Linklaters hires eight-lawyer restructuring team from elite Paris rival

Linklaters has hired an eight-lawyer restructuring and insolvency team in Paris from top-tier French corporate and M&A specialist Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier.

The group is led by François Kopf, who joins as global chair of the firm’s restructuring and insolvency practice, and partner Mathieu Della Vittoria, alongside two counsel and four associates.

Kopf is regarded as one of France’s leading restructuring lawyers, having acted on many of the market’s most high-profile insolvency matters. Della Vittoria is known for his work on distressed litigation.

The move deepens Linklaters’ investment in its Paris office - one of the largest of any UK firm - with over 200 lawyers and around 40 partners. Last year, the firm added corporate heavyweight Hubert Segain from Herbert Smith Freehills, who now leads the M&A team in Paris.

It also follows an uptick in activity by international firms expanding in the French capital. In March, Ropes & Gray launched in Paris with a three-partner team. Last December, Morgan Lewis added a 54-strong team from Kramer Levin to its Paris office. The office was carved-out of Kramer Levin's merger with Herbert Smith Freehills which went live in June this year.

What they said

"François is a leader in the French restructuring and insolvency market and, working alongside our top-tier global practice, will deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients", said senior partner Aedamar Comiskey.

"François and Mathieu complement our unique position in the market, with the ability to support the world’s leading corporates, banks, funds and financial sponsors on their biggest and most complex, cross-border matters", added Françoise Maigrot, national managing partner in Paris.

"Restructurings and insolvencies are now more complex and global than they’ve ever been", said Andy Vickery, Linklaters’ global head of finance. "Restructuring and insolvency is a key investment area for us and François, Mathieu and their team further strengthen our offering in the French market and globally."