International law firm Bird & Bird bolsters its Corporate practice in Paris with the arrival of venture capital and private equity partner Xavier Leroux. His first day at the firm will be on the 1st of October.

Xavier joins Bird & Bird from Dechert where he was a partner. Xavier works closely with tech start-ups and scale-ups, particularly in the technology and life sciences sectors, from seed funding right the way through to large fund-raising rounds. He has also been named as a “Rising Star” in Private Equity: Venture/Growth Capital by Legal500 in 2021 for the third consecutive year.

His appointment is a key part of the international Corporate team’s strategy at Bird & Bird: to strengthen its market-leading Corporate practice with enhanced VC capabilities for innovative clients in the tech and comms, life sciences and fintech sectors.

Emmanuelle Porte and Alexandre Vuchot, co-heads of Bird & Bird’s offices in France comment: “We’re delighted to have Xavier join Bird & Bird in Paris. His expertise in VC and deep-sector knowledge of the tech and comms as well as the life sciences markets will be of real value to our clients both in France and globally. Welcome to the team, Xavier!”

Alberto Salvadè and Peter Veranneman, co-heads of Bird & Bird’s international Corporate practice say: “Xavier’s impressive track record advising tech start-ups and scale-ups makes him an important addition to our practice as well as the Tech & Comms and Life Sciences & Healthcare sector groups at Bird & Bird. We look forward to working with Xavier to continue to grow our portfolio at a time when the digitalisation of all industries is so crucial.”

Xavier himself adds: “I’m thrilled to be joining a firm with such a collaborative and innovative culture. Bird & Bird’s leading capabilities in VC will be a real benefit to my practice and I can’t wait to start building relationships with my new colleagues from across the network by working together on cutting-edge corporate projects.”