GSK Stockmann > Berlin, Germany > Firm Profile

GSK Stockmann > The Legal 500 Rankings

Real estate and construction > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 1

GSK Stockmann routinely acts in cross-practice cooperation and focuses on urban project developments, smart cities, housing developments and retail centers as well as on private construction law and advises project developers, housing associations and retailers. The practice increasingly assists with sustainability-related issues, particularly in connection with smart cities, such as energy supply and waste disposal. Plant construction support is another key competence and focuses on the energy sector and energy infrastructure; here, the team is regularly instructed by industrial companies, DAX companies as well as clients from the smart city and renewable energy sectors. Practice head Jan Kehrberg focuses on project developments as well as construction, construction contract and public procurement law matters. The capacities in the public sector were particularly strengthened with the arrival of former Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in January 2023; simultaneously, Jan Kramer, who comprehensively advises on project developments as well as construction and real estate law, was appointed to local partner. This is complemented by experience in contentious construction and architectural law matters, including litigation. Kerstin von Staa is well versed in approval procedures, including clients' representation before administrative courts.

Real estate and construction > Project development Tier 1

Corporate and M&A > M&A Tier 2

GSK Stockmann is primarily visible in the financial services, energy, real estate and public sectors and assists with small-cap cross-border transactions including public takeovers, venture capital deals and joint ventures. In November 2023, transactional capacities were strengthened with the arrival of Robert Korndörfer, previously senior counsel at Noerr, who assisted strategic and financial investors in the mid-cap segment; he also has industry expertise in the energy, infrastructure and the digital economy sectors. Private equity and venture capital specialist Max Wilmanns (health and real estate) and the joint venture and M&A-savvy Jennifer Bierly (real estate) jointly lead the M&A team, after former practice head Markus Söhnchen (private equity and venture capital in the regulated sectors) joined GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB in July 2023; corporate finance and fintech consultant Tobias Riethmüller joined the same firm in March 2023.

Public sector > Planning and environment Tier 2

GSK Stockmann's broad team specialises in urban development and infrastructure projects and also assists a growing client base with sustainability project-related ESG issues. The expansion of energy and network infrastructure represents one of Andreas Geiger's mainstays, who, in addition to overseeing a high-profile matter for the approval of an LNG terminal, also advises on environmental and planning aspects of planned motorway routes and high-voltage networks. Geiger co-heads the practice with commercial development specialist Jan Hennig, who focuses on mixed-use developments and environmentally friendly conversion projects. Wolfgang Wuerfel, who is experienced in subsidy and pollution control law, is a renowned contact for land-use planning matters.

Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 2

GSK Stockmann is experienced in the asset management sector and regularly advises asset managers, project developers and institutional investors on transactions and financing as well as joint ventures and related forward share deals. Clients also benefit from the close cooperation with the locations in London and Luxembourg; the cross-location expertise in Luxembourg law is frequently called upon by international investors in connection with investments in the German real estate market made via investment vehicles structured in Luxembourg, while the London office focuses on advising international private equity houses on investments in German hotel, logistics and healthcare properties. Another key competence is the cross-practice expertise in insolvency law, where the team recently assisted with matters pertaining to distressed properties in the care home segment. Digital tenancy agreements are another growth area as well as ESG compliance. The team is led by Dirk Brückner (investments and asset management) and Philip Huperz (transactions, commercial tenancy agreements and asset management). Andreas Eichler (transactions) was appointed to partner in January 2023.

Banking and finance > Investment funds Tier 3

Led by Robert Kramer (regulatory law) and Petra Eckl (tax law), GSK Stockmann regularly assists fund-launching institutions, initiators and investors in the structuring of special funds across various asset classes, including related tax matters. Clients also benefit from the close cooperation with the Luxembourg office on cross-border tax issues. Recent work pertains to the ESG area (with frequent ties to the real estate sector), such as the launch of ESG funds, including related regulatory matters and ESG upgrades for closed funds, as well as German mezzanine fund structures in the real estate sector and fund restructuring. Dominik Berka (tax law) and Lisa Watermann (sustainable finance, institution- and product-related advice on investment law) were appointed local partners in January 2023.

Intellectual property > Unfair competition Tier 3

With extensive skills in IT and data protection matters, GSK Stockmann is well equipped to advise on competition issues relating to digital business models and transformation. This expertise is particularly called upon by technologically oriented and international clients, who also benefit from the cooperation with its London office, which opened in September 2022. Katy Ritzmann, who is experienced in licensing agreements and trade marks, jointly heads practice with technology and digitalisation expert Jörg Kahler.

Public sector > Commercial administrative law Tier 3

In addition to its expertise in advising municipalities on commercial administrative law and project-related climate protection aspects, GSK Stockmann is increasingly assisting large companies and public bodies with regulatory matters and constitutional proceedings. The practice's policy-oriented advisory approach, which was further strengthened by the arrival of former Federal Minister of Justice Heiko Maas in January 2023, comes particularly into play in proceedings relating to the repeat of the Berlin election, network neutrality and in advice on the energy price cap. Jan Hennig, who is well versed in public construction and planning law, and energy and infrastructure lawyer Wolfgang cube jointly head the practice.

Public sector > Public procurement Tier 3

Since the departure of Friedrich-Ludwig Hausmann in July 2023 (now self-employed), GSK Stockmann's practice has been under the sole leadership of Jenny Mehlitz, who advises on construction-related procurement issues. The team also represents a growing base of aviation and healthcare clients in procurement and review proceedings and acts on both the contracting and contractor side. In addition to construction procurement, the group also focuses on tenders for digitalisation projects and has further expertise in PPP projects.

Banking and finance > Financial services: regulatory Tier 4

GSK Stockmann's mainstays include clients' representation before the European Central Bank as well as matters pertaining to digitisation and sustainability, including electronic payment services, platform-related topics and the trading of CO2 certificates. Platform operators, companies, financial institutions and fintech companies also benefit from the team's close cooperation with the Luxembourg office; the latter is led by Andreas Heinzmann and regularly assists with matters pertaining to investment law. German practice head Timo Bernau comprehensively covers banking and insurance supervisory law with a focus on the fintech sector. Lisa Watermann (sustainable finance, investment law) made local partner in January 2023.

Banking and finance > Fintech Tier 4

GSK Stockmann's team is led by Timo Bernau and specialises in assisting fintech companies, startups, banks and investment companies with regulatory matters in the context of digital business transformations. The practice advises on digital, DLT-based financial products and business models as well as cooperation agreements and BaFin licensing procedures in the crypto sector. Tobias Riethmüller (fintech, capital markets law) joined GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB in May 2023.

Banking and finance > Real estate finance Tier 4

GSK Stockmann advises both banks and investors on acquisition and project development financing; the team is experienced in the asset classes commercial and hotel as well as nursing home properties. Core competencies include the advice on mezzanine structures and joint venture agreements as well as internal banking requirements. Practice head Alma Franke is well versed in the financing of special properties such as hotels and shopping centers; Stefan Koser complements this with expertise in financing restructuring.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 4

GSK Stockmann's corporate expertise is applied in cross-border transactions, VC transactions, joint ventures and restructurings, with the team particularly frequently assisting clients from the finance, energy and real estate sectors. The practice is led by Max Wilmanns (commercial law, private equity and venture capital) and Jennifer Bierly, who is primarily active in capital market matters and structural measures. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Daniel Fehling (restructuring and M&A) from Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH in January 2024, after VC and PE-savvy former practice head Markus Söhnchen and Tobias Riethmüller joined GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB in July 2023 and May 2023.

Industry focus > Energy Tier 4

GSK Stockmann is experienced in advising on grid and power line expansion and is regularly instructed by two out of the four German power transmission grid operators; here, co-practice head Stefan Geiger frequently takes the lead and advises on environmental and planning law issues pertaining to the approval, implementation and construction of power lines. Another focus is placed on decentralised power supply, above all photovoltaics, heat supply and charging infrastructure, as well as gas infrastructure matters, where the team advises on planning procedures, licensing issues and contract drafting. Co-practice head Sören Wolkenhauer (energy, public procurement and state aid law) regularly advises on the latter area.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 4

GSK Stockmann team is led by Maritheres Palichleb, who specialises in supporting national and international institutional investors in nursing care real estate investments and transactions as well as VC investments in start-ups in the healthcare, biotechnology and medical technology sectors. Former co-head Markus Söhnchen (corporate and M&A) joined GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB in August 2023. Other competencies include the advice on compliance, including matters pertaining to the Hospital Future Act, such as the modernisation of hospitals, digital infrastructure and safeguarding of emergency capacities.

Private equity > Venture capital Tier 4

GSK Stockmann is experienced in the technology sector and supports investors, companies and start-ups in financing rounds, transactions and exits. The team frequently cooperates with the locations in Luxembourg and London on cross-border matters. The practice is led by Katy Ritzmann (focus on the digital, tech, high-tech and insurtech industries) and Thomas Derlin (IT, Internet, mobility and technology). Counsel Dennis Gehnen focuses on transactions in the mobility, digital, tech and insurtech industries. In July 2023, Markus Söhnchen (PE, VC, corporate) joined GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB, while Andreas Bauer (transactions and corporate) left the firm and founded his own law firm in December 2022.

Public sector > State aid Tier 4

GSK Stockmann's client base primarily includes airports and seaports, which the group advises comprehensively on the public financing of their infrastructure projects. The team recently assisted with a project to expand port infrastructure for the operation of a liquid gas terminal and also represented the client in notification proceedings. In this context, companies particularly benefit from the expertise of transport infrastructure expert Arne Gniechwitz, who jointly leads the practice with Wolfgang Wuerfel; the latter mainly advises public sector clients on the state aid compliant structuring of financing initiatives. In July 2023, Friedrich Ludwig Hausmann (state aid with a focus on public infrastructure) left and is now self-employed.

Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring Tier 4

GSK Stockmann frequently advises across the real estate and care sectors, where the practice assists companies and creditors with financial and operational restructuring. Most recent instructions pertain to post-M&A restructurings and the team is also experienced in distressed transactions and the sustainable reorganisation of family businesses. Andreas Dimmling is a key contact for fund restructuring and distressed M&A and jointly heads the practice with insolvency lawyer Raoul Kreide.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 5

GSK Stockmann's data protection expertise is utilised in the advice on GDPR compliance, the creation of data protection concepts as well as in clients' representation before the authorities. Practice heads Jörg Kahler and Katy Ritzmann are experienced in the mobility, finance and real estate sectors and regularly assist with transactions and, thanks to the firm's focus on the real estate segment, advise facility managers on monitoring software, serviced apartments and parking space management.

Compliance Tier 6

GSK Stockmann's team focuses on the prevention, detection and subsequent response in connection with compliance matters and advises medium-sized companies from the pharmaceutical, logistics and real estate sectors on ESG issues, supply chain due diligence, whistleblower protection and money laundering; the practice is also experienced in compliance management systems, risk analyses and compliance reviews. Eric Mayer has industry expertise in automotive, hightech, healthcare and real estate and advises on anti-corruption and industry compliance.

Germany > Tax Tier 6

GSK Stockmann's firm-wide focus on the real estate sector is also reflected in its tax practice, which handles transaction and project-related matters as well as fund structuring; recently, the group was particularly active in matters pertaining to ESG and green tax. For cross-border issues, particularly in the areas of financial taxes and fund structuring, the team regularly cooperates with offices in Luxembourg and London. Petra Eckl in Frankfurt and Dirk Koch in Munich jointly head the practice and cover the tax spectrum comprehensively. Dominik Berka (real estate transactions and investment tax law) made local partner in January 2023.