Commercial & Civil litigation
Soffer Avocats specializes in commercial litigation both in France and abroad and intervenes for example in the context of shareholder disputes and equity disputes, commercial and competition law, as well as in banking, finance and stock market disputes.
The firm also handles civil litigation (including contract law, family law and in particular divorce and inheritance matters).
It is recognized for its expertise in multi-jurisdictional disputes, which systematically involve foreign elements, such as: the location of the industrial claim, the location of the defective products, the location of the claim itself, the location of the conclusion, the execution or the termination of commercial contracts, or the geographical extent of the unfair commercial practices or economic parasitism.
Criminal Law and Business Criminal Law
Soffer Avocats handles domestic criminal law matters (for example fraud, insider trading, misuse of corporate assets, concealment, money laundering), but also criminal proceedings and investigations abroad, such as in Hong Kong, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New York, Singapore and Switzerland.
The contribution and expertise of Jacques Fourvel, former prosecutor of the financial department of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office are valuable assets to the firm.
Public international law and fundamental rights
Soffer Avocats advises companies in sensitive legal proceedings, for example those concerning complicity in international crimes (crimes against humanity, war crimes).
Several applications were filed before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for legal issues of major importance, such as the compatibility of criminal regulations with Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights (“No punishment without law” principle).
Ron Soffer has worked with the Attorney General of the State of Israel and the judge advocate of the Army on numerous cases brought before the Supreme Court of Israel on major questions of constitutional law, administrative law, and public international law.
Ron Soffer is on the list of counsel authorized to appear before the International Criminal Court.
Intellectual Property Law
The firm represents clients in intellectual property claims and patent infringement disputes, before courts or administrative authorities, such as the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI) and the European Patent Office. It has also participated in proceedings before the American Patent Office (USPTO) in the context of Inter Pares Review (IPR).
Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (Arbitration and Mediation)
Soffer Avocats handles disputes following alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (mediation and arbitration).
The firm includes French, English, Hungarian, and Hebrew speakers with experience in proceedings subject to the regulations of international institutions such as the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), the AAA (the American Arbitration Association) or the LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration).
The firm also advises on post-arbitration disputes, for example in the context of enforcement or annulment proceedings in France of arbitration awards.
Compliance
Soffer Avocats closely follows litigation regarding Corporate Social Responsibility and associated regulations, including : Environmental, Social and Governance (E.S.G), extra-financial performance, green taxonomy, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD directive), the French Sapin II law on the prevention and fight against corruption, the duty of vigilance, forced labor, deforestation and complicity in crimes against humanity.
Art Law
Soffer Avocats has built a solid reputation for its involvement in major Art law disputes at an international level, particularly in litigation concerning the authenticity of artworks, or concerning the sale of artworks. It also handles sensitive restitution cases, often gathering media attention.
The firm can assist in the verification of provenance and authenticity of art collections.
Agnes Peresztegi, Of Counsel, is recognized worldwide for her expertise in the field of restitution of art stolen during World War II.
The firm regularly intervenes before the Commission pour l'indemnisation des victimes de spoliations (CIVS), which is dedicated to the compensation of victims of anti-Semitic legislation in force during the Nazi occupation of France. It also intervenes before the German equivalent, (Beratende Kommission im Zusammenhang mit der Rückgabe NS-verfolgungsbedingt entzogenen Kulturguts, insbesondere aus jüdischem Besitz).