Ropes & Gray said it has strengthened its European private funds and tax platform with the addition of Paris partners Édouard Chapellier and Jonathan Abensour, who joined, along with a team of eight associates.
The firm said Chapellier is recognized in France for advising corporates, private equity firms, and investment banks on domestic and international tax matters, as well as fund formation work including secondaries, continuation funds and GP stakes, and for structuring cross border corporate, banking, and capital markets transactions across areas such as leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, and infrastructure and real estate acquisitions.
Abensour brings experience advising on tax aspects of M&A and private equity transactions, including structuring, as well as the full spectrum of fund formation matters for private equity and other fund clients. Ropes & Gray positioned the hires as expanding its ability to support clients across fundraising, transactional execution, and complex tax planning in France and across Europe.
The firm opened its Paris office in March 2025. With the arrivals of Chapellier, Abensour, and their team, Ropes & Gray said the office now has 23 lawyers, including five partners. The firm also pointed to other recent European partner additions, including Paul Dali in London and Alessandro Capogrosso in Milan, as it continues to scale its cross border capabilities in response to client demand.
KEY QUOTES
“Our clients count on us to deliver innovative solutions in the markets that matter most to them, and the arrival of Edouard and Jonathan adds exceptional strength and breadth to our fund formation and tax capabilities in the French market and in cross-border transactions in Europe and beyond,” said Julie Jones, Chair of Ropes & Gray. “Their combined experience, commercial orientation, and technical excellence will further enhance our ability to help clients take advantage of opportunities throughout the private capital lifecycle.”
Julie Jones, Chair, Ropes & Gray
“We are delighted to welcome Edouard and Jonathan, who are exceptionally well regarded in the French market for their expertise in private funds and tax work,” said Fabrice Cohen, Paris managing partner and co-head of the European Private Equity Transactions practice, at Ropes & Gray. “Their appointments mark a significant step forward for our Paris office, adding further depth to our European private capital and strategic M&A practices, and reinforcing our ability to serve clients on their most complex matters.”
Fabrice Cohen, Paris Managing Partner and Co-Head, European Private Equity Transactions, Ropes & Gray
“Edouard and Jonathan bring precisely the blend of market insight and technical excellence that our private funds clients expect,” said Peter Laybourn, co-head of the firm’s asset management practice. “Their combined strength in fund formation and complex cross border tax matters enhances our European platform and deepens our ability to guide clients through every stage of the investment lifecycle.”
Peter Laybourn, Co Head, Asset Management Practice, Ropes & Gray
“We are delighted to welcome Edouard and Jonathan to our European team,” said Tom Alabaster, partner in the asset management group and head of the firm’s funds practice in EMEA. “Their arrival marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of our private funds and tax offering across the region. Both bring an exceptional depth of experience and insight into the complexities of fund formation and cross-border tax matters, which are increasingly critical for our clients operating in today’s dynamic market. Their expertise will further strengthen our ability to deliver comprehensive, innovative solutions to asset managers and investors throughout Europe and globally, reinforcing Ropes & Gray’s position as a leading advisor in the private funds space.”
Tom Alabaster, Partner, Asset Management Group and Head of Funds Practice in EMEA, Ropes & Gray
“The addition of Edouard and Jonathan to our Paris office significantly enhances our ability to advise clients on sophisticated cross-border tax and funds matters,” said Elaine Murphy, head of the firm’s tax, employment & benefits practice. “Their deep expertise and understanding of the evolving European regulatory environment will be invaluable as we continue to help our clients navigate complex transactions and capitalise on new opportunities in the private capital space.”
Elaine Murphy, Head of Tax, Employment and Benefits Practice, Ropes & Gray
“With its industry-leading global private funds practice, Ropes & Gray is an ideal platform for us,” said Edouard Chapellier. “The evolving private capital landscape in France and Europe presents meaningful opportunities, and we look forward to collaborating with our colleagues to help our global clients successfully navigate these developments.”
Édouard Chapellier, Partner, Ropes & Gray
“I am excited to join Ropes & Gray, a firm renowned for its outstanding reputation and deep expertise in private funds,” said Jonathan Abensour. “It is clear that the firm’s collaborative culture and commitment to excellence create an environment for delivering the highest quality solutions to clients.”
Jonathan Abensour, Partner, Ropes & Gray
