In a statement the firm said: “This is an awful tragedy and hard for any of us to truly comprehend. We are shocked by both our loss and the wider events in the city.
“Valentin worked in the litigation team, specialising in white collar crime. He was a talented lawyer, extremely well liked, and a wonderful personality in the office. He was 26.
“Our thoughts at this time are with Valentin and his family as well as with his colleagues in the office and across the firm.”
The firm said it would keep his details on its website until after Ribet’s funeral as a mark of respect.
Before joining Hogan Lovells in September last year Ribet had spent time as a stagiaire, or trainee, at Simmons & Simmons, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and French firm Reinhart Marville Torre.
He undertook an LLM in international business law at the London School of Economics in 2013/14 and the university noted on Twitter that its “hearts were filled with sadness at this news”.
Rest in Peace.
What a waste of a young life. Rest in peace
Absolutely shocking. Thoughts go out to him, his family and all in the Hogan Lovells Paris office.
Seeing the handsome bright of face of this young person who is suddenly no more deepens the shock, the pain and the sadness for all of us, his colleagues around the world. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
This is tragic.
Handsome, young, and bright with a promising career ahead. Such a terrible loss. My heart goes out to his family and friends. RIP
Condolences to his family.
Yes, rest in peace, Valentin – you are still with us, smiling at our imperfections… The candles I have lighted in front of the French Consulate were especially for you – but equally for all the others as well, of course. No power on earth will destroy the image God has conceived of each of us – this may console us and the family in particular.