Shearman's new Paris head targets growth

Shearman & Sterling’s new Paris office head Emmanuel Gaillard has pledged to dramatically increase the firm’s French corporate offering.

Gaillard, previously international arbitration head, takes over from Robert Treuhold as Paris managing partner, several years after handing over to Treuhold.

Speaking to The Lawyer, Gaillard said he wants to double the size of the corporate practice within the next three years.

“We have an aggressive plan for lateral partner hires and home-grown partners in the corporate field,” he said, pointing out that the French market was currently buoyant and profitable.

Gaillard said the switch in office management was due to Treuhold’s fee-earning commitments in France and the US.

“He’s doing a lot of work for French clients in the US and the reverse, and he spends his life on the plane,” he said.