PRESS RELEASE – HGF strengthens French Presence with Acquisition of Cabinet Marconnect

HGF has announced the acquisition of Cabinet Marconnet, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to the French market and supporting its continued growth across Europe.

The acquisition forms part of HGF’s long-term strategy to expand its presence and strengthen its position in France, a journey that began with the launch of HGF’s French operation under the leadership of Vivien Verbrugge, who established the firm’s Rennes office in February 2021 and continues to lead HGF’s French team and growth strategy across the region.

Since entering the French market, HGF has continued to invest in its presence and capabilities, including the opening of its Paris office in December 2024 and the appointments of Laurent Barbe and Dr Benoît Liénard as Patent Partners in Paris in September 2025. Together, these investments have strengthened the firm’s expertise across engineering, chemistry and life sciences while demonstrating HGF’s long-term commitment to supporting clients throughout France and Europe.

As part of the acquisition, Sébastien Marconnet and paralegal Samuel Grynwald will join HGF and be based in the firm’s Paris office. Their arrival enhances HGF France’s ability to support both local and international clients while further strengthening the firm’s technical expertise across a range of sectors and technologies.

Working alongside HGF’s multidisciplinary specialists, the team will collaborate across the firm’s European network to provide expert advice spanning technology, engineering, life sciences, chemistry, trade marks and IP law.

A graduate of the Higher School of Chemistry, Physics and Electronics of Lyon (CPE Lyon), Sébastien Marconnet is an Industrial Property Consultant and authorised representative before the European Patent Office. Following more than nine years working at a leading Paris-based intellectual property firm, he established Cabinet Marconnet in 2012, building a highly regarded practice focusing on mechanics, electronics and software.

Sébastien has extensive experience advising clients across a wide range of innovation-driven sectors, with particular expertise in automotive technologies, including powertrain systems, engine control and emissions reduction technologies, rotating electrical machines and electronic control systems, aeronautics and aircraft cabin technologies, signal processing and connected devices. His experience supporting clients operating in transport, aerospace and advanced engineering sectors further strengthens HGF’s capabilities in strategically important technology areas.

Martyn Fish, CEO of HGF, commented:

“France is a strategically important market for HGF and this acquisition represents another significant milestone in our continued European growth strategy. Since launching our French operations in 2021 under the leadership of Vivien Verbrugge, we have steadily expanded our presence and capabilities to better support clients across the region. The successful establishment of our Rennes office, followed by the opening of our Paris office, has provided a strong platform for continued growth in one of Europe’s most important innovation markets.”

 “The appointments of Laurent Barbe and Dr Benoît Liénard in 2025 significantly enhanced our capabilities in France, and the acquisition of Cabinet Marconnet represents the next stage in that growth. Together, these investments reflect our ambition to build one of Europe’s leading intellectual property practices and further strengthen the support we provide to clients across France and the wider European market.”

 “Sébastien has built an excellent reputation within the French IP profession and brings extensive expertise across engineering-led sectors including automotive, aerospace, electronics and connected technologies. His technical knowledge, commercial insight and long-standing client relationships make him an outstanding addition to our team.”

 “Together with Samuel, he will strengthen the capabilities of our Paris office and further enhance the support we provide to innovative businesses across France and beyond. Their arrival reflects our commitment to combining local expertise with the depth of resource and multidisciplinary capabilities available across the wider HGF group.”

Sébastien Marconnet commented:

“Joining HGF represents an exciting opportunity for both our clients and our team. HGF’s collaborative culture, international reach and multidisciplinary expertise make it a natural fit for our practice. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the firm to continue supporting clients with their innovation and intellectual property strategies in France and internationally.”

The acquisition demonstrates HGF’s ongoing commitment to investing in key European markets and strengthening its ability to provide seamless intellectual property support across jurisdictions, sectors and technologies. By combining local expertise with the firm’s wider European capabilities, HGF is well positioned to support clients as they innovate, grow and protect their intellectual assets.

For further comment please contact Nikki Butler at +44 (0)113 233 0100, nbutler@hgf.com.