Profile

Alexis is the co-founder and Managing Partner of our Paris office and sits at the firm’s Governance Group. He is an insurance and reinsurance specialist with extensive expertise in complex litigation and arbitration.

He advises leading French and foreign insurance and reinsurance companies, brokers, major policyholders and manufacturers on matters of insurance and reinsurance litigation and arbitration, professional and product liability, construction, cyber risk and data protection (including the 2016/679 GDPR).

Alexis also assists clients in complex court-appointed investigations relating to industrial risks, and drafting insurance contracts that comply with French law.

He teaches Civil Procedure and (Re)Insurance Litigation & Arbitration at the Paris Insurance Institute of Dauphine University, at the Law Faculty of Le Mans University and at the Law Faculty of Montpellier University.

He is also regularly invited to speak at conferences and colloquiums on matters of (re)insurance law and dispute resolution, and is a regular contributor to a variety of industry publications in relation with the same (inter alia: the Lamy Assurances, a leading insurance and reinsurance practitioners’ textbook in France; The Insurance & Reinsurance Law Review; The Class Action Law Review; etc).

He is a member of a number of associations including the Association Internationale du Droit des Assurances (AIDA), the Association des Professionnels de la Réassurance en France (APREF), the Association du Management des Risques et Assurances de l’Enterprise (AMRAE), the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Insurance and Reinsurance Legacy Association (IRLA).

Alexis also contributed to the fourth edition of Kennedys’ Global Legal Handbook, one of our most popular guides, which outlines the main legal and procedural issues that case handlers may encounter when dealing with claims across 53 jurisdictions globally.

Alexis Valençon is very strong strategically. He is able to anticipate future issues and challenges almost before they develop; he is incredibly structured, technically excellent, down to earth, very inclusive, very knowledgeable and market-savvy.

Market recognition

  • Leading Individual for 'Insurance (France)' | The Legal 500 EMEA 2023

  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance Law (France)' | The Legal 500 EMEA 2023

    "Alexis Valençon is an excellent lawyer who works diligently for his clients and provides strong legal analysis of complex issues."
  • Notable Practitioner for 'Insurance (France)' | Chambers Europe 2023

    "Alexis Valençon has a growing reputation in the market, frequently acting on liability claims, coverage disputes and COVID-19-related business interruption losses."
    "Alexis Valençon is very strong strategically. He is able to anticipate future issues and challenges almost before they develop."
    "Alexis Valençon explains very well; he is incredibly structured and always makes sure we understand what he is saying. He is technically excellent, down to earth and very inclusive."
    "Alexis Valençon is very knowledgeable and market-savvy."
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance Law (France)' | The Best Lawyers in France 2023

  • Leading Individual for 'Insurance (France)' | The Legal 500 EMEA 2022

    "Alexis Valençon has a sharp mind, a genuine interest in the debate and is a great communicator."
    "Alexis Valençon and team with Kennedys have been very diligent and proactive in assisting us with our case. They are very engaging and communicate well. What I like the most is that they take the time to keep clients updated on trends/developments that have a direct/indirect implication to our case at hand."
  • Notable Practitioner for 'Insurance (France)' | Chambers Europe 2022

    "Alexis Valençon has a growing reputation in the market, frequently acting on liability claims, coverage disputes, and COVID-19-related business interruption losses. One satisfied client comments that 'he understands the market worldwide and grasps international concepts and matters really well.'"
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance (Paris)' | The Best Lawyers in France 2022 

  • Leading Individual for 'Insurance (France)' | The Legal 500 EMEA 2021

    "[He has] great availability, competence and advice".
  • Notable Practitioner for 'Insurance (France)' | Chambers Europe 2021

    "Alexis Valençon has a growing reputation in the market, frequently acting on liability claims and coverage disputes. He is complimented by one grateful client for his 'detailed analysis and prompt advice'".
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance (France)' | The Legal 500 EMEA 2020

    "Alexis Valençon is highly skilled and knowledgeable within the area of insurance and litigation".
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Construction (France)' | The Legal 500 EMEA 2020

  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance & Reinsurance (France)' | Who’s Who Legal France 2020 

    "Alexis Valençon is an ‘excellent insurance lawyer’, renowned for his expert handling of complex litigation and arbitration".
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Product Liability (France)' | Who’s Who Legal 2020
     
    "Alexis Valençon is a ‘great lawyer, capable of comprehending and interpreting technical problems’. His ‘availability and reactivity’ make him a valuable asset in the product liability defence industry."
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance (France)' | The Legal 500 EMEA 2019
     
     
    "A key player in the French market".
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Construction (France)'The Legal 500 EMEA 2019

    "Alexis Valençon acts for a number of insurers and contractors".
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Product Liability (France)' | Who's Who Legal 2019

    "Alexis Valençon is a superb product liability defence lawyer with a wealth of experience in complex litigation and arbitration disputes and in-depth knowledge of medical liability."
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance and Reinsurance (France)' | Who's Who Legal 2019

    "Alexis Valençon draws high praise from market sources for his top-notch insurance practice, which he focuses on related disputes, coverage issues, industrial risk and financial lines".
  • Recommended Lawyer for Insurance and Reinsurance (France)' | Who's Who Legal 2018

    "Alexis Valençon is a standout name in the French market who receives plaudits from international peers for his expert handling of complex insurance disputes".
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance and Reinsurance (France)' | Who’s Who Legal 2017

    “Alexis Valençon impresses market commentators with his well-developed insurance practice that sees him advise a wide range of leading clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters”.

Work highlights

  • Advising and representing reinsurers and insurers in many high-profile Covid-19 related BIL disputes (claims in excess of €100m, €500m and €1bn)
  • Advising and representing a reinsurer in disputes related to the termination of life reinsurance treaties (claims in excess of €25m)
  • Representing insurers and reinsurers in a major loss (exceeding €200m) caused by a fire in an international sub-aquatic tunnel.
  • Advising a construction company regarding the coverage of its liability in relation with the defects of an urban waste incineration plant, with the amount of loss in excess of €50m.
  • Advising the insurer of a financial institution in a litigation regarding the loss of value of a real estate portfolio, with the claim exceeding €90m.
  • Representing a broker in an arbitration against an insurer regarding a breach of contract, with the claim exceeding €35m.
  • Advising the insurers and reinsurers of a construction company in a litigation regarding the defects of one of the most important places of worship in North Africa, with the claim exceeding €60m.
  • Representing an insurance company in a litigation regarding the liability of a broker in relation to a gap in coverage. The claim exceeded €25m.