Tackling Global Legal Challenges: HEC Paris Students Honored for Innovative Legal and Fiscal Research

In a world where legal frameworks must adapt to rapidly changing societal, economic, and environmental challenges, a new generation of legal professionals is rising to meet these issues head-on. From exploring the intersection of law and artificial intelligence, to climate litigation, and loyalty in public contract award procedures, HEC Paris students are tackling high-impact topics that directly resonate with the complexities of modern society.

This year, during the 21st edition of the A&O Shearman Legal & Tax Prize, three HEC students were honored for their innovative research. Roxane, Charline, and Romane, from the LLM in International Law & Management and the International Tax and Legal Strategy Major, presented rigorous analyses of crucial legal issues that reflect their commitment to shaping the future of law and fiscal strategy.

Honoring Excellence: 2024 A&O Shearman Legal & Tax Prize Winners

On October 8, 2024, three HEC Paris students were recognized for their outstanding research contributions at the 21st edition of the A&O Shearman Legal & Tax Prize ceremony in Paris. These students presented forward-thinking solutions to some of the most pressing legal and fiscal challenges of our time:

• 1st Prize: Roxane Le Sueur

The treatment of the creditor-shareholder in corporate restructuring

Supervised by Arnaud de Rochebrune, General Counsel M&A, Licenses and Financing, L'Oréal.

• 2nd Prize: Charline Marrony

Competition on merits vs. sustainable development

Supervised by Semih Bayar Eren, Director of Legal Affairs, Ivanhoé Cambridge Europe.

• 3rd Prize: Romane Cotel

Loyalty in public contract award procedures

Supervised by Jean-Paul Laval, General Counsel, Orange Concessions.

These students were selected through a rigorous process involving both written and oral evaluations by a jury composed of legal professionals from A&O Shearman and top companies like L’Oréal, Groupe Louis Delhaize, Ivanhoé Cambridge Europe, Pluxee (Sodexo Group), BNP Paribas, LVMH, ENGIE, Orange Concessions, Samsung Electronics France, Banque Stellantis France, and Allianz.

Under the guidance and expertise of Mirko Hayat, Affiliated Professor and Scientific Director of the LLM in International Law & Management, Michael Loy, Affiliated Professor and Executive Director of the LLM in International Law & Management: 

, and Arnaud Van Waeyenberge, Associate Professor of Law and Chairman of the Law and Tax Department for the International Tax and Legal Strategy Major,: these students excelled in their rigorous academic work.

Michael Loy, Associate Professor and Executive Director of the LLM in International Law & Management, commented:

"At HEC, we are fortunate to have an abundance of exceptional candidates. I often find myself impressed not only by their technical expertise but also by their maturity. Their technical skills are clearly demonstrated in their written work, while their maturity comes through in the way they present and defend their research before the jury."

Following this, Alexandre Ancel, Partner at A&O Shearman in France, added:

"This year again, all the selected students impressed the jury with the depth of their thinking on contemporary issues. They addressed not only legal, tax, and economic questions, but also societal issues such as sustainable development and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Through this prize, we are proud, alongside HEC, to promote the emergence of new legal talents, who enrich the debates and reflections in the face of developments in the sector."

A Partnership Spanning Two Decades: HEC Paris and A&O Shearman

Since 2004, the A&O Shearman Legal & Tax Prize has recognized HEC Paris students for their excellence in legal and fiscal research. Over the last years, this partnership has provided students with the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain real-world insights, and showcase their talents to the legal community.

During the award ceremony, Nayla Ibrahim, Senior Executive Director of Corporate and Public Partnerships at HEC Paris, highlighted the enduring value of this collaboration:

"This prize echoes HEC Paris' commitment to shaping the future around four pillars: Talent, Knowledge, Innovation, and Impact. We are grateful for A&O Shearman's continued support, which amplifies our ability to empower students and foster their academic and professional growth.

Highlights from the 2024 Legal & Tax Prize ceremony in this video