Paris

Cohen & Gresser is pleased to announce that it advised its client, Lupa Systems, on its exit from French digital media firm Brut, in connection with the acquisition of Brut’s entire share capital by CMA-Media (a subsidiary of CMA-CGM). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Lupa Systems, the private investment firm founded by James Murdoch, became a shareholder in Brut in 2021 through a $75 million (€63 million) Series C funding round. The round also included Artemis (the investment vehicle of François-Henri Pinault), Orange Ventures, and Tikehau Capital, alongside existing investors such as Alfred Vericel (co-founder of venture capital firm Red River West).

Cohen & Gresser advised its client Lupa Systems with a cross-border team comprising partners Daniel H. Mathias and France Portmann Loy, and associate Eleonore Messina. Brut was advised by Hogan Lovells (Paris) and CMA-Media was advised by Willkie Farr Gallagher LLP (Paris).

This partnership, “based on a shared vision of rights management: independent, expert, and resolutely focused on the needs of our partners and clients”, represents “the merger of two highly complementary players in the French music publishing industry”, said Emmanuel Delétang of 22D Music Group.

22D Music Group, founded in Paris in 2006, manages the catalogues of leading audiovisual producers (France Télévisions, RTVE, UGC, Banijay, etc.) and represents acclaimed composers and artists. The company also provides music services for films and series and has become a major reference in international music rights management.

Established in 2011, Velvetica Music is an independent publisher and administrator active in both audiovisual and pop music. It works with Gaumont, Pathé, and the band Phoenix, while also fostering the development of new generations of artists.

Cohen & Gresser AARPI advised 22D Music Group with a team led by partner France Portmann Loy, with associates Pauline Thuet and Eleonore Messina. The firm Cazals Manzo Pichot Saint Quentin (Thomas Cazals, partner) advised on the tax aspects of the transaction.

In a profile on Law360, Vincent was recognized for his courtroom skill and high-profile work, including representing former French President Nicolas Sarkozy—who chose him after watching his performance in a related bribery case. At 31, he was the youngest lawyer in the courtroom.

Vincent also highlighted a major victory blocking the enforcement of over $117 million in Russian criminal forfeitures in France, relying on novel arguments under Russian law.

Looking ahead to the future of his practice, he noted that as U.S. FCPA enforcement narrows, French prosecutors may play a larger role in global anti-bribery efforts.

“When you’re in the white collar space, you arrive at the most difficult period of someone’s life. They open their lives to you. They share their secrets. And you have to deserve that trust and do the best you can do,” he said.

“You can make a difference in someone’s case and someone’s life,” he added. “That’s why I do this job. And this is what motivates me.”

Vincent’s full profile is available on Law360.

This year’s list of Rising Stars features 153 honorees whose remarkable legal achievements far exceed their years. They were selected from over 1,100 submissions, with around five lawyers recognized in each of 34 practice areas.  

• Daniel H. Mathias | London – Private Equity, M&A
• Vincent Desry | Paris – White Collar, Cross-Border, Litigation
• Sri Kuehnlenz | New York – Litigation, White Collar
• Marvin J. Lowenthal | New York – White Collar, Litigation, Privacy
• Christine M. Jordan | New York – Litigation

This prestigious list honors lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill in complex and high-stakes matters, earned the respect of clients and peers, and are poised to shape the future of the legal profession. Honorees were selected through a combination of independent journalistic research, submissions, and peer nominations.

These recognitions reflect Cohen & Gresser’s deep bench of talent and the strength of our cross-border capabilities, with honorees advising on sophisticated matters across the U.S., UK, Europe, and beyond.

The publication highlights top practitioners worldwide for their exceptional work representing companies, corporate officers, and individuals in white-collar criminal litigation arising from business activities.

Muriel brings deep experience to high-stakes regulatory and enforcement matters, regularly advising clients in complex cross-border investigations involving financial misconduct, compliance breaches, and sanctions. Her practice includes proceedings before key French authorities—including the financial markets regulator (AMF), the banking regulator (ACPR), the national financial prosecutor’s office (PNF), and the anti-fraud office (ONAF)—as well as international bodies such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) identifies leading lawyers in over 80 areas of law across more than 150 jurisdictions, based on independent research and feedback from corporate counsel, private practitioners, and other market sources.

This development marks an important step in INTACT’s industrial project, which is expanding its financing structure to include several new banking partners. The total investment amounts to €70 million, bringing the total financing raised by INTACT since its creation in March 2022 to €125 million.

With this funding, INTACT aims to become a key player in France’s transition to sustainable production of ingredients for the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. By combining innovation and environmental responsibility, INTACT seeks to offer healthier, more planet-friendly solutions, contributing to the fight against global warming, the protection of biodiversity, and European food sovereignty.

INTACT, awarded the “France 2030” prize in 2023, is an industrial and technological company founded in 2022. It has developed a unique technology that transforms protein-rich leguminous, ecological plants into ingredients for the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries

Cohen & Gresser advised INTACT on corporate matters with a team comprising France Portmann Loy (Partner), Pauline Thuet, and Eléonore Messina (Associates) from the firm’s Paris Office.

About Cohen & Gresser

Cohen & Gresser is an international law firm with an outstanding record of success in high-stakes and high-profile litigation, investigations, and transactional work for our clients, including major financial institutions and companies around the world.

The Paris office handles all matters relating to Mergers & Acquisitions & Private Equity, Capital and Financial Markets, Regulatory Compliance, Labor Law, Business Criminal Law, and Tax Law.

For further information, visit www.cohengresser.com, or contact the office directly at parisassistant@cohengresser.com or +33 1 53 53 45 00.

Press

Cohen & Gresser (AARPI) accompagne INTACT à l’occasion de son investissement dans Intact Invest, sa filiale immobilière, en partenariat avec la Banque des Territoires pour un montant cumulé de 70 M € , Le Monde du Droit. 

Intact s'apprête à défier le soja avec ses protéines végétales, Les Echos

Paris Managing Partner Muriel Goldberg-Darmon has been named to the Hall of Fame for Stock Market Litigation, a distinction awarded to those at the pinnacle of the profession—widely respected by peers and clients for their extensive experience and impact on market-leading cases. This recognition highlights her exceptional expertise handling litigation involving publicly listed companies, as well as AMF investigations and sanction proceedings. She is also recognized as a Recommended Lawyer for White-Collar Crime.

Partner Franck Le Mentec is once again recognized as a Leading Partner in Transfer Pricing and International Tax. This ranking highlights his role as a top practitioner in the field, leading high-profile transactions and earning the trust and endorsement of both clients and peers.

The 2025 guide also recognizes Partner Angéline Duffour as a Recommended Lawyer for Employment, highlighting her expertise in navigating complex and strategic matters. Partner Vincent Desry is named a Recommended Lawyer for White-Collar Crime, reflecting his strong reputation in this area. Additionally, Counsels Guillaume Guérin and Pierre Wolman are recognized as Recommended Lawyers for Stock Market Litigation, highlighting their expertise in handling litigation involving publicly listed companies, as well as AMF investigations and sanction proceedings.

Established in 2014, Cohen & Gresser’s Paris office provides comprehensive legal services on corporate, employment, tax, financial services, white-collar defense, and litigation-related matters. Our Paris lawyers work closely with the lawyers in our U.S. and UK offices on cross-border transactions, investigations, and litigation, providing superior service to our French and international clients.

The Legal 500 EMEA guide provides annual researched coverage of over 80 countries and over 2,700 law firms. The research involves a detailed assessment of various factors, including work conducted by law firms over the past 12 months and historically, experience and depth of teams, and client feedback.

Muriel Goldberg-Darmon, a Partner of Cohen & Gresser since 2016 and a recognized expert in financial markets and services, brings a strategic vision that aligns with the firm’s long-term ambitions. Her appointment underscores the firm’s commitment to strengthening its position as an international law firm.

Beyond the deep expertise of its teams in each office, the firm is particularly renowned for its skill in handling high-stakes cases, including litigation, criminal defense, and corporate matters.

“I am honored to lead Cohen & Gresser’s Paris office. My goal is to continue to strengthen our position in France and internationally by reinforcing our teams and working closely with our offices in New York, Washington, D.C., and London. We are committed to providing effective and strategic legal solutions to meet the challenges faced by our French and international clients.”

Lawrence T. Gresser, Global Managing Partner of Cohen & Gresser, adds: “Muriel’s strategic vision, her understanding of the market, and her commitment to clients make her an ideal choice to lead our Paris office.”

About Muriel Goldberg-Darmon

Muriel Goldberg-Darmon, Managing Partner of Cohen & Gresser’s Paris office, specializes in financial markets and services. She is involved in listed and unlisted M&A transactions as well as aspects of corporate governance, activism, and financial communication.

She also represents clients in the context of investigation, control, and sanction procedures with the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) as well as international cooperation procedures with other regulatory authorities (FCA, SEC, etc.). She also assists her clients in criminal proceedings, particularly before the Parquet national financier (PNF) and the Office national anti-fraude (ONAF).

Muriel has been recognized by Legal 500, Best Lawyers in France, and Lexology (formerly Who’s Who Legal). Before joining Cohen & Gresser in 2016, Muriel was a partner at Dentons and DLA Piper. She holds a Ph.D. and two master’s degrees from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas, and also teaches at HEC Paris. She also serves as the French Chapter Leader of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association and as Vice Co-Chair for Europe and Latin America.

About Cohen & Gresser

Founded in 2002, Cohen & Gresser is an international law firm with offices in New York, Paris, Washington, D.C., and London. We have an outstanding record of success in high-stakes and high-profile litigation, investigations, and transactions for our clients, including major financial institutions and companies across the world. The firm has approximately 80 lawyers.

The Paris office advises a broad French and international clientele on corporate M&A, financial market law, regulatory compliance, labor law, tax law, civil, commercial and criminal litigation, including white collar defense.

Press contacts

Amélie Lerosier – amelie@blue-wall.com – (33) 6 63 58 34 62

Press coverage

European Partner Hires and Leadership Shifts, Law360, March 20, 2025.

"We are proud to congratulate Sri, Drew, Christine, and Saruji on their well-earned promotions," said Lawrence T. Gresser, the firm’s global managing partner. “They are superb lawyers and wonderful people. We are lucky to have them, and we are excited to see their continued success at Cohen & Gresser.”

Sri Kuehnlenz – Partner, New York

Sri Kuehnlenz is a member of the firm’s Litigation & Arbitration and White Collar Defense & Regulation groups. She represents companies and individuals in complex matters involving contract disputes, securities laws, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, consumer protection laws, and executive employment issues, with a focus on complex financial and accounting cases. Her notable work includes representing the defendant in a high-profile five-week criminal jury trial in the cryptocurrency sector, defending a major credit card corporation against a deceptive practices claim, defending an asset management firm against contract, tort, and statutory claims arising from a complex financial arrangement, and handling a pivotal breach of contract appeal for a hedge fund. Sri also advises clients on pre-litigation strategy and employment negotiations. Recognized as a Rising Star by Law360 in 2024 and by Super Lawyers since 2019, Sri is a trusted advocate in high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters.

Drew S. Dean – Counsel, New York

Drew S. Dean is a trusted advocate in high-stakes commercial litigation and white-collar defense matters, representing clients in sensitive and often multi-jurisdictional disputes. In addition to his litigation practice, Drew advises clients on domestic and international strategic investments, mergers and acquisitions, and a wide range of corporate transactions. His exceptional legal work and dedication to client service have earned him recognition as a Super Lawyers Rising Star every year since 2020.

Christine M. Jordan – Counsel, New York

Christine M. Jordan has extensive experience representing corporations, financial institutions, and individuals in high-stakes litigation before federal and state courts, as well as in arbitral tribunals. Christine’s practice spans a wide range of complex disputes, including those involving mergers and acquisitions, securities, contracts, real estate, and bankruptcy. Christine has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for general litigation every year since 2022.

Saruji Sambukumaran – Counsel, Paris

Saruji Sambukumaran focuses on all aspects of French employment law (legal counseling and assistance in transactional and litigation matters) including individual and collective relations. With a deep understanding of the complexities of French labor regulations and workplace dynamics, she advises both domestic and international clients on a wide range of employment matters, notably compliance, workforce management, reorganization and redundancy matters, trade union and representative body relations, and dispute resolution.

Key impacts of the investment include:

• 4 biomethane plants already under construction, set to power approximately 45,000 households—the environmental equivalent of planting 700,000 trees
• 15 plants by 2026, with an expected €150 million in total investments, driving local economies with sustainable, low-carbon solutions

Eiffel Investment Group is a Paris-based asset management firm focused on financing and supporting sustainable growth across various sectors, particularly in renewable energy, innovation, and socially responsible projects.

The Cohen & Gresser team advising Eiffel Investment Group was comprised of partner Franck Le Mentec and associate Justine Pichereau.