BCLP bolsters Paris Litigation & Investigations Team with two new partners, Philippe Métais, Elodie Valette, and their team

Philippe Métais and Elodie Valette are recognized for their extensive legal knowledge of  financial, banking and regulatory litigation together with their combined experience in commercial and  white collar litigation. They lead on emblematic cases in the field of European consumer law from the angle of unfair terms and misleading commercial practices. They are also regularly involved in crisis litigation, in particular shareholder disputes and post-acquisition litigation. More recently, they have been assisting clients in emerging litigation related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) issues. 

Constantin Achillas, co-managing partner of the Paris office, said: "The arrival of Philippe and Elodie supports our ambition and strengthens our litigation offering. The synergies of our consolidated litigation department, together with the Firm's other practices of competition, restructuring, financing, M&A and real estate, further enhances our ability to respond to the diverse and complex disputes and situations our clients face.”

Philippe Métais' experience in complex litigation, investigations and international legal proceedings, combined with Elodie Valette's knowledge of civil procedure and enforcement, makes this duo judiciary strategy-makers. They argue  before all French courts (commercial, civil and criminal) and European courts (CJUE and CEDH) and are also involved in arbitration cases using various alternative dispute resolution methods (conciliation and mediation). Their experience complements BCLP's existing capabilities in commercial and corporate litigation, compliance and internal/international investigations.

"We are delighted to join BCLP and bring our extensive knowledge of procedural issues and expertise in financial and banking litigation both to the Firm and its clients," said partner Elodie Valette.

"BCLP offers a wide range of experiences, high quality teams and a worldwide presence. It is a very attractive firm in which to continue our practice," adds Philippe Métais, partner.

About Philippe Métais, partner

Philippe Métais joins from White & Case where he was in charge of litigation He has been a member of the Paris Bar since 1987 and has been involved in emblematic cases such as the Tapie affair, Euribor/Libor and the so-called "Helvet Immo" serial litigation. He also assists his clients in litigation relating to collective proceedings and the enforcement of national and international court decisions and international arbitrations. He leads on emergency procedures and those designed to take provisional or protective measures.

Philippe is regularly quoted in French and international legal rankings and is one of the top twenty lawyers listed in the Chambers & Partners Top Tiers.  He is also referenced as an individual in banking litigation by Legal 500 EMEA.

Philippe is a member of several professional associations including the European Association of Banking and Financial Law (AEDBF), the association Droit & Procédure and the Association Paris Place de Droit. He holds a postgraduate degree in international private law from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (1986).

About Elodie Valette, partner

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2013, Elodie Valette began her career as a lawyer at White & Case. She was promoted to counsel in 2019 - Who's Who Legal: Future Leader (non-participants) Litigation 2018, 2019 & 2020, Lexology Client Choice Award: Litigation 2021 - and is joining BCLP as a partner.

Procedural issues are her strength. Alongside Philippe Métais, Elodie has been involved in strategic cases such as "Helvet Immo", banking litigation, acquisition litigation and shareholder disputes. She established a CSR litigation practice focused primarily in the area of environmental claims.

Elodie co-chairs the Climate Justice Commission of Paris Place de Droit. She is a member of the European Association of Banking and Financial Law (AEDBF) and of the Association of Lawyers Practicing Procedures and Enforcement (AAPPE), and was appointed to the board of directors of the association Droit & Procédure in 2021. A graduate of the Ecole Nationale de Procédure (2006), Elodie holds a Master 2 in litigation and civil enforcement procedures from the University of Grenoble Alpes (2004) and a Diploma in Legal Studies (LLM in European law) from the University of Aberdeen (2003).

About Laura Cann, associate

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2018, Laura Cann graduated with a Master 214 in Business Law at Paris Dauphine University. Before joining BCLP she was an associate at White & Case. Laura has completed several internships in renowned litigation firms such as Veil Jourde, Gray Tolub in the United States and DLA Piper.

About Jules Grasso, associate

Jules Grasso holds a Master 2/DJCE from the University of Poitiers (2017) and was admitted to the Paris Bar in 2020. He also holds an LLM in International Business Law from the University of Exeter and a Magistère in Franco-British Business Law from the University of Rennes I. He joins  BCLP after starting his career at White & Case and completed internships at firms such as Viguié Schmidt & Associés or FTPA.