International law firm Ashurst Perkins Coie announces the arrival of Stéphane Lemarchand and Jeanne Dauzier as partners within the Tech Transactions practice in Paris, together with their team. These appointments reinforce Ashurst Perkins Coie’s positioning in the technology sector—one of its three strategic pillars—and further expand its ability to support companies in their digital transformation projects, creating a leading European offering.
These hires are among the first strategic recruitments since the creation of Ashurst Perkins Coie on 29 June, underscoring the firm’s ambition and its ability to attract top talent.
Stéphane brings more than 25 years of experience advising multinational and domestic companies on strategic digital and IT transformation projects, as well as on a wide range of IT‑related disputes. He is widely recognised for his deep expertise and nuanced understanding of the technology sector. His practice covers digital transformation projects and complex technology disputes. His clients include technology and digital service providers, as well as major user companies in the industrial, aviation, and consumer goods sectors.
Jeanne advises French and international clients in the AI, IT projects, and strategic digital transformation sectors, including the European AI Regulation (AI Act), cloud computing, and outsourcing. With more than 15 years of experience, she combines technical know‑how with strategic insight to help clients anticipate complex issues related to intellectual property, technology, and data, and to develop pragmatic solutions tailored to each sector. Her recent experience includes AI governance for players in defence, cybersecurity, automotive, and medical diagnostics; GPAI model compliance with the AI Act’s Code of Practice; and cloud sovereignty and AI deployment strategies. As the AI Act is now in force and AI governance has become a priority for boards, Jeanne’s experience represents a unique skillset on the market.
They are also joined by Aurélia Pons (Counsel), who strengthens the technology disputes capability, as well as three associates who, alongside Nicolas Quoy, Technology partner in Ashurst Perkins Coie’s Paris office, and his team, will immediately contribute to building a first‑tier Technology offering in Europe.
Noam Ankri, Managing Partner of the Paris office, states: “Stéphane and Jeanne’s arrival, at a pivotal moment in the firm’s development and that of our Paris office, significantly enhances our technology and transactional offering. The combination of their experience in digital transformation, IT transactions, and AI governance strengthens our ability to support clients in France and beyond, at a time when these issues are at the top of every executive committee’s agenda.”
Amanda Ludlow, Global Co‑Head of the Tech Transactions practice at Ashurst Perkins Coie, adds: “We are delighted to welcome Stéphane and Jeanne to the firm. Their arrival follows the recent recruitment of Alex Brazeau in the Middle East and reflects our strategic ambition to build a leading global Technology offering. Stéphane’s unique expertise in major IT transformation projects, combined with Jeanne’s recognised experience in AI governance, perfectly complements our existing platform. These hires further reinforce Ashurst Perkins Coie’s position as a go‑to firm for technology sector clients facing complex international legal challenges.”
Stéphane Lemarchand comments: “I am thrilled to join Ashurst Perkins Coie at such a defining moment for the firm. The combination of Ashurst and Perkins Coie creates an unparalleled platform for technology sector clients, connecting European experience with a recognised US technology practice. This is an exceptional opportunity that allows us to bring our expertise to clients on a truly global scale.”
Jeanne Dauzier concludes: “Joining Ashurst Perkins Coie is a unique opportunity to continue developing a leading global practice in AI governance and the digital economy. The firm’s ambition and commitment to the technology sector, combined with its collaborative culture and international reach, make it the ideal environment to help clients navigate an evolving regulatory landscape and turn complexity into opportunity.”
Stéphane Lemarchand holds degrees from Université Paris XI Paris‑Sud (DESS in IT Law) and Université Paris II Panthéon‑Assas (DESS in Industrial Property). He began his career as a partner at Bird & Bird (2001–2010). He joined DLA Piper in 2010 as a partner, where he was appointed Global Co‑Head of the Intellectual Property & Technology group in 2012. In 2019, he joined DLA Piper’s Executive Committee.
Jeanne Dauzier holds degrees from King’s College London (LLB English and French Law, 2005–2007), Université Paris I Panthéon‑Sorbonne (Master’s in Private Law, 2007–2009), and Université Paris XI Paris‑Sud (Master 2 in Digital Creation Law, 2009–2010). She began her career at DLA Piper in Paris in 2011 as an associate, was promoted to counsel in 2019, and became partner in May 2023. That same year, she was appointed Co‑Chair of DLA Piper’s International AI group.
Ashurst Perkins Coie is a top-20 global law firm formed by the $2.8 billion transatlantic merger of U.K.-based Ashurst and U.S.-based Perkins Coie in June 2026
