Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market | Germany

Baker McKenzie boasts excellent cross-border capabilities thanks to its broad global network of offices. The team regularly advises on large-scale and often multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, with a strong focus on Chinese and US investments. Baker McKenzie also handles extensive partnership agreements and share sales. The law firm's clientele is made up of domestic and international corporations from sectors including manufacturing, automotive, technology, energy and chemicals.

CMS handles a multitude of both high-end and mid-cap M&A transactions. The law firm routinely assists with the formation of joint ventures, especially in the energy and electric mobility sectors. CMS is particularly strong in M&A matters that have a significant regulatory component, benefiting from deep-rooted expertise in the TMT, energy, financial services and healthcare sectors. It also has a substantial client base in the automotive industry. Aided by its expansive office network, CMS is well placed to handle cross-border mandates.

DLA Piper boasts a highly regarded practice with expertise across the full corporate and M&A spectrum. The law firm regularly handles joint venture agreements, corporate reorganisations and large-scale acquisitions and sales. Prolific domestic and international clients from the chemical, energy, IT, automotive and manufacturing sectors in particular often seek DLA Piper's excellent services. The team is recognised for acting on cross-border matters in collaboration with the firm's network of international offices, including on inbound and outbound transactions connected with the USA, China and India.

Glade Michel Wirtz is a dedicated German boutique firm handling both public and private M&A transactions and possessing extensive expertise in corporate matters. The distinguished team advises companies on corporate structuring, litigation and contractual matters, as well as AGM and shareholder matters. Its transactional expertise encompasses acquisitions and divestitures as well as share buy-backs. The law firm's competition and antitrust capabilities complement the team's advice on German mandates. It is particularly popular with domestic and international clients from the automotive, food and drink, and financial services sectors.

HEUKING has a large domestic practice with a widespread presence across the country. The law firm handles a vast quantity of mid-cap M&A transactions, including deals for international groups and strategic investors. The notable team advises on corporate matters, such as reorganisations, issues of governance and joint venture agreements as well as public takeovers. HEUKING has experience in a range of sectors including energy, telecommunications, manufacturing and retail.

Luther offers broad coverage in the domestic mid-cap transactions market. It acts for both buyers and sellers on cross-border M&A deals and frequently handles joint venture formation across various industry sectors. The team also assists on mergers and corporate reorganisations. The law firm advises a raft of clients from the energy, TMT, automotive, manufacturing and retail industries.

McDermott Will & Schulte boasts a strong corporate practice that frequently advises German clients on domestic and cross-border M&A deals, joint ventures and group restructurings. It provides additional expertise in share transactions and private equity deals. The law firm offers broad-ranging sector expertise, with a strong footprint in the manufacturing, technology and automotive industries.

Morrison Foerster is an international law firm with a strong focus on the TMT sector. In addition to advising on domestic transactions, the team is well placed to act on both inbound and outbound sales and acquisitions. The team acts on private and public M&A deals, including mergers and spin-offs, as well as corporate acquisitions and private equity transactions. Its client base is made up of shareholders, financial investors and multinational corporations.

POELLATH offers a well-established mid-market practice that advises clients on M&A and corporate agreements, including public takeovers. The team acts for German companies on both domestic and international transactions. It advises management boards on the corporate aspects of prominent IPOs, as well as litigation, and collaborates closely with the firm's highly regarded private equity practice. The law firm counts a number of prominent family-run businesses among its clients.

Taylor Wessing boasts a strong transactional focus, advising on a range of deal types including mergers, joint ventures, private equity work and takeovers. The law firm's clientele includes a number of domestic and international clients from the IT, utilities and automotive industries as well as financial investors. The team often collaborates with the firm's offices in the UK and the EU.

Ashurst is noted for advising domestic and international clients on both the buy and sell sides of private equity and strategic M&A deals. The team often acts on joint venture and strategic partnership agreements, as well as corporate advisory matters. It is particularly active on transactions in the energy, technology and financial services sectors. Due to a strong international network, the law firm is highly equipped to advise on cross-border matters, while also being well placed in the German market.

Dechert advises financial investors and strategic clients on domestic and cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. The practice comes recommended for international deals, particularly those involving clients from the USA across a range of sectors including energy, real estate and e-commerce. It also assists with shareholder investments and divestitures, joint venture agreements and restructurings.

Dentons is noted for its holistic coverage of mandates across Germany and beyond, utilising its impressive network of offices to advise on cross-border matters. The team assists with M&A, corporate advisory and insolvency procedures. In addition, clients benefit from the firm's expertise in joint venture set-ups. The law firm is particularly active in the automotive, TMT, life sciences, mobility and energy industries.

A strong international network allows Eversheds Sutherland to act on cross-border M&A transactions, with particular expertise pertaining to the UK and the USA. The team represents both German and foreign companies in inbound and outbound sales and purchases as well as multi-jurisdictional mandates. It also provides comprehensive corporate advice and assists with joint ventures and group reorganisations. It is at its most visible in the pharmaceutical, technology, financial and energy sectors, with growing experience in advising on corporate AI legislation.

GÖRG frequently acts on M&A and joint venture transactions for SMEs and larger corporations in the energy, mobility, healthcare and technology industries. It also advises clients on corporate matters and additionally handles acquisitions for private equity funds. The team represents both domestic and international clients, and draws additional strength from GÖRG's renowned restructuring and insolvency practice to advise on distressed M&A.

Greenfort is a dedicated boutique advising on public and private M&A, with further expertise in joint ventures and restructuring. The team shows expertise in transactions in a varied range of sectors, including TMT, healthcare and retail, with family-owned businesses among its clients.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer displays an impressive corporate/M&A offering, handling transactional matters as well as carve-out procedures and joint venture formation. It boasts a broad range of clientele across the manufacturing, technology, transport, financial and energy sectors.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe shows a strong track record in mid-cap M&A transactions and venture deals. The team is particularly adept at handling inbound and outbound cross-border work, with strong expertise in advising on acquisitions and investments in the German startup scene. The law firm also assists with the formation of joint ventures. Due to its US ties, it is also a favoured choice for transactions with a US angle. It frequently assists with deals in the technology, energy, financial services and life sciences sectors.

The team at ARQIS routinely handles cross-border M&A transactions. The law firm also assists with the entry of investors and share divestitures. It is particularly popular with Japanese clients looking to acquire German companies, thanks to its highly regarded Japanese desk. The department frequently acts for companies from the energy, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

Supported by its US-headquarters, the Berlin-based team of Greenberg Traurig is best known for its cross-border transactions, acting on acquisitions, investments and divestitures as well as mergers. It also regularly handles joint venture set-ups, restructuring projects and distressed matters. The law firm advises on transactions in the technology, life sciences, pharmaceutical and software industries, with further strength in servicing notable real estate groups.

Gütt Olk Feldhaus handles a broad range of corporate and M&A topics. The law firm is experienced in strategic M&A, with particular strength in assisting on acquisitions and divestments with carve-out procedures. It has experience working on cross-border deals while assisting founders, shareholders, corporates and investors. The team acts for clients in the automotive, IT, media and healthcare industries.

Mayer Brown is an international law firm with considerable experience in handling asset acquisitions, share sales, corporate partnerships and restructuring matters. The firm represents mid-sized and large clients from both Germany and overseas, including a number of well-known multinationals. The team has ample experience acting on cross-border matters, especially those with a strong connection to the USA. The firm offers expertise across the financial services, automotive and manufacturing sectors.

Norton Rose Fulbright is an international law firm with a large network and strong cross-border facilities. The team advises clients on inbound and outbound acquisitions as well as multi-jurisdictional deals. It also acts on joint venture agreements and corporate restructurings, as well as private equity transactions. The law firm's key industries include finance, automotive, energy, manufacturing and technology. Its client base consists of German Mittelstand clients as well as multinational corporations and financial investors.

Raue has a solid reputation for advice on German mid-cap transactions. The law firm is particularly active in advising owners on their sale to international corporates, with particular strength in the German startup scene. Further expertise lies in corporate governance and compliance acting for founders, shareholders, investors and international corporate groups. The practice has numerous clients from the energy and media sectors, as well as proven capabilities in technology and healthcare transactions.

The practice at ADVANT Beiten is notably active representing German family-owned companies and shareholders in share transactions. Carve-outs, divestitures and acquisitions are also handled by the law firm, as is the setting up of joint ventures. The team often acts for clients hailing from the energy, technology, manufacturing and publishing sectors.

The international law firm Bird & Bird enjoys a robust standing in the German market. Its team regularly advises on M&A, share transactions, corporate governance and market entry. Bird & Bird is a popular choice for technology-focused clients and also acts for groups across the hospitality, defence, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.

GSK Stockmann is best known for its longstanding expertise in the real estate sector, frequently handling share and asset deals. The practice also advises on strategic corporate/M&A in Germany and across jurisdictions, including investments, acquisitions and exits. Distressed M&A also falls within the firm's area of expertise, as well as corporate governance mandates. Its clients include companies active in the technology, healthcare and financial sectors, public sector entities and financial investors.

GvW Graf von Westphalen handles a variety of mid-cap mandates from acquisitions and sales to joint venture structures. The law firm's clientele includes German as well as international clients from the technology, software and healthcare sectors.

K&L Gates is a well-established practice advising domestic and international clients from Europe and North America, with particular strength working on transatlantic transactions in cooperation with its offices in the USA. The team advises on M&A and joint ventures as well as corporate investments. It has additional expertise in corporate governance and distressed matters. It is particularly active in the technology, life sciences, automotive and financial services sectors.

LARK is a Munich-based independent law firm with a strong track record in mid-cap M&A deals. Working closely with its private equity practice, the team is often engaged by domestic and international clients in the healthcare, technology, retail and energy sectors to assist with strategic M&A transactions and corporate transformation.

Schalast Law possesses extensive expertise in corporate transactions and is a trusted partner for clients navigating high-stakes deals. The team of seasoned practitioners is highly regarded for its strong track record in mid-cap corporate transactions, including joint ventures, exits and organisational restructurings. It regularly acts for renowned clients from the energy, healthcare and automotive industries on cross-border transactions.

Seitz handles a variety of mid-cap M&A transactions for clients across a range of different sectors including real estate, sports, retail and technology. Its team of practitioners regularly handles corporate mandates spanning joint ventures, M&A transactions and takeovers, representing both buyers and sellers. The law firm has established strength in employment matters and also advises on restructuring and carve-out proceedings.

The Munich-based boutique law firm EGO HUMRICH WYEN assists corporates and investors with acquisitions, divestitures and mergers. The firm also handles corporate restructurings, joint ventures and auction-related matters. Its clientele includes supervisory boards and family offices, as well as technology and software groups.

Flick Gocke Schaumburg excels at handling M&A matters that require sophisticated tax advice. The law firm also assists with mid-cap domestic and international transactions for large family-owned businesses as well as corporate groups and financial investors. The team also demonstrates experience in advising on corporate regulatory items including strategic partnerships, reorganisations and shareholder structures.

KÜMMERLEIN acts for large and medium-sized companies and financial investors across the German market. The team provides comprehensive advice on corporate law, asset acquisitions and strategic reorganisations, including integration and takeover matters. The law firm acts for investors and family-owned businesses, as well as companies in the industrial and transport sectors, while assisting other domestic retail and healthcare groups.

lindenpartners is a notable M&A outfit based in Berlin that offers a wide range of corporate and commercial advisory services. It assists with a range of M&A in addition to structuring portfolios, takeover and conversion processes. The team is also experienced in advising on market entry procedure for large international corporate groups. It assists clients from the technology and real estate sectors, as well as companies focused on tourism and energy.

LOESCHNER Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft is a German law firm specialising particularly in the areas of M&A and corporate advisory matters. Its team has notable experience handling small and mid-cap inbound transactions on both the buy and sell sides, and focuses on the consumer goods, health services and logistics sectors. Its client roster spans family offices and private equity groups.

Lutz Abel Rechtsanwalts handles mid-cap transactions and has particular experience in the technology, real estate and energy sectors. The law firm's expertise includes mergers and exit transactions, often advising shareholders and investors.

Massing Werner is a boutique law firm specialising in M&A and corporate law. The firm handles the preparation and implementation of German and international M&A transactions, as well as post-closing issues. It has considerable experience acting for private equity clients.

Reed Smith is a globally connected law firm that leverages its extensive international reach to support clients in a wide range of M&A transactions, including private equity deals and venture capital financings. The team is routinely mandated on mergers, acquisitions, investments and exits, most notably for clients in the technology industry, while additionally assisting groups from the manufacturing, media and healthcare sectors.

RÖDL is a well-established law firm in the German market, noted for its solid expertise in corporate matters. Backed by its proficient tax department, the law firm frequently represents family businesses and strategic advisers in both domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. The firm's capabilities extend to joint ventures, reorganisations and corporate governance.