Leads the Practice
Nathalie Rigal
Member of the Paris Bar
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
Member of 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
Member of 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
French
English
Jean-Marc has more than three decades’ experience advising and representing States before international courts and tribunals. He has advised African, Middle East, Asian, Latin American and European States, and is one of the world’s most renowned practitioners in public international law and international dispute settlement on subjects which include international boundaries, law of the sea (status of islands, basepoints and baselines, maritime delimitation), climate change, treaty interpretation, customary law, international sanctions, and reparations among others. He regularly pleads before the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and the Court of Justice of the European Union. In particular, he has been counsel and advocate for Ukraine in its disputes against Russia since 2017.
Jean-Marc joined Sygna Partners in 2006 as a partner in charge of the International Litigation and Arbitration Department.
In addition to his judicial activities within Sygna Partners, Jean-Marc is Secretary General of the Hague Academy of International Law; Professor of Public Law at the University of Paris Nanterre; Associated Member of the and is the author of numerous books and publications on international law and European Union competition law.
His working languages are French and English.
Helen de Larrinaga
Leads the practice
Contracts and projects financing
Member of 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)
Languages
French
English
After several experiences in companies and law firms in the field of distribution and competition law, Helen De Larrinaga joined Sygna Partners in 2012 and has been developing the Contractual Negotiation and Project Finance Practice since 2020.
Helen has developed her practice in aeronautics law, accompanying several companies in the sector for their commercial as well as financial activities, and has set up in 2019 the legal department of a French-Luxembourg aeronautics group. This expertise is reinforced by Helen's activities within the International Aviation Women's Association, an association promoting the advancement of women in the aerospace industry.
Helen holds a Master II in Bilingual European and Anglo-American Law from the University of Paris X - Nanterre and an LL.M in European Union Law from the University of Reading in the UK.
Marianne Franjou
Leads the practice
Individual and collective labor relations
& restructuring
Member of the Paris Bar
Partner
Career
• Partner at Sygna Partners (2023)
• Partner at FLV (Fourmentin - Le Quintrec - Veerasamy) (2018 - 2022)
• Partner at Altana (2012 - 2018)
• Partner at MBA (2001 - 2011)
• Associate lawyer at Rambaud-Martel (1991-2000)
Education
• Master's degree in private international law and international trade (Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas)
• DEA Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Languages
French
English
Lawyer since 1992, Marianne Franjou assists her clients, both individuals and company directors, in the course of their professional careers. She assists them in the negotiation of their contracts and related clauses, as well as in the process of amicable or conflictual termination.
She also advises companies of all sizes in the context of social life: relations with the IRP, negotiation of agreements, working hours, collective status, litigation, etc.
Marianne Franjou has developed specific skills in the field of social management of companies in difficulty (safeguarding, receivership, judicial liquidation) and assists directors, interim managers, and judicial representatives in the related social procedures: Employment protection plans, transfers (Heuliez, Nicolas Industrie, Louis Harris (LH2), Edelmann, Fretlink, etc).
Célia Tellaa
Lawyer at the Paris Bar
Associate
Education
Career
• Sygna Partners (2020)
• Cover Avocats (2020)
• Srouji Avocats (2018)
• Legal Departement of Disney Consumer Products - Walt Disney Company EMEA (2017)
• Master' degree in International and European Litigation, Paris X University - Nanterre - International Program - University of Winsconsin, Madison, USA
Lawyer since 2019, Célia Tellaa joined Sygna Partners' Contractual Negotiation and Project Finance Practice in 2020 after several experiences within legal departments of major industrial and entertainment groups and law firms dedicated to business law.
She has developed an expertise in intellectual property law and new technologies, mainly in an international environment.
Célia holds a Master II in International and European Litigation from the University of Paris X - Nanterre, which she partially completed at the University of Wisconsin Madison (USA).
Languages
French
English
François Andia
Member of 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
François Andia holds a Master II in Public International Law and European Union Law from the University of Paris Nanterre, and a Diplôme Universitaire from the Collège International du Droit, and joined the International Litigation and Arbitration practice in January 2017.
As of 2019, he has decided to devote his activity to the resolution of domestic disputes. He has joined the Dispute Resolution Division and the Individual and Collective Labor Relations Division, and assists companies in their disputes with employees or business partners. He specializes in banking, modeling and software solutions.
Marie Tortora
Member of the Paris Bar
Associate
Education
• Master II Private International Law and International Trade, University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (2018)
• Master I General Private Law, University of Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas (2017)
Languages
French
English
After several internships and a collaboration in an employment law firm, Marie joined the Individual and Collective Employment Relations - Restructuring Department of Sygna Partners in 2023.
Marie has developed a practice in labor law as well as in litigation and assists companies and individuals at all stages of their contractual relationship (formation, execution and termination). Marie is also involved in the social management of companies in good standing as well as companies in difficulty.
Arthur Fontaine
Member of the Paris Bar
Associate
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
Arthur Fontaine holds a Master II in Corporate and Business Law, a DJCE and a Certificate of Specialized Studies in Corporate Law. He completed several internships in the Dispute Resolution Department before joining it in April 2023 as an associate.
Arthur Fontaine has extensive experience of contentious legal practice, appearing before both civil and commercial courts. He enjoys assisting companies and individuals in legal proceedings. He specializes in the energy sector. He also supports the Restructuring of Companies in Difficulty and Mergers & Acquisitions & Corporate Law departments.
Marie Le Beller
Member of the Paris Bar
Associate
Education
• 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
Languages
French
English
After a Master II in Business Law and Business Litigation at the University of Paris Nanterre, Marie Le Beller joined the Dispute Resolution and Restructuring & Troubled Companies Departments at Sygna.
She was also brought to support the Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law Department thanks to her training in business litigation and her experience within an accounting firm. She has decided to fully dedicate herself to assisting companies in their operations.
Eglantine Canale Jamet
Member of the Paris Bar
Associate
Education
• Master I International and European Law, University of Angers - Åbo Akademi University, Finland
• Master II International Relations and European Union Law, University of Paris-Nanterre
• Adv. LLM Public international law (Spec. International Criminal Law), Leiden University, The Netherlands
Languages
Français
Anglais
Eglantine joined the International Litigation and Arbitration Department in November 2022. After obtaining a Master's degree in International Relations and European Union Law from the University of Paris Nanterre and an Advanced LL.M. in International Criminal Law from the University of Leiden, she assisted a judge at the International Criminal Court. Eglantine then worked as a Judicial Fellow at the International Court of Justice under H.E. Judge Abraham, before joining the Human Rights Sub-Division of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With a keen interest in fundamental liberties, her work focuses on immunities and international litigation, with particular emphasis on evidence and open source investigation.
Théo Monégier du Sorbier
Member of the Paris Bar
Associate
Education
• Bchelor's degree in Private Law (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne)
• Masters in Business Law (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne)
Languages
French
English
After obtaining a Master's degree in business law from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne, Théo Monégier du Sorbier joined Sygna Partners' Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law department, following a number of experiences, in particular within a legal department and a law firm.
He is also supporting the Restructuring & Insolvency department.
Neriah David-West
Jurist
Education
• 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
With experience at the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and in the legal department of a French airline group, Neriah joined the firm in 2021. In particular, she brings to the Contractual Negotiation and Project Finance Department her expertise in air transport and aviation guarantees.
Yohan Ray
Jurist
Yohan Ray joined the Dispute resolution division in July 2022.
Education
• Master's degree in Private Law and Wealth Law, Université Paris-Nanterre
Languages
French
English
Dayane Darwich
Jurist
Education
• Bachelor of Laws in General French Law, University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne;
• Public & Private International Law Courses, The Hague Academy of International
• Master’s in General International Law & University Diploma in Common Law, University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
• Master’s in International Law and International Organisations, University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Languages
French
English
Arabic
Perrine Pouget
Jurist
Educatio
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), (Bangor University, Wales, United Kingdom)
• Master 2 International Business Law (Toulouse 1 Capitole University)
• Ecole de formation des barreaux (EFB)
Languages
French
English
Perrine holds a Master's degree in International Business Law from Toulouse 1 Capitole University and an LLB from Bangor University in the UK. She joined the firm in January 2025 as part of the Contract Negotiation & Project Finance Department as part of her final training period for the CAPA 2025.
Lydie Cabral
Jurist
Education
• Bachelor in Law degree (University of Paris XII -UPEC)
• Master I Business Law (University of Paris XII -UPEC)
• Master II Business Law, Business Lawyer specialisation (University of Paris XII -UPEC)
• Ecole de Formations des Barreaux (EFB) - specialising in Business Law and M&A
Languages
French
English
Lydie joined the Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law Department in January 2025.
Julien Lesamber
Jurist
Education
• Bachelor in Law (Faculty of Law, Aix-en-Provence)
• Master 1 Business Law (Faculty of Law, Aix-en-Provence)
• Master 2 Corporate Law and Taxation (Faculty of Law, Aix-en-Provence)
• Ecole de formation des barreaux (EFB)
Languages
French
English
Julien trained in business law and corporate taxation at the Faculty of Law in Aix-en-Provence. He completed a traineeship at the Cour de cassation and worked, as a work-study student and trainee, in law firms specialising in commercial law and companies in difficulty.
He joined the Dispute Resolution Department in January 2025 and will subsequently specialise in corporate litigation.
Mona Bekkadour
Jurist
Education
• Double Bachelor in French Law/Common Law (University of Paris Nanterre)
• Master I French Law/Common Law (Université Paris Nanterre)
• Master II French Law/Common Law (Université Paris Nanterre)
Languages
French
English
Mona holds a Master II in French/Common Law from the University of Paris Nanterre, and joined the Corporate and Contractual Divisions in January 2025.