Sheppard's French Insider

Sheppard's French Insider

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Sheppard's French Insider episodes

  • Back to the White House: The Next Trump Administration with Jonathan Meyer of Sheppard Mullin

    In this episode of French Insider, Jonathan Meyer, a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Governmental Practice Group, former General Counsel of DHS, and leader of the firm's National Security team, joins host Valérie Demont, Sheppard Mullin's French Desk Co-Chair, to discuss anticipated changes under the incoming Trump Administration and its potential impact on business, national security, and other key areas.

    What We Discussed in This Episode:

    • What is the Trump Administration's cabinet going to look like?

    • Why has President-Elect Trump selected the individuals he has named to lead departments such as the DOJ and DHS, and what might we expect from them?

    • What will be the priorities which the new Administration will be focused on in respect of enforcement?

    • Will the Trump Administration's stance on immigration impact the growth of businesses within the country?

    • What might CFIUS look like under the incoming administration, and how might the focus on foreign investments change, especially for countries like China?

    • Under a Republican-controlled Congress, what can we expect to see from congressional investigations?

    About Jonathan Meyer

    Jonathan Meyer is a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Governmental Practice Group and leader of the firm's National Security team. Jonathan counsels clients on their interactions with federal and state government, as well as national and homeland security, Congressional oversight, cybersecurity, AI, high tech, transportation security, and more.

    Jonathan served as General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2021 to 2024, where he led legal teams, handled Supreme Court cases, and advised on sensitive national security issues. With extensive experience in Congress and the Justice Department, Jon offers an insider perspective on government and private sector interactions.

    Jon is a two-time recipient of the Secretary of Homeland Security's Outstanding Service Medal, along with the U.S. Secret Service Director's Honor Award, the Customs and Border Protection Commissioner's Ensign Award, and the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant's Distinguished Service Medal, among numerous other awards and honors.

    About Valérie Demont

    In the firm's New York office, Valérie Demont is a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Corporate Practice Group, where she focuses primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance matters. As a leader of the firm's French Desk team, she advises foreign companies on the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States, acting as de facto "outside general counsel" for non-U.S. companies in the United States.

    Valérie has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe (including France) and Asia (including India).

    Not only is she a frequent speaker at events focused on cross-border trade, but she is also an outside pro bono counsel to Girls Who Invest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in portfolio management and executive leadership in the asset management industry.

    Contact Information:

    Jonathan Meyer

    Valérie Demont

    Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

    This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

    34 min
  • Antitrust in Focus: How the 2024 Election Could Impact the U.S. Antitrust Landscape with Jared Nagley of Sheppard Mullin

    In this episode of French Insider, Jared Nagley, a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Antitrust and Competition Group formerly with the FTC's Bureau of Competition, joins host Inès Briand to discuss the impact of the upcoming 2024 election on the U.S. antitrust landscape, and potential impacts from both a Democratic and Republican outcome.

    What We Discussed in This Episode:

    • Will the outcome of the upcoming Presidential election have a major impact on antitrust enforcement?

    • How do Democrats and Republicans view antitrust enforcement, and what are the similarities and differences between their perspectives?

    • How have both parties become more aggressive in their view of enforcement, and which industry sectors are they targeting?

    • Given healthcare's significant and public role in the US economy, how does enforcement differ under both political parties, particularly in relation to industry consolidation and drug costs?

    • Which party has a more aggressive stance on antitrust challenges and investigations in the Big Tech space, and how will this industry be impacted?

    • Which party has adopted a more assertive approach toward antitrust challenges and investigations in Big Tech and what might this industry look like post-election?

    • What has been proposed to address serial acquisitions or roll-ups?

    About Jared Nagley

    Jared Nagley is a partner in Sheppard Mullin's New York office, where he is a partner in the Antitrust and Competition Group. Jared's practice focuses on complex antitrust matters, including defending clients in litigations and government investigations brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, and state and international enforcement authorities, in addition to advising clients in their mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic business issues. He is a member of the firm's French Desk and Canada Desk Teams.

    Prior to joining Sheppard, Mullin, Jared spent eight years at the FTC's Bureau of Competition, where he served as the lead attorney in several significant public matters and was the recipient of the Janet D. Steiger Award.

    About Inès Briand

    Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin's Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm's Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

    As a member of the firm's French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters, including expansion of French companies in the United States.

    Contact Information

    Jared Nagley

    Inès Briand

    Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

    40 min
  • Cosmic Collaborations: Financing, Innovation, and Franco-American Partnerships in Space with Noel Rimalovski of GH Partners LLC

    In this episode of French Insider, Noel Rimalovski, Managing Director of GH Partners LLC joins host Brian Weimer, Telecom Team Leader of Sheppard Mullin, to discuss cross-border initiatives in the satellite and space industry. These initiatives include France's CoFace compared to The EXIM Bank in the United States, the emerging small launch industry, and the potential for commercial opportunities on the moon.

    What We Discussed in This Episode:

    • How does working with France's CoFace differ from working with The EXIM Bank in the United States?

    • How does The EXIM Bank compare to the way France approaches export credit agency financing?

    • Who can access financing from an export credit agency? Can a French company approach The EXIM Bank?

    • Aside from SpaceX, who are some of the players in the nascent industry of small launch providers?

    • Are the small launch providers that have proliferated in recent years targeting SpaceX's market?

    • Is the recent multi-orbit trend lately likely to continue?

    • Why is it essential for space and satellite companies to ensure alignment with their government?

    • Is there any real potential for large-scale commercial opportunities on the moon?

    • Is the space industry transitioning into a more commercial chapter of financing?

    • Is there a push for more sustainable projects in the space industry?

    About Brian Weimer

    Brian Weimer is a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Washington, D.C. office, where he also serves as Leader of the firm's Telecom Team and Co-Leader of the CFIUS Team. Brian provides regulatory and transactional advice across the entire telecommunications ecosystem. As leader of the firm's Space & Satellite practice, he is perhaps best known as a leading lawyer for the satellite industry.

    About Noel Rimalovski

    Noel Rimalovski brings a deep background in M&A and corporate finance to GH Partners. Throughout his 20-year career, he has provided advisory services to clients, including sales and acquisitions, restructurings, capital raisings, valuations and fairness opinions to domestic and international clients in the Telecommunications, Media, Technology, Industrial and Consumer sectors.

    Before joining GH Partners, Noel served as Senior Vice President at Macquarie Capital (USA), 2007-08, in the Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Technology Group. While at Macquarie, he completed $1.8bn of investments in the telecommunications sector. Prior to Macquarie, he was Director in the Mergers & Acquisition Group of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and its predecessor Wasserstein Perella, where he completed over $20 billion in transactions in the Industrial, Consumer, Technology, Telecommunications and Media sectors. Prior to joining WP, Noel gained experience as a banker on structured financings, securitizations and proprietary investments at Millennium Capital Markets and Lazard Frères.

    Contact Information

    Brian Weimer

    Noel Rimalovski

    Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

    34 min
  • Business Travel to the U.S., ESTA, Visas, and More [Replay]

    This episode is a replay of Episode 30 which originally aired on March 18, 2024.

    In this episode of French Insider, Greg Berk, a partner at Sheppard Mullin, joins host Inès Briand to discuss immigration and business travel to the United States, including the particulars of the ESTA visa waiver program, obtaining an O-1 visa, H-1B visa, or green card, and what travelers can expect from the CPB upon entry.

    What We Discussed in This Episode:

    • What is an ESTA visa waiver?

    • How long can you stay in the U.S. on an ESTA waiver?

    • How soon can someone come back to the U.S. with an ESTA waiver?

    • Who needs a work visa, and what types of work visas are available?

    • How specialized must an individual be to qualify for a special talent (0-1) visa?

    • What is an H-1B visa?

    • When should French entities start planning to send individuals to the U.S.?

    • When does someone need a green card? How do they obtain one?

    • Are there tax implications when obtaining a green card?

    • Can a green card be relinquished if the holder leaves the U.S.?

    • Why does the CPB occasionally check social media accounts?

    • Can the CPB deny a visa holder entry?

    • Why might someone be called in for a secondary inspection? How should they deal with this?

    • How can travel to Cuba or another restricted country impact an ESTA? Would it affect other types of visas?

    About Greg Berk

    Greg Berk, a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Labor and Employment Practice Group, is based in Orange County, California. He heads the firm's immigration practice and is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

    With more than 25 years of experience advising on various U.S. immigration issues, Greg is a trusted resource for global employers seeking guidance on recruiting and retaining foreign executives and top talent for their U.S. operations. He also works with investors on E-2, L-1, and EB-5 matters as well as I-9 and other immigration compliance matters. He is the author of "Immigration Checklists and Practice Pointers – A Desk Reference," a book published by the American Bar Association for General Counsel and HR managers.

    About Inès Briand

    Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin's Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm's Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

    As a member of the firm's French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters, including expansion of French companies in the United States.

    Contact Information

    Inès Briand

    Greg Berk

    Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

    23 min
  • Navigating Global Capital Markets with Erik Sloane of Cboe Global Markets [Replay]

    This episode is a replay of Episode 29 which originally aired on February 1, 2024.

    On this episode of French Insider, Erik Sloan, Chief Revenue Officer of Cboe Canada and the Global Head of Company Listings for Cboe Global Markets, joins host Andrew Bond to explore how Cboe operates a global network of securities and derivatives exchanges that help companies efficiently navigate global capital markets, including the factors that set the Cboe exchanges apart from other exchanges and the types of companies well-suited to list their securities on one or more of the exchanges in the Cboe network.

    What We Discussed In This Episode:

    • What led you to Cboe Global Markets?

    • What markets is Cboe in? Where might the exchange expand?

    • What differentiates Cboe from country-based exchanges like Nasdaq or the NYSE?

    • What value would Cboe bring to a French company considering public listings in both Europe and the United States?

    • What types of companies do you feel are a good fit for the Cboe marketplace?

    • How does the Cboe help companies navigate regulatory hurdles in various jurisdictions?

    • After a French company is listed on Cboe in the United States, what is the procedure for expanding its listing to another foreign market?

    • What would you consider Cboe's greatest successes so far?

    • What have been Cboe's biggest challenges?

    • What is your best advice for either a private company seeking to go public on Cboe exchange or a publicly traded company considering a move from another exchange?

    About Erik Sloane

    Erik Sloane has been with Cboe Canada since its inception and helped define and implement its foundational stock exchange and fund distribution platforms. He's since held several senior roles, including Head of Funds & Trading and Head of Product Management. As Chief Revenue Officer, he is currently responsible for driving growth by working closely with capital-raising companies, asset managers, sell-side firms, buy-side firms and other industry stakeholders.

    Erik launched his career at a global business and technology consultancy firm. Prior to joining Cboe Canada, he led project management at the Alpha Exchange, where he previously oversaw delivery of its core technology platform. He's also chaired several industry advisory groups instrumental in shaping Cboe Canada's strategy and currently serves on the Operations Committee of the Canadian ETF Association (CETFA).

    About Andrew Bond

    A partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's Century City office, Andrew Bond has a broad-based securities practice. In addition to assisting clients with cross-border mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions, he counsels Canadian clients on listing requirements for the NYSE, NASDAQ, and platforms operated by the OTC Markets Group. Andrew previously practiced in Canada, where he advised both U.S. and Canadian issuers on registered securities offerings, private placements, and Securities Exchange Act compliance.

    Contact Information

    Erik Sloane

    Andrew Bond

    Additional Resources

    Cboe Canada

    Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

    This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

    31 min
  • Covid, Culture, and Growth: Inside French Morning's Journey with Romain Poirot of French Morning and Frenchly

    In this episode of French Insider, Romain Poirot, Managing Partner of French Morning and Frenchly, joins host Karl Buhler of Sheppard Mullin to discuss the French Morning Media Group, from its inception to where it is today, and how it creates a sense of community for francophone people away for home. This episode was recorded in French.

    What We Discussed in This Episode:

    • French Morning's history - the premises and its development in the United States, Canada and in the UK

    • Local news and creating a community

    • The impact on Covid and French Morning's media diversification through webinars.

    • Topics covered and events organized

    • French elections coverage - live debates and streaming

    • Sports events - football, rugby… gatherings behind « Les bleus »

    • French Morning Media Group and its different subsidiaries

    • Growth strategy of the magazine and plan for the future

    About Romain Poirot

    Romain Poirot has a diverse work experience spanning multiple industries. Romain started his career in 2010 as an Assistant of Sales and Purchases in the Back Office at Magirus. In 2011, they worked as a Sales and Marketing Assistant at Inlingua and also served as a Team Manager for Street-marketing events at France Prestige. From 2012 to 2016, he worked at ALTIOS International, where they were involved in International Business Development activities, including researching and prospecting the US market, qualifying potential clients, and assisting in trade show preparations. In 2009, he joined Red Bull as a Student Brand Manager.

    In 2016, he became a Managing Partner at Frenchly, a leading publication for Americans traveling or living in France. In 2017, they joined Maudits Français as a Managing Partner. Since 2013, they have been the Managing Partner and Head of Revenue at French Morning USA, the leading publication for French expats living in the United States & UK.

    Romain Poirot attended Pace University in 2012 for a brief period, although the degree and field of study are unspecified. From 2009 to 2012, they studied at EM Strasbourg Business School, where they earned a Bachelor of Marketing and International Business. Additionally, in 2010, Romain studied Spanish and business in Spanish at Universidad de Alicante for a short duration.

    About Karl Buhler

    Karl Buhler is an associate in the Corporate and Securities Practice Group and French Desk in the firm's New York Office. Karl focuses his practice on domestic and cross-border transactions. He handles in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and complex commercial agreements in industries such as technology, communications, life sciences, energy, defense and aerospace. In particular, he advises foreign companies with the installation and development of their operations in the United States.

    Karl was born and educated in France. He began his legal career in China, practicing corporate law in both Beijing and Hong Kong with a focus on mergers, acquisitions, and project finance in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Karl then relocated to Paris, where he continued to focus on corporate transactions, but also expanded his expertise to international arbitrations and litigations arising from contracts and transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint venture, and infrastructure agreements.

    Contact Information

    French Morning

    Roman Poirot

    Karl Buhler

    Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

    26 min
  • The Whatnots of Immigrating and Business Travel in the U.S. with Greg Berk, Partner at Sheppard Mullin

    In this episode of French Insider, Greg Berk, a partner at Sheppard Mullin, joins host Inès Briand to discuss immigration and business travel to the United States, including the particulars of the ESTA visa waiver program, obtaining an O-1 visa, H-1B visa, or green card, and what travelers can expect from the CPB upon entry.

    What We Discussed in This Episode:

    • What is an ESTA visa waiver?

    • How long can you stay in the U.S. on an ESTA waiver?

    • How soon can someone come back to the U.S. with an ESTA waiver?

    • Who needs a work visa, and what types of work visas are available?

    • How specialized must an individual be to qualify for a special talent (0-1) visa?

    • What is an H-1B visa?

    • When should French entities start planning to send individuals to the U.S.?

    • When does someone need a green card? How do they obtain one?

    • Are there tax implications when obtaining a green card?

    • Can a green card be relinquished if the holder leaves the U.S.?

    • Why does the CPB occasionally check social media accounts?

    • Can the CPB deny a visa holder entry?

    • Why might someone be called in for a secondary inspection? How should they deal with this?

    • How can travel to Cuba or another restricted country impact an ESTA? Would it affect other types of visas?

    About Greg Berk

    Greg Berk, a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Labor and Employment Practice Group, is based in Orange County, California. He heads the firm's immigration practice and is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

    With more than 25 years of experience advising on various U.S. immigration issues, Greg is a trusted resource for global employers seeking guidance on recruiting and retaining foreign executives and top talent for their U.S. operations. He also works with investors on E-2, L-1, and EB-5 matters as well as I-9 and other immigration compliance matters. He is the author of "Immigration Checklists and Practice Pointers – A Desk Reference," a book published by the American Bar Association for General Counsel and HR managers.

    About Inès Briand

    Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin's Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm's Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

    As a member of the firm's French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters, including expansion of French companies in the United States.

    Contact Information

    Inès Briand

    Greg Berk

    Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

    22 min
  • Navigating Global Capital Markets with Erik Sloane of Cboe Global Markets

    On this episode of French Insider, Erik Sloan, Chief Revenue Officer of Cboe Canada and the Global Head of Company Listings for Cboe Global Markets, joins host Andrew Bond to explore how Cboe operates a global network of securities and derivatives exchanges that help companies efficiently navigate global capital markets, including the factors that set the Cboe exchanges apart from other exchanges and the types of companies well-suited to list their securities on one or more of the exchanges in the Cboe network.

    What We Discussed In This Episode:

    • What led you to Cboe Global Markets?

    • What markets is Cboe in? Where might the exchange expand?

    • What differentiates Cboe from country-based exchanges like Nasdaq or the NYSE?

    • What value would Cboe bring to a French company considering public listings in both Europe and the United States?

    • What types of companies do you feel are a good fit for the Cboe marketplace?

    • How does the Cboe help companies navigate regulatory hurdles in various jurisdictions?

    • After a French company is listed on Cboe in the United States, what is the procedure for expanding its listing to another foreign market?

    • What would you consider Cboe's greatest successes so far?

    • What have been Cboe's biggest challenges?

    • What is your best advice for either a private company seeking to go public on Cboe exchange or a publicly traded company considering a move from another exchange?

    About Erik Sloane

    Erik Sloane has been with Cboe Canada since its inception and helped define and implement its foundational stock exchange and fund distribution platforms. He's since held several senior roles, including Head of Funds & Trading and Head of Product Management. As Chief Revenue Officer, he is currently responsible for driving growth by working closely with capital-raising companies, asset managers, sell-side firms, buy-side firms and other industry stakeholders.

    Erik launched his career at a global business and technology consultancy firm. Prior to joining Cboe Canada, he led project management at the Alpha Exchange, where he previously oversaw delivery of its core technology platform. He's also chaired several industry advisory groups instrumental in shaping Cboe Canada's strategy and currently serves on the Operations Committee of the Canadian ETF Association (CETFA).

    About Andrew Bond

    A partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's Century City office, Andrew Bond has a broad-based securities practice. In addition to assisting clients with cross-border mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions, he counsels Canadian clients on listing requirements for the NYSE, NASDAQ, and platforms operated by the OTC Markets Group. Andrew previously practiced in Canada, where he advised both U.S. and Canadian issuers on registered securities offerings, private placements, and Securities Exchange Act compliance.

    Contact Information

    Erik Sloane

    Andrew Bond

    Additional Resources

    Cboe Canada

    Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

    This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

    30 min
  • M&A in the US: How French Businesses Can Find a Target & Seal the Deal [Replay]

    This episode is a replay of Episode 23 which originally aired on June 30, 2023. It was recorded in French.

    In this episode of the French Insider, Didier Choix, Founder and Managing Partner, and Jean-Damien Perrier, Partner of the DDA & Company group, a Franco-American investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions in France and the United States, join Valérie Demont, Partner at Sheppard Mullin, to discuss M&A transactions between France and the United States, including how to choose the right target, the differences between French and American deals, and how to best prepare to conquer the American market.

    What We Discussed in this Episode

    • How can one best prepare to acquire a company in the United States?

      • Screening

      • Definition of objectives

      • Proficiency in English

    • How to find a United States target?

    • What are the challenges faced?

    • Is networking working?

    • The approach of the American leader

    • What are the major differences between a deal in the United States and a deal in France?

      • Limited access to information

      • Valuation

      • Funding

      • Working Capital v. lock box

      • Vendor due diligence

      • GAAP accounting v. IFRS

      • Lack of audit of financial statements

      • Salaries of officers and employees in the United States

    • What are the common mistakes of French companies in their first acquisitions in the United States?

    • "Bridging the gap": how can French companies put together a competitive offer compared to American buyers (auction process, etc.)?

    • Timeline of an acquisition

    • Main advice for an entrepreneur looking to acquire a target in the United States

    Contact Information

    Inès Briand

    Karl Buhler

    Didier Choix - Founder and President - DDA & Company, LLC | LinkedIn

    Jean-Damien Perrier - New York, New York, United States | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

    Valérie Demont | Sheppard Mullin

    DDA & Company, spécialiste conseil en corporate finance (ddacompany.com)

    France Attorneys | Sheppard Mullin

    Additional Resources

    French Insider Episode 23: M&A in the US: How French Businesses Can Find a Target & Seal the Deal | Sheppard Mullin

    Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Stitcher, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.

    This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

    35 min
  • Coucou! The ABCs of Building Your Business in America from Scratch with Victoire Lester, CEO of Coucou

    In this episode of French Insider, Victoire Lester, CEO of Coucou, joins host Sarah Ben-Moussa to discuss the experience of building a company in the United States from the ground up, including Coucou's approach to hiring and training native-speaking French language instructors, its strategy for attracting American customers, and their experience recruiting and managing a mixed-nationality workforce.

    What We Discussed in this Episode

    • Can you tell us a bit about your background?

    • How did you become involved with Coucou?

    • What was behind the founding of Coucou? Where did the idea come from?

    • How does Coucou go about hiring and training instructors?

    • How does Coucou's approach to hiring impact the learning experience?

    • What was it like coming to the U.S. and building a company from the ground up?

    • What motivated Coucou to expand its offerings?

    • What was Coucou's experience during COVID? Where did the company come out on the other side?

    • Can you tell us a bit about the streaming platform being developed by a Coucou founder?

    • What was Coucou's strategy for attracting U.S. customers?

    • Can you speak to the experience of recruiting and managing a mixed-nationality workforce of French and American people?

    • What were some resources Coucou utilized during the last 10 years of growth?

    • Would you recommend companies retain a public relations agency?

    • What's one piece of advice you'd offer a French entrepreneur seeking to launch a company in the U.S.?

    About Victoire Lester

    Victoire Lester is CEO of Coucou, a New York City and Los Angeles-based language school offering culturally savvy, native-taught French classes, in person or online. A Paris native, she joined Coucous as a part-time French instructor in 2016 and was promoted to director of operations just three years later. As CEO, Victoire handles marketing, product development, and operations. She was also responsible for Coucou's successful transition to an online program in 2020, which has been instrumental in the company's growth.

    When she's not helping Coucou grow, Victoire enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, and indulging in her love of wine, cheese, and oysters.

    About Sarah F. Ben-Moussa

    Sarah F. Ben-Moussa is an associate in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's New York office, where her practice focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. As a member of the firm's French Desk, she has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, complex commercial agreements, and general corporate matters.

    As a member of Sheppard Mullin's Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team, Sarah also represents renewable energy companies, borrowers, financial sponsors, portfolio companies, commercial banks and other financial institutions in a variety of financing transactions. Her practice focuses on a variety of transactions in the energy sphere, representing renewable energy companies in project-level debt and equity financings of wind and solar facilities.

    Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Sarah spent a year and a half studying and working in France, focusing on corporate transactions and commercial contracts in Europe and internationally. Sarah is also committed to pro bono work, focusing on cases involving children seeking asylum or other immigration-related relief.

    Contact Information

    Victoire Lester

    Sarah F. Ben-Moussa

    Additional Resources

    Coucou

    Coucou on TikTok

    Coucou on Instagram

    Coucou on Facebook

    Coucou on YouTube

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    30 min

About Sheppard's French Insider

From the publisher's feed

What should French and Francophone investors know about successfully doing business in the U.S.? From cultural and legal differences, to business development and expansion, Sheppard's French Insider…