Lovells

International law firm Lovells has entered into a formal co-operation agreement in the Business Restructuring and Insolvency (BRI) area with Kuntz & Associés, a leading insolvency boutique law firm in Paris.  

The arrangement comes as a result of rising demand for specialist BRI services in the Paris market, particularly in Court proceedings, as a result of the downturn.  The agreement formalises a longstanding relationship between the two firms. Under the arrangement Lovells will gain access to specialist skills provided by Kuntz & Associés, whilst the latter will also be able to drawn on the breadth of Lovells' international reach and French full service practice.  

Kuntz & Associés is amongst the best boutique firms in the Parisian market specialising in corporate restructuring. The firm was founded in 2005 by Jean-Emmanuel Kuntz, a practitioner and academic who has written numerous books and articles on the subject.  

Robin Spencer, a Lovells Partner and Global Head of the Business Restructuring and Insolvency practice, said:  

"Most of the leading insolvency lawyers in Paris organise themselves into boutique firms which dominate the insolvency market.  Kuntz & Associés is amongst the very best of these firms. We have worked extensively with Jean-Emmanuel and his team in the past on the court facing aspects of restructuring and insolvency in France. He is well known amongst receivers, administrators and other officeholders in the insolvency market.   

We know from having worked together that Jean-Emmanuel is technically excellent, and we know from having pitched together that he shares our commitment to delivering practical, quality advice to clients and our ethos of working as a close part of the client's team. "  

Jean-Emmanuel Kuntz said:

"Lovells' international network, the breadth of their BRI practice in the UK and in Germany, and the full service aspect of their Paris bureau have made of this firm an obvious partner for the development of my practice."  

1. The co-operation agreement is an exclusive arrangement between the two firms except in circumstances where an alternative solution is required in response to client demand, for instance if a conflict of interest exists. Profits will not be shared and the two firms will remain separate and independent of one another.  

2. Business restructuring and insolvency has been one of Lovells' core fields of work for more than 50 years. Our clients include banks, other financial institutions, insolvency practitioners and turnaround specialists from all the major accountancy firms, as well as creditors and directors of companies in financial difficulty. The practices continues to act on a number of high profile mandates including for the Government of Iceland in relation to the restructuring of its banking system and also on over 30 instructions relating to the collapse of Lehman Brothers.   

About Lovells
 
With over 3,000 people operating from 27 offices in Asia, Europe and the United States, Lovells is one of the world's leading international law firms. We advise many of the world's largest corporations, financial institutions and governmental organisations.  We regularly act on complex, multi jurisdictional transactions as well as some of the most high profile commercial disputes.  Lovells (the "firm") is an international legal practice comprising Lovells LLP and its affiliated businesses.  Lovells LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC323639.  Registered office and principal place of business: Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG.  

The word "partner" is used to refer to a member of Lovells LLP, or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications, and to a partner, member, employee or consultant in any of its affiliated businesses who has equivalent standing.  

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