Solène Galea

Solène focuses her practice on restructuring and insolvency/bankruptcy law, working alongside Mohamed Bouzenada.

She advises French and international companies of all types and sizes, both in the context of pre-insolvency restructuring proceedings (ad hoc mandate, conciliation) and formal insolvency/bankruptcy proceedings (safeguard, judicial reorganization, and judicial liquidation). She also assists potential buyers in court-approved acquisitions of assets from distressed companies (due diligence on the target, preparation of both initial and improved acquisition offers, etc.)

Solène has gained experience working on numerous restructuring matters in both the industrial and technology sectors. She has also advised several major Lyon-based groups operating in the traditional and casual dining industry.

Solène further represents corporate officers and company directors in disputes with court-appointed agents (sanction proceedings brought by judicial liquidators, challenges to decisions issued by bankruptcy judges, etc.)

Finally, she also handles business litigation, assisting companies in disputes involving debt collection, contractual liability, and shareholder disputes, among others.

Representative Matters

• Advised a leading French companies operating in the waste treatment and recovery industry in connection with the court-ordered acquisition of one of its subcontractors in receivership: analysis of the legal and financial situation of the distressed company to identify the risks and opportunities associated with the transaction (additional cost factors, site pollution, etc.), drafting and structuring of the acquisition offer, coordination with court-appointed officers (judicial administrator, creditors’ representative, bankruptcy judge), and oral argument in court in support of the offer
• Advised a biotech company specialized in the research and development of artificial heart valve systems in addressing cash flow difficulties through an out-of-court restructuring procedure: restructuring of financial debt and negotiations with other creditors to create favorable conditions for a €1 million refinancing by the majority shareholder, and drafting of a banking agreement
• Advised an industrial group specialized in electronics in the out-of-court restructuring of its French subsidiaries: analysis of the legal, economic, and financial situation to identify possible preventive options, assistance in conciliation proceedings, participation in negotiations with bondholders and banking creditors, drafting and securing agreements providing for a partial debt write-off and rescheduling of loans
• Advised a legal professional facing difficulties within his business due to a major dispute with his partner: preparation of the safeguard proceedings and drafting of the required filings, negotiation of the partner’s exit, and adoption of a safeguard plan providing for the restructuring of debt over an eight-year period
• Represented a company director in connection with a judgment imposing personal bankruptcy measures against him: assistance throughout the appellate proceedings, including preparation and filing of procedural documents and appellate briefs

Background

• Bunch, Restructuring Department, Associate, 2025
• Cabinet Lacoste-Chebroux, Restructuring / Business Litigation Department, Associate, 2021-2025
• AJ Meynet & Associes, PPI Internship, September 2020-February 2021

Credentials

• Lecturer in Corporate Law, University Jean Moulin Lyon III

Education

• French Bar Exam (CAPA), 2021
• Postgraduate Master’s Degree in Advanced Business Law, University Jean Moulin Lyon III, 2019
• Master’s Degree in Business and Tax Law, University Jean Moulin Lyon III, 2018

Languages

• French
• English