Top 10 tax lawyers in Paris

Finding a competent tax lawyer in Paris can be a daunting task.
The French capital is not only the political and cultural heart of France; it is also a nerve center for financial and legal affairs, home to many tax experts.
This article aims to enlighten those seeking to navigate this complex labyrinth to find first-rate legal advice.
How did we compile this list?

Drawing up a list of the best tax lawyers in Paris is no mean feat.

To do this, we took three factors into account:

• Experience and specialization: We have selected lawyers with in-depth expertise in tax law, capable of handling complex cases and proposing innovative strategies.
• Reputation in the profession: The opinion of their peers and their recognition in various legal directories were crucial.
• Their backgrounds.

0: Cyril Maucour (AlterTax avocats)

Cyril Maucour, tax lawyer in Paris, occupies the privileged position of “0” in our ranking, recognizing not only his exceptional legal expertise but also his positioning as the best choice in terms of value for money. Cyril stands out for his ability to offer high-quality services at reasonable rates, making first-rate expertise accessible to a wider range of clients.

That’s why we’re featuring it at the top of our list, affirming its role as the pre-eminent tax advisor for those looking to maximize their investment in legal advice now!

Cyril Maucour is an experienced tax lawyer based in Paris, specializing in the taxation of companies and their managers. He is the managing partner of AlterTax Avocats. With over 20 years’ experience, it serves a varied international clientele, including entrepreneurs, SMEs and ETIs in various sectors such as industry, new technologies and pharmaceuticals. Maucour has particular expertise in tax audit matters and represents its clients before various courts, including administrative tribunals and appeal courts. He is also involved in education, having taught tax in the Master 2 program at the University of Cergy Pontoise, and is a regular contributor to specialist tax publications. In addition to his legal practice, Maucour participates in specialist seminars and webinars on taxation, and writes articles for national and international journals. His mastery of French tax rules, European law and bilateral tax treaties enables him to offer strategic advice on international tax matters, helping his clients to optimize their tax exposure while avoiding double taxation.

1: Vincent Agulhon (Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier)

Vincent Agulhon is a partner at Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier, where he plays a key role in advising clients on tax issues relating to mergers and acquisitions, intra-group reorganizations and real estate investments.
He has a strong international component to his work, often assisting with the taxation of cross-border transactions and the personal taxation of executives.

Vincent joined the firm in 2013, having gained significant tax experience at several renowned firms, including a secondment at a leading firm in New York.
He is also involved in writing a monthly tax case law column for Option Finance magazine.

Vincent is a member of the board of the Institut des Avocats Conseils Fiscaux and of the scientific committee of the French branch of the International Fiscal Association.
He studied at the École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) and obtained a DESS in international tax law from the Université de Paris Sud.

2: Stéphane Austry (CMS Francis Lefebvre)

Stéphane Austry, partner at CMS Francis Lefebvre, is a tax lawyer based in Paris.
With significant experience gained within the French government and in various international legal roles, he is highly qualified in major tax litigation, strategy in the face of tax audits, and advising on complex litigation.

Prior to joining CMS Francis Lefebvre in 2007, Austry held several high-level positions in the French government, including tax policy advisor to the Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, and financial advisor to the French Embassy in Japan.
He also studied at the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA), a prestigious French institution for senior civil servants.

He is renowned for his handling of major tax disputes and advises a number of French and international groups.
Austry is also a member of several leading professional associations, including the International Fiscal Association and the International Bar Association.
He also teaches tax law, underlining his commitment to the development of legal skills in his field.

3: Gauthier Blanluet (Sullivan & Cromwell LLP)

Gauthier Blanluet is a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where he contributes his tax and M&A expertise.
He is recognized as one of France’s leading tax and M&A lawyers, regularly advising French and European industrial groups as well as international financial institutions on the legal and tax aspects of their M&A, real estate, restructuring and capital markets transactions.

Blanluet joined Sullivan & Cromwell as a partner in 2003.
In addition to his duties as a lawyer, he is also a professor at the Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II), enriching his professional commitment with a significant academic role.

4: Laurent Borey (Mayer Brown)

Laurent Borey is a partner at Mayer Brown and heads the Tax Transactions & Consulting department in Paris.
He specializes in tax structuring for LBO and M&A transactions, working primarily with investors and corporations.
Laurent has been recognized as a leading tax expert, earning titles such as “Lawyer of the Year” and “Tax Advisor of the Year” on several occasions.
His significant contributions include advising on complex transactions for high-profile clients, including major cross-border transactions and corporate restructurings.

5: Edouard Chapellier (Linklaters)

Edouard Chapellier is a tax partner at Linklaters in Paris, recognized as one of France’s leading tax practitioners.
He heads the firm’s French tax practice and advises companies, private equity funds and investment banks on the tax aspects of complex cross-border transactions, including LBOs, joint ventures and real estate acquisitions.

Edouard has significant experience in structuring private equity and real estate funds in various jurisdictions.
He is also heavily involved in professional organizations, being a member of the tax committee of France Invest and the French representative on the tax committee of Invest Europe.

He is a frequent speaker on tax and fund issues, sharing his expertise at various professional events.

6: Jean-Yves Charriau (Lacourte Raquin Tatar)

Jean-Yves Charriau is an experienced tax lawyer and partner at Lacourte Raquin Tatar, where he is mainly involved in complex real estate tax transactions.
He has particularly developed expertise in advising listed companies, industrial groups and investment funds, both French and foreign.

Over the course of his career, Charriau has accumulated significant experience, having worked at renowned firms such as Ernst & Young and CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats, before joining Lacourte Raquin Tatar in 2017.
His expertise covers a wide range of tax issues, including transaction taxation and fund structuring.

He is also recognized for his ability to manage tax litigation, offering strategic advice to his clients as they navigate complex tax situations.
Jean-Yves Charriau is regularly cited by leading legal guides for his excellence in real estate taxation.

7: Emmanuel Chauve (De Pardieu Brocas Maffei)

Emmanuel Chauve is a leading partner at De Pardieu Brocas Maffei in Paris, specializing in corporate and asset taxation, with a particular focus on real estate.
A key member of the firm since 2005, he has played a key role in the development of its tax practice.
Chauve is recognized for his expertise in real estate-related tax issues, notably concerning SIICs (listed real estate investment companies) and real estate investment funds.

His career includes extensive experience in various international law firms and a solid background in tax law, having obtained a DESS in tax law from the University of Burgundy.
Chauve advises major groups, banks, financial institutions and real estate developers on complex tax issues, ranging from due diligence to litigation with tax authorities.

He is actively involved in professional communities, contributing to the real estate tax commission of the Institut des Avocats Conseils Fiscaux.
His work and expertise have earned him consistent recognition in Legal 500 EMEA and Chambers Europe, where he is regularly ranked for his outstanding skills in tax law, particularly real estate.

8: Antoine Colonna d’Istria (Norton Rose Fulbright)

Antoine Colonna d’Istria is a Paris-based tax lawyer and partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, where he heads the tax department for Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
With over 20 years’ experience, he specializes in tax structuring and restructuring, with in-depth knowledge of French, foreign and European tax legislation.

Antoine specializes in complex aspects of international taxation and represents a diverse client base, including multinationals, private equity and real estate funds.
He is recognized for his expertise in structuring the purchase of large portfolios of assets, including mortgages and distressed debt, optimizing returns for his clients.

He is frequently recommended for his work in tax law by leading publications such as Chambers Global and The Lawyer.
Antoine is also an active member of the International Fiscal Association and the Tax Lawyers Institute.

9: Anne-Sophie Coustel (Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton)

Anne-Sophie Coustel is a renowned tax lawyer at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, based in Paris.
Specializing in French and international tax law, she excels in the complex structuring of reorganizations and M&A transactions.
Coustel is particularly experienced with employee share offerings, compensation plans and management incentive packages.

She joined Cleary Gottlieb in 2001 and became a partner in 2007.
Over the years, she has been recognized by her peers for her excellence, being named Paris Tax Lawyer of the Year by “Best Lawyers” in 2022 and by “Option Droit & Affaires” in 2023.
Her expertise in transactional taxation and her close collaboration with the corporate operations practice are particularly appreciated, enabling her to offer prompt, constructive and efficient work.

10: Sébastien de Monès (Bredin Prat)

Sébastien de Monès is a partner at Bredin Prat, where he heads the tax law team.
A recognized expert, he advises companies on the tax aspects of transactions, including mergers & acquisitions, private equity and real estate transactions.

His skills also extend to tax audits and litigation.
Sébastien is appreciated for his technical expertise, combined with his speed of execution and ability to integrate multiple viewpoints to resolve complex situations.

Recognized by his peers as one of the best lawyers of his generation, he is listed in The Legal 500 EMEA’s “Hall of Fame” for 2022-2024, and is a regular speaker on French and international tax issues.

FAQ – Best tax lawyers in Paris

What is a tax lawyer in Paris?

A tax lawyer is a legal professional specializing in taxation.
In Paris, such an expert offers legal advice to individuals and businesses on tax regulations, assists with tax litigation and guides commercial and investment operations to ensure tax compliance and optimization of tax charges in an international setting.

How to choose the best tax law firm in Paris?

When choosing a tax law firm in Paris, consider their specific expertise in tax matters, their seniority in the field, and the opinions of previous clients.
It is crucial to select professionals recognized for their ability to handle complex tax matters, especially those with a well-established practice in M&A transactions and international tax issues.
A notable example is Cabinet Arsene, which specializes in tax advice for a variety of corporate transactions.

What are the main tax issues for companies in Paris?

Key issues include managing the risks associated with ongoing changes in tax legislation, maximizing tax efficiency across borders and defending against tax litigation.
Tax specialists also help companies structure their operations to take advantage of tax benefits while complying with legal obligations, particularly in the private equity and real estate sectors.

How important is a tax lawyer’s international experience?

The international experience of a tax lawyer is crucial for companies operating in several countries, as it enables them to navigate effectively between different tax regimes.
A lawyer with such expertise can help structure international operations to reduce the overall tax burden, while ensuring compliance with local and international laws, which is essential for business transactions and investments abroad.

How do tax lawyers in Paris handle tax disputes?

Tax lawyers in Paris use their expertise in tax law to defend their clients’ interests in audits and disputes with the tax authorities.
They prepare solid defenses based on in-depth knowledge of tax laws, legal precedents and litigation procedures.
These specialists are essential for negotiating with tax authorities and, if necessary, representing clients in court to challenge adverse tax rulings.

What are some of the best tax law firms in Paris?

Among the top tax law firms in Paris is Arsene, renowned for its innovative approach and specialization in corporate tax consulting.
Other renowned firms include CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats and Taj, a Deloitte entity, all renowned for their in-depth expertise and ability to handle complex tax matters for a diverse client base, ranging from small businesses to multinationals.
These firms are particularly adept at advising on international transactions, real estate taxation and tax litigation.