The firm was recognised for its expertise in private equity, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), venture capital, tax incentives, and digital business law, and regularly acted on domestic and cross-border transactions. As a member of the International Practice Group (IPG), the firm supports clients with international expansion and multi-jurisdictional legal matters.
In 2025, Aston Avocats became act legal France, joining the wider act legal European law firm, with offices in 20 other countries across Europe, while continuing its focus on advising businesses on strategic transactions, corporate growth, and international expansion. The firm's founder, Olivier Sanviti, continues as Managing Partner of act legal France.
Specialisms span French and international business law, with a strong emphasis on supporting growth companies, investors, entrepreneurs, and multinational businesses.
Key areas of expertise include:
- Private Equity
Advising investors, funds, founders, and management teams on investment transactions, fundraising, leveraged buyouts (LBOs), venture capital, and private equity matters. - Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Legal support for domestic and cross-border acquisitions, disposals, mergers, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, and due diligence. - Corporate & Commercial Law
Company formation, corporate governance, shareholder agreements, commercial contracts, and day-to-day legal advice for businesses. - Commercial Litigation & Business Disputes
Representation in commercial disputes, shareholder conflicts, contractual litigation, and other business-related contentious matters. - White Collar Crime & Investigations
Defence of companies and their executives in criminal and regulatory investigations, including fraud, criminal tax matters, searches and seizures, and compliance risk prevention, together with representation before national and international financial supervisory authorities. - Real Estate Law
Advice on commercial real estate transactions, property development, leasing, and real estate investment matters. - Intellectual Property (IP)
Protection and commercialisation of intellectual property rights, including trademarks, copyrights, licensing, and IP strategy. - Information Technology (IT) & Digital Law
Legal advice for technology companies covering software, digital services, e-commerce, technology contracts, and innovation-driven businesses. - Media & Communications Law
Legal support for media, communications, and digital content businesses. - Data Protection & Privacy
GDPR compliance, personal data governance, cybersecurity-related legal issues, and data protection strategies. - Tax Law & Tax Incentives
Corporate tax advice, transaction tax planning, research and innovation tax incentives, and strategic tax structuring. - Employment & Social Law
Employment contracts, executive matters, workplace restructuring, employee relations, and social security issues. - Restructuring & Insolvency
Advising businesses facing financial distress, restructurings, insolvency proceedings, and business recovery. - Corporate Risk & Insurance
Advice on business risk management, insurance-related matters, and liability issues affecting companies. - International Business Advisory
Supporting overseas companies entering the French market and French businesses expanding internationally through cross-border legal advice and the firm's international network.
Before becoming act legal France in 2025, the firm had built a strong reputation advising innovative companies, scale-ups, private equity investors, and international businesses, particularly on transactions involving private equity, M&A, technology, digital business, and cross-border expansion.
