Banking & Finance | Europe

Clifford Chance possesses an esteemed banking and finance practice, which is recognised for its work on complex domestic as well as multi-jurisdictional financing transactions. The team covers a broad spectrum, ranging from direct lending and acquisition finance to syndicated loans and unitranche financing. Its clientele of well-known German and international corporates and banks from both the borrower and lender sides further illustrates the firm's standing in the market. Clients also enjoy the regulatory offering at Clifford Chance, with the team advising on matters including industry master agreements, bank M&A and reorganisations. The department is additionally versed in handling bank insolvencies as well as banking compliance, crypto regulations, sanctions advice and litigation.

The banking and finance team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is renowned for its standing among high-profile lenders, corporate borrowers and sponsors. The team 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. Further prowess in handling restructuring, project and asset finance mandates complements the law firm's holistic offering. The regulatory team maintains its reputation as a market-leading one, routinely handling 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 level, including in BaFin enforcement proceedings and before the EGC.

Hengeler Mueller houses an outstanding banking and finance team with an excellent reputation for complex, high-value international transactions. Its lawyers routinely advise well-known German and international corporates and banks on acquisition finance, state-sponsored financing and syndicated corporate loans. The law firm is also recommended for refinancing, financial restructurings and ESG-related financings. Its clientele further enjoys an excellent regulatory offering, with the department assisting with cryptocurrency, payment system implementation and restructurings in the financial sector. Additionally, the firm convinces with its prowess in complex litigation and BaFin enforcement proceedings. Hengeler Mueller rounds off its excellence with its regulatory strength in bank M&A mandates.

Latham & Watkins is an excellent law firm that covers the full breadth of finance work. Due to its market visibility, holistic offering and bench strength, the team is frequently mandated by banking consortiums and direct lenders as well as corporate borrowers on complex acquisition finance deals, refinancings and corporate finance. The law firm also showcases a strong presence in the regulatory market. Clients benefit from the team's expertise in issues such as AML, licensing procedures and investigations. The regulatory aspects of investments and M&A transactions are also handled by the group. As an international law firm, Latham & Watkins is an attractive choice for large and multi-jurisdictional projects.

A highly reputed law firm with an excellent international network, it offers strength across the full financing spectrum. The team is particularly well regarded for complex, cross-border syndicated lending, acquisition and corporate finance transactions. The department also offers significant expertise in asset finance and leveraged finance matters as well as Schuldschein loans. Financial services clients additionally benefit from the law firm's regulatory practice, ranging from M&A transactions and compliance with new and existing directives, to IT outsourcing projects, joint ventures and fintech projects. Its clientele, which consists of notable international banks, corporates and asset management companies, further serves as a testament to the law firm's standing. Due to its extensive international network, the firm is well placed to handle multi-jurisdictional mandates, closely cooperating with its US and other European offices. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

The team at Linklaters is well regarded by peers and clients alike and offers extensive coverage of all areas of financing. Being highly visible on high-end, cross-border corporate loan transactions, the team offers further capabilities in project and infrastructure finance. In conjunction with its other departments, Linklaters is also a top choice for M&A financings. Furthermore, the law firm benefits from an outstanding regulatory team, which regularly advises on banking M&A and restructuring, fintech and compliance matters. The law firm's clientele consists of well-known German and international corporates and banks.

Milbank is a well-reputed law firm advising clients across its Frankfurt and Munich offices on a broad range of banking and finance issues. The team is particularly active on complex leveraged finance, refinancing and acquisition finance transactions, and offers noteworthy expertise in syndicated loans and alternative lending structures including Schuldschein loans. Due to its strong global network, the team is well placed to handle multi-jurisdictional deals. Its clientele, which consists of large corporates, private equity funds and multinational lending consortiums, further evidences the firm's presence in the market and strong visibility among both borrowers and lenders.

Gleiss Lutz is noted for its comprehensive coverage of banking and finance mandates, often assisting German and international borrowers, including PE firms and their portfolio companies as well as corporates across sectors. The firm is also sought after by banks, syndicates and direct lenders. The practice group offers particular expertise in acquisition finance, corporate lending and LBOs. It also cooperates with its strong restructuring and insolvency practice to advise on financial restructurings with syndicated loans. Gleiss Lutz has additionally grown its bench and raised its profile in the regulatory sphere, where it assists financial services clients with German and EU supervisory law matters.

The team at Noerr offers a broad coverage of banking and finance matters, regularly advising corporates, banks and government entities. Recognised for its capabilities in transactional work, the firm further benefits from its regulatory expertise, which holistically covers issues such as MiFID II and AML as well as BaFin proceedings. The team also assists with licensing issues and online payment services as well as M&A in the financial industry.

The Frankfurt-based banking and finance team at White & Case is recognised for its ability to lead complex, international deals across all major financial markets. The firm covers a broad array of issues ranging from corporate and acquisition finance to project finance and comes recommended for term loan B facilities, particularly with regard to facility amendments. White & Case further benefits from its regulatory expertise, which forms the final pillar of the practice, with the team advising financial services providers on M&A deals, administrative proceedings and digitalisation, as well as AML compliance.

CMS boasts a full-service team capable of handling the full gamut of financing matters. The team is particularly recommended for acquisition finance, corporate lending and refinancing transactions, acting for financial institutions and corporates. The law firm's repertoire also encompasses project financing, particularly in the renewables and infrastructure sectors, as well as real estate and rail finance. Additionally, CMS is a frequent choice for clients for cross-border work thanks to its robust international set-up, while its full-service offering ensures expert advice from related practice groups is provided.

Taylor Wessing is appreciated for its expertise in a variety of banking and finance mandates, including syndicated loans and direct lending. The team regularly advises German banks and international private equity firms on acquisition and project finance as well as refinancings. With a broad bench, the law firm is well placed to cater to a large client base and to advise on cross-border mandates in cooperation with its global offices.

Baker McKenzie regularly advises well-known German and international clients such as banks and debt funds on a wide array of finance matters. The team is particularly experienced in handling acquisition financingand corporate loans, often acting for lenders and syndicates on cross-border transactions. The law firm also assists with exit financings and revolving credit facilities. Baker McKenzie complements its offering with experience in project and real estate financing.

Goodwin enters the rankings after adding a well-regarded finance partner and team to its departments in Germany. The practice comes recognised for its strong focus on and experience in leveraged finance deals in the mid-market segment. Its client base consists of domestic and international lenders, private equity sponsors and portfolio companies.

The Frankfurt-based banking and finance team at Hogan Lovells focuses on acquisition, real estate and project finance transactions, often involving various jurisdictions. The practice provides additional expertise in refinancing, debt restructuring and corporate lending, as well as assisting with amendments to existing facilities. Hogan Lovells also possesses regulatory capabilities, in particular in the areas of fintech products and outsourcings as well as bank M&A mandates. The team's advisory strength is further complemented by its ability to handle litigation in European courts pertaining to the Single Resolution Board. The law firm's clientele ranges from leading German banks and corporates to public institutions and international debt funds.

Kirkland & Ellis offers a solid banking practice with a strong reputation for its international work, frequently representing US or UK investment firms. The team is best known for its strength in restructuring and refinancing, but also noted for its advice on acquisition finance matters. Offering services to a broad clientele, the team also closely cooperates with its excellent M&A department, particularly on projects that concern several jurisdictions.

Due to its broad finance practice, Norton Rose Fulbright is experienced in handling a variety of matters, including corporate and acquisition finance, refinancings, projects and real estate finance, with expertise in syndicated loan agreements. The team predominantly represents lenders, with a substantial client base consisting of domestic state banks and international financial institutions. The firm is also noted for its advice on aircraft financing and is respected for its low and mid-cap offering.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher is recognised for its expertise in a variety of banking and finance issues, with a particular focus on acquisition finance transactions. The law firm further assists with restructurings of existing facilities and frequently draws on its large international network to handle cross-border matters. The team's clientele consists of medium-sized and large private equity firms, which the firm assists with banking matters in close cooperation with its private equity team. Willkie Farr & Gallagher has an additional focus on acting for debt funds as well as banks lending in the mid-cap space.