Innovation & Digital Transformation
Technology & Digital
Technology & Digital
28/02/2022
Richard
Willemant
Partner and Co-Managing Partner
Attorney at law
Richard is a co-managing partner and has extensive expertise in international and complex litigation. He practices in all areas of technology, digital, intellectual property, media and business law, both in civil and criminal matters. He is a trademark agent, mediator, data protection officer (DPO) and an agent for artists and authors.
Richard Willemant is a member of the Paris Bar and the Quebec Bar.
He has recognized cross-functional expertise in civil and criminal matters, with more than 15 years of experience in counseling and litigation in all of our firm’s practice areas. He has particular expertise in contracts, intellectual property law, the fight against counterfeiting and content piracy, as well as in business law and international litigation, including cybercrime.
He advises major French and foreign groups, as well as small and medium-sized companies, including French Tech startups, in contractual matters and dispute resolution.
Richard has a strong international practice, particularly in North America and Japan.
Thanks to its international reputation, Richard has developed a network of experts on all continents, enabling our firm to work with trusted lawyers and partners around the world, particularly in Europe, Asia and North America. Richard is the driving force behind FÉRAL’s close alliance with the Japanese law firm TORANOMON CHUO虎門中央法律事務所.
Richard leads FÉRAL’s international task force, coordinating the best partners in each zone and thus optimizing the efficiency of the legal services offered to our clients.
Major foreign groups call on Richard’s expertise to address their legal issues in France, just as Richard assists French groups in the deployment of their international activities.
He is in charge of the Japan desk and the Israeli desk of FÉRAL and is a regular speaker at international conferences on digital, intellectual property and business law issues.
He is a trademark agent in France, the European Union and Canada. He is also an expert in IP pre-diagnosis at the INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle)
Richard is also a mediator accredited by the Quebec Bar in civil and commercial matters, a commissioner for oaths, an agent for artists and authors, a lobbyist and a real estate agent.
His expertise covers in particular:
– digital transformation, creations and innovations
– protection and defense of trademarks, domain names, designs, copyrights and business secrets worldwide
– preservation of digital evidence and provisional and protective measures
– Actions to fight counterfeiting and to protect content against piracy, before the courts or through customs procedures
– judicial and extra-judicial resolution of disputes in the fields of intellectual property, technology rights, e-commerce, media and communication, as well as commercial or business law disputes, unfair competition and criminal law
– the management and conduct of international or complex litigation before courts, intellectual property offices or other authorities
– criminal law matters related to intellectual property and information technology, or in connection with the civil and criminal liability of company directors
– contractual and regulatory assistance, particularly in matters of e-commerce, distribution and franchising, licensing agreements or contracts for technological projects or innovation
– protection of privacy, image rights and e-reputation
– RGPD Compliance and Compliance in digital law (e-commerce, e-evidence, e-health, e-tourism, etc.)
– Enforcement of court or arbitration decisions, including in the area of sovereign debt
– mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution
Richard is the former head of the Paris-Quebec International Open Commission of the Paris Bar (2012-2015).
Richard has taught cybercrime (Master II, University of Paris) and intellectual property law (Master II, University of Poitiers). He intervenes as an expert in the training courses offered by FÉRAL.
In addition, Richard has a 2nd dan black belt in Aikido and is a great connoisseur of Japan and its culture.
Richard Willemant received degrees in France and Canada:
– L.L.M. (2006), Intellectual Property, Technology Law, International Air Law, McGill University (Montreal), institute of comparative law & institute of air and space law
– CAPA (2003), Certificat d’aptitude à la profession d’avocat, École de formation du Barreau de Paris
– Master II (2003), Contract and Property Law, Université Paris I – Panthéon-Sorbonne
– Master II (2002), Multimedia and Computer Law, University of Paris II – Panthéon-Assas
– Master I (2001), Private Law, specialization in judicial careers and criminal sciences, University of Paris II – Panthéon-Assas
– Bachelor’s degree (2000), Private law, majoring in business law, University of Paris II – Panthéon-Assas
Richard Willemant is a member of the following organizations
– IBA – International Bar Association (London)
– INTA – International Trademark Association (New York)
– French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Japan (Tokyo)
– French-Japanese Exchange Committee (CEFJ) of the CCI Paris Île-de-France (Paris)
– Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in France (Paris)
– France-Canada Chamber of Commerce (Paris)
– Quebec Bar Association in France (Paris)
– International Council of Mediation (Paris)
– French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Canada (Montreal)
– Quebec-Japan Business Forum (Montreal)
Richard Willemant speaks French and English. He has some knowledge of Japanese.
Richard Willemant is regularly distinguished in professional guides (Chambers, Legal500 Best lawyers, Décideurs).
He has been distinguished by The Legal 500 and Best Lawyers 2022 in technology law and intellectual property. The Décideurs guide recognizes his strong reputation in industrial property, trademarks, designs and models. In 2019, the Chambers Global guide distinguished his recognized practice in intellectual property.