Five-Lawyer Latham Team Decamps to August Debouzy in Paris

Why It Matters

The addition strengthens August Debouzy’s competitive‑law offering at a time when EU merger‑control and foreign‑investment scrutiny are intensifying, and signals continued talent migration toward boutique firms in Paris.

Key Takeaways

• Five lawyers join August Debouzy, forming new competition group.
• Leader Mathilde Saltiel previously chaired Latham Paris litigation.
• Team adds merger‑control, cartel, and foreign‑investment expertise.
• Move reflects rising demand for EU competition counsel.
• Paris legal market sees heightened lateral hiring activity.

Pulse Analysis

European competition law is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by tighter merger‑control thresholds, the rise of economic‑sovereignty tools, and more aggressive foreign‑investment screening. Companies operating across the EU now require counsel that can anticipate regulatory shifts and navigate cross‑border investigations. This environment has elevated the strategic value of lawyers who combine deep substantive knowledge with institutional insight, creating a premium market for specialized competition teams.

August Debouzy’s recruitment of Mathilde Saltiel and her four colleagues directly addresses that premium. Saltiel’s track record—advising on multi‑billion‑dollar acquisitions and defending major corporations against dawn raids—provides the firm with a robust litigation and advisory platform. Complemented by experts in public‑law, state aid and digital competition, the new group offers a one‑stop shop for clients facing complex EU antitrust challenges, positioning August Debouzy as a formidable challenger to the traditional Big‑Law dominance in France.

The move also reflects a broader trend of lateral hiring in the Paris market, where boutique firms are aggressively poaching talent from global firms to build niche practices. Such talent shifts can accelerate service diversification, improve client pricing, and foster innovative approaches to regulatory risk. For clients, the emergence of a strong, independent competition practice means greater choice, potentially more tailored advice, and a deeper understanding of the evolving European regulatory landscape.