Olivier Bluche

Partner – New-York & Paris Bars
Former Secretary of the Conférence

Olivier is a highly regarded litigator and trial lawyer, recognized by his peers for his expertise in contentious matters and criminal law.

He has built a solid track record in litigation, primarily focusing on business labor law, handling high-stakes individual and collective disputes with significant financial or reputational implications. Olivier also practices criminal labor law, defending legal entities and business leaders. He advises French and international companies before all civil and criminal courts, as well as administrative authorities (DREETS, Labor Inspectorate, CNIL, Defender of Rights). Additionally, he represents executives and corporate officers—particularly from publicly listed companies—when they face personal liability, contractual engagement issues, or exit-related disputes.

Alongside his professional activities, Olivier serves as an operational reserve officer in the French Foreign Legion (COMLE).

A graduate of Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas and New York University, Olivier is a member of both the Paris and New York Bars. He is also a former Secretary of the Paris Bar Conference.

Experience

Olivier began his career at Jouanneau. After seven years as part of the Litigation department at Siméon & Associés (1994 to 2001), he joined Farthouat Avocats as a partner, leading the employment law and labor criminal law practice (2001 to 2008). Olivier has been a partner at the firm since 2008.

Practice areas

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Individual and collective disputes
Support and defense of executives and corporate officers
Criminal labor law
Discrimination and harassment

LITIGATION

CRIMINAL LABOR LAW

Education

Master’s Degree in Business Law (Magistère) – Paris II Panthéon-Assas
Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in Business Law and Taxation – Paris II Panthéon-Assas
LLM (formerly MCJ) – New York University
Former Secretary of the Conférence, Paris Bar (1998)

Languages: French / English

Recent matters

Employment Law

Advising a luxury group on the enforcement of non-compete clauses for executive members when joining subsidiaries of a competing group.
Assisting the former Deputy CEO in charge of operations at Olympique de Marseille (OM), who was suspended and later dismissed for alleged gross misconduct by the club.
Supporting a publicly listed company in the dismissal process of its CEO and HR Director for alleged gross misconduct.

Criminal Law

Criminal defense of Rachida Dati in the Renault-Nissan / Carlos Ghosn case.
Advising a police officer in connection with disciplinary measures.
Defending an industrial group in the judicial investigation regarding the kidnapping of employees by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
Representing the National Police Commissioners’ Union in a defamation case before criminal courts following tweets published on the union’s X (formerly Twitter) account.
Defending a French intelligence officer implicated in an attempted assassination on national soil involving agents from the French secret services (DGSE).

Publications

“Carlos Ghosn Case: Court Rejects Rachida Dati’s Appeal”, Le Figaro, July 2, 2024, Lire l’article

“Carlos Ghosn case: Decision on July 2 for Rachida Dati, who requests the abandonment of charges”, Le Parisien, May 8, 2024, Lire l’article

“At L’Oréal, the dismissal of four executives sparks controversy”, Libération, October 12, 2022. Lire l’article

“The spy cell is making headlines again”, Le Parisien, August 10, 2022, Lire l’article

“Ghosn case: The Court of Appeal rejects the request for prescription of charges against Rachida Dati,” Le Figaro, December 2, 2021. Lire l’article

“Regional elections: Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher authorized to participate,” Le Point.fr, June 11, 2021, Lire l’article

“Regional elections. The court validates Agnès Pannier-Runacher’s registration in Lens,” Ouest-France.fr, June 11, 2021, Lire l'article

“Harcèlement at the Paris Opera: management contests the union designation of a dancer,” Dalloz Actualité, July 11, 2018. Lire l'article

“The small Bettencourt affair shaking the Paris Bar,” L’Obs, April 16, 2017, Lire l'article

“Olivia Recasens, the deputy director of Le Point, is dismissed for an unacknowledged reason,” Mediapart, February 19, 2017, Lire l'article

“Carlton Trial: The Fine Defense,” Dalloz, February 20, 2015, Lire l'article

“Carlton Trial: The Phantom Taps of the ‘Secret Defense’ Witness,” Médiapart, February 5, 2015. Lire l'article

“Affaire Carlton: Joël Specque as the Mine Disarmer of the Conspiracy Theory,” La Voix du Nord, February 4, 2015, Lire l'article

Awards

Legal500 - 2024 - Dispute resolution: White-collar crime
“Reinhart Marville Torre defends companies, senior executives, and individuals in a variety of cases. The firm has significant expertise in labor criminal law. […] Olivier Bluche, often sought for labor criminal law matters, is recommended.” Voir le classement

Décideurs - 2024