A Founding Conviction, A Constant Commitment

Founded by Gilles August, a member of the Paris and New York Bars, and Olivier Debouzy, a former diplomat, August Debouzy was built on a shared conviction: law should be practiced differently. Inspired by the Anglo-Saxon model, the firm chose from the outset to adopt a multidisciplinary structure, internationally oriented and driven by a culture of innovation.

From an initial team of six lawyers, the firm has grown into an organization of more than 150 professionals, including business lawyers, former senior public officials, executives, and industry specialists, all united by a common ambition: making law a driver of growth and transformation for their clients.

Regularly ranked among the leading business law firms by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, August Debouzy is recognized for the quality of its legal expertise in the most sensitive and transformative matters. These national and international rankings consistently confirm the firm’s position among the leading players in the French and European legal markets.

Turning Law Into A Driver Of Action And Value Creation

August Debouzy transforms law into a force for action. Its promise is simple: to make action possible, immediately, clearly, and securely. The firm provides every client with tailored legal support designed to secure decisions, advance projects, and enable confident, forward-looking action in an environment shaped by uncertainty.

A Collaborative And Multidisciplinary Approach

August Debouzy’s approach is built on a collaborative model that mobilizes the complementary expertise required for each matter to deliver a comprehensive and coherent response.

Organized into departments covering the full spectrum of business law, the firm operates across the entire legal value chain, from transactional advisory to dispute resolution. This multidisciplinary structure ensures support tailored to each client’s business realities, regardless of the industry or issue involved.

Law As A Lever: Expertise In Service Of Decision-Making

For nearly 30 years, August Debouzy has combined legal excellence, diversity of expertise, and a strong culture of innovation. Our purpose is simple: to find practical solutions for our clients, regardless of the complexity of the challenges they face. The firm’s offering spans the full range of business law and addresses the most complex strategic issues faced by companies across all sectors.

Structuring, Financing, And Securing Transactions (Transactional)

August Debouzy supports clients in all major transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, securities law, capital markets, restructuring, financing, tax, real estate and construction, tech and digital, artificial intelligence, data protection and cybersecurity, patents, intellectual property, competition and state aid, commercial and international contracts, employment law, international trade, projects and infrastructure, public procurement, and foreign investment control.

Defending, Litigating, And Arbitrating (Dispute Resolution)

August Debouzy is recognized for its litigation expertise. The firm represents major public and private clients across all areas of dispute resolution, including commercial and corporate litigation, securities litigation, white-collar crime and investigations, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, insolvency proceedings, tax litigation, real estate and construction disputes, tech and data disputes, patent litigation, intellectual property litigation, competition law, employment disputes, administrative and public law litigation, environmental and ESG disputes, European law litigation, constitutional litigation, product liability and insurance, and class actions.

Anticipating And Managing Regulatory Frameworks (Regulatory)

In an environment characterized by rapidly evolving regulatory frameworks, August Debouzy helps clients anticipate change and secure their operations. The firm advises on European law, compliance and investigations, international sanctions and export controls, international trade, product compliance and safety, digital and technology regulation, data protection and cybersecurity, competition and state aid, environmental and planning law, ESG, securities law, public law, and digital assets.

Advising Over The Long Term (Advisory)

Beyond individual transactions, August Debouzy positions itself as a long-term legal partner to companies and their executives. The firm advises on structural issues including tech and digital, artificial intelligence, intellectual property, patents, distribution and consumer law, private client matters, insurance law, corporate governance, employment and social security law, and tax.

An International Presence: Paris, Brussels, And A Network In More Than 100 Countries

With offices in Paris and Brussels, August Debouzy is recognized among the leading law firms by the principal legal directories. The firm ensures continuity and consistency of advice at both national and global levels, coordinating the legal, economic, and regulatory aspects of each matter across all relevant jurisdictions.

Its network of partner firms in more than 100 countries enables clients to expand internationally and pursue their most ambitious projects. Selected for their excellence and leadership in their respective markets, these partners adhere to the same high standards and ensure consistency of service across jurisdictions.

International Teams, Diverse Backgrounds

August Debouzy’s teams embody the firm’s international ambition. Lawyers admitted to seven foreign bars, working in fifteen languages, and seven representatives before the European Patent Office contribute to the firm’s global reach.

The firm operates across Europe, the United States, Asia, Africa, and beyond, providing tailored advice wherever its clients need support. Its professionals combine deep local market knowledge with a global perspective on strategic challenges.

Brussels At The Heart Of European Institutions

Located at the center of the European institutional landscape, the Brussels office advises companies and executives on understanding and anticipating developments in the European regulatory framework.

Drawing on experience at the intersection of institutional, administrative, and economic spheres, the Brussels team continuously monitors regulatory developments and advises on strategic issues involving digital transformation, market regulation, sustainability, and corporate governance.

150 Committed Lawyers: Exceptional Talent Serving Our Clients

Exceptional Profiles, A Shared Culture

Business lawyers, former in-house counsel, and former senior public officials: the diversity of backgrounds across the firm strengthens our ability to advise business leaders at the most critical moments.

August Debouzy supports its clients’ growth through a team of 150 lawyers whose diversity of experience and expertise is one of the firm’s defining strengths. Our professionals come from leading French law schools, foreign bars, and public institutions, united by a shared commitment to excellence and a strategic approach to the practice of law.

Recognized By Leading Legal Rankings

August Debouzy’s lawyers are regularly recognized by the leading national and international legal rankings, including Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, Best Lawyers, and Décideurs Magazine, as leaders in their respective fields.

They also contribute to publications and research that share their insights on strategic legal issues and help illuminate developments in business law.