The Legal 500

Within Antitrust, tier 4

Noerr has specialist expertise in cartel compensation claims, with recent examples being defending Arkema against compensation claims following EC penalty proceedings of the European Commission, and acting for HUK-Coburg in pursuing cartel compensation claims in connection with the auto glass cartel. It also notably advised the German Football League (DFL) on developing marketing models for media rights to football games. Kathrin Westermann is ‘extremely good’, and Karsten Metzlaff ‘combines in-depth legal knowledge with excellent “people skills”’.

Within Bank lending, tier 4

Noerr’s ‘committed’ group advised Bank of Communications on a €300m participation in an acquisition financing in Hungary, and advised HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt on the financing of MFG Group. Olaf Grabowski is expert in financings in Central and Eastern Europe, and the ‘reliable’ Sebastian Bock provides a ‘pan-European perspective’.

Within Project finance, tier 4

Noerr has significant PPP expertise, but has been busy advising on renewable matters as well, acting for Nawaro BioEnergie on the €79m financing of a bio-energy site, and for NA Renewable Energy on the financing of its proposed acquisition of Turnow Preilack II solar energy project. Torsten Fett is well regarded.

Within Capital markets , tier 4

Noerr’s ‘highly experienced’ team ‘works hard for its clients’, and is recommended for ECM work. It recently advised RIB Software on its €145m IPO and SAF-Holland on its €140m capital increase. Holger Alfes and Laurenz Wieneke jointly head the practice.

Within Mid-sized deals, Noerr is a second tier firm,

Noerr’s clients highly value the firm’s ‘unique setup for work in Central and Eastern Europe’, with one such deal being its advice to Continental on the building of a new plant in Russia. The practice also advised TAG Immobilien on its voluntary takeover of Colonia Real Estate, and the firm’s China desk in Frankfurt advised Ningbo Joyson on its acquisition of 74.9% of Preh. Alexander Ritvay and Thomas Schulz jointly head the practice, and the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Peter Zier ‘provides tangible advice’.

Within Dispute resolution , Noerr is a second tier firm,

Noerr’s large team has been acting in significant post-M&A disputes, such as representing the City of Dresden in an arbitration proceeding against Gagfah, and also has a focus on liability claims, where it has received numerous instructions from banks to defend against claims for damages. Banking and insurance disputes are strengths of the practice, which regularly represents Deutsche Bank. Michael Molitoris and Oliver Sieg are the team co-heads.

Within Employment , Noerr is a second tier firm,

Noerr provides ‘first-class service’ while remaining ‘cost-efficient’, and its strong client base includes large corporations as well as mid-cap companies. Notable industry strengths include media, where the firm represents several publishers, and aviation, where its clients include airberlin and DBA. Stefan Tomicic and Georg Annuß are recommended, but Marc Steffek left to set up his own firm.

Within IP: trade marks , tier 4

Noerr recently advised BMG Rights Management on expanding its trade mark portfolio and represented the executors of Michael Jackson’s estate in trade mark and design matters across Europe. Georg Jahn is recommended. The firm recently opened an Alicante office with a focus on the strategic management of international trade mark and design portfolios.

Within Information technology and outsourcing , Noerr is a first tier firm,

Noerr’s market-leading group has large resources but puts together ‘very small teams, providing good value for money’, and gives ‘very concise, to-the-point advice’. E-commerce and data protection are notable growth areas, and the team is particularly good for media-related matters, reflecting the wider firm’s strengths. Notable instructions included advising CBR Fashion Holding on creating an online webshop and BRUNATA on contract and data protection law, both of which are new clients. Peter Bräutigam, who ‘provides in-depth advice on very short notice’, and Joachim Schrey are especially recommended.

Within Restructuring, Noerr is a third tier firm,

Noerr masterfully draws on its multidisciplinary strengths including the notable ability to handle restructuring-related litigation. It recently advised Deutsche Bank on the €600m restructuring of Conergy and also acted on the sale of insolvent automotive supplier Halberg-Guss to HTP. Christian Pleister has ‘broad restructuring know-how’, and Alexander Ritvay has ‘great international negotiation skills’ and gives ‘sound advice’.

Within Media: Entertainment, Noerr is a first tier firm,

Noerr fields ‘highly knowledgeable’ partners and delivers ‘excellent service’. This broad practice encompasses all media sectors, which works fruitfully with the firm’s strong IT group as well as with the London office on media finance. The team is advising Universal Pictures on five different European feature film productions and representing StudioCanal and Disney, among others, in court proceedings regarding copyright matters. Martin Diesbach ‘outshines others’, Ulrich Michel is ‘top notch’, and Johannes Kreile is also recommended.

Within Media: Press and publishing Other recommended firms

Within Private equity , tier 4

Noerr’s growing team is outstandingly proactive. It advised BC Partners and Synlab on the acquisition of the Czech laboratory service provider Chambon; CityDeal Europe and its shareholders on the sale to Groupon; and Veronis Suhler Stevenson and GMT Communications Partners on the disposal of its interest in Pepcom to STAR Capital. Georg Schneider’s advice is ‘always appropriate’, and Thomas Schulz ‘has come across most issues before’ and provides ‘quick, effective solutions’.

Within Public sector , Noerr is a second tier firm,

Noerr’s team operates within the firm’s pan-European Regulatory & Governmental Affairs Department, an approach that has borne fruits because of its cross-selling potential. Recent highlights include advising Minera on a copper mining project in Brandenburg and Saxony; Hochtaunus-Kliniken on a PPP project; and ADM International on sustainability requirements and certification of bio-fuels in Germany and Europe. Clients appreciate the team’s ‘quick responses’ and Olav Wagner’s ‘excellent handling of complex projects with interdisciplinary teams’. Alexander Birnstiel and Holger Schmitz jointly lead the practice.

Within Construction, Noerr is a third tier firm,

Noerr is recommended for power plant construction work, with one example being its advice to Linde-KCA-Dresden on the Stärkefabrik Zeitz project. It also advised Bilfinger Berger Project Investments on the application for the construction of the new office building of a German federal ministry, and Accor on the erection of several hotels. Stefan Weise is recommended.

Within Real estate, Noerr is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is ‘excellent’ in terms of depth of team, industry knowledge and commercialism, and remains remains one of the leading practices in the market despite Alexander Goepfert and Christoph Brenzinger joining Noerr. The firm has a clear focus on high-end work, and highlights included advising J.P. Morgan Asset Management (UK) on a joint venture with Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) to acquire the OpernTurm, and acted for CPP Investment Board on its purchase of 50% of the CentrO shopping centre. The well-regarded Friedrich Heilmann heads the practice, which also features Thorsten Kleine, who is ‘tireless at getting the job done’, and ‘tough sparring partner’ Johannes Conradi.

Within Tax , tier 4

Noerr provides ‘very quick turnaround but never to the detriment of quality’, and its broad practice spans day-to-day advice as well as tax structuring advice. It recently advised Reckitt Benckiser on its tax audit and corporate reorganisation, and acted for RWE on its first hybrid bond issue. Georg Edelmann ‘proactively addresses issues and suggests solutions’.

Within Telecoms , tier 4

Noerr’s lawyers are ‘true business partners in developing creative legal strategies’, and the team has notable expertise on the regulatory front and can also draw on the firm’s media expertise. The group advised SES Astra on its HD+ project, and other clients include The Phone House Telecom and Axel Springer Digital TV Guide. Practice head Tobias Frevert is ‘a very strong negotiator’.