Romain Olivares, Avocat Associé au Barreau de Paris depuis 2015 – TGS France Avocats

In the competitive world of French corporate law, one name is increasingly making waves: Romain Olivares, a senior associate at TGS France Avocats, a Paris-based law firm specializing in complex business disputes, regulatory compliance, and cross-border transactions. With a career rooted in high-stakes litigation and strategic advisory, Olivares has emerged as a key figure in France’s legal landscape—a profession where precision, influence, and deep industry knowledge are non-negotiable.

As of 2024, Olivares holds the title of avocat associé (senior associate) at TGS France Avocats, a role that grants him significant autonomy in case strategy and client representation. His appointment reflects the firm’s growth under its founding partners, who have positioned TGS as a go-to for multinational corporations navigating France’s evolving legal and regulatory frameworks. But who is Romain Olivares, and how has his career trajectory shaped his influence in Paris’s legal circles?

This profile explores Olivares’s professional journey, his areas of expertise, and the broader implications of his work in a sector where legal acumen directly impacts economic policy, corporate governance, and even geopolitical relations. We also examine how firms like TGS France Avocats are adapting to France’s shifting legal priorities—from digital compliance to sustainability regulations—where attorneys like Olivares play a pivotal role.

From Bar Admission to Senior Associate: Romain Olivares’s Career Path

Romain Olivares’s legal career began with his admission to the Paris Bar in 2015, a milestone that granted him the right to practice law independently in France. His early years were marked by a focus on corporate litigation, a field known for its high stakes and rapid evolution. By 2018, Olivares had already distinguished himself in cases involving droit des sociétés (corporate law) and regulatory disputes, areas where his analytical rigor and negotiation skills set him apart.

His transition to avocat associé at TGS France Avocats—typically reserved for attorneys with 5–10 years of experience—highlighted his rapid ascent. The firm, which specializes in serving mid-sized to large enterprises, particularly those with international operations, has grown its client roster to include sectors such as technology, energy, and financial services. Olivares’s role aligns with TGS’s strategic focus on French commercial code compliance and cross-border mergers, where his expertise in arbitration and dispute resolution is in high demand.

While exact caseload figures are not publicly disclosed, industry observers note that Olivares has been involved in landmark matters, including a 2022 case before the French Supreme Court (Cour de Cassation) regarding shareholder disputes in a €500 million+ transaction. His ability to navigate France’s commercial arbitration framework has earned him recognition among peers.

Key Areas of Expertise: Where Olivares’s Work Matters Most

Olivares’s practice spans several high-impact domains, each reflecting the intersection of law and global business:

• Corporate Litigation and Dispute Resolution: Specializing in shareholder conflicts, breach-of-contract claims, and M&A disputes, Olivares has advised clients on cases involving corporate governance failures and fiduciary duty violations. His work in this area often intersects with France’s Sapin II anti-corruption law, which imposes stringent compliance requirements on businesses.
• Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement: With France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and the Autorité de la Concurrence increasingly scrutinizing sectors like fintech and green energy, Olivares assists clients in navigating regulatory risks. His experience includes advising on France’s Digital Republic Act, which governs data privacy and AI ethics.
• Cross-Border Transactions and Arbitration: As France’s legal system grapples with the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, Olivares has been instrumental in structuring arbitration clauses for clients in disputes spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His work in this area is particularly relevant given France’s status as a preferred arbitration hub, with Paris hosting the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

TGS France Avocats: A Firm on the Rise

TGS France Avocats, founded in 2010, has positioned itself as a niche player in France’s Legal 500-ranked law firms, catering to clients who require specialized expertise without the overhead of larger firms. The firm’s growth—reportedly doubling its headcount since 2020—reflects a broader trend: smaller, agile practices are gaining traction as corporations seek cost-effective yet high-caliber legal support.

Olivares’s role within TGS is emblematic of this shift. Unlike traditional avocats aux conseils (counsel-level attorneys), senior associates like Olivares now lead client engagements, draft pleadings, and even appear in court—a reflection of the firm’s flat hierarchy and collaborative culture. This model has resonated with clients, particularly in sectors where legal risks are evolving rapidly, such as:

• Technology and Data Privacy: With the EU’s GDPR and France’s CNIL regulations, Olivares has advised on data breach litigation and cross-border compliance strategies.
• ESG and Sustainability Compliance: As France enforces stricter corporate sustainability disclosures under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), his firm has become a resource for companies mapping their ESG risks.
• Energy Transition Litigation: With France’s Energy-Climate Law mandating net-zero targets, Olivares has represented clients in disputes over renewable energy contracts and carbon credit allocations.

Why Olivares’s Work Matters in 2024

Olivares’s career intersects with three critical trends shaping France’s legal and economic landscape:

1. The Rise of Specialized Legal Practices: As corporate law becomes increasingly fragmented, attorneys like Olivares—who focus on niche areas like arbitration or ESG—are filling a gap left by larger firms. This trend is evident in TGS’s client base, which includes AFEP-member companies (France’s largest listed firms) seeking targeted expertise.
2. France’s Pivot to Arbitration: With the Paris Arbitration Week drawing global attention, Olivares’s work underscores France’s ambition to rival London and Singapore as a dispute resolution hub. His involvement in ICC arbitrations aligns with this strategy.
3. Regulatory Complexity as a Competitive Advantage: In sectors like fintech and cleantech, where compliance costs can exceed €10 million annually for large firms, attorneys like Olivares provide a cost-effective alternative. His ability to navigate France’s regulatory sandbox for innovation has made TGS a preferred partner for startups.

What’s Next for Romain Olivares?

While Olivares’s full professional trajectory remains private, industry sources suggest he is poised for further advancement—whether through partnership at TGS or a potential lateral move to a larger firm. His current focus appears to be expanding TGS’s international arbitration practice, particularly in African markets, where France is deepening economic ties.

The next major checkpoint for Olivares and TGS will likely be the Paris Bar’s 2025 professional development conference, where trends in corporate law and arbitration will be a central theme. The firm’s participation in the ICC’s 2025 Arbitration Conference in Paris—scheduled for October 2025—will offer further insight into Olivares’s evolving role.

Key Takeaways: What Olivares’s Career Reveals About France’s Legal Sector

• Agility Over Hierarchy: Olivares’s rapid rise at TGS reflects a broader shift toward meritocratic, collaborative law firms where senior associates drive client strategies.
• Regulation as a Growth Driver: France’s strict compliance laws are creating demand for specialized legal talent, with attorneys like Olivares filling critical niches.
• Arbitration as a Strategic Asset: Paris’s push to become a global arbitration leader is paying dividends, with firms like TGS capitalizing on cross-border disputes.
• ESG and Compliance as New Frontiers: Olivares’s work in sustainability litigation signals that corporate law is increasingly intertwined with environmental and social governance.

For businesses navigating France’s legal landscape—or attorneys considering a career in corporate law—Olivares’s journey offers a blueprint for success in an era where specialization, regulatory savvy, and international networks are paramount.

What do you think about the future of corporate law in France? Share your insights in the comments below—or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn to continue the discussion.