HFW strengthens global disputes and regulatory investigations offering with Paris Partner hire

Global sector‑focused law firm HFW has expanded its global disputes and regulatory investigations offering with the hire of Partner Louis‑Alexis Bret in Paris.

Louis‑Alexis has extensive experience in complex disputes and regulatory investigations across a wide range of sectors, including supply chain and logistics, commodities, energy and natural resources, aerospace, technology, and financial services.

He joins HFW from Amazon, where he served as Principal Legal Counsel for Logistics Operations in Europe. Louis‑Alexis previously spent a decade at leading international law firms in the United States and France, including Clifford Chance and King & Spalding.

This continues the significant growth of HFW’s international arbitration practice, following the recent arrival of leading Swiss international arbitration expert Vanessa Liborio in Geneva and the earlier recruitment of Julien Fouret and Gaëlle Le Quillec in Paris. HFW has now added 13 international arbitration Partners globally since the beginning of FY25, including other hires in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth.

Jean-Marc Zampa, Paris Office Head, HFW:

“Louis‑Alexis brings a rare combination of international arbitration expertise, deep regulatory investigations experience, and a first‑hand understanding of how major global companies operate and manage risk. His longstanding relationships with leading multinational clients, his sector knowledge, and his ability to translate legal challenges into corporate environments will add immediate strength to our disputes offering in Paris and Europe. He is an excellent cultural fit for our team and will significantly contribute to the continued development of our global disputes and regulatory practices.”

Louis‑Alexis has a broad practice spanning international arbitration, commercial litigation, regulatory compliance and investigations, and cross‑border advisory work. He also advises on technology and AI, data and privacy issues, cybersecurity, commercial contracts, and multi‑jurisdictional supply chain and technology transactions.

HFW has been in Paris since 1977 and now has more than 50 lawyers advising on maritime and air transportation issues, insurance and reinsurance, industrial risks, infrastructure and construction, energy, international trade, and commodities, as well as commercial disputes, corporate, finance, and private equity.

Louis‑Alexis Bret, Partner, HFW:

“HFW’s collaborative culture, its sector expertise, its strong relationships with marquee clients, and its international platform make it the ideal place to build a leading disputes and investigations practice in Paris. I am excited to work with HFW’s global disputes team – some of whom I’ve known for close to 20 years – and to contribute to the firm’s continued growth across Europe.”

HFW’s leading international arbitration practice comprises more than 40 Partners and 80 lawyers across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. The team advise on all aspects of international arbitration, from drafting arbitration agreements to global enforcement of awards, and is one of the most active in key arbitral institutions including the ICC, DIAC, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC, and ACICA.