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
Member of the Paris Bar
Partner
Leads the practice
Contracts and projects financing
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.
Andrés Villegas
Member of the Colombian Bar
Of Counsel
Career
• Sygna Partners - since 2023
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia
Education
• LL.M. in Public International Law (University College London)
• LL.B. (University of the Andes, Colombia)
Languages
Spanish
French
English
Of Counsel at Sygna Partners since 2023, Andrés advises and represents sovereign states in disputes before international courts, particularly in the field of investment arbitration. Before moving to Paris, he worked for more than ten years at the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was senior advisor to five successive foreign ministers. In this capacity, he coordinated Colombia's international litigation strategy, notably before the International Court of Justice, in complex cases involving maritime delimitation, the law of the sea, environmental protection, treaty interpretation and territorial sovereignty. He worked closely with the Armada Nacional, the General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR), the Ministry of Defence and other state institutions.
He also served as a Judicial Fellow at the International Court of Justice, where he worked on disputes relating to maritime and land borders, environmental protection, customary law, and the interpretation of international court decisions. He has also pleaded before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
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.
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.
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
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
Education
• Master's degree in Private Law and Wealth Law, Université Paris-Nanterre
Languages
French
English
With a Master's degree in Private Law and Property Law, Yohan completed several internships in courts and law firms before joining Sygna's dispute resolution department in July 2022 as a legal advisor.
Yohan is developing his experience in litigation and, as such, supports the team in civil and commercial courts. He specialises in particular in the fields of aviation, fashion and family property law.
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.
Salomé Chekroun
Jurist
Education
• Bachelor's degree in private law (University of Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines)
• Master's degree in International Commercial Arbitration (University of Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines)
• Bar training school (EFB)
Languages
French
English
Trained in litigation and international arbitration at the Faculty of Law of Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Salomé completed several internships in international litigation, insurance litigation and international arbitration at law firms.
She joined the firm in July 2025, within the Dispute Resolution Department as part of her bar school training.
Léa Rey
Jurist
Education
Languages
Trained in business law and corporate legal and financial engineering at the University of Bordeaux, Léa completed internships at a law firm and an accounting firm. She then worked as a parliamentary assistant at the French National Assembly.
She joined the Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Law Department in July 2025 as part of her training at the EFB.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Law (University of Bordeaux)
• Master's degree in Business Law (University of Bordeaux)
• Master's degree in Legal and Financial Engineering for Companies (University of Bordeaux)
• Bar Training School (EFB)
French
English
Qiao Yu
Jurist
Education
• Bachelor's degree in Law (Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University)
• Master's degree in Intellectual Property Law (Grenoble Alpes University)
• Master's degree in Intellectual Property Law (Paris-Panthéon-Assas University)
Languages
French
English
Chinese
With a Bachelor's degree in Law from Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University and a Master's degree in Intellectual Property Law from Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, Qiao completed internships in various organisations in France and abroad during her studies.
Qiao joined the Contracts and projects financing Department in July 2025.