New M&A and private equity firm, Aurès, launches in Milan and Paris

Specializing in M&A, management advisory and private equity, Aurès is the brainchild of Magda Picchetto, Thomas Bourdeaut, Christophe Perchet and Jean-Christophe Devouge, who co-founded the firm to better support decision-makers, executives, management teams and their companies, on a wide range of transactional matters, from private, public or distressed M&A and advisory of management teams in private equity transactions and other strategic transactions, to the resolution of disputes that may arise in such transactions.

As Magda Picchetto explains, the quartet decided to “combine their expertise to offer decision-makers tailored support with a personal touch, both in their personal investments and in the transactions they carry out on behalf of their company, while also assuring the management of potential disputes.”

Picchetto began her law career at Ayache Salama in 2012 before joining Scotto Partners in 2017, splitting her time between the firm’s offices in Milan and Paris. In 2020, she cofounded M&A and private-equity boutique Fides Partners, alongside Thomas Bourdeaut. Bourdeaut began his career in 2005 at De Pardieu Brocas Maffei before joining Davis Polk & Wardwell in 2008, then Scotto Partners in 2016.

Christophe Perchet and Jean-Christophe Devouge met at the aforementioned Davis Polk & Wardwell in 2015, where the former had been since 2007 after having spent five years at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and a decade at Jeantet. A lawyer since 2010, Jean-Christophe Devouge cut his teeth at Gide before joining BDGS in 2013. The two would go on to found M&A and stock-market-law boutique PR Associés in 2020.

In addition to the four founders, Aurès launches with eight other lawyers.