Ranking tables
Global Germany Competition/European Law
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 6 Years Ranked
- Gleiss Lutz
- Hengeler Mueller
Band 2
- Linklaters 6 Years Ranked
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- Latham & Watkins LLP
Band 3
- Clifford Chance 6 Years Ranked
- Hogan Lovells International LLP 6 Years Ranked
- Noerr 6 Years Ranked
- Allen & Overy LLP
- Commeo LLP
- Glade Michel Wirtz
Band 4
- Baker McKenzie 6 Years Ranked
- Dentons 6 Years Ranked
- CMS
- Oppenländer Rechtsanwälte
- WilmerHale
Band 5
- Jones Day 6 Years Ranked
- Milbank LLP 6 Years Ranked
- SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz 6 Years Ranked
- Bird & Bird
- BLOMSTEIN
- BUNTSCHECK Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
- Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
Senior Statespeople
- Dirk Schroeder
Band 1
- Daniela Seeliger Linklaters8 Years Ranked
- Martin Klusmann Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer14 Years Ranked
- Albrecht Bach
- Ingo Brinker
- Thorsten Mäger
Band 2
- Alexander Rinne Milbank LLP6 Years Ranked
- Carsten Grave Linklaters8 Years Ranked
- Helmut Bergmann Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer9 Years Ranked
- Kathrin Westermann Noerr6 Years Ranked
- Marc Besen Clifford Chance6 Years Ranked
- Christian Steinle
- Christoph Stadler
- Markus Wirtz
- Romina Polley
- Ulrich Denzel
- Wolfgang Bosch
- Wolfgang Deselaers
Band 3
- Hans-Joachim Hellmann SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz10 Years Ranked
- Jörg Karenfort Dentons10 Years Ranked
- Thomas Lübbig Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer9 Years Ranked
- Tobias Klose Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer9 Years Ranked
- Uta Itzen Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer6 Years Ranked
- Börries Ahrens
- Dominique S Wagener
- Ellen Braun
Band 4
- Alexander Birnstiel Noerr7 Years Ranked
- Georg Weidenbach Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP7 Years Ranked
- Johannes Zöttl Jones Day6 Years Ranked
- Karsten Metzlaff Noerr6 Years Ranked
- Martin Sura Hogan Lovells International LLP9 Years Ranked
- Alf-Henrik Bischke
- Harald Kahlenberg
- Martin Buntscheck
- Martin Raible
- Matthias Karl
- Michael Esser
- Petra Linsmeier
- Stefan Ohlhoff
- Stephanie Pautke
- Tim Reher
- Ulrich Quack
Band 5
- Christian Horstkotte Mayer Brown LLP6 Years Ranked
- Christoph Wünschmann Hogan Lovells International LLP2 Years Ranked
- Joachim Schütze Clifford Chance14 Years Ranked
- Peter Niggemann Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer9 Years Ranked
- René Grafunder Dentons5 Years Ranked
- Thomas Funke Osborne Clarke Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Partnerschaft mbB4 Years Ranked
- Tilman Kuhn White & Case5 Years Ranked
- Anna Blume Huttenlauch
- Anne Wegner
- Bettina Bergmann
- Christian Bahr
- Evelyn Niitväli
- Hans-Georg Kamann
- Ines Bodenstein
- Johanna Kübler
- Jörg Witting
- Jörg-Martin Schultze
- Max Klasse
- Moritz Holm-Hadulla
- Nicolas Kredel
- Silke Heinz
- Silke Möller
- Thomas B. Paul
Up and Coming
- Christian Karbaum
- Isabel Oest
- Sarah Milde
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Freshfields Bruckhaus DeringerCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 1 | 6 Years RankedFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer houses one of Germany's top addresses for competition law. The team is particularly renowned for its ability to handle highly complex and often cross-border merger control cases, especially those involving FDI clearances. Freshfields is also visible in the digital technology arena. Its contentious expertise covers issues such as abuse of dominance proceedings and cartel follow-on damages claims in national courts, as well as merger control appeals in the energy sector. Its outstanding international networks renders the firm one of the prime candidates for clients seeking multi-jurisdictional support, including working closely with lawyers in the firm's market-leading Brussels office on matters before the European Commission.
Band 2
2 LinklatersCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 2 | 6 Years RankedWith its global reach, aided by its offices in Brussels and across Germany, Linklaters offers comprehensive competition law advice. The team is particularly visible on complex and often cross-border merger control mandates, including prominent stock exchange listings, FDI clearances and appeals against clearance decisions. The law firm also assists clients with the competition compliance aspects of strategic cooperation agreements, including R&D agreements. Another key pillar of the practice is its capabilities in cartel investigations and restraint of competition proceedings. Its client roster includes well-known players from the automotive, pharmaceutical and technology sectors.
Band 3
3 Clifford ChanceCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 3 | 6 Years RankedClifford Chance is well known in the market for its comprehensive coverage of competition law. The firm regularly handles large and often cross-border merger control mandates, including joint venture set-ups, as well as strategic partnership agreements. Furthermore, the team represents clients in antitrust proceedings and investigations by the FCO and the European Commission. Clifford Chance is also increasingly visible in topics such as digital data systems. Its client roster includes prestigious companies from the automotive, pharmaceutical, banking and telecommunications sectors. Its international network further renders the firm an attractive choice for clients seeking multi-jurisdictional assistance.3 Hogan Lovells International LLPCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 3 | 6 Years RankedInternational law firm Hogan Lovells boasts a comprehensive competition law practice across its offices in Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Munich and Brussels. The team is particularly strong in merger control proceedings and strategic joint venture creations, as well as FDI clearances. Furthermore, the firm is appreciated for its strength in market abuse proceedings, large-scale cartel investigations and fine impositions, as well as damages claims. The law firm is particularly visible in the transportation and manufacturing sectors.3 NoerrCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 3 | 6 Years RankedNoerr houses a broad competition practice, frequently advising on national and international mandates, often in collaboration with its office in Brussels. The team is sought after for its prowess in handling complex merger control proceedings, including those involving FDI clearance, as well as joint venture establishment. Furthermore, the firm is respected for its abilities in cartel investigation proceedings and follow-on damages. Noerr also assists with state aid matters. The firm is sought after by clients from the pharmaceutical, automotive and financial services industries.
Band 4
4 Baker McKenzieCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 4 | 6 Years RankedBaker McKenzie offers comprehensive competition law expertise to its clients. The law firm is particularly sought after for its capabilities in handling large and often cross-border merger control mandates, advising chemicals companies and manufacturers. Additionally, the team is known for drawing on its expansive office network to assist clients with global compliance programmes and cooperation agreements. Baker McKenzie also offers expertise in follow-on damages proceedings, as well as representing clients in cartel investigations by the European Commission.4 DentonsCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 4 | 6 Years RankedDentons is particularly visible in cross-border merger control cases and joint venture set-ups, including those requiring FDI clearance, drawing on its various offices in Germany and Brussels. Furthermore, the team offers experience in strategic partnership agreements in the energy sector. Its abilities in cartel damages claims and other antitrust-related disputes further augment Dentons' offering. The firm's market presence is illustrated by its clientele, which includes prestigious automotive, financial services and aviation companies.
Band 5
5 Jones DayCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 5 | 6 Years RankedJones Day is a law firm with offices across Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Brussels that offer holistic competition advice. The team is particularly known for its handling of merger control issues, carve-outs and divestments, with a strong expertise in FDI. Additionally, the firm assists with global compliance checks and antitrust investigations, making use of its large international network. Jones Day also offers experience in state aid disputes, acting for well-known energy clients, as well as in follow-on damages litigation. Its client base includes well-known German and global players from the automotive sector.5 Milbank LLPCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 5 | 6 Years RankedWith experience across the full spectrum of competition law, Milbank is particularly noted for its role in merger control cases, advising on strategic and cross-border acquisitions, with further expertise in FDI and cooperation agreements. In addition, the firm regularly assists with cartel damages claims and antitrust fine proceedings, advising on topics such as price fixing and selective distribution. Aided by its international office network, Milbank is sought after by national and international players.5 SZA Schilling, Zutt & AnschützCompetition/European Law2023 | Band 5 | 6 Years RankedThe German law firm SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz is known for its expertise in cartel damages proceedings, and acts for clients in front of European and national authorities. Furthermore, the firm offers prowess in merger control cases aided by its strong presence in Brussels, often advising international and German Mittelstand clients. The team often assists with FDI screenings. Additionally, the firm advises on strategic distribution systems, as well as collaboration and licensing agreements. Its clientele includes players from the pharmaceutical, energy, fashion and manufacturing sectors.