Public Law: Planning and Environment | Europe

Posser Spieth Wolfers & Partners is a Berlin-based boutique law firm, highly renowned for its breadth of expertise covering administrative, regulatory and constitutional as well as planning and environmental law. The 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 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. The team's further expertise lies in water and mining. Clients also benefit from the firm's growing presence in the procurement world, for which it enters the rankings. Prestigious companies from the energy, construction and manufacturing sectors as well as federal ministries seek the 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 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.

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 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 which 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 constitutes the 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 shut-downs. The team also acts in front of the highest national courts. Clients equally benefit from the firm's strength in public procurement, for which Luther rises in the rankings. The team advises on nationwide and EU-wide tenders in the transport, construction and healthcare sector. 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 level on politically sensitive projects. The team advises on constitutional and administrative law issues and possesses regulatory expertise across a broad spectrum 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. Coal phase-out negotiations constitute a further strength of Noerr. Besides authorities, the law firm also caters to the needs of well-known corporates.