Department profile
Hengeler Mueller

Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad

Global Guide 2026 : Germany


Hengeler Mueller

Rankings

About

Provided by Hengeler Mueller

Hengeler Mueller provides comprehensive advice on European and German competition law. In M&A projects, the firm organises and coordinates the merger control approval process at a national, EU and global level – quickly and effectively.

In cartel cases, Hengeler Mueller can assist in establishing the facts, depending on client's choice and preferences, by deploying its internal forensic and investigation capabilities. The team works with clients to determine the best available defence strategy, represents clients before the European Commission and Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, and coordinates clients defence in investigations of other antitrust regulators. In international cartel cases, Hengeler Mueller provides complete process management, building on its strong international network. The firm can also represent clients in cartel and general competition law litigation, including follow-on damage cases. 

Hengeler Mueller lends support to clients seeking to implement or enhance their compliance organisation.

In addition, the firm offers advice on the specific rules governing the abuse of dominance and provides guidance whenever clients require expertise to steer their organisation's day-to-day business clear of competition law risks.

Competition, Antitrust

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad - Germany


What the Team is Known For

Hengeler Mueller has an outstanding practice in contentious competition law matters, frequently representing defendants in the most high-profile follow-on damages actions and behavioural investigations. In addition, the law firm often acts for clients on complex merger clearance and FSR filings. Its offices in Düsseldorf, Munich and Berlin are supported by a team in Brussels to assist with multi-jurisdictional filings. The team has a number of clients from the technology and transport sectors.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Hengeler Mueller defended FIFA before the German courts in a competition law challenge brought against its new rules for players' agents.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team have a hands-on mindset combined with high professionality and deep understanding of the legal environment.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
  • Hengeler Mueller are always very strong.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
  • If I had to blindly trust any lawyer from a firm, it would be someone from Hengeler Mueller - they are top-notch.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
  • The team have outstanding expertise.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
  • Hengeler Mueller are very good; you always know what you will get from the team.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Thorsten Mäger
    Band 1Thorsten Mäger

    Thorsten Mäger

    One of the leading figures in the German competition law market, Thorsten Mäger acts for clients on high-profile follow-on damages actions. He also represents clients in investigations into alleged abuses of dominance or cartel involvement. He is a popular choice with clients in the technology sector. He also has a strong reputation in the field of merger clearance filings.

    • Thorsten Mäger is someone with considerable breadth and who is very good in merger investigations.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • Thorsten Mäger is probably the most versatile competition lawyer I know.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • He is certainly among the best in the market.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • For complex, tricky questions, I often recommend Thorsten Mäger.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • He has vast experience and is always very helpful.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Sarah Milde
    Band 4Sarah Milde

    Sarah Milde

    Based in the firm's Munich office, Sarah Milde frequently assists clients with merger control filings and FSR matters. She has additional experience in contentious competition law matters, as well as advising technology sector companies on competition law issues.

    • She is a well established partner and a trusted advisor.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • Sarah Milde is a very strong figure who is very active.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • She is an outstanding lawyer.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
  • Germany, expertise based abroad in BelgiumChristoph Wilken
    Germany, expertise based abroad in BelgiumChristoph Wilken

    Christoph Wilken

    Brussels-based Christoph Wilken enters the rankings this year on the back of notable activity in assisting clients with merger control filings before the FCO. He has further experience in representing clients in behavioural investigations in Germany and appeals against authority decisions.

    • Christoph Wilken is very good conceptually; he knows how to deal with courts and is very good at leading proceedings.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • He is very pragmatic and tries to find good, practical solutions.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • He has navigated confidently and with the necessary coolness through several difficult procedures.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
  • SpotlightDaniel Zimmer
    SpotlightDaniel Zimmer

    Daniel Zimmer

    Daniel Zimmer enters the rankings this year on the back of notable activity in defending clients in high-profile follow-on damages actions.

    • He is brilliant on the defendant side.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • He is a very good communicator and has a good grasp of facts and judgements.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
  • Germany, expertise based abroad in BelgiumMarkus Röhrig
    Germany, expertise based abroad in BelgiumMarkus Röhrig

    Markus Röhrig

    Markus Röhrig is admitted to practice in Germany and in Brussels, and he has experience in merger filings before both the EC and the Bundeskartellamt. He also assists clients with abuse of dominance cases and challenges to authority decisions.

    • Markus Röhrig is based in Brussels but also does German work. He is very responsive and knows merger control very well.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
  • SpotlightThomas B. Paul
    SpotlightThomas B. Paul

    Thomas B. Paul

    Thomas Paul is a key figure for contentious competition law mandates, often defending clients in follow-on damages actions.

    • Thomas Paul is a tough litigator.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal
    • Thomas Paul is very good on the defence side.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Hengeler Mueller (6)

Germany

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Hengeler Mueller has rankings in the following guides

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