Broadfield expands into Europe with new Paris office

Broadfield has opened an office in Paris, its first in mainland Europe, as the challenger law firm continues to build out its international presence.

The new office will be led by Isabelle de La Gorce, who joins as France managing partner after eight years at PwC, where she was a partner and headed its M&A legal practice. She previously worked at Deloitte and EY Law.

Broadfield said the Paris team will initially focus on M&A, advising French and international companies and private equity funds on deals in France. It plans to add a dedicated employment practice later this year.

“Our ambition is to build a leading Paris practice that combines world-class French legal advice with the firm’s global reach,” de La Gorce said.

The launch gives Broadfield offices across the UK, France, US, Brazil and Hong Kong, and comes as the firm looks to build an international platform around mid-market corporate and private capital work.

Broadfield goes global

Broadfield launched in the UK in 2024 through a tie-up between BDB Pitmans and SHP Legal Services, a subsidiary of consulting group Alvarez & Marsal's parent company.

The firm has pitched itself as a different kind of mid-market player, combining legal advice with operational and consulting support through its partnership with SHP.

SHP's leadership includes former McDermott chair Peter Sacripanti, who also chairs Broadfield Holdings, and Chris Price, the former managing partner of EY's UK financial services law group.

Broadfield's international expansion has quickly gathered pace. The firm launched in New York last year and has recruited lawyers from top US firms including Sidley Austin and Cooley.

Managing partner John Hutchinson told Non-Billable earlier this year that Broadfield's proposition was about giving clients a global service “at sensible pricing levels.”