Two Paris-based Jones Day disputes specialists have left the firm to set up their own boutique.

Marie-Laure Cartier and Alexandre Meyniel have teamed up to form Cartier Meyniel, which will offer arbitration and business litigation services to a corporate and investment fund client base.

Cartier, who was a counsel at Jones Day, has twenty years’ experience as a disputes specialist and enjoyed stints at Jones Day’s New York and São Paulo offices.

Her sectoral work spans classic commercial disputes, ranging from joint venture disputes, shareholder claims, M&A-related litigation, with a strong contractual and sales element, including product liability, distribution agreements and agency disputes. She has also handled construction and infrastructure claims. 

Meyniel specialises in international arbitration with a focus on energy and construction. He spent nearly three years at Scemla Loizon Veverka & De Fontmichel (SVLF) before joining Jones Day as an associate in 2016.

Their departures come hard on the heels of Orrick’s hiring from Jones Day in October of veteran arbitration partner Michael Bühler - who assumed the role of co-head of international arbitration - along with partner Nicole Dolenz and two associates. 

In quitting an international firm to form a disputes boutique - free from conflicts of interest - Cartier and Meyniel are following a well-trodden path.

Last year, a trio of lawyers left Clifford Chance to create Grandjean Advocats while the UK’s Signature Litigation hired Thomas Rouhette from Hogan Lovells to be managing partner of its Paris branch.