Bertrand COURTOIS

After graduating from the University of Paris V-René Descartes law school, and obtaining his qualification and registration at the Paris Bar, Bertrand COURTOIS decided to build upon his first law firm experiences in London and Paris (Clifford Chance, Clyde & Co, Lassez & Associés) and became very committed to the fields of maritime/shipping and transportation law, as well as to insurance and private international law.

His professional practice as a lawyer, initially shaped in London, led him to appear as an expert witness before the High Court of Justice in London on several occasions, and to develop and serve a significant international clientele (especially English, American and Japanese), including insurance companies, P&I Clubs, ship owners and many law firms.

After ten years with UK Firm Clyde & Co (1992-2002) including five as a partner, Bertrand COURTOIS founded Paris Firm Courtois & Finkelstein, where he practiced maritime and transports law, for 17 years (2002-2019) until the merger of the Firm with HMN & Partners.

Determined to pursue his practice independently, Bertrand COURTOIS founded LEXLINE with Victoire REVENAZ.

A member of the French Maritime Law Association (AFDM) and the International Bar Association (IBA), Bertrand COURTOIS provides legal services to significant players in the French and International Insurance Market and to operators of all profiles, sizes and requirements working in the transportation and shipping arena.

As a member of the Paris Bar, Bertrand COURTOIS appears before all French courts and also handles arbitration proceedings, particularly before the Maritime Arbitration Chamber of Paris (CAMP), the International Arbitration Chamber of Paris (CAIP) and the ICC International Court of Arbitration.

Bertrand COURTOIS recently distinguished himself in major maritime disasters (« COSTA CONCORDIA », « NORMAN ATLANTIC ») and air crashes (Air Algérie AH5017 and Egyptair MS804) involving civil issues as well as criminal.