our history
1969 - Laying the foundations
Four prominent lawyers at the Paris Bar joined forces and threw themselves into the venture:
Pierre Courtois - Tax law
Claude Lebel Intellectual Property & patent rights
Pierre Bouloy Maritime law
Jean Pierre Guellot Commercial Law
1980 - SCP creation
Lebel became one of the first French law firms to be registered as a professional civil company (SCP).
1985 - Courtois Lebel joins ALFA
The American Law Firm Association ALFA International is a worldwide network of independent law firms. Today ALFA is one of the leading global legal networks, crossing continents and transcending time zones to provide excellent legal advice and practical solutions to complex legal problems.
1990 - Courtois Lebel joins AEL
The main objective of the Association of European lawyers (AEL) is to provide readily accessible, first class legal services throughout Europe
AEL is a non-exclusive network that provides a vast range of quality, business legal services constantly ensuring that their English speaking member firms manifest the utmost care and efficiency in the advice and representation they provide.
2002 Move to Avenue de la Grande Armée
Courtois Lebel moved from the offices of the rue Portalis and set up in our current premises on the Avenue de la Grande Armée, just a few steps away from Etoile and the Champs Elysées. We now occupy 1300 m2 over two floors.
1993 - Arrival of Philippe Courtois
As the son of one of our founders, and partner since 1993, Philippe embodies the values of Courtois Lebel: continuity and stability, adaptation and evolution. Early on in his career, Philippe developed a particular taste for the areas of competition and distribution. His thorough knowledge of the subtleties of the law and legal procedures combined with his heightened sense of legal analysis, make of Philippe a formidable negotiator of contracts and an eminent litigator, relentlessly defending his clients commercial interests.
His Goal: To continue to channel his technical skills and his analytical talent into the defense of the interests of Courtois Lebel s clients. Philippe lives and works by a motto borrowed from those French soldiers trained for a mountainous terrain (les chasseurs alpins) It s not the taking part that counts, it s the winning!
2002 - Arrival of Herve Gabadou
Hervé is renowned for his expertise in the field of information technology and telecommunications law, an area in which he has been specializing since the early days of his career. After having held positions as partner within larger organizations, Hervé was attracted by the independence of Courtois Lebel and joined the firm in 2002, founding the IT and telecoms department.
His Goal : To treat the complex legal issues arising in his practice area in a way that is both practical and accessible to his clients based in France and abroad; and above all, to innovate!
2004 - Arrival of Beatrice Labboz
Béatrice joined COURTOIS LEBEL as partner in 2004 along with Sébastien Robineau, thus setting up the M&A and corporate law department. Before finally deciding to practice law, Béatrice enjoyed a varied career holding several high-ranking positions both within the financial services authority, the French Securities and Exchange Commission (now AMF) and the then in the banking sector working on the elaboration of financial operations and in compliance. Following an enriching experience within an international firm, she found her niche within Courtois Lebel. Béatrice fosters close relationships with her clients, enjoying strategic counsel, and thriving on the cut and thrust of the domain and the complex issues arising from corporate transactions and stock market law… and in particular, on crisis management!
Her goal: to represent for the clients of Courtois Lebel, counsel that is both close and attentive, reactive and creative, heedful of their questions and their concerns and to come up with solutions that are perfectly adapted to their individual situation.
2004 - Arrival of Sebastien Robineau
Doctor of laws and specialist in company law, Sébastien practiced within in several French and international firms before joining Courtois Lebel as partner in 2004 to set up the corporate law and M&A department, along with Béatrice Labboz. Specializing in company law, he expertly guides clients through the A-Z of their business and their directors. He is also particularly skilled in the transfer of business.
His Goal: That Courtois Lebel s clients may look on him as their travel companion, always attentive to their plans and their difficulties and to best use knowledge acquired from companies and directors to constantly provide tailored advice whilst respecting the complex and evolving regulatory context.
2008 - Arrival of Frederic Cohen
Frédéric joined the Corporate / M & A department of Courtois Lebel in 2008 after having practiced within both French and International law firms, including a Silver Circle firm where he was partner from 1999-2004. His dual background in law and management gives him a head start on complex cases with high financial stakes. Having gained much experience within English speaking law firms, Frédéric particularly enjoys files with an international dimension.
His Goal: to continue to develop Courtois Lebel’s links with the AEL and ALFA networks allowing clients, both French and international, to benefit from his expertise in cross border operations and with complex financial transactions.
2008 - Cedric Frenel is made partner
After having practiced within several firms where he developed a passion for IT law, Cédric joined Courtois Lebel as associate in 2003. His new mission was to contribute to the development of the Information technology and Telecommunications department, in all of the new and exciting, innovative areas of IT law. He hit a home run: Cédric was made partner in July 2008. Cédric is particularly committed sharing his knowledge through training sessions and conferences – events which are very much enjoyed and appreciated and by his clients.
His Goal: to offer his clients integrated, full service solutions, often through partnerships with specialists in their fields, such as with THALES ISS in the area of information systems security.