Benoît Fleury

Benoît Fleury is a partner in the Paris office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Merger and Acquisitions, Private Equity, Securities law & Governance, Compliance, and Business Restructuring & Reorganization Practice Groups.

Benoît’s corporate practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. He advises European and U.S. clients, particularly banks, insurance companies, and investment funds on their most strategic domestic and cross-border acquisitions. His experience encompasses a wealth of operations in regulated environments, as well as in the context of carve-outs and spin-offs and corporate governance matters.

He has developed particular know-how in securities-related transactions, proposing creative solutions in sensitive contexts, including restructuring and insolvency procedures. Benoit also devotes significant time to advising startups and early stage companies in their development.

Benoît focuses his restructuring practice on complex restructuring and insolvency matters (mandat ad hoc, conciliation and safeguard), regularly representing defaulting and distressed companies, creditors (including banks and CLOs), notable shareholders, and investors looking for the acquisition of distressed targets in some of the French market’s most high-profile cases. He provides strategic advice and business-oriented negotiation solutions to French and foreign stakeholders, counseling on prevention measures and court resolutions. He often assists listed companies, portfolio companies, hedge funds, and investment funds, which he also advises in connection with their strategic investments and day-to-day operations. Due to his restructuring and securities law expertise, Benoît has argued several landmark French cases, setting many precedents over the course of his career.

Chambers Europe recommends Benoît and sources highlight that he “has experience assisting clients with corporate reorganizations and insolvency proceedings” and is “really smart, always available, works quickly and has good business sense”. They appreciate his “straightforward style and clever strategies”. He is a “down-to-earth, commercial, no-nonsense lawyer” and “an astute analyst of critical judicial situations in the bankruptcy field, [that] turns things around very fast whilst providing great advice." The directory mentions that he is “highly regarded” and described him as “very proactive and client-oriented.” Sources say "Fleury is very strong, reactive and commercial." Previous editions praised his “responsiveness, dedication and negotiation skills” and referred to him as “patient, able to explain everything and ready to hear what we have to say.”

The Legal 500 EMEA also recommends Benoît for Mergers and Acquisitions and Best Lawyers in France has consistently recommended him for Corporate, LBO, and Insolvency Law.

Benoît graduated from University Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense with a master’s degree in 1996, after having received a diploma from business school EDHEC (École de Hautes Etudes Commerciales du Nord) in 1993. Benoît teaches corporate law at EDHEC business school, having previously taught for three years at Evry University. He frequently writes on topical legal issues.

He speaks French and English fluently.

Capabilities

• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice
• Business Restructuring and Reorganization
• Capital Markets
• Financial Institutions
• Insurance and Reinsurance
• Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance

Credentials

Education:

• Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense - 1996 DEA
• École de hautes études commerciales du Nord-EDHEC - 1993 Diplôme

Admissions:

• France - Avocat au Barreau de Paris