Department profile
Freshfields

Banking & Finance

Global Guide 2026 : Germany


Freshfields

Rankings

About

Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category:

https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/capabilities/industries/financial-services/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - Germany

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

The banking and finance team at Freshfields is renowned for its standing among high-profile lenders, corporate borrowers and sponsors. The law firm excels in all types of lending transactions, regularly playing starring roles in cross-border acquisitions and corporate and leveraged finance deals, as well as novel financing structures. The regulatory team maintains its reputation as a market-leading one, and routinely handles large mandates concerning bank M&A, fintech and reorganisations in the financial services sector. The team also represents clients in contentious matters at national and EU levels, including in BaFin enforcement proceedings and before the EGC.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields advised KfW on establishing a revolving credit facility in a matter with a value of EUR24 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The law firm has strong know-how and appropriate resources allocation.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • I appreciate the law firm's reliability, flexibility, experience, knowledge and out-of-the-box thinking,

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Freshfields offers an incredible work ethic and pragmatism when solving complicated problems. In Germany, it is our go-to for bespoke financing solutions.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • The lawyers have a very deep understanding of market standards. They also have strong ties to other law firms, which helps to negotiate with them as counter-parties' legal advisers.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Freshfields offers high competence, excellent partnership and a good team and back-up structure.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Alexander Glos
    Band 1Alexander Glos

    Alexander Glos

    Alexander Glos is highly active on an impressively broad range of regulatory mandates involving banks and other financial services providers, including acquisitions and sales as well as governance issues connected to dividend payments. He offers further strength in litigation connected to the Single Resolution Board and supervisory enforcement proceedings.

  • Band 1Frank Laudenklos
    Band 1Frank Laudenklos

    Frank Laudenklos

    Leading practitioner Frank Laudenklos is revered for his prowess in handling large-scale syndicated and debut financing mandates. Prominent banks as well as companies from the telecommunications, healthcare and life sciences sectors frequently seek his advice.

    • Frank Laudenklos combines excellent expertise with great negotiation skills and strategic vision.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Gunnar Schuster
    Band 1Gunnar Schuster

    Gunnar Schuster

    Leading practitioner Gunnar Schuster is highly regarded for the breadth of his expertise in all regulatory banking and finance issues. Well-known German and global banks seek his advice on their M&A transactions, business expansions, intragroup restructurings and licensing procedures, often involving cross-border elements. He additionally covers contentious matters, advising banks on supervisory proceedings as well as connected litigation at national and EU levels.

    • Gunnar Schuster knows very well how to present and break down complex matters into a digestible format to senior management.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • He is someone I go to for very complex questions that get answers at a very high level.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • Gunnar Schuster is one of a kind. He is a market leader with impressive knowledge and is pragmatic and available.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Mario Hüther
    Band 2Mario Hüther

    Mario Hüther

    Mario Hüther is widely appreciated for his strength in the banking and finance world, and often advises on syndicated financings and revolving credit facilities. He is also visible in large-scale refinancing mandates, and represents clients from the logistics and automotive sectors.

    • We are glad to have Mario on board.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • Mario Hüther provides timely advice and has comprehensive market know-how.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Michael Josenhans
    Band 2Michael Josenhans

    Michael Josenhans

    Michael Josenhans has a versatile practice, advising both traditional and direct lenders while also handling investment-grade and leveraged finance deals. His broad expertise covers LBOs, corporate refinancings and mandates with hybrid loan structures.

    • He is an outstanding lawyer with an excellent team. He offers really super helpful advice.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • I find Michael Josenhans to be very sharp and commercial. He is really well connected as well, so I like working with him.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • We have an excellent partnership with Michael Josenhans.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • He is super engaged and also really knows the subject. You can really discuss complex matters with him and get good answers and advice.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Up and ComingJanina Heinz
    Up and ComingJanina Heinz

    Janina Heinz

    Janina Heinz is an increasingly notable figure in the banking and finance regulatory sector on account of her extensive experience in advising clients on contentious matters, such as responding to audit allegations and ownership control procedures. She boasts further expertise in the regulatory aspects of M&A transactions, representing a range of PE firms and major financial institutions.

    • Janina Heinz has a really broad practice and is very experienced.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Associates to watchDr. Dennis Chinnow
    Associates to watchDr. Dennis Chinnow

    Dr. Dennis Chinnow

    Dennis Chinnow is highly involved in large-cap acquisition financings, involving revolving credit facilities and syndicated loans. He has further experience in issuing Schuldschein loans.

    • Dennis Chinnow is incredibly creative and very quick in adapting and drafting documents and implementing concept changes.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Freshfields (7)

Germany

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