The 20 best mergers and acquisitions lawyers in France in 2026
Didier Martin is among the professionals included in the ranking compiled by Impact Lawyers.
| Lawyer | Law firm | Primary profile |
|---|---|---|
| Didier Martin | Bredin Prat | Strategic transactions and corporate governance |
| Olivier Assant | Bredin Prat | Public and private M&A |
| Bertrand Cardi | Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier | M&A and corporate defense |
| Laurent Lazard | Cleary Gottlieb | Cross-border transactions |
| Antoine Gosset-Grainville | BDGS Associés | M&A and corporate governance |
| Benjamin Kanovitch | BDGS Associés | Strategic transactions |
| Armand Grumberg | Skadden | International M&A |
| Pierre-Pascal Bruneau | Cleary Gottlieb | M&A and markets |
| Arnaud Coibion | Linklaters | Cross-border M&A |
| Grégoire Finance | Clifford Chance | Mergers and acquisitions |
| David Aknin | Weil Gotshal & Manges | Private equity and M&A |
| Bruno Bertrand-Delfau | Freshfields | Corporate transactions |
| Nicolas Bompoint | Bompoint | M&A and corporate litigation |
| Olivier Deren | Paul Hastings | Private equity and M&A |
| Frédéric Pineton de Chambrun | PDGB | M&A and family business |
| Pierre-Antoine Roiron | Clifford Chance | International M&A |
| Bénédicte de Mauduit | Freshfields | Cross-border transactions |
| Nicolas Baverez | Gibson Dunn | M&A and corporate governance |
| Charles de La Verpillière | Freshfields | M&A and private equity |
| Michel Frieh | DLA Piper | Corporate transactions |
How the ranking was prepared
This ranking does not replicate the order of any directory. Impact Lawyers has cross-referenced individual recognitions from Chambers France, Legal 500, Leaders League, and other professional sources, and subjected them to its own editorial weighting. The baseline industry source can be consulted here.
The evaluation combines cross-recognition and continuity in directories (30 %), complexity and relevance of verifiable practice (25 %), technical specialization in led transactions, corporate complexity, cross-border dimension, corporate governance, and continuity (20 %), professional leadership and independence (15 %), and international, academic, or institutional standing (10 %).
Impact Lawyers' own approach
External bands and tiers are used as evidence, not as a final outcome. A law firm's recognition does not automatically transfer to the lawyer, and prominence does not substitute for specialization. Value is also placed on the ability to personally lead matters, develop a distinctive practice, and operate in domestic and international settings.
This methodology explains why the list and ranking order do not fully coincide with Chambers, Legal 500, or Leaders League. Directories typically rank firms, group practitioners into tiers without internal ranking, and depend on submission processes. Impact Lawyers converts these indicators, along with editorial review, into an individual selection.
Featured practitioners
Didier Martin stands out for the balance between career trajectory, specialization, leadership, and sustained recognition. Olivier Assant and Bertrand Cardi also feature among the notable practitioners in this selection. Differences between closely ranked profiles can be narrow.
How it should be interpreted
The ranking reflects an overall evaluation based on public information available in 2026. It does not measure legal fees, does not guarantee outcomes, and does not claim that an included practitioner is the best choice for any given matter. The specific selection must take into account conflicts of interest, industry sector, jurisdiction, availability, language, budget, and the relationship of trust.
Professional trajectories may change. Before publishing future updates, it is advisable to verify partner movements, new structures, and potential incompatibilities. The 2026 edition functions as a reasoned snapshot of the French market, not as a permanent certification.
