KELTEN AVOCATS

What KELTEN AVOCATS does

KELTEN AVOCATS is a French business law firm (Société d'Exercice Libéral à Responsabilité Limitée, SELARL) headquartered in Lyon and operating through eight offices across eastern and southeastern France, including Saint-Étienne, Grenoble, Marseille, Avignon, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Roanne, and Aix-les-Bains. The firm delivers counsel and litigation services across 13 practice areas spanning corporate law (M&A, private equity, restructurings), tax law, employment law, intellectual property, digital law, sports law, real estate and construction, agricultural and wine business law, economic/commercial law, heritage/estate law, business distress and restructuring, and the social/solidarity economy (associations, foundations, mission-led enterprises). With approximately 82 lawyers and jurists, KELTEN serves as a full-service legal platform for SMEs, large corporate groups, associations, independent professionals, and startups, particularly those in the French tech and innovation ecosystem across Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

The firm generates revenue through professional services billed to corporate and individual clients, spanning ongoing advisory mandates and transactional work (funding rounds, M&A, restructurings) and litigation; pricing is not publicly disclosed and clients engage through direct office contact. KELTEN's go-to-market relies on regional physical presence, deep integration with the regional startup and investor ecosystem (partnerships with French Tech Alpes-Grenoble, Le Village by CA Sud Rhône Alpes, Grenoble Angels, Tech&Fest, iForum, and Bpifrance), targeted thought leadership through legal publications and conferences, talent pipeline cultivation via the DJCE de Lyon law school partnership, and brand-building via consistent recognition in Best Lawyers (2024, 2025, 2027), Leaders League (2022, 2023), Palmarès du Droit de Lyon (2024), and Palmarès du Figaro (2025). The underlying technology is standard professional services infrastructure; the firm has no proprietary technology product.

KELTEN is independently owned by its lawyer-shareholders, with Sabine Prades serving as Gérant of the SELARL; there is no disclosed institutional or private equity backing. The firm has pursued a steady, multi-decade expansion trajectory (originating in Roanne in 1996), with recent emphasis on talent acquisition (new partners and associates across Lyon, Aix-les-Bains, and other offices in 2025) and continued investment in physical office infrastructure (Lyon 2023, Roanne 2023).

Name

KELTEN AVOCATS

Legal name

KELTEN SELARL

Website

https://kelten.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KELTEN AVOCATS is an independently owned French business law firm headquartered in Lyon with 8 offices across eastern/southeastern France and approximately 82 lawyers and jurists delivering counsel and litigation across 13 practice areas (corporate, tax, employment, IP, digital, sports, restructuring, social economy) for SMEs, large corporations, associations, and startups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Legal Services (5411)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

M&A Advisory (Buy-Side & Sell-Side) (BPAHAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Governance & Board Effectiveness Advisory (BPAHAFAC)

Keywords

• Corporate legal services
• Mergers and acquisitions advisory
• Tax law advisory
• Employment law services
• Intellectual property law

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Advisory Services: KELTEN AVOCATS generates revenue through professional legal services billed to corporate and individual clients. Services span corporate law, M&A, tax, employment, IP, digital law, sports law, social economy law, and litigation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KELTEN AVOCATS is a French business law firm providing advisory and litigation legal services to companies, associations, and independent professionals through a network of 8 offices in France. The firm's core work spans 13 practice areas including corporate law, M&A, tax, employment, IP, digital law, sports law, social economy, real estate, agricultural/wine business law, business restructuring, and commercial dispute resolution. Engagements are handled by multidisciplinary teams of lawyers (avocats) and jurists collaborating across offices.

Product overview

KELTEN AVOCATS is a multi-office French law firm offering comprehensive legal services through a network of specialized departments. The firm operates as a unified legal services platform organized into 13 distinct practice areas: Corporate Law (Droit des sociétés), Tax Law, Heritage Law, Employment Law, Real Estate Law, Economic/Commercial Law, Agricultural Law, Intellectual Property, Digital Law, Sports Law, Business Restructuring, Litigation/Arbitration, and Social Economy Law. The firm serves businesses of all sizes (SMEs, large groups, associations, independents) across multiple regions in France through offices in Lyon, Saint-Étienne, Grenoble, Avignon, Roanne, Marseille, and Aix-les-Bains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corporate Law (Droit des sociétés) Legal counsel and defense for businesses in corporate matters including transactions, governance, and shareholder relations.
• Tax Law (Droit fiscal) Tax law advisory services including tax planning, disputes, and compliance for businesses and individuals.
• Heritage and Estate Law (Droit patrimonial) Estate planning, wealth management, and heritage law services for individuals and families.
• Employment Law (Droit social) Employment law services including labor disputes, workplace compliance, and employee relations matters.
• Real Estate and Construction Law (Droit immobilier et construction) Legal services for real estate transactions, construction projects, and property-related disputes.
• Economic and Commercial Law (Droit économique) Commercial and economic law advisory including competition law, distribution agreements, and commercial contracts.
• Agricultural and Wine Business Law (Droit de l'entreprise agricole et viticole) Specialized legal services for agricultural enterprises and wine industry businesses.
• Intellectual Property (Propriété intellectuelle) Intellectual property protection including trademarks, patents, copyrights, and IP litigation.
• Digital and Tech Law (Droit du numérique) Legal services addressing digital transformation, data protection, e-commerce, and technology-related legal issues.
• Sports Law (Droit du sport) Legal counsel for sports organizations, athletes, and sporting federations including sponsorship and governance matters.
• Business Restructuring and Distressed Enterprises (Entreprises en difficultés) Restructuring, insolvency, and business recovery legal services including mandate ad hoc, conciliation, and judicial proceedings.
• Commercial Litigation, Arbitration, Mediation, and Business Criminal Law (Contentieux – Arbitrage et médiation – Droit pénal des affaires) Dispute resolution services including commercial litigation, arbitration, mediation, and business criminal defense.
• Social Economy and Responsible Business (Économie sociale et solidaire – Entreprise responsable) Legal services for associations, foundations, social enterprises, and companies with mission status, including governance and CSR matters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers rankings (2024, 2025, 2027 editions)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• French Tech Alpes - GrenoblecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKELTEN AVOCATS Grenoble is a partner of the French Tech Alpes - Grenoble, supporting the regional startup ecosystem and innovation community.
• Le Village by CA Sud Rhône AlpescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partnership with Le Village by CA Sud Rhône Alpes to support startup innovation and ecosystem development in the Rhône-Alpes region.
• Grenoble AngelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Grenoble Angels, a network of proximity investors, formalizing long-standing collaboration in the Grenoble startup ecosystem.
• Association du DJCE de Lyon (ADL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership supporting DJCE Lyon law students, helping them finance their specialization month in Montpellier. Many KELTEN lawyers are alumni of this program.
• Rugby au CœurcoreOthersPlatinum Mécène (Platinum Sponsor) of Rugby au Cœur, the endowment fund for Rugby World Cup France 2023. The ESS-Sport department provides legal support including skills-based sponsorship, contract review, and fiscal framing.
• Tech&FestcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKELTEN AVOCATS Grenoble has been a partner of Tech&Fest since 2024, with the firm having a dedicated stand to support clients and discover innovative companies at this major tech event in Grenoble.
• iForumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKELTEN AVOCATS Grenoble has participated as a partner in iForum for 10 consecutive years, providing opportunity to engage with startups and established projects in the Grenoble area.
• FailCon Grenoble / 60 000 rebonds AuvergneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the first 'Nuit de la Résilience et du Rebond' (Resilience and Rebound Night) organized by FailCon Grenoble and 60,000 rebonds Auvergne.
• Fondaction pour le mécénat sportifcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJulien BERENGER and Wilfried MEYNET serve on the strategic committee of Fondaction pour le mécénat sportif, with both being founding members of this organization.
• AdmicalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created a guide with Admical, Union des Clubs Professionnels de Rugby, and Fondaction on the opportunity for sports groups to establish endowment funds.
• Union des Clubs Professionnels de RugbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on a guide for sports organizations regarding endowment fund structures and best practices in sponsorship.
• Bpifrance (Club des Banques de l'Innovation)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKELTEN participated in the Club des Banques de l'Innovation organized by Bpifrance in Grenoble, bringing together funding actors dedicated to startups.
• JOBFAIR IDEAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKELTEN participates in JOBFAIR organized by Institut de Droit d'Économie des Affaires, attending to meet and recruit law students.
• FilmoramaxminorOthersAnnual sponsor of the Filmoramax international short film festival held in Lyon, including opening ceremony, competition, and master classes.
• CCI SavoieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with CCI Savoie for events and conferences such as the AI conference addressing challenges for local businesses.
• French TechcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKELTEN AVOCATS Grenoble formalized its partnership with La French Tech Alpes - Grenoble, supporting startup emergence in the territory alongside this major innovation actor.
• Ligue Nationale de RugbyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWilfried MEYNET and Julien BERENGER from KELTEN ESS-Sport department participate in LNR events including the 'Dirigeants de demain' (Tomorrow's Leaders) gathering.
• CNOSFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJulien BERENGER of KELTEN spoke at the CNOSF 'Dirigeants de demain' event, presenting after Minister Marie-George Buffet.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bird & Bird: International law firm with deep IP, technology and digital law practices — directly comparable to KELTEN's IP, digital and tech-law specializations. Competes for the same tech and startup clients in France and Europe, particularly on Series A/B and cross-border tech M&A.
• August Debouzy: Paris-headquartered French firm with national and international reach across corporate, M&A, employment, IP and litigation. A broad incumbent serving similar mid-market and enterprise clients but with deeper Paris and international capability.
• Fidal: Largest national French business law network with offices across all major French cities including Lyon. A broad incumbent rather than direct niche peer; competes for the same SME and mid-market clients as KELTEN on tax, corporate and employment work.

Direct peers

• Racine: Mid-tier French law firm with offices across several cities, advising SMEs, mid-market companies and investors on M&A, corporate, employment, tax and IP matters — a direct peer for KELTEN on the multi-office, multi-discipline French mid-market.
• Cornet Vincent Ségurel: National French mid-tier firm with multi-office presence across Paris, Lyon and other major cities, offering corporate/M&A, employment, IP and tax practices to SMEs and large corporates — directly competitive for KELTEN's Lyon-based clients and similar league-table positioning.
• Delsol Avocats: Multi-office French law firm headquartered in Lyon with a comparable mid-market M&A, tax, employment and corporate finance practice across Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and other regions. One of KELTEN's prior partners trained at Delsol, making it a near-clone along size, footprint and client mix.
• CGR Legal: Lyon-based multi-office law firm with similar mid-market corporate, restructuring and litigation practice, overlapping with KELTEN in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes business community and on SME/mid-market M&A.
• BBLM Avocats: Lyon-based multi-office firm serving SMEs and mid-market corporates across corporate, tax, employment, IP and litigation — closely matching KELTEN's Lyon-rooted, regional mid-market positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/keltenavocats
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kelten-avocats

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KELTEN AVOCATS