The Legal 500

Kapellmann und Partner remains a key player in the market and 2010 was a year of further growth. A large number of lawyers come in for praise, underlining the firm’s strong standing even after the retirement of name partner Klaus Kapellmann; Kai-Uwe Hunger, Klaus Eschenbruch, Ralf Steding and Werner Langen are all recommended. Highlights included advising BVG on the U5 underground line extension, Rhenus on port development matters, HPP on the new Vodafone Campus, Berger Bau on an underground carpark complex, and Riffgat regarding a wind park.

Leinemann & Partner has grown significantly, opening up a further office in Cologne. Its reputation for infrastructure work remains undisputed, and the team frequently advises on public procurement matters within the construction arena. Ralf Leinemann and Marc Hilgers count among the most renowned partners in a team which advised Alpine on a large-scale bridge construction project, Cofely on a hospital construction project, Herzog & de Meuron on project Elbphilharmonie, and advised on the extension of Berlin’s main train station. The team has further particular expertise advising on highway matters, in which highways A1 and A30 were recent projects. However, the departure of Antje Boldt to Sibeth in December 2010 was a blow.

Contrary to its competitors, SMNG Rechtsanwälte operates exclusively out of its Frankfurt office, but is highly regarded for the work carried out across the country. The large portfolio of longstanding clients ensures a steady workflow, with recent highlights including advising on a stadium construction project, the construction of school buildings and bridges, as well as on a tramway project. The German Association of Window and Facade manufacturers is one of the team’s longstanding clients. Clients praise Rainer Schilling and Christian Niemöller.

CMS Hasche Sigle operates an integrated property, construction and environment practice which allows for comprehensive advice on projects with both construction and real estate elements. Highlights included advising FBS Flughafen Berlin-Schönefeld on the construction of Berlin’s new international airport, GP Papenburg and Beton & Rohrbau consortium on the Halle stadium construction, and Unister regarding the Leipzig opera park centre. Andreas Roquette and Andreas Otto are noted.

GSK Stockmann + Kollegen remains a strong player in construction and real estate matters, and is able to capitalise on its faithful mid-cap client base even in times of market turmoil. Hochtief is a prestigious client, and FGI Frankfurter Gewerbeimmobilien instructed the team on the construction of two office buildings, a shopping centre, and the reconstruction and revitalisation of a commercial building. The team is further noted for its advice on contentious matters. Oliver Moufang and Holger Lampe are frequently recommended.

Gleiss Lutz has a good reputation for project development work, and the team, headed by Tobias Boecken in Berlin, has a particular focus in the construction of facilities for the generation of renewable energy, which also includes Tim Weber in Frankfurt. The firm advised new client Wetfeet Offshore Windenergy on an offshore wind farm in the North Sea; other clients include Hornbach Group and Krieger Group.

HFK Rechtsanwälte LLP opened up a new Stuttgart office and made numerous lateral hires, but saw the departure of name partner and founder Wolfgang Heiermann, who left for avocado rechtsanwälte. As a result, the team now has a broad offering spanning real estate, public procurement and construction law. Highlights included advising Bavaria regarding the KPM-Quartier project, Rege on the project Elbphilharmonie, BVG on the underground line project U55. Other clients include Everest Capital and Groß & Partner. Bernd Knipp is widely recognised.

Graf von Westphalen’s construction team remained unaffected by the loss of its Freiburg and Cologne offices, and frequently receives praise for the ‘impressive’ Robert Theissen in Hamburg. Highlights included advising HarmInvest on the ongoing Port Olpenitz project, and Spanish group Barceló Hotels & Resorts on the erection of a hotel. Strabag instructed the team on a roadwork project in Nairobi. Bettina Schmitt-Rady joined from HFK Rechtsanwälte LLP.

Hecker, Werner, Himmelreich has a strong base of longstanding clients, and has particular expertise advising architects. The City of Cologne instructed the team on the redevelopment of its opera, and the firm also advised the State of Saxony on the new erection of Leipzig University. Ulrich Werner, Fabian Frechen and Florian Diestelmann are all recommended.

The team at Hogan Lovells International LLP remains mainly known for Wendelin Acker, and frequently acts for energy companies, plant construction and engineering companies. Highlights included advising Vivico Real Estate on the development of Mainz customs port, and another client on the construction of a waste to energy power plant.

Noerr LLP is recommended for its project development expertise and managed to win new client Accor, which has been advised on the construction and modernisation of numerous hotel and conference buildings. The firm advised Iberdrola on wind energy projects, and Lidl on the construction of solar collectors in various countries. Stefan Weise and Ulrich Berger are recommended.

Redeker Sellner Dahs remains best known for its Bonn office, but also has a strong regional standing in Berlin and Leipzig. The strong ties with the public law team sets the firm apart from many others in the market. Highlights included advising IVG on the Airrail-Center project at Frankfurt Airport, an energy company on a power plant erection, and the team further advised on the construction of an underground line. Burkhard Messerschmidt is recognised.