Vincent Desry

Vincent is a Partner in Signature’s Paris office. He joined the firm in 2026 to establish its Paris white collar crime practice, strengthening Signature’s on-the-ground capabilities in France and adding further depth to its expanding global disputes practice.

With more than 10 years’ experience, Vincent advises and represents corporate entities, senior executives and public figures in complex white collar criminal matters, general criminal law and civil and commercial disputes, many of which have a significant cross-border dimension. He acts for both French and international clients.

Vincent has represented clients in several landmark French criminal proceedings, most recently acting as trial counsel for former French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the high-profile Bygmalion case concerning his 2012 presidential re-election campaign.

His experience spans investigations and proceedings involving fraud, money laundering, bribery, tax fraud, misuse of corporate assets and embezzlement. He advises clients at every stage of criminal proceedings, from the filing of complaints and investigations through to trial, sentencing and international judicial assistance. He has particular expertise in challenging criminal asset seizures and resisting the enforcement of foreign confiscation and forfeiture orders.

Alongside his criminal practice, Vincent regularly advises clients on complex civil and commercial disputes, including pre-action strategy, in futurum investigative measures, proceedings on the merits, exequatur proceedings and interim protective measures.

Vincent is recognised in both Chambers France 2026 and The Legal 500 EMEA 2026. Chambers describes him as an up-and-coming partner with “extensive experience in criminal cases involving fraud, money laundering, bribery, tax fraud, misuse of corporate assets and embezzlement.” Commentators praise his “excellent advice”, with one commenting: “Vincent is a phenomenal lawyer. I rate him very highly and I highly recommend him.”

The Legal 500 notes that “Vincent Desry is excellent and dedicates a great deal of his time and attention to every case he handles. I often feel like I’m his ‘only client’ because he’s so available and thorough in his work.” The guide also highlights that he is “particularly astute, researching every detail and anticipating every risk.”

Before joining Signature, Vincent practised at Cohen & Gresser and previously worked at Temime. He also completed internships at Allen & Overy (Paris), Dupond-Moretti & Vey and at the Financial Division in charge of the Investigations of the Paris Court of Justice.

Admitted to the Paris and New York State Bars, Vincent holds a Master’s degree in Economic Law from Sciences Po Paris, specialising in Economic Litigation and Arbitration, and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law.

Vincent is fluent in French and in English.