Zimeray & Finelle combines expertise in complex legal challenges with international diplomacy, offering clients unique, tailor-made legal services.
François Zimeray and Jessica Finelle initially worked together 15 years ago on a peace-building initiative in the Middle East. Since then, their international work as lawyer, diplomat, or MEP has over-lapped in a range of contexts – from post-genocide Cambodia to central Africa. In 2018, François Zimeray and Jessica Finelle joined forces to create a unique law firm, specialising in international human rights (including corporate compliance), transnational crime, and conflict resolution.
Combining François Zimeray’s experience as a commercial lawyer, politician and diplomat (including as France’s Ambassador for Human Rights), with Jessica Finelle’s expertise in French and international criminal law, Zimeray & Finelle’s clients include individuals, organisations, corporations, and governments.
Backed by a team of excellent associates, the firm has genuine experience of sensitive cases requiring a strategic approach and in-depth knowledge of the media, both in France and abroad.
Headquartered in Paris, Zimeray & Finelle have a presence in London (where Zimeray is an associate tenant at Doughty Street Chambers) as well as Geneva, the capital of diplomacy and human rights.
On 19 September 2024, François Zimeray and Catalina de la Sota filed a complaint for crimes against humanity with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on behalf of two victims, a year after Azerbaijan attacked the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and forced the displacement of almost its entire population.
François Zimeray is one of the lawyers for Paul Watson :
“Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd organization, was arrested in Greenland on July 21. Japan is currently seeking his extradition based on a 2012 Interpol arrest warrant. Meanwhile, Watson’s attorney, François Zimeray, held an online interview with The Sankei Shimbun and JAPAN Forward to discuss the case.
In the interview, Zimeray, a French lawyer who also represented former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn, argued, “We cannot expect a fair trial in Japan.” He indicated he intends to continue fighting in the Greenland courts to prevent Watson’s extradition to Japan. […]
Zimeray himself is a somewhat political figure. He is a former French ambassador to Denmark and lawer for ex-Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn. During our interview, he argued, “Japan’s relentless pursuit of Watson far exceeds the severity of the charges.” (The Interpol warrant is based on charges of assault and obstruction for interfering with scientific whaling and causing property damage and personal injury.) “This is nothing more than political retaliation for challenging whaling,” Watson’s lawyer claimed […]”.
Jessica Finelle et François Zimeray sont les conseils de la famille de Tiphaine Véron, disparue le 29 juillet 2018 lors d’un voyage au Japon.
“Désormais, c’est le cabinet Zimeray & Finelle” qui accompagne les Véron. Il a travaillé pour Carlos Ghosn mais est spécialisé dans les enlèvements d’enfants entre deux parents de nationalités différentes.
“Nous avions besoin d’avoir une expertise internationale, notamment parce que tout ne passera pas par le pôle “cold case”, mais aussi grâce à l’ONU, à l’Union Européenne et à nos enquêteurs privés”, précise Damien Véron”.
Jessica Finelle discussed parental abduction in Japan on the Find My Parent podcast.
After several months of a procedure under pressure, Jessica Finelle and François Zimeray, together with Etienne Arnaud, obtained from the Chambéry Court of Appeal a decision dated 30 March 2023 refusing their client’s extradition to Ukraine.
“It is clear that the junta’s goal is for her to die in prison,” French lawyers François Zimeray and Jessica Finelle who represent Suu Kyi, said in a statement.
ZIMERAY & FINELLE AVOCATS
75008 Paris
Tél. : +33 (0) 1 82 28 14 55
Fax. : +33 (0) 1 82 28 14 56
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