Katia Boneva-Desmicht

Katia’s practice focuses mainly on commercial and civil litigation. She advises clients in all stages of domestic and international litigation, from pre-litigation risk analysis/crisis management to representation in courts and advice in a multijurisdictional cross-border disputes.

Her practice covers general contract disputes, M&A litigation, product liability, fraud and unfair competition, ESG related disputes as well as insolvency issues.

She has developed a particular expertise in pre-trial collection of evidence, injunctive reliefs and freezing orders, particularly in the context of enforcement of foreign decisions and arbitral awards.

Katia is also experienced in franchise and distribution litigation, including exclusive and selective distribution, commercial agency and consumer protection. She has a particular focus on the termination of established commercial relationships, having advised numerous companies on reorganizing their distributorship networks in France and internationally.

Katia also handles cross-border investigations, information-related litigation, such as breaches of confidentiality and theft of trade secrets.

Katia has been involved in several notable cases:

International Law and Enforcement

• Exequatur of US Contempt of Court Order: Decision of the French Supreme Court related to the first exequatur in France of a US contempt of court order.
• Foreign Authority Representation: Representing a foreign authority in exequatur proceedings in France of a judicial decision from foreign administrative proceedings, enforced via a provisional lien on property in France, with fraud proceedings against the debtor.
• UK Company Enforcement: Representing a UK company in exequatur and enforcement proceedings against a debtor in France, analyzing the application of French public policy provisions related to gambling debts.
• Defense Against Arbitral Award Enforcement: Defending a major French company against the enforcement of an arbitral award with impact in France and several countries in Africa.

Commercial Litigation

• Luxury Brand Dispute: Representing a luxury brand in proceedings against non-authorized distributors who purchased the brand's products in an auction sale authorized by a judge.
• Unfair Competition: Representing a manufacturer of consumer goods in an unfair competition case, including denigration and trade secrets misappropriation.
• Cosmetics and Life Sciences: Advising and representing several cosmetics and life sciences companies on the reorganization of distributorship networks in France and abroad, including contract termination and follow-up litigation.
• Franchise Disputes: Representing a French fashion brand in franchise disputes, reviewing agreements, and assisting with contract terminations in Swiss and Israeli markets.

Corporate and Post-Acquisition Disputes

• Post-Acquisition Disputes: Representing clients in post-acquisition disputes, particularly regarding contractual representations and warranties, and cases of fraud.
• Telecom Company Litigation: Representing a telecom company in corporate litigation related to the enforcement of a right of first refusal clause and specific performance of a share deal.
• Fraud Around Share Capital Increase: Representing a payment systems company in a dispute where a minority shareholder challenged a share capital increase and the subsequent sale of shares.
• Breach of Warranty Claim: Representing a seller of a major petrochemical plant in a post-acquisition litigation related to the alleged breach of ESG-related representation and warranties.

Product Liability

• Technical Expertise Proceedings: Representing various clients from various industries including consumer goods, automotive and technology, in product liability cases, including expertise proceedings, recalls, and proceedings on the merits.
• Motion Subsystems Manufacturer: Acting for a company specializing in motion subsystems in a product liability case involving contractual and tort liability, as well as insurance law.
• Insurance Company: Acting for an insurance company in a product liability case related to an incident in a waste processing plant.
• Medical Device Company: Representing a medical device manufacturer in a product recall and subsequent expertise, mediation and court proceedings.

• Ranked in Decideurs and Option Droit des Affaires for distribution law, corporate litigation and product liability
• Ranked in luxury goods industry and dispute resolution: commercial litigation practice in Legal 500 2025 France
• Ranked in Best Lawyers for her expertise in Retail Law

• Paris Bar Association - Member
• International Bar Association - Member