Private Equity

Our department offers unique experience in all aspects of cross-border private and public private equity sector representation. We handle all stages of the private equity cycle, from fund formation and fund-raising to early-stage investments as well as leveraged buy-outs and build-ups.

We focus on the full range of corporate growth transactions for private equity funds, both directly and in connection with co-investments. The skills of our dedicated team are backed by those of our other practices which includes tax, employment, competition, banking & finance, disputes, and restructuring.

Investment Funds (fund formation, regulatory, tax)
Venture & Development Capital
Leverage Transactions (LBO, LMBO, LMBI, etc), Build-Up (LBU)
Management Package
Mezzanine & Senior Debt
Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE)

What they say

Legal 500 EMEA 2026 – Franklin is ranked in Private Equity: LBO
Franklin is active across the full lifecycle of LBO investments, including primary and secondary buyouts, MBOs, build-ups, exits, refinancings and management incentive arrangements. The team regularly advises on both sponsor-side and management-side transactions, with experience in first-time LBOs and growth-driven buyouts. The practice is co-led by Yam Atallah , Antoine Denis-Bertin, Lionel Lesur, Alexandre Marque and Jacques Mestoudjian, who offer deep private equity, corporate, competition and tax expertise.
“High intelligence. Excellent tactical and strategic mind. Very good negotiator.”
“They are very responsive, flexible and innovative a great team to work with.”
“Partner Lionel Leisur is particularly active in the firm and he is technically and commercially impeccable.”
Option Droit & Affaires 2025 – The team is quoted in the category Equity development and LBOs, the majority of which involve companies with less than €50 million in assets (3 stars)
Leaders League 2025 – The team is ranked in the “Mid-cap LBO transactions ” (Excellent) category of the Private Equity Guide
Leaders League 2025 – The team is ranked in the LBO tax category (Excellent) of the Financial and tax strategies Guide
IFLR 1000 2025 – Private Equity (Tier Five)