Édouar Renaut

Édouard focuses his practice on corporate law, advising French and international companies across a wide range of industries.

He assists clients in managing their legal and strategic transactions, covering the full spectrum of corporate matters: incorporation and structuring of entities, design and implementation of governance arrangements, equity transactions (capital increases and reductions), mergers, disposals, and reorganizations.

Drawing on his experience, he provides tailored advice that takes into account industry characteristics and company size, with a focus on securing decisions and optimizing their operational impact.

Representative Matters

Corporate

• Provided comprehensive assistance to companies in both day-to-day and strategic corporate matters
• Structured a family-owned group in anticipation of the intra-family transfer of the operating company through a Family Buy-Out (FBO): creation of holding companies, implementation of a so-called Dutreil Pact intended to reduce gift and inheritance taxes, and design of an intergenerational governance model
• Advised a founding shareholder in the sale of his company to a listed group, from data room preparation through to finalization of the transactional documentation
• Assisted an international company operating in the healthcare industry in connection with the acquisition of a French SMB, including coordination of legal due diligence and drafting of the transactional documentation

Private Equity

• Advised private equity players – including investment funds, management companies, and target businesses – at every stage of their transactions. Tailored support includes structuring investment vehicles, conducting legal due diligence, negotiating and drafting shareholders’ agreements, assisting with fundraising and equity investments, and planning and implementing exit strategies
• Assisted target companies in buyouts by investment funds in high-stakes industries such as defense and aerospace, advanced technologies, and the medical and pharmaceutical sectors
• Advised a technology start-up in a Series A fundraising with venture capital funds, including negotiation of the shareholders’ agreement, structuring and implementation of complex financial instruments

Corporate Governance  

• Assisted companies on the implementation and optimization of their governance systems to strengthen both the effective and legally secure operation of their management bodies, including drafting governance charters and shareholders’ agreements, structuring shareholder relations, and implementing mechanisms to prevent conflicts of interest and to proactively anticipate governance-related risks
• Assisted a B2B service company in implementing enhanced governance: drafted a governance charter for corporate bodies, ensured compliance with best compliance practices, and organized relations among family shareholders

Background

• Bunch, Corporate / M&A / Private Equity Department, Associate, 2025
• H8 Conseil, Corporate / M&A / Private Equity Department, Associate, 2023-2025
• Ydès, Corporate / M&A / Private Equity Department, Associate, 2023

Credentials

• Lecturer in corporate law, Institut Gaïus, Lyon

Professional Associations

• French Association of Business Lawyers (Avocats Conseils d’Entreprises (ACE))
• Economy & Business Committee of the Lyon Bar
• Sports & Sports Law Committee of the Lyon Bar

Education

• French Bar Exam (CAPA), 2022
• Postgraduate Master’s Degree in Advanced Business Law, University Jean Moulin Lyon III, 2019
• Master’s Degree in Business Law, University Jean-Moulin Lyon II, 2018

Languages

• French
• English