Public Law: Planning and Environment | Germany

Posser Spieth Wolfers & Partners is a Berlin-based boutique law firm that is highly renowned for the breadth of its expertise, covering administrative, regulatory and constitutional as well as planning and environmental law. The law firm demonstrates a strong presence in the automotive and energy sectors, advising on novel mobility concepts, renewable energy storage and emissions control. Its expertise in complex constitutional law questions further strengthens the firm's services. Furthermore, PSWP is considered a market leader in planning and environmental law, often advising well-known corporates on topical issues such as green industry transformations, coal phase-outs and energy-related disputes. The law firm is also active in large planning approval procedures for nationwide electricity networks. It has further capabilities in various administrative proceedings.

CMS houses a well-known public law team with particular expertise in planning and environmental law. The law firm regularly appears in front of the highest courts in administrative proceedings related to environmental and planning matters. Handling large and often cross-border infrastructure and energy projects requiring planning approvals forms a key strength of CMS. A further expertise of the team lies in water and mining. Clients also benefit from the law firm's growing presence in the procurement world. Prestigious companies from the energy, construction and manufacturing sectors as well as federal ministries seek the law firm's assistance.

Gleiss Lutz houses a well-reputed public law practice capable of handling mandates across the full spectrum of constitutional, planning and environment and procurement law. The team often advises clients on the constitutionality of legislation, including nuclear phase-outs and export law. Furthermore, clients benefit from the law firm's expertise in handling large IT and digitalisation procurements for health insurance providers as well as defence sector companies. EU-wide tendering procedures as well as review proceedings are also managed by Gleiss Lutz. Large planning approval procedures, CO2 pooling and water concession agreements as well as climate change-related mandates form key areas of expertise.

GSK Stockmann is a well-reputed German law firm with a comprehensive coverage of planning and environmental law. The team is particularly active in the construction sector, assisting with planning approval procedures for large infrastructure, energy and urban development projects. Authorities and private companies alike seek GSK Stockmann's advice, which shows its robust position in the market. The planning of industrial sites and administrative proceedings also form part of the law firm's offerings.

Hengeler Mueller offers a large public law practice capable of handling various regulatory, constitutional and administrative matters. The team is regularly mandated for its expertise in complex constitutional proceedings in front of Germany's highest courts, including cartel fines and cultural goods protection as well as investment protection agreements. The law firm further offers expertise in the socialisation of housing, reference proceedings and advice on COVID-19 state aid. The team also regularly collaborates with its outstanding M&A and capital markets teams on public law matters pertaining to carve-outs and sustainable financing.

The internationally active law firm Linklaters is highly regarded for its strength in planning and environmental law, representing large companies in permitting, planning and approval procedures for large-scale energy projects. Furthermore, the team is increasingly active in administrative proceedings pertaining to mining and soil contamination claims. Clients also seek Linklaters' advice on the regulatory and public law aspects of large corporate transactions, as well as water and chemical law questions. The law firm enjoys a strong market standing, being most visible in the energy, infrastructure and pharmaceutical sectors and often representing prominent multinationals.

Luther is a German law firm that is well known for its holistic coverage of public law. The team is particularly appreciated for its expertise in planning and environmental law, ranging from approval procedures and urban developments to nuclear phase-outs. A special strength is the law firm's handling of energy-related mandates such as power plant construction and emissions trading. Luther also assists with a wide range of administrative cases including constitutional complaints, infection control law and COVID-19-related business shutdowns. The team also acts in front of the highest national courts. Clients benefit from the law firm's strength in public procurement, and the team advises on nationwide and EU-wide tenders in the transport, construction and healthcare sectors. It has further expertise in large PPP projects, which complements the firm's comprehensive services.

The German law firm Noerr offers a highly regarded public law team that is regularly mandated by ministries at federal and state levels on politically sensitive projects. The team advises on constitutional and administrative law issues and possesses regulatory expertise across a broad range of industries, including energy, telecommunications and technology. Sanctions law, judicial reviews and transport law form further areas of expertise. Furthermore, Noerr is appreciated for its environmental and planning law capabilities, assisting with emission control regulations and taxation as well as planning procedures for energy and urban development projects. The firm also has strength in coal phase-out negotiations. Besides authorities, the law firm also caters to the needs of well-known corporates.