Tax | Europe

Flick Gocke Schaumburg has a standout tax team offering strength across many specialisms within the field. The team is highly sought after by domestic blue-chip corporates as well as international clients for advice on transactional matters and company reorganisations, with further tax capabilities in capital markets-related mandates. Alongside its leading corporate tax practice, the firm handles a broad range of contentious issues both at fiscal court and before the ECJ and also provides regulatory advice, including on transfer pricing and international tax law as well as tax audits. The team includes both tax consultants and attorneys at law.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has a formidable team, well known for tax advice on transactions, working in conjunction with its M&A and private equity departments. It acts for a broad spectrum of clients, including financial institutions and major German and international corporates. It also regularly advises on the tax elements of corporate restructurings, as well as providing guidance on tax-efficient arrangements of transactions.

Linklaters boasts a tax department able to handle cross-border mandates thanks to the firm's impressive international network. The law firm is particularly well known for its tax expertise in M&A and finance transactions, with further strength in corporate reorganisations. The team also represents clients in contentious tax mandates and is gaining recognition for its tax investigations advice. Linklaters is a popular choice for private equity as well as corporate clients from the automotive field.

The global law firm is popular among international financial institutions, corporations and private equity houses for advice on the tax structuring of transactions and corporate reorganisation projects, including joint ventures and asset transfers. The law firm also advises international banks on investigations, such as in relation to cum/ex trades, and possesses capability in tax disputes and audits. The team is well placed to assist clients with multi-jurisdictional mandates thanks to the firm's expansive international tax practice. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Milbank maintains a notable offering, sought after by international and domestic private equity funds for advice on the tax structuring of M&A deals and investment projects. It also assists companies from a wide range of industries on tax-optimised corporate restructurings, tax audits and capital markets transactions. The firm exhibits further strength in ensuring tax efficiency of high-volume financing and refinancing transactions, acting for both lenders and borrowers.

Clifford Chance is particularly popular for advice on the tax structuring aspects of investment projects, real estate and M&A deals. It is highly familiar with the tax law elements of fund structuring and capital markets transactions. The firm is able to advise in relation to tax disputes and represents clients in internal tax investigations, audits and criminal tax proceedings. Clifford Chance acts for a client base of private equity and investment funds as well as German banks and industrial clients.

Gleiss Lutz is active among international private equity clients as well as German corporates from sectors including life science, technology and retail. The firm houses particular experience in transactional tax matters, assisting with the structuring of M&A transactions and acquisition financing, and also acts on corporate tax matters, such as post-closing reorganisations and distressed restructuring. Gleiss Lutz is further active in court proceedings, compliance issues and investigations.

Hengeler Mueller is best known for tax advice on transactions, complementing the firm's exceptional corporate department. It regularly assists corporate from the technology, retail and life sciences sectors as well as clients from the financial services sector. The firm acts on the tax structuring of large-scale M&A transactions, with further strength in tax-related aspects of capital market products and corporate restructurings. Hengeler Mueller also represents high-end as well as mid-market clients in investigations and criminal tax proceedings.

Latham & Watkins is particularly active in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, working closely with its teams across Europe and the USA. It also handles tax matters arising from financing and restructures. Alongside its core of private equity clients, the firm additionally advises prominent financial institutions and corporates from a range of industries.

POELLATH is noted for its handling of the taxation of M&A, property deals and company reorganisations for a core client base of private equity houses and real estate companies. It is known for advising investors on the taxation of private equity and other investment funds. The firm has additional strength in handling structural advice, succession planning and issues of international tax law for family-owned companies as well as high net worth individuals.

Baker McKenzie has a multifaceted tax practice with notable strength in the fields of corporate tax planning, VAT and transfer pricing. The firm regularly provides tax support to both domestic and multinational corporations involved in M&A and corporate structuring projects. It is also able to handle cross-border mandates thanks to the firm's strong international network. Baker McKenzie additionally assists with compliance and audits and regularly represents clients in tax disputes.

Dentons assists clients with the tax aspects of M&A deals and collaborates with tax partners from its global network on international transactions. The firm advises across tax structuring, planning and transfer pricing. It often acts for insurance companies on W&I and special tax insurance policies and has capabilities across a wide range of tax issues including corporate income tax, VAT and trade tax as well as litigation proceedings.

Noerr handles a wide range of tax matters, particularly advising corporates, real estate companies and private equity houses on the tax side of M&A and real estate transactions. The firm also advises on fund structuring and group reorganisations, and provides further assistance to clients on tax audits, compliance and litigation matters.

YPOG is well known for its tax expertise in the fintech and private equity areas, with a recognised focus on the tax-optimal structuring of funds. The firm's other strengths include transactional tax matters, such as venture capital and small to mid-cap private equity deals. It also assists with the tax aspects of funds and asset structuring. YPOG's client base includes domestic start-ups, international funds and investors as well as high net worth clients.

CMS has strong expertise in transactional tax mandates, advising on IPOs and investments, as well as M&A, real estate and finance deals. The team is also experienced in handling employment-related tax law matters, assisting with questions of remote work and wage tax. Additionally, the law firm advises on the tax structuring of investment funds, tax issues pertaining to corporate restructurings and represents clients in disputes. CMS's client list includes public bodies, large corporates and banks.

Hogan Lovells utilises strong cross-border capabilities to advise on tax issues relating to multi-jurisdictional restructurings and transactions including financing, venture capital and real estate deals. The firm houses industry-specific expertise, with individual partners offering in-depth knowledge of sectors including real estate, energy and life sciences as well as financial services and insurance.

McDermott Will & Emery is particularly strong in tax law disputes and frequently represents clients before a number of different courts. It acts on transactional mandates, predominantly advising on matters in the real estate sector. The team is further experienced in advising on tax structuring. The law firm's clients include real estate developers, family companies, and private equity funds.