Commercial Contracts | Europe

Considered an outstanding practice group with a large and dedicated team, Baker McKenzie's team is renowned for its work on distribution and logistics matters. Led by Ulf Wauschkuhn, the team is regularly involved in large cross-border cases aided by its strong international network and practice groups. Besides its excellent abilities in the complete restructuring of distribution systems and logistics contracts, it is also renowned for advising on areas such as supply and cooperation agreements. Furthermore, Baker McKenzie is respected for representing clients in contentious commercial proceedings concerning contractual and supply agreement disputes. Its prestigious client roster features well-known automotive, fashion and technology companies, further underlining the firm's excellent market position.

The law firm CMS boasts a large department with extensive experience in commercial law due to its strong network of domestic and international offices. The team is particularly well known for its work on large, often European-wide, distribution systems and multi-jurisdictional licensing projects. Additionally, the firm assists clients with product safety and warranty issues, product launches and strategic cooperation agreements as well as T&C reviews and framework agreements. Beyond its abilities in non-contentious matters, CMS is respected for representing claimants and defendants in delivery and compensation claims. The firm offers a particularly strong presence in the DACH market, often advising well-known SMEs and large multinationals from various industry sectors.

Hogan Lovells is held in high esteem by both clients and competitors for its breadth of expertise in all matters related to commercial contracts. Patrick Ayad and his team offer particular expertise in global distribution networks and product rollouts, often acting for OEMs and car manufacturers as well as US and Asian clients seeking market entry into Germany. Furthermore, the team assists with a wide range of contract designs and commercial aspects of procurement projects including licensing, supply and manufacturing agreements, drawing on the firm's other departments to offer holistic services. Additionally, Hogan Lovells is appreciated for its ability to advise on strategic cooperation agreements and commercial disputes, and is well placed to assist with international mandates due to its global office structure. Its client roster serves as a testament to the firm's strong market presence, including leaders from the automotive, pharmaceutical and technology sectors.

Widely considered a market leader, the German law firm Noerr offers in-depth knowledge across the contract law field. The team is particularly respected for advising well-known clients on distribution agreements, with further prowess in assisting with licensing agreements and large franchise systems involving different jurisdictions. Furthermore, the team offers an excellent service with regard to cooperation negotiations involving new technologies and strategically important digitalisation projects such as e-mobility. The firm complements its offering with strength in litigation concerning all commercial issues and nationwide product launches. Its clientele consists of industry leaders from the automotive, healthcare and food industries.

Luther boasts a solid commercial contracts practice with expertise in distribution systems, logistics agreements and antitrust issues connected to commercial activities. The team also assists with e-mobility mandates, contract drafting and negotiations for digitalisation projects. Furthermore, the firm is known for acting in mass claims proceedings and product liability disputes before various regional courts. The firm has a proven track record in advising on international agreements, often in cooperation with other leading leading law firms across the world. Clients benefit especially from the firm's Italian desk, which offers assistance to Italian clients seeking market entry in Germany and vice versa. Luther's client base comprises well-known automotive, food and manufacturing companies, with additional experience advising suppliers.

Osborne Clarke is noted for offering a comprehensive coverage of commercial contracts and is able to utilise its international network on matters such as franchise and distribution agreements. The team is particularly well regarded for representing key dealer associations, suppliers and manufacturers in the automotive industry, regularly assisting with contract negotiations and topical issues such as new electric vehicle launches as well as disputes between manufacturers and dealers. Due to its expertise in areas such as IT and privacy laws, the team is well placed to assist with data usage and commercialisation topics in the mobility sector. Additionally, clients benefit from its prowess in handling customer contracts and nationwide product launches. Its client roster includes well-known online retailers and technology companies.

Bird & Bird provides a strong offering for clients, particularly those seeking advice on contentious mandates. The team is experienced in advising on warranty and product liability litigation, as well as price adjustment claims and defect and delay issues. The firm is also well placed to deal with a range of non-contentious mandates including EPC contracts, procurement and supply chain issues, while displaying evidence of strong support on market entry mandates. Bird & Bird's clients include notable names in the automotive and energy sectors, as well as tier 1 and tier 2 industrial suppliers.

The international law firm DLA Piper is recognised for its comprehensive services on commercial contracts, with extensive expertise in distribution law. The team is well placed to assist with drafting and negotiating a considerable variety of domestic and international contracts, including e-commerce, logistics, supply and warehouse agreements as well as customer contracts. Besides its strength in non-contentious mandates, the team offers further prowess in litigation. In addition to regularly assisting US clients, DLA Piper has a particular focus on advising German manufacturing companies with a global reach.

The German law firm Gleiss Lutz provides full-service advice on commercial matters across its offices in Germany. The team led by Eric Wagner is experienced in handling large cooperation agreements for electric mobility projects including public transport, framework and distribution agreements. Additionally, the firm is renowned for its abilities in product recalls and compliance issues, including the German supply chain act, as well as litigation regarding supply contracts. In cooperation with its excellent public law department, the team regularly advises on issues such as procurement contracts, while the department also handles market entry mandates. Gleiss Lutz is respected for its cross-border capabilities and often acts for prominent German companies across different industries.

GvW Graf von Westphalen offers particular expertise in litigation pertaining to commercial contracts such as contractual obligations and claims in relation to operator insolvency, wrongful termination of franchise agreements and warranty claims. Its clientele consists of well-known national and international clients from the hospitality sector and mobility service providers.

Heuking is a well-known German law firm which advises clients on a range of issues including distribution and antitrust as well as franchise mandates. The team, led by Reinhard Siegert, also assists with product launches and market entries, cooperation agreements and commercial litigation. The firm is regularly consulted by national and international clients from the automotive, technology, manufacturing, food and beverage, and insurance sectors.

Taylor Wessing is recognised for its prowess in handling a diverse range of commercial contract mandates ranging from franchise law to the drafting of terms and conditions and cooperation agreements. The team is particularly well placed to handle e-commerce-related issues such as online direct sales and distribution. Besides the aforementioned, the team around Martin Rothermel is also sought after for its advice on litigation. Its clientele, which comprises well-known national and international technology companies, car manufacturers and supermarket chains, greatly benefits from Taylor Wessing's strong global coverage and cross-border capabilities.