Leads the Practice
Nathalie Rigal
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Founding Partner
Restructuring and companies in difficulty
Career
• 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.
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
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.
Languages
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
Léa Simovic
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Associate
Career
Education
• Sygna Partners (2019)
• Dechert LLP - Corporate / M&A / Stock Marcket (2017)
• Groupe Bel - Legal Department - Corporate / M&A /Real Estate (2016)
• Autorité des Marchés Financiers - Issuers Department, Industry Division (2014)
• Master's degree in Financial Law, Paris I - Sorbonne University (2015)
• Master's degree in Management en Management : International Programm United States / Japan, Business School Audencia Nantes
After several experiences in legal departments and business law firms, Léa Simovic joined Sygna Partners' Dispute Resolution division in 2019. Léa is also involved in the Restructuring and companies in difficulty division. Léa holds a Master II in Financial Law from the University of Paris I - Sorbonne and is a graduate of Audencia Nantes Business School.
Languages
French
English
Spanish
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
Education
• Sygna Partners (2020)
• Idaect Avocats (2018)
• Artemia Avocats (2015)
• Alinéa Avocats (2012)
• 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
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
Sabine Amiel
Office manager
Education
• Master’s degree in Economic Law, Paris XII University
After several experiences in law firms in Paris and Brussels, Sabine Amiel joined Sygna Partners when it was founded in 2004. Sabine intervenes, as Office Manager, in the administrative, financial and accounting follow-up of the firm.
Sabine Amiel joined the general administration team of The Hague Academy of International Law in September 2019 under the direction of Professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin.
Languages
French
English
François Andia
Jurist
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.
Ines Boubaker
Jurist
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
After a Master’s degree in International and European Union Law at the University of Paris Nanterre (Master II Droit des relations internationales et de l’Union européenne), Ines Boubaker joined Sygna Partners' Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law division in 2017.
Ines also provides support to the International Litigation and Arbitration division on European Union law issues.
Kateryna Romanenko
Jurist
Education
• Master’s degree in International and European Litigation Paris Nanterre University (2018)
• Master’s degree in International Law, Paris XII University (2017) – Holder of the Excellence Grant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Public International Law, Institute of international relations of the National Taras-Chevtchenko of Kiev University - Ukraine
Languages
French
English
Ukrainian
Russian
Kateryna followed her law studies in Ukraine by a Master’s degree in European and International litigation at Paris Nanterre University (Master II Contentieux international et Européen) and in another Master’s degree in International Law at the University of Paris-Sud (Master II en droit international Parcours Diplomatie et négociations stratégiques). Kateryna Romanenko joined the Contractual Negotiation and Regulations division of Sygna Partners in 2019.
Katya is also called upon to support the International Litigation and Arbitration Division.
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.
Vincent Boursier
Jurist
Vincent Boursier joined the Dispute Resolution division and Litigation divisions in July 2021.
Education
Languages
• Master degree in Arbitration and International Trade Law, Université Paris-Panthéon-Sorbonne (2019)
French
English
Lara Fizaine
Jurist
Lara Fizaine joined the Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law division in July 2021.
Education
• 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)
Languages
French
English
Guo Yujian
Jurist
Education
• First year Master degree in Economic Law, Sciences Po Paris
Languages
French
English
Chinese
Guo Yujian joined the International Litigation and Arbitration division in July 2021.
Léa Gagnepain
Jurist
Education
Languages
Léa Gagnepain joined the Public International Law division in July 2021.
• Master degree in International Trade Law, Université Paris Nanterre
French
English
Salymata N'dione
Jurist
Salymata N'dione joined the Mergers & Acquisitions division and Restructuring and companies in difficulty division in July 2021.
Education
Languages
• Master degree in Business law and taxation, Université Paris VIII
• Haute Ecole des avocats Conseils
French
English