Gibson Dunn Adds France’s Preeminent Investment Funds Team in Major Paris Expansion
Firm News | April 28, 2026
Gibson Dunn announced today the expansion of its Investment Funds Practice Group with the addition in Paris of France’s preeminent investment funds team — partners Xavier Comaills, Marie Préat, Elodie Cinconze, and Pierre Goyat, as well as of counsel Véronique de Hemmer Gudme, Benjamin Massot and Louis-Guillaume Cousin.
A top-ranked investment funds team in France for over a decade, they advise sponsors and investors on fund formation, secondaries (limited partner (LP) led and general partner (GP) led), GP stakes, and fund-related tax structuring. Their arrival establishes a premier investment funds capability in Paris, significantly deepens the firm’s European platform, and further strengthens its pan-European investment funds capabilities.
“The arrival of this outstanding team represents a transformational step in the growth of our global investment funds practice,” said Shukie Grossman, partner and Global Chair of the Investment Funds Practice Group. “Paris is a critical hub for the European private capital ecosystem, and this team’s market-leading capabilities and deep client relationships enable us to support sponsors active across Europe and beyond. Together with our recent growth in London and Dubai, their addition further reinforces Gibson Dunn’s position as a global powerhouse in the investment funds market.”
The team will work closely with Gibson Dunn’s established investment funds teams in the U.S., London, Dubai, and Hong Kong, deepening cross-practice collaboration and enhancing the firm’s ability to advise clients across multiple jurisdictions. The addition of the Paris team further reinforces the firm’s European investment funds presence alongside its growing capabilities in London.
Xavier said: “Alongside London, Paris has become a central marketplace for primary and secondary transactions and GP stakes, notably in the infrastructure and healthcare sectors. Global sponsors increasingly require integrated counsels across Europe’s financial centers and favor European integrated platforms supported by a strong U.S. fund formation capability. Gibson Dunn’s presence in the U.S. and across those centers, combined with the strength of its global platform, makes it an ideal home for our practice. Along with my long-term partners Marie, Elodie and Pierre, our team is supported by our unrivaled regulatory capabilities. We are excited to bring our expertise to a firm so well positioned to deliver seamless cross-border support and contribute to the continued growth of an already world-class investment funds practice.”
Gibson Dunn’s Investment Funds Practice Group is a top-tier practice advising sponsors across geographies, asset classes, and fund structures. With a deep bench and extensive experience, the team provides the full scope of fund services needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing investment fund managers in today’s market. From fund formation to fund servicing to fund finance, and tax planning, GP-led and other complex secondaries, management company transactions, and regulatory and compliance matters, the team delivers top-of-the-market knowledge and senior-level, commercial counsel across the lifecycle of a fund. The practice has continued to expand to deliver integrated, full-service support to clients, welcoming James O’Donnell, Hannah Watson Fanin and their team in London, Carolyn Abram and her team in Dubai, and Blake Estes, Marian Fowler, Duncan McKay, MacRae Robinson and their respective teams in the U.S.
About the partners
Xavier Comaills
Xavier is ranked Band 1 in Chambers France for Investment Funds for 16 consecutive years and is recognized in the IFLR and Legal 500 Hall of Fame for Investment Funds in France. He advises on the formation and fundraising of private equity, infrastructure, and private credit funds across European markets, GP led, LP led and is a leader on GP stakes transactions.
Marie Préat
Marie advises sponsors and asset managers on primary fundraising, secondary transactions, continuation vehicles, and regulatory matters across private capital strategies. She is recognized for her work on complex and innovative fund structures, including evergreen and retail-oriented products, and regularly supports French and European asset managers on the structuring and launch of their investment platforms.
Elodie Cinconze
Elodie advises on the creation and fundraising of French and pan-European private equity funds across venture, growth, buyout, infrastructure, impact, debt, real estate, and secondary strategies. She has significant experience in secondary transactions with particular focus on continuation funds
Pierre Goyat Pierre specializes in the tax aspects of fund structuring, carried interest, and manager compensation, and provides tax advice on complex fund transactions. He regularly advises on mergers and acquisitions, with particular expertise in the energy, infrastructure, and transport sectors.