Events 09 April 2026
Ydès is pleased to announce the appointment of Juliette Descollonges, Valérie Modica‑Geay and Cindy Richard as Of Counsel.
These appointments form part of the firm’s strategy to further strengthen its Tax, Corporate / M&A and Real Estate departments, within which each of them plays a key structuring role. They also reflect Ydès’s commitment to recognising those who actively contribute to the development and visibility of its practices.
Juliette Descollonges – Tax Department
A lawyer for 18 years and having joined Ydès at the end of 2021, Juliette Descollonges advises companies on all aspects of tax advisory and tax litigation, with solid expertise in corporate tax matters, restructurings and transactions.
She also supports clients in their development strategies in France and abroad (acquisition due diligence, vendor due diligence, tax structuring advice for acquisitions) and carries out tax audit assignments for various corporate groups.
Juliette holds a postgraduate degree (DESS) in Tax Law and a university diploma (DU) in European Tax Law from the University of Dijon, as well as an LLM in European Business Law from Radboud University (Netherlands), and a postgraduate degree (DESS) in Corporate Law and Finance from Jean Moulin Lyon III University.
Valérie Modica‑Geay – Corporate / M&A Department
With 25 years of experience, Valérie Modica‑Geay practises corporate law and mergers & acquisitions.
She mainly advises French and international companies on corporate law matters (company formation and corporate governance, group structuring, high‑level corporate transactions), across all sectors of activity.
She also assists clients with external growth transactions and cross‑border operations.
Valérie has developed particular expertise in group structuring, including mergers, demergers, partial asset contributions, and the implementation of employee and management incentive schemes (management packages).
In parallel, she is involved in the training of trainee lawyers at the Rhône‑Alpes Bar School, where she also serves as the coordinator for the “Business Law” option within the Corporate Pathway.
Valérie graduated from Jean Moulin Lyon III University and holds a DEA and a Master’s degree in Business Law.
Cindy Richard – Real Estate, Construction & Leases Department
A lawyer for 19 years, including eight years at Ydès, Cindy Richard mainly practises real estate law, both in advisory work and litigation.
Her practice covers construction and insurance law, commercial, professional and residential leases, condominium law and recovery proceedings.
Before joining Ydès in 2018, Cindy practised since her admission to the Bar in 2007 within leading Lyon‑based law firms specialising in real estate law. This background has enabled her to develop strong technical expertise and an in‑depth understanding of the sector’s specific challenges.
She regularly acts in construction litigation alongside developers, contractors and insurers, and has extensive experience in both judicial and amicable expert proceedings in real estate and construction law. She also regularly advises and represents clients in commercial lease matters.
Her client base includes real estate developers, construction companies, institutional landlords, social housing organisations, property managers and private individuals.
Cindy is also a member of the Real Estate & Construction Commission and the Cultural Commission of the Lyon Bar.
She holds a postgraduate degree (DEA) in Law and Justice from the Faculty of Law of Saint‑Étienne and a DEJ from Jean Moulin Lyon III University.
Their appointments highlight the place they have progressively taken within the firm.
The partners extend their warm congratulations and thank them for their continued commitment.
