We help you make Products Law a pillar of business, you turn it into a competitive edge. Our clients face complex regulations and high societal expectations regarding products safety and compliance. On top of that is the profound transformation of the circular economy and sustainable development. To innovate and address these challenges, Qolumn works hand in hand with its clients. What’s our aim? To ensure you are well positioned in terms of Products Law.
Products Law is a rare area of legal expertise which combines a thorough understanding of complicated technical regulations with the fundamentals of Business Law (liability, contracts, free movement of goods, consumer law, criminal law, commercial litigation). Fifteen years ago, this area of law did not exist. Nowadays, it is taught at university. We were one of the pioneers. We are very familiar with our sector, administrations, and the industrial processes.
Qolumn is involved in all stages of the products life cycle. From the conception of products right through to market launch, we are the trusted partners of the various corporate departments. We work with senior management, legal departments, marketing, regulatory affairs and R&D to help them achieve their projects and overcome difficult situations with the best possible result.
Qolumn combines in-depth expertise in products regulation with a cross-cutting approach to business law. We are able to provide concrete legal solutions at every stage of the product life cycle. You will appreciate working with us as we are straightforward, efficient and committed.
Compliant companies gain easier access to the market and save time and money on enforcement actions. Qolumn has the necessary expertise to help its clients be proactive in complying with the French and European regulations applicable to their products.
Verification of products compliance, safety and fairness. Regulatory classification of products. Validation of labelling and advertising. Support with product declarations and authorisation processes. Coordination of multi-country projects. Legislative and regulatory monitoring. Training on products law in French and English.
Some traditional legal operations require a sound knowledge of products regulations, consumer law and business law. At Qolumn, this is our world.
Securing contracts and products data sheets. Examining sales promotion operations. Analysing the risk of misleading advertising. Compliance audits. Regulatory due diligence in merger and acquisition transactions. Confidentiality and protection of trade secrets.
No one likes to be let alone in the face of adversity. Enforcement actions and disputes with competitors are complex legal processes. Qolumn supports you through these difficult moments to achieve the best possible result.
Navigating regulator investigations. Implementing corrective action plans. Providing coaching ahead of audits and court hearing. Defending companies and directors in criminal courts. Representing clients in summary proceedings and unfair competition or product liability matters. Negotiating business transactions. Appeals on grounds of ultra vires against regulatory texts. Insurance surveys.
We act when a company’s reputation and strategy are at stake. Qolumn keeps a close eye on the latest news in Products Law. We have the expertise and experience needed to handle these complicated cases.
Crisis hotline. Assistance in managing products withdrawals/recalls. High level legal opinions on complex regulatory issues. Validation of national advertising campaigns. Compliance strategies for innovative products. Novel food authorisations and re-evaluation of additives. Liaising with French and European authorities.
We work exclusively for companies that manufacture and sell food and consumer products. Our expertise starts with raw materials and agricultural products. It ends with waste and recycling. In between, a product was produced and circulated in B2B and B2C.
Gilles is a recognized expert in French and European product law, with more than twenty years of experience. He is regularly recommended by The Legal 500 and the Lexology Client Choice Index, where he is described as “highly experienced” and “renowned for his expert advice and in-depth knowledge”.
Gilles assists major French and international groups with their compliance strategies in response to new regulations, market access for innovative products, the management of regulatory inspections, and crisis situations (including product withdrawals and recalls).
Accustomed to disputes involving regulatory authorities (DGCCRF, DDPP, SNE), he regularly represents clients before administrative and criminal courts.
Before founding QOLUMN, Gilles co-founded Product Law Firm and spent more than ten years at leading international law firms (Keller & Heckman, Hogan Lovells, Simmons & Simmons).
Highly involved in the product law community, he frequently speaks at conferences organized by EFLA (European Food Law Association), ICPHSO (International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization), AIDV (International Wine Law Association) and the IBA (International Bar Association – Health and Life Sciences Law Committees).
Gilles also delivers professional training sessions and has taught food product litigation at the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and at AgroParisTech.
Languages: French, English
For more than fifteen years, Pierre has developed deep expertise in food law through a rich and complementary professional background.
After completing a Master’s degree in European Union Law, he began his career at a well-regarded law firm, where he spent several years specializing in consumer and product law.
He then joined Danone as a Food Law Counsel, gaining in-depth knowledge of the operations and regulatory expectations of a major international group.
Pierre later joined a leading technical center in the food sector, where he headed the regulatory department and advised French companies of all sizes on their compliance challenges.
Drawing on this diverse experience, Pierre now brings his expertise and practical insight to support product manufacturers in navigating complex product law and regulatory compliance issues.
Languages: French, English, Italian.
Since 2022, Marine has been advising the firm’s French and international clients on a wide range of product law and regulatory issues.
She specializes in product and packaging sustainability issues (e.g., the Triman logo), compliance with the new general product safety regulation, regulatory compliance obligations applicable to e-commerce platforms, and the validation of marketing and advertising materials.
Marine gained valuable experience working in-house as a Regulatory Risk Management Intern at a large pet food company, where she honed her understanding of how adequate regulatory management can support businesses from within.
Marine holds a Master’s degree (Master 2) in European Business and Competition Law from Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas.
Languages: French, English
Bérénice advises and supports the firm’s clients in managing contentious matters involving product compliance or product safety.
She assists in administrative and criminal proceedings related to product law, including DGCCRF investigations for regulatory non-compliance, preparing clients for voluntary criminal hearings, and filing appeals against administrative injunctions issued by regulatory authorities.
Before joining QOLUMN, Bérénice worked in the litigation departments of Paris-based law firms, notably in the highly regulated banking and financial sector. She also gained in-house experience within the legal department of a major luxury group.
Bérénice holds a dual degree in Law and Economics/Management, as well as a Master’s degree in Banking and Financial Law.
Languages: French, English
Karla joined QOLUMN in 2025, where she assists clients with product law matters, market access strategies, and the management of regulatory and litigation issues.
Thanks to her academic background and experience in pharma law, Karla works more specifically with clients in the life sciences and wellness sectors, including food supplements, infant nutrition, dietary products, cosmetics, and medical devices.
Before becoming an attorney, Karla worked for two years at L’Oréal and Organon within their regulatory affairs and legal departments. She also gained experience in a biotech company specializing in precision medicine and artificial intelligence. As part of her legal training, she also completed an internship in the Life Sciences department of DLA Piper.
Karla holds two Master’s degrees: one in Health Law (Paris II Panthéon-Assas) and one in Pharmaceutical Law (Paris V Descartes).
Languages : French, English, Spanish
Ludivine is responsible for the administrative management of Qolumn.
She is in charge of the administrative aspects of the firm and works alongside the partners in the management of the structure, particularly on the financial, accounting & HR aspects.
Ludivine is also in charge of firm life and team building.
Languages: French, English
We actively participate in the Products Law community in France and Europe. Our lawyers are members of the following associations and peer societies:
We know products lawyers in almost every country in the world. We have handled cases and built trust with them over the years. Do you have an overseas project but are unsure of the rules applicable to that country? We have the right partner (or we will find him/her!).
In Products Law, science is never far away. Managing a sanitary crisis or understanding the implications of products innovation often requires an expert’s eye. Depending on the case, we can call on scientific and technical partners to answer even the most complex questions (veterinarians, toxicologists, microbiologists, testing laboratories, etc.).
