Private Equity: Mid Cap | Germany

Willkie Farr & Gallagher houses a highly reputed private equity practice serving clients from Frankfurt and Munich. 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. It has experience in a wide range of sectors, including IT, banking, technology and food. In conjunction with its US and UK teams, Willkie is well positioned to handle multi-jurisdictional deals.

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 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.

White & Case houses an experienced team that is 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 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 is its close collaboration with colleagues in the USA and London.

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 assistance with large financing rounds, investments and leveraging 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. The 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.

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 the team's increased presence in the private equity world, prominent mid-cap investors also regularly seek its assistance with domestic deals. Utilising the connection to its New York office location, the practice handles large transactions for US clients and their portfolio companies active in the German market. Finance, insurance, energy and technology form key sector strengths for Noerr.

ARQIS demonstrates proficiency in acting for private equity funds and portfolio companies regarding the acquisition and disposal of stakes, with a particular strength in the life sciences sector.

Goodwin is a prominent player in mid-market transactions, frequently advising private equity funds on domestic as well as international deals. It is highly adept in advising on portfolio deals and restructuring matters.

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 handled by the firm, which also assists companies and their shareholders with their sales to investors. Although active across a range of sectors, McDermott Will & Emery is particularly visible on deals concerning the life sciences, healthcare and TMT industries. While the practice is primary focused on domestic mandates, its international network enables it to also handle cross-border matters effectively.

Momentum focuses on lower mid-market transactions, acting on takeovers and disposals of stakes as well as acquisitions. The firm is highly active in matters involving technology and energy companies.

Morgan Lewis houses a high-quality private equity team that has significant expertise in domestic and international transactions. It routinely advises portfolio companies and investment funds on mid-cap transactions, with a particular strength in acquisitions and disposals of stakes. It also demonstrates experience in the large-cap segment. The team advises portfolio companies and investment funds on small and mid-cap transactions, including business combination agreements and investments.

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 overall 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.