Private Equity | Europe

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a well-reputed international law firm showcasing activity across the whole spectrum of private equity deals. The team regularly caters to a prominent clientele consisting of international private equity funds and investors as well as banks. Mid to large-cap acquisitions, carve-outs and squeeze-outs as well as divestments are key areas of strength. The firm is also equipped to assist clients with competitive auction processes as well as portfolio refinancing and share acquisitions. Clients additionally benefit from the firm's interdisciplinary and cross-border offering, assisting with capital market, M&A and financing-related issues. Freshfields enjoys a strong presence in regulated industries including life sciences, healthcare and IT.

Hengeler Mueller houses one of Germany's most renowned private equity practice groups with presence across mid and large-cap transactions. Top international as well as domestic private equity funds and portfolio companies seek the law firm's excellence in acquisitions, sales and investments. The handling of SPACs and their reversals also forms a key area of strength. With its excellent capital markets and M&A departments, Hengeler Mueller is in a prime position to handle interdisciplinary mandates. Its holistic coverage of the energy, transport and financial as well as technology sectors serves as a further testament to Hengeler Mueller's market position.

The international law firm Latham & Watkins houses an esteemed German private equity department. Its team is highly active on large-cap transactions, handling acquisitions, sales and investments across a broad industry spectrum. The set-up of strategically important joint ventures as well as auction processes are also handled by the firm. Its notable strength in the TMT, healthcare and manufacturing sectors renders Latham & Watkins an excellent choice for diverse transactions. The firm is particularly strong at handling cross-border mandates due to its expansive global office network.

The international law firm Milbank houses a highly reputable private equity team, most noted for its strength in large-cap deals. The team is highly active advising domestic and international private equity funds and investors on complex cross-border transactions, aided by its robust international network. Sales and acquisitions as well as exits and financing rounds constitute key areas of expertise. The firm is also mandated by shareholders, with further expertise in handling mid-cap transactions. The technology, life sciences, healthcare and manufacturing sectors form key industries for Milbank.

Clifford Chance is well suited to advise on a raft of transactions in the private equity space. Prominent private equity houses mandate the team for its strength in large-cap and mid-cap acquisitions and divestments as well as investments. Portfolio and fund restructurings and mergers are also handled by the firm. Thanks to its interdisciplinary and full-service offerings, Clifford Chance is well positioned to offer regulatory and sector-specific expertise related to transactions. In addition to the TMT sector, the firm is highly active in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries, aided by its global office network.

Kirkland & Ellis houses a renowned private equity practice based in Munich. Prominent and often international high-end private equity funds mandate the law firm for its strength in acquisitions and divestments of German targets. The team also assists investment banks and asset managers on bidding processes and public takeover offers. Its excellent connections in the USA and UK render Kirkland & Ellis a strong candidate for international investors and deals. The practice's sector coverage ranges from technology to manufacturing and retail, with the firm taking a prominent position in large-cap transactions.

The international law firm Linklaters houses a skilled team able to advise on the full range of private equity transactions. Prominent international private equity houses frequently mandate Linklaters for its strength in acquisitions, divestments and investments in German assets. Due to its well-integrated European practice, the firm is able to handle large cross-border mandates. The law firm covers a variety of industries as well as deal types, including a focus on infrastructure transactions.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher houses a highly reputed Frankfurt-based private equity practice. Its team regularly handles mid and large-cap sales and acquisitions as well as investments, advising prominent international private equity houses. Assisting founders and portfolio companies on strategic deals also falls within the firm's expertise. The wide range of sectors includes IT, banking and technology as well as foods, which further attests to the law firm's comprehensive coverage. In conjunction with its US and UK teams, Willkie is well positioned to handle multi-jurisdictional deals.

The German law firm Gleiss Lutz is respected in the private equity world for its handling of large transactions. International private equity houses and their portfolio companies as well as well-known German corporates regularly mandate the law firm for high-end cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures and infrastructure investments. The team handles a wide variety of deal types, including bidding processes. Due to its excellent sector coverage, it is also well placed to advise on deals in regulated industries. As a full-service firm, Gleiss Lutz assists with the full cycle of investments including financings, restructurings and tax-related issues.

Noerr enjoys a strong standing in the venture capital world, often assisting startups and corporates with financing rounds and venture set-ups. In line with its increased presence in the private equity world, prominent mid-cap investors also regularly seek the team's assistance with domestic deals. Utilising the connection to its New York office location, the practice additionally handles large transactions for US clients and their portfolio companies active in the German market. Finance, insurance, energy and technology form key sector strengths of the law firm, further highlighting Noerr's strong market presence.

The German law firm POELLATH houses a renowned venture capital practice with excellent strength in investments, sales and large financing rounds. The team acts for prominent growth funds and international banks, as well as domestic family offices, and startups from the technology and finance sectors. The firm also enjoys a strong standing in the private equity world, often assisting international investors with small to medium-cap transactions. Strategic partnership agreements are also handled by the team. While often active for funds, POELLATH enjoys a particularly strong standing among management boards and is known for handling the participation programmes in larger private equity deals. Its expertise in ancillary areas of transactions, such as tax, further strengthens the firm's holistic offering.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges assists growth investors, private equity firms and their portfolio companies with mid and large-cap acquisitions, sales and investments in German targets. Due to its close cooperation with its UK and US teams, Weil is well placed to handle cross-border transactions and frequently caters to international clients. Financing rounds as well as restructurings and distressed M&A are also effectively handled by the team. The sector coverage ranges from gaming and technology to finance and healthcare.

White & Case houses an experienced team, well positioned to advise private equity houses on acquisitions, divestitures, buy-and-builds and infrastructure investments. Portfolio companies also seek advice due to the firm's sizeable expertise in mid-cap transactions. Clients additionally benefit from the team's know-how in financing rounds. With its coverage of the healthcare, transport, insurance and technology sectors, White & Case is well placed to assist with a range of mandates. An additional strength constitutes its close collaboration with colleagues in the USA and London.

The firm often advises high-profile international private equity houses on mid-market acquisitions and investments in German targets. Prominent domestic corporates also seek the law firm's assistance with partnership agreements with private equity houses for investment purposes. Its expertise ranges across various sectors including technology, pharmaceuticals and energy, while the practice is also experienced in infrastructure deals. The firm boasts an expansive global network, rendering it a strong choice for high-volume multi-jurisdictional mandates, which the German team co-leads with its London and New York colleagues. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

CMS houses a highly reputed venture capital group with further strength in the German private equity world. Startups, growth capital investors and funds alike seek the firm's excellent assistance with large financing rounds, investments and leverage of debt capital. Similarly, CMS assists prominent private equity funds with mainly mid-market acquisitions and divestments across the technology and life sciences sectors, especially those with cross-border elements. Further expertise lies in the banking, e-commerce and mobility sectors, which renders CMS a strong choice for comprehensive advice.

Hogan Lovells houses a respected venture capital team with experience ranging from seed financing to later-stage rounds, often acting for well-known investors as well as startups. Furthermore, the law firm is appreciated for its strength in the private equity world, assisting asset managers and private equity houses with investments and buyouts. The practice has demonstrated expertise across commercial and regulated sectors and is particularly active in the German mid-market segment. Due to its global network, it is also a popular choice for international transactions.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom regularly advises domestic and international private equity firms on acquisitions and sales in the German market. Partnership agreements between equity houses and corporates as well as participation in bids are also handled by the firm. Prominent corporate clients additionally seek the firm's assistance with carve-outs and sales to private equity funds. Due to its strong presence in the USA and the UK, the firm is well equipped to handle cross-border transactions.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher enters the rankings thanks to excellent client feedback and notable work for an impressive list of prominent private equity firms. The law firm primarily advises US and German clients on investments in the German mid-market space as well as assisting with the German-law aspects of global private equity acquisitions and mergers. The practice's expertise covers bidding processes, voluntary public takeovers and investments in regulated entities. The team additionally acts in cooperation with its US and UK offices to advise on large multi-jurisdictional mandates.

The international law firm McDermott Will & Emery enjoys a solid standing in the mid-cap private equity space. Its team is active on a range of mandates including acquisitions, investments and divestitures, often representing domestic and international private equity funds and investors. Portfolio restructurings and auction processes are equally handled while the firm also assists companies and their shareholders with their sales to investors. Although active across a range of sectors, McDermott Will & Emery is particularly visible in deals concerning the life sciences, healthcare and TMT industries. While the practice has its primary focus on domestic mandates, its international law firm network enables it to also effectively handle cross-border matters.

Sidley Austin is a law firm with a solid private equity offering in Germany. The team is often sought out by private equity houses and their portfolio companies for its expertise in investments in and divestments of healthcare, life sciences, IT and technology targets. Due to its international network, the firm is a great choice for multi-jurisdictional deals.

Taylor Wessing is sought after for its excellent strength in the German venture capital world. The team regularly advises prominent investors and startups on large financing rounds, seed financings and capital increases in areas including insurtech, mobility and fintech. The firm is also appreciated by private equity funds for its experience in small to mid-cap transactions and advice to portfolio companies. Cross-border mandates are also regularly advised on, aided by Taylor Wessing's broad network.