A&O Shearman names quartet of new partners in Paris

Julien Roux, France managing partner of A&O Shearman, said the promotions illustrated the firm’s commitment to providing services that are ever more tailored to the needs of the client. “Paul, Benjamin, Jules and Tzvétomira each bring very high-level skills in key sectors for the development of our office: corporate criminal law, funds and asset management, private equity and project finance.” Khalid Garousha, senior partner at A&O Shearman, added: “It is immensely gratifying to promote from within and recognize the hard work and dedication of our new partners.”

Paul Fortin is experienced in a wide range of complex litigation matters related to criminal, commercial, competition and public law. Among his academic qualifications are a trio of master’s degrees, in public law, public affairs and public policy economics. Elected first secretary of the Conférence des avocats of the Paris Bar in 2014, Fortin joined A&O Shearman in 2016 as an associate, earning promotion to counsel in 2021.

Benjamin Lacourt concentrates his practice on investment funds, with a particular focus on alternative asset and financial regulatory matters. He acts for local and international investors looking to set up investment funds in France and other European jurisdictions, in addition to assisting institutional investors with their primary investments or secondary transactions involving French or foreign investment funds. Lacourt has a master’s in financial products and markets law and another in international law and management. He made counsel at the firm three years ago.

Tzvétomira Pacheva advises sponsors and financial institutions with the development and financing of their infrastructure, transition energies, transport and telecommunication projects, providing key expertise in the context of the energy transition and in both greenfield and brownfield transactions. Pacheva joined A&O Shearman in 2017 as a senior associate and was promoted to counsel in 2022. She has a pair of master’s degrees, in international trade law and in business law.

Jules Lecoeur focuses on domestic and cross-border private equity transactions, particularly mid-cap LBOs, where he advises sponsors on a wide range of transactional matters including majority and minority acquisitions, disposals, co-investments, GP-stakes, add-ons and management packages. He regularly assists financial investors in secondary transactions. Lecoeur, who has master’s degrees in business law and in European business law, joined A&O Shearman in 2012 as an associate and was promoted to counsel in 2020.