An unprecedented expansion strategy
While many American or British brands choose to absorb a local firm when they aim to set up in a financial center, King & Spalding [FR1] [LMX-2] [LMX-3] has adopted since the beginning of 2000s a different method to conquer Europe, Asia and the Middle East: the firm sends one of its partners to set up his brand in a given country and chooses the best lawyers there.
A form of thoughtful selection whose relevance was confirmed by the performance of the various offices thus created.
The firm's activity, which initially focused on the transport sector before diversifying with iconic clients such as Coca Cola, also based in Atlanta, has continued to develop since then.
A generation of successful partners
King & Spalding is recognized as one of the world's leading law firms in the field of international arbitration.
Due to the importance of Paris' place in this area of law, the choice to open an office in France [FR4] quickly turned out to be strategic.
Opened in Paris in 2009 with three American partners specializing in international arbitration and their teams, in 2012 the firm attracted three partners to lead the practice of international arbitration in French as well as French business litigation and law. environment, King & Spalding having a very large “
oil and gas
” activity.
This consolidated litigation / arbitration offer, the firm's global strategy, was then able to be implemented in Paris by ensuring the rise of a new generation of partners with recognized technical skills and a solid client base, a decisive element of 'a profitable and demanding firm.
Recruitment projects for young and dynamic teams have materialized in order to develop transactional activity, like the other offices of the firm.
Boosted by teams specializing in litigation and environmental law, the Parisian firm now has several specialties: business litigation and international arbitration, M & A / PE, tax and financing, environment, energy and infrastructure with an important focus on criminal business law and investigation, in Europe as in Africa.
Vanessa Benichou, specialized in international arbitration and business litigation, trained at Bredin Prat and worked by the American Winston & Strawn, was appointed
Managing Partner
of the Paris office and is also Head of the Litigation Department.
A collaborative, technical and demanding methodology
Always anxious to privilege their advisory role, the lawyers of King & Spalding
work around complex legal and transactional issues that require the pooling of diverse skills and integrated operations with the different offices. They can thus rely on all of the firm's skills to best serve the interests of their clients and enable them to benefit from tailor-made legal services with high added value.
For example, partners specializing in environmental or energy law work in close collaboration with partners dedicated to international arbitration, in the context of numerous arbitration cases in the “
oil & gas
” sector.
There is therefore no dominant activity, but the choice of a collaborative and transversal method on all legal subjects and issues.
Without compromising on quality, the Firm's approach, always business-oriented in both litigation and
corporate matters
, is based on understanding the issues and the culture of its clients, the long-term defense of their interests and control. expenses incurred.
Finally, the Firm is recognized for its ability to integrate geopolitical, strategic and economic intelligence issues and its keen perception of the business environment of its clients.
These are all elements that strongly contribute to their loyalty.
Cultivate an identity of specialists while integrating the parameters specific to a large international firm
The Parisian Cabinet of King & Spalding
intends to continue to structure a renowned platform to enable the development of a local and international clientele and the integration of all practices related to business law and transactional activities, which are currently enjoying great success. In this context, and under the aegis of the partners in charge of the departments concerned, the recruitment of new teams, in particular in M&A, social law and
restructuring,
is to be expected.
Ultimately, the objective of the Paris office is to find professionals who share its values of excellence in order to cover the entire King & Spalding offer on a global level.
This while remaining supported by the same commitments: a sharp expertise in the management of sensitive cases, a keen practice of the internal investigation, an optimum analytical mind and a very high availability of the teams.
