International & Cross-Border Transactions | Global

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a law firm that is long established as a powerhouse in the German market, while maintaining a leading reputation on the international stage. Its German presence, consisting of five offices in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich, forms a crucial part of the Freshfields global network and acts as a key hub for pan-European and international projects. The law firm acts for multinational companies with interests in Germany, as well as large homegrown entities with operations abroad, on a comprehensive array of cross-border matters. 

In Germany, Freshfields is widely recognised as a market leader across a number of transactional areas. The law firm's M&A group is geared towards advising on high-value international deals, with members of the team exhibiting industry and jurisdictional specialisms. Clients seeking advice in relation to the full suite of international financing and capital markets transactions are also expertly advised by top-ranked teams, with the law firm's private equity offering also being recognised as top-tier. Freshfields also boasts one of the foremost energy practices in Germany, which attracts a number of the country's leading corporations, and it also maintains a solid investment funds practice in the region.

From a contentious perspective, Freshfields presents one of the most accomplished offerings in Germany. The team is renowned for its ability to take the lead on highly complex cross-border proceedings, with the firm acting as a market leader across the full spectrum of dispute resolution, including representing defendants in product liability matters and insurance disputes. Freshfields performs highly in litigation relating to the life sciences and financial services sectors, and is a noted force in international arbitration, particularly in connection with disputes arising out of the construction, post-M&A and energy spheres. Alongside these strengths, Freshfields' compliance and competition/EU law practices are equally formidable.

Widely viewed as one of Germany's elite independent law firms, Hengeler Mueller has an excellent track record of handling an array of cross-border matters, making it an excellent firm of choice for clients with international mandates. Clients benefit from the law firm's membership of the 'best friends' network, an alliance of leading independent firms based in Italy, France, the UK, Spain and Portugal. Beyond Europe, Hengeler services the multi-jurisdictional needs of its clientele primarily through the connections it maintains to firms worldwide, while also supporting clients through its own offices in London and Brussels. Offering a truly full service, Hengeler is known to act for DAX 30 clients, as well as multinationals with interests in Germany. 

Transactionally, Hengeler sits at the very top of the German market. Supported by a top-ranked competition team, the law firm's M&A and private equity group consistently advises on the largest corporate transactions involving Germany and often plays a coordinating role on international deals. Working closely with the corporate group, Hengeler's excellent financing team is highly receptive to the cross-border demands of international lending syndicates and borrowers. The team also excels across all types of capital markets transactions, as well as in investment funds, working effectively with leading firms globally to serve the multi-jurisdictional needs of its client base.

From a contentious perspective, Hengeler's international capabilities are equally as impressive, with the law firm housing a top-tier dispute resolution practice. The team is often called upon by leading German companies to defend and coordinate complex multi-jurisdictional claims, and cross-border banking and post-M&A disputes are routinely handled by the firm's specialists. 

Linklaters is recognised as having one of the most impressive international practices based in Germany. With teams stationed in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Munich, Hamburg and Berlin, the law firm is highly adept at advising both German corporates and international clients on a vast array of cross-border issues. Advisers in Germany regularly project-manage multi-jurisdictional proceedings, drawing on the excellent resources of Linklaters' wider network to deliver a seamless integrated service, as well as collaborating with contacts maintained with other legal practices overseas. 

Linklaters' German M&A team has a strong track record of handling high-end, cross-border deals, particularly those relating to the energy sector and other regulated industries. The law firm also maintains a market-leading financing practice, offering clients UK, US and German law advice in-house. Debt capital markets is another area in which Linklaters works effectively on an international scale, providing issuers with expert advice on the full suite of products, and the law firm also possesses strength in investment funds.

Linklaters' dispute resolution and competition/EU law teams also perform highly on international mandates. The law firm's members are particularly adept at supporting clients in disputes relating to the energy, automotive and banking sectors, offering both German and international entities support in cross-border litigation and international arbitration proceedings. 

Clifford Chance, an international law firm widely recognised for its international capability, is a strong choice for clients with cross-border mandates. Clifford Chance's German offices play a vital role in the law firm's global strategy, with its teams in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich routinely coordinating large, cross-border matters, acting on behalf of prominent German entities and multinational clients. Complex international mandates are often cross-staffed given Clifford Chance's excellent network, allowing practitioners based in Germany to work closely with their colleagues situated in Europe, Asia and the Americas. 

As with many of its European offices, Clifford Chance's German offering enjoys a market-leading reputation for its banking practice. Germany acts as a hub for the law firm's cross-border lending and acquisition finance practice, and the firm boasts one of the strongest projects teams in the jurisdiction. The law firm's excellent investment funds team is highly attuned to the needs of international clients, while its M&A and private equity lawyers regularly work in tandem with overseas colleagues to provide high-quality cross-border advice to a diverse client base. Clifford Chance also houses a strong offering in capital markets, covering both debt and equity issuances.

Clients facing cross-border contentious proceedings also benefit from Clifford Chance's extensive disputes capabilities. International arbitration, including investor-state disputes, is handled adeptly from Germany, and the team demonstrates a strong track record of representing clients from the energy sector in complex, multi-jurisdictional litigation. Cross-border banking litigation is also a clear strength of the team, as is the law firm's capability in competition/EU law and white-collar crime disputes.

With six offices located across Germany, Gleiss Lutz enjoys a solid reputation as one of Germany's strongest independent practices, offering clients cross-border expertise and support across an array of areas. The law firm adeptly works on an international scale, primarily through its establishment of a flexible network of highly regarded local firms worldwide as well as its offices in London and Brussels. Popular with domestic clients expanding their operations internationally, Gleiss Lutz is also sought out to advise on German aspects of multi-jurisdictional mandates, efficiently collaborating with partner firms. 

Gleiss Lutz's international strength spans a number of transactional areas of law. Its M&A partners consistently handle cross-border deals and have a track record of advising both DAX 30 clients and large international investors into the German market, supported by an excellent antitrust department. The team is frequently praised by clients for its ability to coordinate international work from Germany, and clients seeking industry-specific advice internationally are also supported by specialists offering extensive knowledge of the energy, infrastructure, automotive and healthcare sectors. Gleiss Lutz also possesses strengths in capital markets, particularly regarding debt.

Gleiss Lutz's disputes practice also demonstrates a strong focus on international matters, supporting clients on a broad range of litigation, compliance and international arbitration matters. The law firm has cultivated an excellent reputation for its handling of cross-border antitrust litigation and cartel investigations. Equally, the team's white-collar crime practitioners skilfully advise on a spectrum of multi-jurisdictional investigations for German and overseas clients, and the law firm is known to regularly take the lead on insolvency proceedings that are international in scope.

Latham & Watkins' German offering plays a crucial role in the law firm's overall international strategy. Long established as a leading force in Germany, the firm has a history of acting for both homegrown entities, including DAX 30 companies, along with overseas clients facing questions relating to the German market. The law firm is especially active on matters involving the USA and Asia, and clients in search of cross-border support are particularly drawn to the team's close ties to excellent practices in London and the USA, as well as Latham & Watkins' wider network, which spans several locations throughout Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. 

The law firm's financing practice is top-tier in the German market and provides expert cross-border advice to sponsors, banks and corporates. Equally, Latham & Watkins' corporate/M&A team is highly adept at advising on international transactions, acting on behalf of its well-established domestic client base and for foreign investors. Latham & Watkins also operates internationally on a broad spectrum of private equity transactions, with its capabilities in Germany strongly enhanced by close collaboration with partners in the USA and London. Its capital markets offering, particularly regarding equity, is formidably strong too.

Latham & Watkins also offers clients a full suite of dispute resolution capabilities from Germany. The law firm is sought out by a combination of leading German entities, prominent multinational corporations and nation states for guidance in both cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings. Clients facing complex, multi-jurisdictional proceedings benefit from the law firm's cross-staffing of cases and its integrated approach to dispute resolution, as practitioners from across the Latham & Watkins network regularly work in tandem on international matters. 

A well-embedded presence in the German market, A&O Shearman offers clients full-service capabilities across its offices situated in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. Cross-border mandates are a fundamental element of the law firm's workflow in Germany, with practitioners often taking on lead counsel responsibilities for multi-jurisdictional matters. The firm's German practice forms an important part of an excellent European network, which links strongly to the law firm's presence in Asia, North America and Africa.

A&O Shearman is able to provide international expertise across a full scope of transactional areas. Clients seeking advice in relation to cross-border banking and finance matters are well served by a market-leading team in Germany, which is capable of advising all parties on a spectrum of financing transactions, particularly those relating to the real estate sector. The firm's M&A team is also highly receptive to the cross-border needs of its clientele, which is made up of DAX 30 companies and multinationals. Working closely with the law firm's M&A practitioners, dedicated debt and equity capital markets specialists routinely advise on an international stage.

A&O Shearman is also adept at handling a range of contentious matters. The team in Germany works closely with colleagues across the world on complex disputes, including commercial litigation and international arbitration. The law firm is able to adroitly fulfil the needs of clients from a range of sectors, including financial services and energy.

Baker McKenzie, a widely respected international law firm, has established a strong presence in the German market, supporting clients' cross-border needs from offices stationed across Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich. The law firm acts for a diverse clientele, offering a full-service model to homegrown companies and multinationals with operations in Germany, supported by its expansive global network. Partners based in Germany regularly take the lead on transnational matters and act as co-counsel alongside overseas colleagues to serve clients internationally. 

Baker McKenzie is held in particularly high regard in Germany for the strength of its contentious capabilities, with its Frankfurt office acting as a hub for the law firm's international arbitration practice. The disputes team is accustomed to providing cross-border support to clients in both litigation and arbitration proceedings, especially those involving Asian jurisdictions and those that relate to the energy, construction and life sciences spaces. 

Cross-border mandates are a staple of the M&A team's workload, with members routinely advising internationally active domestic clients and overseas entities with interests in Germany. The law firm also exhibits considerable strength in the telecommunications and life sciences arenas. Advisers frequently take the lead on multi-jurisdictional data projects on behalf of multinational pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology groups.

One of the largest practices in Germany, CMS combines deep-rooted local knowledge with considerable international expertise. With eight offices in the region, Germany functions as a vital hub for CMS's global operations, acting as an epicentre of the law firm's excellent European network. Members of the team regularly coordinate multi-jurisdictional projects on behalf of an impressive roster of German-headquartered entities, as well as overseas players.  

Largely sector-oriented, CMS exhibits cross-border expertise in areas such as energy, TMT, financial services and healthcare. The law firm's corporate team handles mid-market and high-end corporate/M&A transactions adeptly, and a dedicated employment group regularly advises a broad client base on multi-jurisdictional issues, particularly those encompassing European jurisdictions. CMS also hosts a market-leading private equity venture capitalist practice, as well as possessing strength in equity capital markets and investment funds.

Alongside its transactional strength, CMS is also well equipped to advise on multi-jurisdictional contentious proceedings. Clients seeking guidance in relation to litigation and arbitration proceedings are well served by the full-service disputes team, which is particularly adept at advising on proceedings relating to Asian markets.

With offices in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich, DLA Piper operates a full-service model which represents a broad client base made up of mid-market entities, multinationals and DAX companies. Forming an important part of the law firm's excellent global network, its German hub attracts considerable inbound and outbound activity, and international mandates are commonplace within the team's caseload. 

In M&A, DLA Piper has developed an excellent reputation for acting for household names on mid-cap cross-border deals, particularly those involving Asian jurisdictions. DLA Piper is routinely engaged by leading German corporations, as well as blue-chip international companies, and the law firm demonstrates a strong sector focus, boasting solid expertise internationally in areas such as energy, insurance, real estate and TMT. 

DLA Piper also offers clients a comprehensive suite of contentious capabilities. The team is accustomed to handling both cross-border litigation and international arbitration proceedings. Insolvency litigation and cross-border disputes arising out of insurance claims, especially D&O policies, are particular strengths of the team, as is handling white-collar crime matters for clients.

Hogan Lovells, a widely respected international law firm, has developed a comprehensive and highly regarded practice in Germany. With teams stationed in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich, the law firm's offering in Germany functions as an important hub for its European activities and broader international network. The law firm offers international expertise across an array of transactional and contentious areas, and clients will also benefit from the firm's sector orientation, as well as from its wide international network and ability to offer an integrated service.

Hogan Lovells is held in particularly high regard for its cross-border disputes capabilities. The law firm's intellectual property and life sciences practice groups remain among the strongest in Germany, and its practitioners are highly adept at advising on large, multiparty claims and product recall efforts. Members of the team in Germany are able to draw on the resources of Hogan Lovells' excellent global network and often work closely with colleagues overseas. Hogan Lovells' German offering also offers solid capabilities in compliance and competition/EU law matters.

From a transactional perspective, Hogan Lovells is a strong performer in multi-jurisdictional M&A. Both inbound and outbound deals are often coordinated from Germany, and transactions relating to the life sciences and pharmaceutical spaces are expertly handled by the team. The law firm also has an active cross-border capital markets practice, and is regularly called upon by German and international banks to advise on a range of issues. Alongside this, Hogan Lovells possesses strong capabilities in private equity and venture capital matters.

From Germany, Milbank boasts a highly regarded transactional practice which is largely international in its focus. The law firm's Frankfurt and Munich offices function as important hubs for its activities throughout Europe. Teams based in Germany often quarterback deals involving other European jurisdictions, and regularly play a leading role on transactions that involve the USA. Advisers in Germany are well equipped to advise foreign investors into the German market, as well as domestic clients who have interests overseas, with the law firm's clientele benefiting from Milbank's close ties to excellent UK-based and US offerings.

Milbank offers considerable cross-border expertise in key transactional areas. International private equity and M&A are a standout area for the team. The law firm is also renowned in Germany for the strength of its financing practice, which brings considerable expertise to a spectrum of multi-jurisdictional transactions for both domestic and international lenders. 

Noerr is consistently recognised as a high-performing independent law firm with a clear international outlook. Offering an impressive breadth of expertise from its six-office German base, Noerr meets the cross-border needs of its clientele through its membership of the elite legal network Lex Mundi, as well as by leveraging its comprehensive network of offices in Central and Eastern Europe, which add to strategically located teams in London and New York and an IP-focused office in Alicante. 

Noerr is highly respected for its handling of inbound transactional work, with its London and New York offices playing an important role for international entities looking to make investments into the German market. Equally, the law firm has a particularly strong reputation for its cross-border IT, tech and data work, and is adept at advising clients on matters that encompass multiple European jurisdictions. 

Alongside a solid transactional offering, Noerr also demonstrates international capabilities when it comes to contentious proceedings, supporting clients on a broad range of litigation, compliance and complex arbitration matters, and often representing parties in high-profile disputes. Noerr holds a particular specialism in liability, insurance and class action cases, and the law firm's excellent client roster, consisting of prominent automotive manufacturers, insurers and government entities, further reflects Noerr's market presence.

Sullivan & Cromwell maintains a focused and highly regarded practice in Germany, with particular strengths demonstrated in cross-border transactions. The law firm's Frankfurt office sits alongside strategically located teams in Europe and plays an important role in the firm's global practice, regularly cooperating with its London office and excellent teams based in the USA. The law firm's Germany team skilfully handles a combination of inbound and outbound transactions for both prominent domestic clients and multinational entities. 

Sullivan & Cromwell in Germany brings considerable expertise to cross-border M&A and is a solid firm when it comes to debt capital markets transactions. The law firm advises on large-cap transactions that encompass multiple jurisdictions, and clients with transatlantic needs benefit from Sullivan & Cromwell's in-house knowledge and extensive resources across its network. The team also enjoys a pre-eminent reputation within the ECM space and is regularly engaged to advise on cross-border IPOs, especially those involving the USA or other European jurisdictions. 

White & Case, a widely respected international law firm with a full-service model in Germany, is well equipped to handle a wide array of transactional and contentious matters that are multi-jurisdictional in scope. Teams situated in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Berlin and Hamburg form highly significant parts of the law firm's expansive global network. Given its comprehensive geographical coverage, White & Case is a popular choice for foreign investors into Germany as well as for homegrown entities expanding their operations internationally. 

White & Case's M&A group exhibits considerable strength in handling cross-border matters. Multi-jurisdictional transactions involving the energy, automotive and technology sectors are a particular area of focus for the team, which also demonstrates a strong track record of handling deals involving China. The law firm's project finance group is also internationally focused, with practitioners advising on a multitude of infrastructure and energy projects, notably those involving Scandinavia. 

White & Case's international prowess extends to contentious areas of law, where the law firm exhibits impressive cross-border capabilities. Cross-border proceedings form an essential part of the law firm's dispute resolution practice. The team is highly skilled in the representation of insolvency administrators and is also well versed in handling cross-border litigation relating to the energy sector, insurance coverage disputes and product liability claims. International arbitration is another area of success for the team. 

Ashurst is a UK-headquartered firm that has established a strong presence on cross-border transactions involving Germany. The law firm's German offering is made up of offices based in Frankfurt and Munich, and the team forms part of an integrated network of offices encompassing locations in Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA.

The team is a popular choice for mid-market clients seeking advice on cross-border M&A, and advisers adeptly handle both inbound and outbound deals relating to Germany. The team's banking and finance lawyers also frequently handle cross-border deals on behalf of domestic and overseas lenders and sponsors, and demonstrate particular strength in real estate financing matters. 

An internationally oriented law firm with an unparalleled global reach, Dentons' German team demonstrates a clear aptitude for handling cross-border mandates. The 2019 opening of the firm's Düsseldorf office adds to locations in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, giving Dentons a solid footing in the German market and enabling it to play a coordinating role on a broad spectrum of inbound and outbound transactions. Advisers based in Germany regularly collaborate with colleagues situated throughout the law firm's vast international network, and clients with a German base seeking representation in a range of jurisdictions are well served by Dentons' expansive model. 

Dentons' M&A group is held in particularly high regard by mid-market clients. The team demonstrates a strong track record of advising on multi-jurisdictional transactions, especially deals that are coordinated from Germany. The team's caseload is highly international, and transactions relating to a diverse range of industry sectors can be handled by the law firm, including those relating to the energy, infrastructure, automotive and life sciences spaces. 

An internationally recognised brand, Jones Day offers both domestic and overseas clients a breadth of cross-border expertise from its Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf offices. Teams stationed in Germany are accustomed to working on large transactions that encompass a number of jurisdictions and regularly act as lead counsel on substantial matters, collaborating efficiently with fellow Jones Day offices to offer a seamless service, as well as with local counsel firms.

Jones Day is a strong performer on cross-border M&A and is regularly engaged by prominent German entities and an impressive international client base. Advisers stationed in Germany are able to take the lead on truly global mandates and frequently work on matters involving Asia. Capital markets specialists are routinely sought out for their international expertise, particularly in relation to securitisations and IPOs, and the law firm's TMT lawyers regularly advise on international matters, assisting clients with the implementation of multi-jurisdictional data projects. 

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is a widely respected law firm that offers both national and international clients solid cross-border expertise from its Frankfurt and Munich offices. The law firm offers highly adept cross-border capabilities in transactional work. Gibson Dunn's offices operate as an integrated service, enabling clients to draw on the depth and experience provided by its multi-office structure in a seamless manner.

For transactional work, Gibson Dunn's M&A and private equity practices boast a client list including several DAX 40 companies and international businesses. Active on both high-end and mid-cap deals, the team routinely handles inbound investments for a host of international clients. Gibson Dunn services clients in a range of industries, holding particular expertise in life sciences, manufacturing and technology.

Heuking is a widely respected German independent practice which demonstrates a clear commitment to handling cross-border mandates across a broad range of legal areas. The law firm services the international needs of its clientele primarily through its connections with partner law firms in jurisdictions across the globe. Heuking is the German member of the World Services Group and exhibits a clear track record of working alongside partner practices to assist domestic clients with overseas matters, as well as international entities seeking guidance in relation to German markets.

The law firm offers clients full-service capabilities from Germany and is well regarded for its handling of cross-border M&A for mid-market clients, and it also possesses a capable investment funds practice. Moreover, the law firm demonstrates a solid sector focus and provides comprehensive cross-border advice to clients hailing from the energy and insurance industries. 

SZA Schilling is an independent outfit with bases in Frankfurt, Mannheim and Munich. The law firm's international practice is centred largely on cross-border M&A, which is enhanced by impressive competition law capabilities and a team strategically placed in Brussels. SZA Schilling supports its clientele on multi-jurisdictional matters largely through its effective collaboration with overseas firms, regularly playing a coordinating role in international projects.

Multi-jurisdictional M&A forms a core part of the law firm's international practice. The team is called upon by both homegrown clients, including members of the DAX 30, and foreign entities for its expertise in international deals, which frequently incorporate European and Asian jurisdictions. Complementing the firm's M&A practice, the team also brings considerable expertise to merger control issues that are cross-border in scope, with practitioners in Germany combining effectively with Brussels-based colleagues. 

Willkie Farr & Gallagher is a US-headquartered law firm that has developed a strong presence in Germany for cross-border transactions. The law firm's Frankfurt office sits alongside strategically located teams in Europe that cover all the major business centres. The firm has a coast-to-coast offering in the USA, allowing the German offices to advise on international matters and providing clients a well-coordinated, integrated service. 

Willkie's core transactional cross-border strengths lie in its private equity and M&A practice. The firm possesses strong capabilities in handling mid- and large-cap M&A, joint ventures and restructurings. The team services a range of industries including IT and technology. Willkie seamlessly covers outbound mandates well by drawing upon its global network.