Clifford Chance
Thomas Baudesson specialises in commercial litigation and more particularly commercial contracts, corporate, product liability, labour law, domestic arbitration, white collar crimes, injunctions and conservatory measures.
Thomas regularly advises on matters related to industrials, particularly aerospace & defence and automotive.
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Paris
- +33144055443
- Email me
- Speaks English and French
- Practice area Regulatory enforcement & white collar, Litigation, dispute resolution & risk management
- Sector Industrials
Career and qualifications
- University of Paris II Assas (LLM) 1985
- University Paris II (Institut d'Etudes Judiciaires) 1986
- CAPA 1987
- Admitted as an Avocat in Paris 1988
- SCP Chaney-Baudouin-Connor 1988
- SCP Baruc-Dahan Atlan 1989
- Joined Clifford Chance 1992
- Partner since 2001
Awards and citations
- Thomas Baudesson is ranked as one of the 'Leading Individuals' for the practice.
Legal 500 EMEA 2024, Industry Focus: Healthcare and Life Sciences - France - Thomas Baudesson is ranked as part of the 'Hall of Fame' for the practice.
Legal 500 EMEA 2024, Compliance - France - Thomas Baudesson (Band 1) is a leading practitioner with experience in large-scale, cross-jurisdiction internal investigations. He also assists with compliance programme reviews and risk assessments.
"Thomas Baudesson has the ability to understand key issues immediately in a case and can rally experts around to support."
Chambers Europe 2024, Corporate Compliance & Investigations - France
- Thomas Baudesson is ranked as one of the 'Leading Individuals' for the practice.
Legal 500 EMEA 2023, Industry Focus: Healthcare and Life Sciences - France - Thomas Baudesson is ranked in the 'Hall of Fame' for the practice.
Legal 500 EMEA 2023, Compliance - France - Thomas Baudesson (Band 1) is a leading practitioner with experience in large-scale, cross-jurisdiction internal investigations. He also assists with compliance programme reviews and risk assessments.
"Thomas Baudesson and I have spent countless hours working through extraordinarily difficult legal situations and I enjoy him tremendously."
"I do not think many people on the market have had the same level of experience."
"Thomas Baudesson is very reliable and committed. He has great strategic thinking and makes you feel protected."
Chambers Europe 2023, Corporate Compliance & Investigations - France - Thomas Baudesson is ranked as one of the 'Leading Individuals' for the practice.
Legal 500 2022, Industry Focus: Healthcare and Life Sciences - France - Thomas Baudesson is ranked in the 'Hall of Fame' for the practice.
Legal 500 2022, Compliance - France
- Thomas Baudesson is one of the main points of contact for the practice.
Chambers Europe 2022, Pharma/Life Sciences - France - Thomas Baudesson is a leading practitioner with experience in large-scale cross-jurisdiction internal investigations. He also assists with compliance programme reviews and risk assessments. He comes highly recommended by clients, who describe him as "very experienced and knowledgeable." Ranked Band 1
Chambers Europe 2022, Corporate Compliance & Investigations - France - Thomas Baudesson demonstrates particular expertise assisting leading multinational financial institutions and corporations with disputes relating to commercial contracts and collective actions. Clients praise his "encyclopedic knowledge." Ranked Band 4.
Chambers Global 2022, Litigation - France
Chambers Europe 2022, Litigation - France - Thomas Baudesson is ranked as "Leading Individual".
Legal 500 2021, Compliance - France
- Thomas Baudesson is ranked as "Leading Individual".
Legal 500 2021, Industry Focus: Healthcare and Life Sciences - France - Thomas Baudesson is a well-regarded practitioner with experience in large-scale cross-jurisdiction internal investigations. Clients comment: "He is marvellous, it is a pleasure to deal with him. He is very good at balancing the legal with the practical aspects, he has good relations across the industry and across the legal bodies in the French legal system." Another source praises his interpersonal skills, saying: "He is very diplomatic and did very well in terms of cooperation with the other firms and the authorities."
Chambers Europe 2021, Corporate Compliance & Investigations - France - Thomas Baudesson assists with contract termination and product liability cases. Clients praise his knowledge of the market and proactive approach to cases, with one saying: "He is exceptionally insightful in terms of development of the law, as well as the historical and political context of the law," adding that Baudesson "can see around the corner and is able to anticipate and utilise that to the client's advantage."
Chambers Global 2021, Litigation - France
Chambers Europe 2021, Litigation - France - Thomas Baudesson is ranked as "Leading Individual".
Legal 500 2020, Compliance - France
Legal 500 2020, Industry Focus: Healthcare and Life Sciences - France - Thomas Baudesson and David Tayar are the main points of contact for the practice.
Chambers Europe 2020, Pharma/Life Sciences - France
- Thomas Baudesson moves up to the top tier in recognition of his market-leading expertise in internal investigations and anti-corruption regulations. He acts for blue-chip clients hailing from a wide range of sectors such as IT and aerospace.
Chambers Europe 2020, Corporate Compliance & Investigations - France - "Thomas Baudesson regularly handles product liability cases and commercial disputes for international clients. He also represents French corporates as well as financial institutions."
Chambers Global 2020, Litigation - France
Chambers Europe 2020, Litigation - France - Clifford Chance is instruced by international banks and financial institutions to advise on sensitive money-laundering and tax fraud cases.The eight-lawyer team is also representing a major client facing high-profile anti-corruption investigations and defending a leading pharmaceutical company. Thomas Baudesson and newly promoted partner Charles-Henri Boeringer are recommended.
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, Dispute Resolution: White-Collar Crime - France - "Market access, pricing policies, competition, public procurements, intellectual property, compliance and corporate matters all fall within the expertise of Clifford Chance's cross-disciplinary offering. Reinforced by the arrival of antitrust expert David Tayar from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, the team recently advised on the breakup of a joint venture between two leading global pharmaceutical players for the distribution of over-the-counter products; Tayar is also representing Teva in an investigation by the European Commission regarding a patent settlement with Cephalon. Thomas Baudesson and senior associate Gaëlle Merlier teamed up to defend a major pharmaceutical company against a series of product liability claims, including criminal charges. On the corporate front, Laurent Schoenstein assisted Synlab Labco with its acquisition of Seldaix, while regulatory expert Olivier Gaillard continues to advise on new anti-gift and transparency regulations. Other key clients include Pfizer, GSK and Novo Nordisk."
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, Industry Focus: Healthcare and Life Sciences - France - "Clifford Chance is representing leading international banks facing market abuse and insider trading investigations by the AMF. The firm is also defending a credit rating agency in very sensitive matters, including in the first investigation and enforcement proceedings conducted by the European Securities and Markets Authority. It is also acting for a CAC 40 company in another potential insider trading case. Thomas Baudesson is highly experienced and recommended. Diego de Lammerville and newly promoted partner Charles-Henri Boeringer are also key contacts."
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, Dispute Resolution: Stock-Market Litigation - France - "Clifford Chance's large 15-lawyer team handles a wide range of cases, including acting on sensitive healthcare-sector product liability cases for clients such as Pfizer and GSK, and representing leading French and international retailers and companies in high-stakes commercial and private enforcement litigation. The team is notably representing SFR and Numericable in several key matters, including a sensitive unfair commercial practice dispute initiated by Free, as well as representing Carrefour in numerous claims against its suppliers. The practice also handles corporate litigation and is representing international banks including RBS in banking and financial disputes. JP Morgan and Apax are also clients. The team is led by the highly experienced Jean-Pierre Grandjean and Thomas Baudesson, and the up-and-coming Diego de Lammerville and Thibaud d’Alès. Counsel Marguerite Aynès is also recommended."
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation - France - "Clifford Chance is assisting many leading French and international corporations with the establishment of anti-corruption programmes, including high-profile names in the pharmaceutical, aviation and defence sectors. The 16-lawyer team is also advising several clients on audits by the new French anti-corruption agency, Agence française anticorruption (AFA), and on conducting internal investigations in connection with or independently from government-led investigations. It also offers antitrust compliance advice. Thomas Baudesson, newly promoted partner Charles-Henri Boeringer and Katrin Schallenberg are recommended."
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, Compliance - France - "Clifford Chance has a broad aviation practice, with a team whose 'members complement each other'. The practice has a strong corporate and commercial focus, with Dessislava Savova and Fabrice Cohen forming the heart of the group, as well as a strong litigation and arbitration component alongside regulatory expertise. In a recent corporate highlight, Cohen advised Airbus on its $750m disposal of Vector Aerospace to StandardAero Aviation Holdings, while Savova acted for Airbus on the implementation of a new industrial and commercial strategy for the insourcing of key aircraft components. Thibaud d’Alès represented the Cessna Citation European Service Center in litigation against owners and managers of airplanes arising from the non-payment of repairing works. Other key contacts include Jason Fry, Simon Greenberg and Thomas Baudesson. Charles-Henri Boeringer was promoted to partner in May 2018."
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, Aviation - France - Sources describe Thomas Baudesson as "very knowledgeable on both litigation and investigations." He often assists leading multinational companies with compliance matters and internal regulatory investigations.
Chambers Europe 2019, Corporate Compliance & Investigations - France - Thomas Baudesson is described as a "formidable litigator" by interviewees. He offers notable expertise in class actions, also advising on disputes arising from transactions and bankruptcy issues.
Chambers Europe 2019, Dispute Resolution: Litigation - France
Chambers Global 2019, Dispute Resolution: Litigation - France - "Clifford Chance is known for its ‘excellent service, fast and efficient responses, broad expertise in life sciences and detailed knowledge of the industry’. Counsel Marion Roquette-Pfister advised Pfizer on its market access strategy and price negotiations with the French authorities and also collaborated with the corporate team to advise Cinven on its acquisition of Labco from a consortium of investors. On the regulatory side, ‘very knowledgeable and always available’ counsel Olivier Gaillard advised Insmed on compliance issues regarding new transparency and anti-gift rules, and Thomas Baudesson handled a number of disputes arising from alleged defects in vaccines and other medicinal products as well as commercial litigation proceedings pertaining to the termination of distribution agreements. Litigation expert Marguerite Aynès was recently promoted to counsel."
Legal 500 EMEA 2018, Industry Focus: Healthcare and Life Sciences - France - "Clifford Chance represents international companies, CDC 40 groups and financial institutions in AMF investigations on insider trading and communication of false company's information. Standard & Poor‘s and FXCM are clients. Thomas Baudesson, Diego de Lammerville and counsel Charles-Henri Boeringer are the key contacts."
Legal 500 EMEA 2018, Dispute Resolution: Stock-Market Litigation - France - "Clifford Chance advises many leading French and international companies on the setting up of Sapin II anti-corruption programmes. The practice is also assisting several high-profile corporations with internal investigations concerning market abuse, corruption and EU law issues, and advises large companies and financial institutions on Iranian sanctions matters. Pfizer, Pernod Ricard and Club Med are clients. Thomas Baudesson, Katrin Schallenberg and counsel Charles-Henri Boeringer are the key contacts."
Legal 500 EMEA 2018, Compliance - France - "Thomas Baudesson is the main point of contact for the practice."
Chambers Europe 2018, Pharma/Life Sciences - France - "Sources refer to Thomas Baudesson as an "excellent litigator." He also receives praise from clients for his work in the white-collar ambit. His experience includes litigation related to the stock market, as well as product liability."
Chambers Global 2018, Dispute Resolution - France
Chambers Europe 2018, Dispute Resolution - France - "Thomas Baudesson assists clients from a range of different industries with anti-corruption matters and internal and external investigations. He wields particular expertise in the financial and aeronautical sectors."
Chambers Europe 2018, Corporate Compliance & Investigations - France - "Clifford Chance has a busy commercial arbitration practice covering energy, aviation and corporate law. The team is also involved in multibillion-dollar case in the mining sector. Leading French and international corporations are clients. Jason Fry co-heads the firm’s international practice. Simon Greenberg and Jean-Pierre Grandjean are other names to note."
Legal 500 EMEA 2017, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France - "Clifford Chance is retained by large French and international corporations, investment funds and banks. The firm handles sensitive commercial, corporate and banking cases. It is also deals with product liability cases in the healthcare sector. Recent highlights include defending JPMorgan Chase in a dispute with ADP regarding the acquisition of a stake in Turkish airport operator TAV, and successfully representing SFR before the Court of Appeal in unfair competition litigation with Free Mobile. Carrefour, Airbus and Novartis are also clients. Jean-Pierre Grandjean, Thomas Baudesson, Diego de Lammerville and Thibaud d’Alès are recommended."
Legal 500 EMEA 2017, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation - France - Thomas Baudesson focuses on the aeronautical and financial sectors, frequently advising clients belonging to these arenas on enforcement proceedings. One source observes: "Thomas takes a broad view of everything and sees things in context. He provided us with good firm advice as to what we should do. He is also personable, amenable and business-friendly."
Chambers Europe 2017, Corporate Compliance & Investigations - France - Thomas Baudesson advises clients from the financial and aeronautical sectors on commercial, product liability and white-collar disputes, as well as enforcement proceedings. He acted for Airbus Group and three of its directors regarding alleged breaches of the insider trading rules. A client describes him as "very personable, amenable and friendly in his approach – a business-friendly, commercial litigator."
Chambers Global 2017, Dispute/Resolution - France
Chambers Europe 2017, Dispute/Resolution - France
- Thomas Baudesson climbs the rankings this year after exceptional commentary from sources, who describe him as "a smart, strategic thinker." He has particular experience in stock market litigation and product liability disputes.
Chambers Europe 2016, Dispute Resolution: Litigation - France
- "Clifford Chance has ‘a very high level of litigation expertise’ and produces ‘very high-quality work’. The ‘available and efficient’ team is recommended for ‘strategic cases’ and is especially strong in commercial, consumer and distribution law, where it represents many leading French retailers such as Carrefour. The firm successfully defended SFR in a sensitive dispute with Free Mobile. The practice also deals with major corporate and banking cases. It is representing Apax Partners in a dispute initiated by Chenavari. Other clients include RBS, J.P. Morgan and Hilton. Practice head Jean-Pierre Grandjean is highly regarded. Thomas Baudesson is also recommended along with Diego de Lammerville and recently promoted partner Thibaud d’Alès, who shows ‘excellent pleading skills and is also a good negotiator".
Legal 500 EMEA 2016, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation - France - Thomas Baudesson climbs the rankings this year after exceptional commentary from sources, who describe him as "a smart, strategic thinker." He has particular experience in stock market litigation and product liability disputes.
Chambers Global 2016, Dispute Resolution - France - Thomas Baudesson is described by sources as "absolutely great; he makes you feel like you're really in good hands." He represents clients in a wide range of disputes, with expertise covering labour disputes, commercial contracts, product liability cases and general commercial litigation. Clients appreciate his long-standing experience: "It was great to have him on the most sensitive issues because of his seniority."
Chambers Global 2015, Dispute Resolution: Litigation: Elite - France - Thomas Baudesson earns warm feedback: "He's good at strategy, knows the French procedures well and is a great support to the client – you can always reach him." He handles commercial, stock market and product liability litigation.
Chambers Europe 2014, Dispute Resolution: Litigation - France - "Clifford Chance gives ‘very high level, quality advice’, and is trusted by large international and French corporations such as Carrefour to handle major commercial disputes. The 15-lawyer practice successfully defended SFR in litigation against competitor Free Mobile. The team is also handling significant work in the financial services field, such as representing RBS in a case concerning swaps concluded with Lille Urban Community. Thomas Baudesson and Diego de Lammerville are recommended."
Legal 500 2014, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation - France - Thomas Baudesson specialises in commercial litigation and is increasingly active in white-collar crime. One client notes: "He's prudent in assessing all the risks, and is able to provide a clear view of the bigger picture".
Chambers Global 2013, France, Dispute/Resolution - France - "Relatively young partner Thomas Baudesson enjoys a growing reputation and noteworthy presence on the litigation scene".
Chambers Global 2012, Dispute/Resolution - France