Denis is a general commercial litigator in our Paris office. His practice encompasses a wide range of complex litigation matters both in civil and criminal courts. He has substantial experience in the area of product liability (with a strong focus on aviation), banking and securities litigation as well as white collar crime generally. Denis acts for major international corporates or financial institutions, such as General Electric, Global Aerospace, AXA Corporate Solutions, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, HSBC, EDF, Sky TV, etc. He is admitted at both the Paris and New York bars.
Denis served in the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo in 1999 as a legal advisor to the Head of Mission. He is also the President of Droits d'Urgence, a non-governmental organisation providing free legal aid to disadvantaged groups. Since 2003, he has been a member of the French National Human Rights Commission by the appointment of the Prime Minister. He is currently serving as French Country Chair of the International Bar Association.
Credentials
- Honeywell International in multi-jurisdictional litigation following the crash of a Flash Airlines jetliner in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
- Citigroup Global Markets, sponsoring bank of a take-over bid in relation to claims brought against it by a group of minority shareholders
- Goldman Sachs International, arranger and lead underwriter of an LBO, on claims by several investors
- PricewaterhouseCoopers in a professional liability suit brought by the French liquidator of an international commercial bank
- an international oil company in multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations arising out of the United Nations Oil for Food Programme in Iraq
Accolades
"Peers describe him as 'a great litigator' and clients appreciate his 'sharp strategic view' and 'client-focused style' "
Chambers Global 2008
"Commentators admire Denis Chemla for 'his brilliant ideas' and characterise him as a 'redoubtable and enthusiastic street fighter" in contentious situations"
Chambers Global 2007