Simon Martin-Gousset
Biography
Overview
Simon Martin-Gousset is an associate in the EMEA Private-Equity / Mergers & Acquisition practice at White & Case.
Fluent in French and English, Simon is at ease navigating both domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, involving listed and non-listed companies, as well as private equity transactions and restructuring operations of distressed companies. Simon frequently handles securities law issues in connection with takeover bids, corporate governance, shareholder activism (including defending issuers and advising hedge funds) and related litigations. Simon has also extensive experience in transactions involving professional sports clubs, teams or federations (e.g. Soccer, Rugby, Cycling and Sailing).
Prior to joining White & Case in 2020, Simon worked at several other high-profile international law firms based in Paris and in Asia.
He is also a lecturer in corporate law at the University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and is the author of publications in academic law reviews and manuals.
Experience
Racing Club Lens (2023)
Representation of the French professional football club Racing Club Lens and its majority shareholder on the acquisition of a stake in its capital by the investment vehicle SIDE INVEST, which comprises the Hauts-de-France Region, the Mulliez Family Association and the IRD Group.
ORPEA Group (2023)
Representation of ORPEA Group on the appeals lodged before the Paris Court of Appeal by certain minority shareholders and creditors against the decision of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on May 25, 2023 granting an exemption to the group comprising Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC), CNP Assurances, MAIF and MACSF from the obligation to file a takeover bid for the Company's securities.
ORPEA Group (2023)
Representation of the ORPEA Group on its accelerated safeguard plan, which was approved by the Nanterre Specialized Commercial Court on July 24, 2023.
Mazarine Group (2023)
Representation of Mazarine Group and its chairman, founder and main shareholder on the investment by LBO France, FG Bros and another lifestyle private equity fund in the capital of the company.
Air Austral (2023)
Representation of Réunionese airline Air Austral on its restructuring, the main terms of which were agreed in a conciliation protocol signed in December 2022 by Air Austral, the French state, its controlling shareholder, various public creditors, banking partners and new investors.
CVC Capital Partners (2022)
Representation of investment firm CVC Capital Partners on the signing of an investment commitment agreement with France's Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) related to the creation of a commercial subsidiary intended to support the financing of professional and amateur football clubs.
Luko (2022)
Representation of France's leading insurtech company Luko on its acquisition of Coya, a German insurtech company.
Bpifrance (2021)
Representation of the French national investment bank Bpifrance on its strategic investment in SEQENS, a worldwide leader in the development and production of active ingredients, pharmaceutical intermediates and specialty ingredients.
Dream Yacht Group (2021)
Representation of Dream Yacht Group, the world's second largest yacht charter company, and its founder Loïc Bonnet, on the acquisition by Czech fund PPF and Groupe Bénéteau of a majority stake in Dream Yacht Group.
Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (2021)
Representation of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (Oaktree) and Kartesia on the refinancing of Foraco International, a leading global provider of mineral drilling services listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
