Yards appoints two new counsels

Yards announces the appointment of Julien Brouwer (M&A – Private Equity) and Lucas Aubry (employment law) as counsels.

These strategic appointments reflect the firm’s continued growth and the partners’ desire to develop its talents and support them in their career development.

Julien Brouwer (36), who was appointed counsel on 1 January 2022, has ten years’ experience in private equity and M&A.

He advises clients of Yards, entrepreneurs, SMEs, (technology) companies with high growth potential and investors in the context of their LBO transactions, development capital, venture capital and management package negotiations. He recently acted for :

– NextStage AM in connection with its acquisition of a majority stake in Wolf Lingerie;

– Weinberg Capital Partners in its acquisition of a minority stake in the Eco Valorisation group;

– Flowdesk in its fundraising with Eurazéo and Aglaé Ventures;

– XAnge in the context of the fundraising of Qubit Pharmaceuticals.

He has also developed a particular expertise in complex domestic and cross-border corporate M&A transactions (divestitures and acquisitions, restructurings…).

Before joining Yards in 2016, Julien Brouwer worked for two years at HEPTA, a law firm based in Lille. Julien holds a Master 2 in Business Tax Law (Lille 2 University), and a Master of Laws (LL.M) Law and Tax Management (EDHEC Business School). He has been a member of the Paris Bar since 2013.

Lucas Aubry (34), advises and litigates in all matters relating to employment law.

He advises French and international companies (groups, SMEs and very small businesses) on all aspects of company life (drafting employment contracts, collective agreements, negotiations with union representatives, information and consultation of the CSE, pre-litigation phase, etc.).

In the event of a change in the organisation of a company or a restructuring, he defines the most appropriate tool (reflection and project implementation phase).

Lucas also represents the firm’s clients in litigation before the courts (industrial tribunal, court of appeal, judicial tribunal, etc.).

He joined the firm in 2016, when he was sworn in. Lucas holds a Master 2 in labour law (University of Reims) and a Master 1 in private law (University of Strasbourg).

Christine Hillig-Poudevigne (partner in employment law) and Jean-Philippe Jacob (partner in M&A-Private Equity), comment: “The appointment of Julien and Lucas is the natural consequence of their perfect integration into our firm. We appreciate their open-mindedness and pragmatism, which are essential qualities in this demanding profession. These promotions reflect their maturity in their expertise and their constant involvement with our clients. These are major assets in the success of Yards!

The firm has 55 lawyers, including 13 partners and 5 counsels.