International law firm Addleshaw Goddard has today announced the appointment of Michaël Cousin as a Partner in its competition team, based in Paris.

Michaël, who is the first lateral hire the Paris office has made since opening in January, joins AG from Ashurst, where he was a Partner responsible for advising on cross-border M&A transactions, antitrust investigations, antitrust disputes and national security matters.   He has particular expertise in the energy, transport and consumer goods sectors – areas where Addleshaw Goddard is currently seeing a lot of activity, not only in France, but also continental Europe more widely, as well as Asia and the Middle East. Michaël recently acted on the notification to the French Competition Authority of the takeover of the Agatha shops by the Renaissance Luxury Group. He has also advised the Beltrame group on a proposed takeover in the steel sector.

The hire is the latest in a series of high-profile appointments which have seen Addleshaw Goddard significantly enhance its international and cross-border capabilities, adding to capability across the UK and in Germany. The Addleshaw Goddard competition team now comprises over 25 lawyers with significant international reach, assisting organisations of all sizes with advice on merger control and antitrust across multiple industries and jurisdictions.

Rémy Blain, Head of Office at Addleshaw Goddard in Paris, said:

"What we look for when we recruit a new member of our team is, beyond competence, that they share our mindset. We want to create a team that is both expert and accessible and for whom working together is a matter of course. There is no doubt that Michaël fits in perfectly with Addleshaw Goddard's DNA."

Bruce Kilpatrick, Addleshaw Goddard's Head of Competition, said:

“Michaël's hire is a significant boost to our capacity across the broad range of antitrust matters on which we advise. Not only does he bring with him a wealth of expertise, his appointment also means that we can advise on French competition law matters, cross-border investigations and M&A transactions. Michaël's skills will be invaluable not only in delivering complex risk-based advice to our clients on merger control and enforcement matters, but also in helping Boards to ensure they comply with increasingly complex and multi-faceted antitrust and national security regimes. He is an excellent addition to our team and we are delighted to welcome him."