
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Lorraine Monteilhet
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Associate
Career
• Sygna Partners (2021)
• Clifford Chance (2020)
• Paul Hasting (2020)
• Bremond & Associés (2018)
Education
• Master's degree Companies in difficulties Law - University Paris 1
• Master's degree Economics and Management - University Paris I
• Master's Degree Business Law - University Paris 1
After several experiences in law firms specialising in restructuring and insolvency law in France and abroad, Lorraine Monteilhet joined Sygna Partners' Restructuring and companies in difficulties division in 2021. Lorraine is also involved in the Dispute Resolution division, in particular for litigation applied to collective proceedings. Lorraine holds a Master II degree in insolvency law from the University of Paris I - Sorbonne, and followed a bi-course in Business Law/Management at the same university.
Languages
French
English
François Andia
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Associate
Education
• Master’s degree in International and European Union Law, Paris Nanterre University (2016)
• University degree « collège international de droit » Paris Nanterre University (2016)
Languages
French
English
Spanish
After a Master’s degree in International Public Law, François Andia joined the International Litigation and Arbitration division in 2017. He has also accompanied Sygna Partners on labour law issues.
In 2019, François Andia has chosen to fully dedicate himself to labour law and to provide support to companies and individuals in the formation, execution and termination of their employment relationships, as well as in the litigation that may ensue. He exercises this expertise with the Dispute Resolution and Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law divisions.
Pierre Overhoff
Associate
Career
• Sygna Partners (2022)
• Hogan Lovells (2017)
Education
• LL.M - McGill University
• Master's degree in private international law - University Paris 1
• Master's degree in French and German law - University Paris 1
Languages
Pierre Overhoff joined the Dispute Resolution division in March 2022 after several years spent in the litigation department of an international law firm. Pierre assists the firm's clients in pre-litigation matters and in proceedings before civil and commercial courts. He has particular experience in complex and cross-border litigation.
Pierre holds a double master's degree in French and German law and a Master 2 in private international law from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. He also holds an LL.M. from McGill University.
French
English
German
Lefa Mondon
Jurist
Education
• Master’s degree in International and european Law - University of Strasbourg (2017)
• Master’s degree in French Private and Public Law - University of Strasbourg (2018)
• Master's degree in International and Transnational Law - University of Strasbourg (2019)
Languages
French
English
Lefa Mondon holds a Master’s degree in International and Transnational Law from the University of Strasbourg.
Lefa joined the International Litigation and Arbitration division of Sygna Partners in 2019 and is regularly called upon to support the Dispute Resolution division.
Having participated in the Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court in 2019 she became coach of the University of Strasbourg's team for the 2020 edition.
Arthur Fontaine
Jurist
Arthur Fontaine joined the Dispute sesolution division and Litigation divisions in March 2022.
Education
• Master's degree in Business Law - Paris Nanterre
• Master's degree in Business and Corporate Law (DJCE) - Université de Poitiers
• Ecole du centre ouest des avocats (ECOA)
Languages
French
English
Pia de Saint Laurent
Jurist
Pia de Saint Laurent joined the Dispute Resolution division and Litigation divisions in January 2022.
Education
Languages
• Master's degree in International and European Law, Université Toulouse 1 Capitole (2017-2018)
• Master's degree in International Relations and EU Law, Université Paris X (2018-2019)
• Haute Ecole Des Avocats Conseils (2021-2022)
French
English
Spanish
Lara Fizaine
Jurist
Lara Fizaine joined the Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law division in July 2022.
Education
Languages
• Master degree in International Business, Faculté d'Aix-en-Provence (2018)
• Master degree in International Corporate Tax Operations, Université de Montpellier (2020)
• Ecole de Formation du Barreau (2021-2022)
French
English
Alice Bottollier
Jurist
Alice Bottollier joined the Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law division in January 2022.
Education
Languages
Master's Degree Companies in difficulty, Université Savoie Mont-Blanc
• Haute Ecole des avocats Conseils
French
English
Chinese
Léa Gagnepain
Jurist
Léa Gagnepain joined the International litigation & arbitration division in July 2021.
Education
• Master's degree in International Trade Law, Université Paris Nanterre
Languages
French
English
Marie Le Beller
Jurist
Marie Le Beller joined the Dispute Resolution division & Litigation divisions in January 2022.
Education
Languages
• Master's Degree in Business law, Université de Paris Nanterre (2018-2019)
• Master's Degree in Business law and Business litigation, Université de Paris Nanterre (2019-2020)
• Haute Ecole des avocats Conseils
French
English
• Master I Droit international et comparé parcours franco-espagnol (M1BDE), Université de Paris Nanterre
• Master II Arbitrage et Droit du commerce international, Université de Paris 1
Joséphine Kerdiles joined the International Litigation & Arbitration division in August 2021.
Neriah David-West
Jurist
Formation
• Bachelor's degree in Law, Université de Strasbourg (2017)
• Master Degree's in International Law, Université de Toulouse (2018)
• Master Degree's in Business Law (Transport and Aeronotics) (2019)
Languages
French
English
Neriah David-West joined the Contracts & project financing division in November 2021.
Salma Ghrairi
Juriste
Salma Ghrairi joined the Contracts & project financing division in April 2022.
Formation
• Bachelor's degree in Private Law, Toulouse Capitole University (2016-2019)
• Master Degree's in Business Law, Transport and Aeronautics Law, Toulouse Capitole University (2020-2021)
• Master Degree's in Business Law, Transport and Aeronautics Law, Toulouse Capitole University (2021-2022)
Langue
French
English
Spanish
Arabic