Caroline Stephane-Wach

Lawyer at the Lyon Bar

ADVISE YOU WITH PROXIMITY, STRICTNESS AND ADDED VALUE

Presentation

Background
With 20 years of experience acquired in well-known business law firms, I have been working since 2016 as an independent legal counsel for French and foreign companies of various sectors and sizes (start-ups, SMEs, groups of companies, investment funds) on all matters relating to company and business law.

My value proposition: advising, with pedagogy and pragmatism, in a reactive but rigorous way within the framework of a transversal approach, in perfect coordination with the skills necessary for the success of a project, thanks to a network of experts sharing, in their practices, the same human, ethical and professional values.

Languages spoken: French and English.

Career
I hold a double post-graduate diploma (DJCE and DESS) in business law (certificate in “company law”), and the Professional Lawyer’s Certificate (CAPA) obtained in 1996. Before setting up my firm, I have practiced in the following firms:
  • Landwell & Associés, as “Manager” of the Business Law Department (1997/2004)
  • Lamy Lexel, as Senior Associate of the Business Law Department (2005/2007)
  • Delsol Avocats, as Of Counsel of the Corporate Law / Mergers & Acquisitions Department (2008/2014)
  • Buffaud – Stephane avocats, as Partner (2014/2016)
I actively participated in the work initiated in 2017 by the Lyon Bar about gender equality, as well as in the work of the “innovation committee” and the incubator of the Lyon Bar.

I teach for a long time at EDARA (Law School) and Emlyon Business School in the “company law” module (“Grande Ecole” Program). I also support students of the Specialized Master named “Jurist International Manager” in the preparation of their theses and their work within the Law Clinic for the benefit of start-ups.

Areas of expertise

Sale/purchase of companies

  • Pre-agreements (NDA, letter of intent, ...)
  • Legal due diligence (acquisition / VDD)
  • Final agreements (share / business purchase agreements) and associated deeds (asset and liability guarantee, pledge of securities, etc.)
  • Legal support in the event of bank financing

Restructuring / operations on equity

  • Partial transfer of business / merger / demerger (preliminary due diligences, structuring of operations and drafting of legal documentation)
  • Share capital increase / reduction
  • Issue of special securities (preferred shares, share purchase warrant, bonds, etc.)

Setting up of companies in partnership / Fundraising

  • Structuring of the partnership project
  • Customized drafting of articles of association and shareholders' agreement
  • Legal support for fundraising

Business contracts

  • GTC of sales or purchase / services provider
  • Manufacturing / supply contracts
  • Commercial agency / distribution contracts
  • Partnership / development / service contracts, etc ...

Leases

  • Commercial leases / off-plan Lease
  • Short-term leases
  • Precarious occupation agreement / Provision of premises agreement

Amicable settlements of conflicts between partners or in business matters

  • Negotiation & drafting of settlement agreements
  • Support in mediation process

Fees

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Fees are set according to the nature, the complexity, and the specificities of the assignment, including its urgency and the challenges. The flexibility and the adaptability of the support method, including in its financial aspect, are among the deep motivations that have contributed to the choice of an independent professional exercise.
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The question of fees is addressed from the first interview. A written fee agreement is necessarily established in accordance with the legal, ethical and statutory rules of the law profession. The services can only start after signature of the fee agreement and communication of the documents and information requested.
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Depending on the nature of the assignment, the fees are fixed as a lump sum, possibly based on an adjustable estimate (according to the terms specified in the fee agreement) or on the time spent according to the agreed hourly rate and the amount of which (excluding taxes) can vary between EUR 200 and 300. A success fee can be agreed in addition.

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The cost of the first consultation depends on its duration and complexity.
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The client’s legal protection insurance can, in certain cases, be activated and may allow partial or total coverage of the fees.

Address

54 Cours Lafayette
69003 LYON

Phone

Direct line : +33 4 81 07 26 47
Mobile phone : +33 7 85 12 83 75

Toque

1496

Email

cstephane@csw-avocat.com