Yam Atallah

Experience

Yam Atallah is a co-managing partner and co-founder of Franklin Société d'avocats, a law firm based in Paris. He began his legal career in 1987 as an Associate at Salès Vincent & Georges, became a Partner there in 1993, and later co-founded Franklin in 2000. With over 30 years of experience, he co-leads the Corporate/M&A and Private Equity departments at Franklin. He advises clients on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, corporate reorganizations, and has extensive expertise in Private Equity and LBO transactions. He routinely works with private equity funds, investors, founders, and management teams, and also advises large and medium-sized family businesses on governance and liquidity issues. Yam Atallah is qualified in both France and the United States and is admitted to the Paris and New York Bars.

Specialty

Yam Atallah specializes in Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), and Private Equity, including leveraged buyouts (LBO). He has developed recognized proficiency in advising on mergers and acquisitions, strategic commercial alliances, and corporate restructurings for French companies and international groups. His practice particularly focuses on supporting private equity funds, investors, entrepreneurs, and executive teams in negotiating complex Private Equity and LBO deals. Additionally, he provides ongoing counsel to family-owned businesses on corporate governance and liquidity matters.

Education

• Sciences Po (Paris Institute of Political Studies), studied business and finance (1983)
• Maîtrise en Droit des affaires (Business Law) from Université de Nancy (1983)
• Postgraduate degree (D.E.S.S.) in Bank and Finance from University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne (1984)
• L.L.M. (Master of Laws) from Georgetown University Law Center, Washington D.C. (1985)
• Studied for New York Bar qualification (since 1985)
• Admitted to the Barreau de Paris (1990)

• Yam Atallah is ranked in the “Mid-cap LBO transactions” (Excellent) category of the Leaders League 2024 Private Equity Guide for his work at Franklin Societe D'avocats. Leaders League 2024
• Yam Atallah is quoted among the leading firms for M&A deals under 200 million euros (4 stars) in the Option Droit & Affaires 2024 ranking for his work at Franklin Societe D'avocats. Option Droit & Affaires 2024
• Yam Atallah is quoted in the categories Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity: LBO in the Legal 500 EMEA 2024 rankings for his work at Franklin Societe D'avocats. Legal 500 EMEA 2024
• Yam Atallah is recognized in The Best Lawyers in France™ 2025 for Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law for his work at Franklin Societe D'avocats. Best Lawyers 2025
• Yam Atallah has received 17 The Best Lawyers in France™ awards and 2 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in France™ awards for his work at Franklin Societe D'avocats. Best Lawyers Awards
• Yam Atallah co-heads the corporate/M&A and private equity departments at Franklin Societe D'avocats, demonstrating leadership in the firm’s private equity practice. Franklin Paris Profile