The Legal 500

Within Bank lending, Ashurst LLP is a second tier firm,

Ashurst LLP’s broad practice increased its depth at all levels, and clients are particularly impressed by ‘the available business acumen from both partners and associates’. Highlights included advising Bayerische Landesbank on a corporate loan of €350m to Biotronik; and NIBC Bank, IKB Deutsche Industriebank and Berenberg Bank on financing Carlyle’s public acquisition of shares in P&I Personal & Informatik. Stephan Kock has ‘decades of experience under his belt’ and Bernd Egbers is ‘top notch’.

Within Capital markets , tier 4

Ashurst LLP strengthened its ECM practice by hiring Matthias von Oppen from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, who is ‘experienced with IPOs of Chinese companies’ and recently acted as underwriter’s counsel regarding five Chinese company IPOs on the Prime Standard. On the debt side, the team advised Daimler on German, Japanese and US law pertaining to its €35bn EMTN programme.

Within Mid-sized deals, Ashurst LLP is a second tier firm,

Ashurst LLP focuses on M&A and frequently works for financial services clients. It recently added Corporación Financiera Alba and CATIC Bejing to its client roster, and advised the latter on its strategic partnership with KHD Humboldt Wedag, remarkable because of the substantial investment by a Chinese company into a Germany-listed company. It also advised Commerzbank on the sale of Allianz Dresdner Bauspar. Reinhard Eyring is ‘legally excellent, commercial and approachable’, and Nikolaus von Jacobs ‘actively structures solutions rather than simply executing on drafts’. The team is ‘able to quickly solve complex legal matters and explain them in a nutshell’.

Within Dispute resolution Other recommended firms

Within Restructuring Other recommended firms

Within Private equity , tier 4

Ashurst LLP’s strong Munich office frequently co-operates with colleagues in London. It advised Nordic Capital on the acquisition of Britax, the team’s first buyout instruction for this client, and represented Candover Investment during the €1.2bn sale of Ontex. Nikolaus von Jacobs heads the team.

Within Real estate, tier 4

Ashurst LLP advised Warburg-Henderson on all of its real estate acquisitions and disposals in Germany and acted for Cerberus on the acquisition of a portfolio of 45 commercial properties. ‘Pragmatic problem-solver’ Liane Muschter is ‘quick and precise’, and newly promoted partner Marc Bohne shows ‘endurance’ and ‘outstanding attention to detail’. Peter Junghänel heads the department.

Within Structured finance and securitisation , tier 4

Ashurst LLP is increasingly visible in securitisation matters and CMBS restructurings. It advised Lukoil on a €2bn structured exchangeable note, Santander on the securitisation of €1bn consumer loans, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch on its German programme. Tobias Krug ‘deploys his team effectively’ and has ‘a fantastic ability to focus on important elements’.

Within Tax , tier 5

Ashurst LLP’s ‘very knowledgeable and service-minded’ team advised Privalia Venta on the financing and acquisition of dress-for-less from Palamon. Klaus Herkenroth is well regarded.