Thomas Claudel | Partner

Partner Thomas Claudel is renowned for his expertise in French and international transactional taxation. He regularly advises investment funds, companies and their founders and managers on private equity, M&A and restructuring transactions. He also advises international and family groups on many of the tax aspects of their exceptional and day-to-day operations.

Thomas also advises private clients, including company directors, on wealth tax issues.

He assists his clients with tax audits and controls, as well as in the pre-litigation and litigation phases.

Academic and professional background

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2012, Thomas is a graduate of Nancy Law School (Master II Droit de l’entreprise et des affaires et diplôme de juriste conseil d’entreprise (DJCE) – Certificat d’études spécialisées en droit fiscal, 2010), and of Nancy Law School, in partnership with the University of Sheffield (Master II – Magistère Juriste d’affaires européen, 2009).

Before becoming a partner at Cazals Manzo Pichot Saint Quentin, Thomas practiced at
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Latham & Watkins and Hogan Lovells.

Awards

Thomas has been recognized:

• “Rising star – Tax”, in the “Legal 500” rankings 2023 and 2024; and
• “Rising Star: Top Tax Lawyers in EMEA” by Mergerlinks in 2023.

His clients say of him:

« Thomas Claudel répond parfaitement aux besoins des clients en étant à la fois technique et pragmatique. » (The Legal 500, 2023-2024)

« Thomas Claudel est brillant. Il explique simplement des problèmes complexes et trouve des solutions créatives à des problèmes ponctuels. » (The Legal 500, 2023-2024)

« I worked with [another lawyer] and Thomas Claudel. The experience was outstanding with both. They had a high degree of expertise and knowledge of their respective fields and high reactivity. They provided fast and precise answers to sometimes complex questions. There was quality and creativity in the advice provided. They had the outstanding ability to work under tight deadlines and to manage [a specific aspect]. I only worked with Thomas Claudel in the tax team, and I strongly recommend him. He’s a go-to person when I have a question
related to tax topics. » (Chambers, 2023)

Recent transactional activity

• Advising Astek in connection with its €560 million financing
• Advising Ardian, main selling shareholder, in connection with the IPO of Planisware
• Advising Vade Group and its shareholders in connection with the acquisition of Vade by Hornetsecurity Group
• Advising the founding partners of IMDEV Group in connection with the acquisition of a stake in its capital by Capza and Bpifrance.
• Advising The Independents in connection with the acquisition of Atelier LUM, INCA Productions and ATHEM
• Advising Ardian in connection with the acquisition of Aprium Pharmacie
• Advising Altawest Group in connection with the sale of Jeumont Electric to Framatome and Naval Group
• Advising Elaia Partners in connection with its strategic partnership with Lazard
• Advising the shareholders of Chargeguru in connection with its merger with Zeplug
• Advising 21 Invest France in connection with its acquisition of a majority stake in the Conex group
• Advising Andera Acto in connection with its sponsorless investment in the Efor group
• Advising the sellers in connection with their exit from the Voip Telecom group, and to William Binet in connection with his reinvestment.
• Advising the founders of Novelpay and its subsidiary Pax France in connection with the sale of its capital and voting rights in Novelpay and Pax France to Market Pay.
• Advising the founders of DriiveMe in connection with Isai’s acquisition of a stake in the company
• Advising The Independents in connection with their investment in Towerbrook and FL Entertainment
• Advising IdiCo and Bpifrance in connection with their investment in the capital of
  Hexagone
• Advising Felix Capital in connection with Effy’s €20 million capital raising
• Advising Andera Partners in connection with its investment in the capital of Groupe SPS
• Advising Arche MC2 and its majority shareholder Activa, in connection with the
  acquisition of Solware Life
• Advising Seven2 in connection with its acquisition of a majority stake in Porsolt Group
• Advising Tikehau Capital and Bpifrance in connection with Ardian’s acquisition of a majority stake in GreenYellow
• Advising Activa Capital in connection with its acquisition of a minority stake in the capital of Willing
• Advising Seven2 in connection with its acquisition of a majority stake in Mailinblack
• Advising Groupe Chevrillon in connection with its acquisition of a majority stake in Groupe Arcado
• Advising DiliTrust and its shareholders in connection with the acquisition of Hyperlex
• Advising Anywr (formerly Cooptalis) and its founders, in connection with Naxicap’s acquisition of a stake in the company
• Advising the management of the EDH group in connection with acquisition by Five Arrows Principal Investments of a majority stake in the group
• Advising Cathay Capital and Sagard NewGen on the acquisition of Dilitrust alongside Eurazeo.
• Advising Tikehau Ace Capital in its acquisition, alongside other investors, of LMB
  Aerospace.