The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance: Bank lending, tier 5

SJ Berwin LLP’s team includes Thomas Schrell, who has ‘carved out a good niche for himself in the small-cap market’, and is rated by competitors in the field. The firm has had notable success in attracting deals up to €50m, and strengths include real estate, project finance and debt restructuring work.

Within Corporate and M&A: Mid-sized deals, SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP has a pool of up and coming young lawyers. Highlights for the team included advising ATC on its joint venture with Aalborg Industries, Roche Pharma on the acquisition of Innovatis, and Swoodoo on its sale to Kayak Software. Frank Vogel and Julian Lemor are recognised.

Within Investment funds , SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP’s team is headed by the well-respected figure of Sonya Pauls, and has a strong emphasis on fund formation and infrastructure funds. Key clients of the group include Allianz, Generali, Triton, TVM Capital and Siemens. The Munich office has notable expertise in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe. The team works closely with Christian Schatz to ensure a seamless tax service for investment fund clients.

Within Private equity , SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

Private equity is a key practice for SJ Berwin LLP, which acts for a number of firms in the mid-cap sector. The team was instructed by Harbinger Capital Partners on the all-stock merger of Spectrum Brand, and also acted for PAIG International on the sale of Sell premium aircraft. Julian Lemor is ‘competent and co-operative’, and Frank Vogel in Berlin and Christoph Brenner are also recommended.

Within Real estate and construction: Real estate Other recommended firms

Within Tax , tier 4

SJ Berwin LLP’s tax practice has notable expertise in the area of private equity, where the firm has been so successful, but offers the full range of tax services. Notable clients are drawn from the mid-cap sector and include 3i, which the team advised on the €580m sale of MWM Holding, and Bavaria Yachtbau, advised on its takeover. Andreas Söffing heads the German private clients team, and Rüdiger Knopf is also recommended.