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186 Private, an international French law firm

Our team

French lawyers with an international frame of reference.

Founding partners, developing lawyers and experienced business founders work together around the French legal questions that affect international clients.

Legal leadership

Founding Partners

Alexandre Riou and Geoffroy Canivet lead the legal practice, bringing French corporate, contract and disputes experience to international matters.

Portrait of Alexandre Riou

Founding Partner

Alexandre Riou

Nantes Bar · New York Bar

Alexandre manages the London office and advises founders, shareholders and investors on French funding rounds, acquisitions, restructuring, disposals and business disputes. He joined 186 AVOCATS as a partner in 2018.

Portrait of Geoffroy Canivet

Founding Partner

Geoffroy Canivet

Avocat at the Paris Bar

Geoffroy founded the entity that became 186 AVOCATS in 2012. His French-law work covers contracts, group structures and disputes for companies, associations and foundations across sectors including technology, real estate, media and sport.

French legal practice

Lawyers

Pia de Saint Laurent advises French and English clients on civil, commercial and immigration matters connected with France and the United Kingdom.

Portrait of Pia de Saint Laurent

French Lawyer

Pia de Saint Laurent

Paris Bar · Registered Foreign Lawyer

Pia is an Associate at 186 AVOCATS in London. She works on French civil and commercial matters, including disputes, commercial law and visa questions for French and English clients whose matters cross the Channel.

Developing talent

Trainee Lawyers

Alex Ghigo and Jade Milin support cross-border legal work while developing their practice in an international environment.

Portrait of Alex Ghigo

Trainee Lawyer

Alex Ghigo

LLB · LLM · LPC

Alex has a background in English and international economic law. His studies include an LLB from Warwick, an LLM from SOAS and the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law.

Portrait of Jade Milin

Trainee Lawyer

Jade Milin

Jade is a trainee lawyer in the 186 Private team.

Business perspective

Founding Members

Randall Edwards and Richard Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis bring commercial, financial and international operating experience to the London business.

Portrait of Randall Edwards

Director, 186 London Limited

Randall Edwards

Chartered Accountant

Randall is an FCA Chartered Accountant, former PwC corporate-finance partner and founding member of the London business. He brings more than 35 years of experience in company sales, succession, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions and valuation.

Portrait of Richard Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis

Director, 186 London Limited

Richard Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis

Founder and CEO, French Connections HCB

Richard is a Franco-British founder and Director of 186 London Limited. Born and raised in southwest France, he coordinates international relocation, residency, property and business projects through French Connections HCB and the regulated French legal team at 186 AVOCATS.

Working together

We coordinate with your existing solicitors, accountants, tax advisers and other professionals whenever the matter benefits from a joined-up cross-border approach.

Alex Ghigo, Geoffroy Canivet and Alexandre Riou in conversation in London

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