Racine

The firm: Founded 40 years ago, today Racine is one of the principal independent French law firms and is capable of responding to all of a business’ needs. With 280 lawyers – including 80 partners – located throughout France in seven offices, the firm bases its practice on the complementarity of two essential values. First, outstanding technical expertise and exemplary knowledge of the law and its development. Second, a natural inclination toward innovation, the constant search for new paths and taking initiatives in ways of working that allow the firm to respond to its clients’ needs. The combination of these qualities, as well as the comprehensive and transverse practice of litigation, allow the firm to anticipate its clients’ legal issues.

Indeed, litigation has been a part of Racine’s DNA since its very foundation, and represents 50% of the firm’s activities. The firm’s internal organisation, along with its teams’ practice of working together, allow complex and cross-speciality matters to be managed in an integrated manner. The firm’s responsiveness to its clients is achieved in part through the accessibility of the firms’ partners, who are closely engaged in the matters handled by the firm.

Racine's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is deeply integrated into all aspects of its operations, spanning from sustainable practices to the well-being of its employees and contributions to society. Our ESG initiatives are structured around three main pillars: sustainable development, quality of life at work, and diversity.

1. Quality of Work Life: Racine prioritizes the well-being and professional growth of its employees. Key initiatives include:

• Workplace Well-Being Barometer: Introduced in 2022, this survey saw 82% participation from associates, with high satisfaction rates regarding their working environment and autonomy.
• Flexibility and Teleworking: A teleworking charter and flexible hours were implemented to foster a better work-life balance.
• Partner Track: This program, launched in 2022, supports senior lawyers in their progression towards becoming partners.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Racine has a proactive gender parity strategy and emphasizes diversity across all levels. Initiatives such as a mentoring program for young female associates and the election of mixed-gender leadership ensure inclusion and equality in the workplace.

2. Sustainable Development and Environmental Initiatives: Racine takes concrete steps to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability:

• Resource Management: The firm collaborates with SHRED IT to safely recycle paper, saving 382 trees since 2018. Other efforts include reducing paper and toner usage, recycling coffee pods, and using energy-efficient practices like timers for lights.
• Sustainable Consumption and Mobility: Measures include the use of eco-friendly fridges, elimination of plastic bottles, prioritizing trains for internal travel, and a new bike garage to encourage green transportation.

3. Strategic ESG Partnerships: Racine has formed a strategic partnership with ESG Lab & Society, a major accelerator of sustainable transformation for organizations. This partnership enables Racine to deepen its expertise in ESG regulations and support corporate ESG strategies. Through this collaboration, Racine organizes workshops and meetings, aiming to embed sustainability in business models.
4. Social Responsibility and Community Engagement: Racine is deeply involved in several social causes:

• Toit à Moi: The firm supports this association by providing housing and legal expertise in social law for individuals facing extreme exclusion.
• Lire Pour en Sortir: This innovative program uses reading as a rehabilitation tool for prisoners. Racine's lawyers and employees actively participate in literacy workshops, aligning with the firm’s commitment to education and reintegration.
• Other Associations: Racine is engaged with various charities, including the Neptunes women's multisports club, Edit de Nantes Habitat Jeunes, and the Nantes University Foundation, contributing its legal expertise and supporting local communities.

Areas of practice
Mergers and acquisitions: mergers, disposals, acquisitions, equity investments, capital investments, venture capital, securities investment strategy, litigation, management packages, company law, private equity, and corporate financing, etc.

Tax: taxation of executives, patrimonial taxation, corporate taxation, real estate taxation, restructurings, assistance with tax audits and tax litigation, and cross-border funds flow management.

Banking/finance/insurance: structuring and arrangement of financial documentation, renegotiating bank debt and turnarounds, banking and finance litigation, banking and finance regulation, fund structuring.

Real estate/construction: real estate transactions, commercial leases, real estate development, construction, construction insurance, real estate asset management, urban planning, property taxation, and real estate financing.

Restructuring: financial restructurings, ad hoc mandates, conciliations, safeguard proceedings, judicial reorganisations, winding-up proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings, and advice and litigation.

Employment law: individual employment relationships, mobility and expatriation, employment law issues in company restructurings and distressed companies, preventing conflicts of interests and defending interests, relationships with social partners, conflict management, collective bargaining, and optimisation of compensation schemes, etc.

Competition/distribution: cartel and abuse of dominant position, merger control, state aid, distribution and commercial agreements and BtoC consumption.

IP/IT and data protection: IT, in all that concerns computing, Internet, telecommunications, IT systems security, digitalization, data protection, where the team advises on personal data protection and the deployment of the GDPR, IP, where the team acts for the protection and enhancement of the intangible assets of companies

Public law: projects financing, procurement contracts, concessions, public land transactions, town planning, environment and environmental taxation.

Agri-business: advice and litigation, organising the production and sale of agricultural products.