The Legal 500

Clifford Chance’s leading practice, which focuses on ‘a practical approach and the useability of results’, is also valued for its strong ties to 
the regulatory authorities. The team has been busy advising on the closure of public 
open-ended real estate funds due to liquidity problems, as well as advising clients on recent legislative changes. It advised Barclays on prospectus updates and announcements of 
the public distribution of new UCITS funds; 
DWS Holding & Service on several fund supervision issues; and Union Asset Management on its transformation under UCITS IV. The ‘outstanding’ Sven Zeller heads the practice, which is ‘very responsive when handling requests on short notice’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s practice advises on complex and innovative matters, and works closely with the firm’s tax experts. Recent work includes assisting with the establishment of several single-investor hedge funds, and advising a number of funds on all aspects of the transition to UCITS IV. The firm advised prime brokers Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch and Bank of Nova Scotia on their clients’ investments into German open-ended funds. Practice co-heads Thomas Emde and Konrad Schott are recommended.

Hengeler Mueller has one of Germany’s leading funds practices, and frequently advises on cutting-edge matters. It has leveraged its best-friends network internationally and has compiled a great track record in international work. Morgan Stanley is a key client. Edgar Wallach and Thomas Paul are recommended.

Linklaters LLP has seen an increase in alternative lending and debt funds work, and also managed to pick up work in the real estate funds space. The team recently acted for Hines on structuring and raising capital for the Hines Russia & Poland Fund, and advised Société Générale on structuring an infrastructure debt fund. It also advised Oikocredit on its eight German investor pooling vehicles. Alexander Vogt and Markus Wollenhaupt are recommended.

Allen & Overy LLP’s expanding team advised Generali Investments on the restructuring of its distribution and transfer agency functions as well as Credit Suisse Asset Management on a pan-European fund administration structure. It also provides comprehensive advice to Lyxor Asset Management. Frank Herring is recommended.

Norton Rose LLP has been busy advising various clients on UCITS V and the implementation of the AIFM directive. Highlights included advising an investment company on developing a liquidity management structure for real estate special assets, and acting for several banks on the establishment of fund products qualifying for insurance coverage. Clients include ABN AMRO and Macquarie Bank International. Caroline Herkströter, Martin Krause and Ludger Verfürth jointly head the practice.

P+P Pöllath + Partners excels at fund formation and has extensive ties to the private equity sector, which is a core strength of the firm. The team recently advised Talanx Asset Management on the sale of a private equity portfolio. Other clients include Auctus Capital Partners and Perusa Partners. Andreas Rodin and Patricia Volhard are recommended.

Simmons & Simmons LLP recently advised Allianz Global Investors on implementing aspects of UCITS IV across six European jurisdictions and assisted Chenavari Investment Managers with the establishment of a Luxembourg trading platform. Jochen Kindermann heads the team, which was bolstered by the addition of Bernulph von Crailsheim from Dewey LeBoeuf LLP.

Baum Financial Services Law Team excels at advising foreign investment firms on their German activities, and key clients include Axa Investment Managers (Paris), Threadneedle and Henderson Gartmore. The practice is also skilled in contentious situations. Roland Baum is recommended.

Dechert LLP has significantly expanded its practice by opening a new Frankfurt office with lateral hires, but the practice is particularly strong in the alternative investment space. The team advised Aquarius Invest on the structuring of FCI Finance Capital. Other clients include Natixis Global Asset Management, UBS and Warburg Invest. Achim Pütz heads the practice.

SJ Berwin LLP is recommended for fund formation, and has been busy advising on closed-ended renewables funds as well as issues pertaining to UCITS IV. Clients include Union Investment and Oppenheim Asset Management. Henning Starke and Sonya Pauls are recommended.

WTS Legal Asset Management’s chief strengths are regulatory and fund structuring advice. It frequently acts for family investment groups as well as institutional entities. Clients include Russell Investment Group, Nomura Funds and Axa Private Equity. Dieter Lübbehüsen is recommended.

White & Case LLP has been advising clients on UCITS IV, AIFMD and exchange-traded fund platforms. Clients include HSBC Global Asset Management and Goldman Sachs International. Marietta Lienhard is the key figure.