Jean-Pierre Farges

Partner

Jean-Pierre Farges is a partner in the Paris office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, the global co-chair of the firm’s Business Restructuring & Reorganization Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group.

Litigation

Jean-Pierre heads the Litigation practice in Paris, where he specializes in complex M&A litigation, arbitration, industrial risk, construction, international trade, insurance, reinsurance, equity capital insolvency dispute matters and public and administrative law disputes and regulatory issues. He has been involved in a number of major disputes before state courts and arbitral tribunals, acting for banks, funds companies and listed industrial companies.

Chambers Global recommends Jean-Pierre in its Dispute Resolution, Litigation category and clients report: “Jean-Pierre is a strategist and technical lawyer who is aware of the most recent developments in law and practice. His commercial sense allows him to come up with litigation strategy in the best interest of his clients, beyond the sole legal aspects of the case.“ In previous editions, sources noticed he is “really sharp” and “thinking outside the box”, he is “very respected in the courtroom,” has “a strong presence in court” and “fights very hard and defends the case well.” He also advises on disputes in the banking, construction and insurance sectors. The directory also described him as, “an expert litigator in the context of financial restructurings; [he] is widely respected in the French market. Sources praise his corporate knowledge and litigation capabilities.”

Legal 500 EMEA also recommends Jean-Pierre in its Dispute resolution – commercial litigation category, highlighting he is “very intelligent, very committed and endowed with high moral values, reliability and willingness to win loyally. Tenacious.” Previous editions stated that he is “highly experienced and provide[s] strategic and spot-on advice,” and has “great creativity in approaching issues and resolving disputes.” The directory also refers to him as the “practice head,” a “rainmaker,” an “excellent litigator,” “very commercial and client-oriented” and “an absolute star.”

Benchmark Litigation has consistently named him a Dispute Resolution Star along with Best Lawyers in France who has hailed him for Arbitration, Litigation and Mediation over the years.

Restructuring

Jean-Pierre heads the Business Restructuring & Reorganization practice in Paris, where he regularly helps companies through difficult times. He advises company shareholders with prevention proceedings, and acts for lenders of all types, including credit institutions such as debt funds. In recent years, he has developed a specific expertise in the restructuring of companies in structured financing deals and has implemented pioneering solutions for them, such as “fiducie” or golden shares. He also works on aspects of restructuring litigation, both during and after the restructuring, and more generally on all types of commercial litigation.

Chambers Europe rank Jean-Pierre Band One as a “Star Individual” in the Restructuring/Insolvency category, where clients praise: “Jean-Pierre is one of the best lawyers in the market. His public speaking talents and his tactical vision of the matter have no equivalent on the market,” “he is at the highest level in France”, “he is by far the most technical insolvency law expert in my mind. He is very strategic.” Previous editions mentioned that he displays “diverse skills on various complex matters.” Market sources praise him as “smart, technical and creative in the solutions he proposes.” Previous editions alluded to him as “one of the leaders” in the French market, explaining: “he has great technical knowledge and a very creative approach. He is always looking for solutions and ways to move matters forward.” Clients describe him as “excellent from a technical point of view,” adding, “he is a good fighter in court, brave and independent. He defends his clients in every circumstance. He is very honest and has a great sense of humor.” Another source appreciates that “he has a clear vision and knows how to put forward tailored solutions.”

Furthermore, Legal 500 EMEA ranks him in the tier one category and distinguished him to its Hall of Fame. He previously was consistently recommended as a Leading Individual for insolvency, as part of a “superstar team,” “highly experienced and provide[s] strategic and spot-on advice.” Previous editions praised him for being “highly regarded in the market”; “an excellent lawyer with broad connections”; “a great lawyer”; a “real strategist”; “aggressive with exceptional insight, and a pleasure to work with.” He had also previously been referred to as “remarkably intelligent and very smart.”

Best Lawyers in France also consistently recommends him for Banking and Finance Law, Insolvency and Reorganization Law while IFLR 1000 has distinguished his as a Market Leader for France since 2021.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn in 2017, Jean-Pierre worked at Ashurst, creating a dispute resolution practice in Paris in 2001. He was promoted to partner in 2004, where he also founded the restructuring practice.

A member of the Paris Bar since 1995, Jean-Pierre graduated in 1994 from the University of Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) with a PhD in private international law and arbitration; with a Magistère (postgraduate degree) in private and public economic law; and with a DESS (postgraduate degree) in corporate and tax law. He was a winner of the Mooting Competition for Lawyers of the French Supreme Administrative Court and Supreme Appeals Court–Secrétaire de la conférence des avocats à la Cour de Cassation et au Conseil d'Etat.

He speaks French and English fluently.

Capabilities

Credentials

Education:
  • Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne - 1994 Doctorat
  • Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne - 1992 Maîtrise
  • Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne - 1992 Magistère
  • Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne - 1992 DESS
Admissions:
  • France - Avocat au Barreau de Paris