An attorney since 1981, Mr. Abitbol graduated from Faculté de Droit d’Assas in Paris where he also obtained a post-graduate degree in corporate law and taxation.  After practicing in Paris for several years, Mr. Abitbol moved to New York and received an LL.M. degree from New York University School of Law in corporate law.  Upon graduation, he became associated with Willkie Farr & Gallagher in New York, NY, then with Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy in Tokyo, Japan, prior to founding his own law firm in 1992 in Tokyo prior to returning to New York in 1995 where he established his new firm.  Mr. Abitbol’s practice covers the full range of corporate matters, with a significant focus on cross-border corporate transactions (M&A, corporate finance, joint ventures, foreign investments, and real estate and financings) involving parties in Europe, the United States and Asia.  In addition, he has developed substantial expertise in all types of international commercial contracts, including technology transfers, license, manufacturing, distribution or endorsement contracts.