Mergers & Acquisitions
7 min
Between Law and Strategy: How French Lawyers Create Value in M&A
How French M&A truly works: why structure, governance and legal engineering often create more value than valuation for foreign investors.
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About
Eric Kopelman is co-head of the “Corporate Law – Mergers & Acquisitions” department.
He has spent the past 20 years advising entrepreneurs, corporate groups, executives and investment funds (both institutional investors and family offices) in structuring and executing their strategic transactions in France and internationally.
His expertise covers a full range of upper-tier corporate operations, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity (LBOs and growth capital), external growth and restructurings. He frequently acts in key sectors such as technology, healthcare and agri-food. He has also developed recognised experience in assisting foreign groups with their expansion into France, as well as French companies growing abroad.
Known for his business-oriented approach and strong commitment, he joined Axipiter with the conviction that performance stems from genuine teamwork—an essential value he places at the core of his practice to build long-term trust and become a strategic partner to his clients.
Areas of expertise
Corporate LawMergers & AcquisitionsPrivate Equity
Professional Background
- Simon Associés (2024)
- Ambre Associés – Co-fondateur (2011-2024)
- Chammas & Marcheteau
- d’Alverny, Demont & Associés
- Norton Rose
- Deloitte
Education
- 2005 – ESSEC - Master in International Business Law & Management
- 2003 – Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in Business Law, University of Paris XII
Bar Associations
- Paris
Languages
- French
- English
- Hebrew
Distinctions & Rankings
- Décideurs – Venture Capital Transactions (Excellent)
- Décideurs – LBO Lower Mid & Small Cap (Excellent)
- Décideurs – M&A Transactions under €74m (Excellent)
Significant Experiences
Advised the shareholders of Cyberwatch, a French cybersecurity software company, on its acquisition by Framatome, a global leader in nuclear energy.
Advised investors on Primaa’s €5M fundraising round led by Cenitz, Leia Capital and Cléry.
Advised on Metyos’ €2.3M pre-seed round led by Cenitz to accelerate the development of its medical biocaptor.
Advised investors on Pandobac’s €1.5M fundraising round led by Cenitz and BNP Paribas Développement to support the industrialisation of its reusable packaging solutions.
Advised the founders of SIMPEL on their sale to the BPCE Group.
Advised a Manager on the sale of BCM Ditch Witch France to Dutch group ZWEGGERS.
Advised the ERIDEN Group on the majority acquisition of Les Chevaliers d’Argouges, alongside Agro Invest and Normandie Participations.
Advised the ROCHE AZUR Group on the acquisition of SERDENET.
Advised the historic shareholders of the Adfinitas Group on the MBI supported by Trajan Capital and Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity.
Advised the sellers of Securiview on the company’s sale to the Linkbynet Group.
Advised the UNIFER Group on the acquisition of the F2H Group, specialised in rail safety and training.
Advised iRaiser on its €2.5M Series A fundraising with Generis Capital and Impact Partners / Oltre Venture to accelerate its European expansion.
Advised Salvum on a €1.9M financing round led by Bpifrance Financement, Banque des Territoires, Matmut Innovation, Renault Mobilize and Allianz InnovAllianz.
Advised The Treep on its €1.6M fundraising with IMA Participations and Banque des Territoires, dedicated to responsible business mobility.
Advised Visiperf on its €2.3M financing round to support its multilocal growth and European development.
Advised the founders of Securiview on a fundraising round with Impact Partners to support their expansion in cybersecurity.
Advised the buyer on the acquisition of Alpes DEIS, a company specialised in industrial engineering and construction.
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