Speechlys opens new tax-led practice in Paris, spearheaded by Stéphane de Lassus and Anne-Marie Berthault-Boissonnas

Speechlys has opened its fourth international office in a little over two years, following its expansion into Geneva, Zurich and Luxembourg.

The new operation will initially consist of a team of four partners and seven associates. The offering will focus on tax planning for wealthy families and entrepreneurs as well as corporate and litigation services to these clients, private equity investors and corporates. Such an offering complements Speechly Bircham’s existing strength in international private wealth and corporate work, and will serve as a solid platform to add complementary disciplines in Paris in the future.

The partner team comprises Stéphane de Lassus and Anne-Marie Berthault-Boissonnas, both formerly of STC Partners, who specialise in international tax planning for wealthy families, entrepreneurs and management teams; Thibaut Caharel of PDGB Avocats (corporate) and Frédéric Jeannin, also from STC Partners (litigation).

Stéphane commented, “We are all very excited about this fantastic opportunity. The partner team here in Paris has a clear focus on the private wealth, private equity and entrepreneurial market, which fits perfectly with Speechlys’ international practice. Our clients expect high quality, responsive, and independent advice from their lawyers, with access to an international offering.  Becoming part of Speechly Bircham is a perfect way to achieve that.”

The resident team will be supported by a number of London partners from across Speechly Bircham’s other European offices: Nathalie Moreno (a dual qualified TMT partner who has recently been appointed as representative of the Paris Bar in London) and corporate partner Martin Wright have significant expertise acting for French corporates in the UK and overseas. Paul Henty, who graduated from Strasbourg University and specialises in EU & Competition law, and John Ward, one of the firm’s leading international tax and estate planning partners with experience of the French market, will also support the new office.

Responsible for developing the firm’s international operations, Speechlys’ Senior Partner, Michael Lingens, said “Building on the success of our first international offices, Paris feels like a natural next step due to its importance as a European commercial centre. Speechly Bircham has invested in growing its international private wealth, investment management and funds offering and we are delighted that this very talented team has joined us. The addition of Paris will enable us to broaden our offering to wealthy families and successful entrepreneurs as well as private equity houses and corporates.”

Anne-Marie advises entrepreneurs, private equity investors, family and private groups and company directors and managers on French and international taxation.

She assists with the implementation of legal and tax optimisation strategies, at French and international level, with a particular focus on the structuring and transfer of private and family groups (creation, transfers, private equity or fund investments, transmissions and donations of companies), taxation of family shareholders and managers of companies (wealth tax, capital gains, financial products, remuneration optimisation and diversification, etc), creation of hybrid entities (partnerships etc), investment (life insurance, financial products, real estate investments, etc) and international mobility.

Anne-Marie holds seminars for French and foreign banks and organisations specialising in asset management, tax engineering and property investment.

Anne-Marie began her career in 1997 as a tax lawyer at Baker & McKenzie where she practised until 2005. She joined STC Partners in 2005 and became a partner in 2008. Anne-Marie joined Speechly Bircham in 2013.

Anne-Marie holds a Masters in business law and taxation (Université Paris II Panthéon Assas) and a DESS in Company Taxation (Université Paris IX Dauphine).

Stéphane de Lassus advises family and private groups, company directors and managers on LBO transactions.Stéphane is also a lecturer in international tax law at the University of Paris IX Dauphine as part of the Master of “Professional Assets Law” programme.Stéphane began his career as a tax specialist at Archibald Andersen in 1995, where he managed the asset management and family business department. He joined Landwell in 2002 and, in 2005, participated in the creation of STC Partners where he became a partner. Stéphane joined Speechly Bircham in 2013.Stéphane is a graduate of the Institut d’Etudes Politiques of Paris. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Law (Université Paris II -Panthéon Assas) and a DESS in taxation (Université Paris IX Dauphine).