European businesses entering the U.S. market often face unfamiliar legal and commercial frameworks. Vanessa Koui helps clients navigate those complexities by translating U.S. corporate and transactional requirements into practical business guidance that supports growth, investment, and long-term success. Vanessa advises businesses on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, business transactions, and commercial contracting. She counsels French and European companies seeking to establish, expand, or strengthen their presence in the United States, guiding them through every stage of the business lifecycle, from entity formation and organizational structuring to strategic transactions and ongoing corporate compliance.
Drawing on experience as both in-house counsel for a multinational organization and outside counsel, Vanessa understands the legal and operational challenges businesses face when making strategic decisions. Her practical perspective enables her to provide advice that addresses legal requirements while aligning with her clients' business objectives. Clients value her responsiveness, commercial mindset, and ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly and in an actionable way.
Before entering private practice, Vanessa served as in-house counsel in Paris, where she focused on corporate law, commercial contracts, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and commercial transactions. In that role, she advised public companies on a range of business and governance matters, giving her firsthand insight into corporate leadership teams' priorities and internal legal departments.
Fluent in French and trained in both French and U.S. legal systems, Vanessa is uniquely positioned to bridge European businesses and the U.S. corporate environment. Her cross-border perspective allows her to anticipate cultural and legal considerations that can affect transactions and business operations, helping clients move forward with confidence and clarity.
Outside of her legal practice, Vanessa is committed to expanding access to education and supporting emerging entrepreneurs. She serves on the board of an organization dedicated to educational opportunities for children in Côte d'Ivoire and volunteers her time providing legal assistance to small business owners.
- University of Southern California Gould School of Law (LL.M.)
- University of Perpignan (J.D., cum laude)
- Grenoble Alpes University (LL.B)
- New York
- French
