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Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors

BETHMANSTRASSE 50-54, 60311 FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Tel:
Work +49 69 29 90 80
Fax:
Fax +49 69 29 90 81 08
Web:
www.bakermckenzie.com
Zurich, Washington DC, Warsaw, Vienna, Valencia, Toronto , and 68 more

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Germany

Antitrust

Within Antitrust, tier 5

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors’ Joerg-Martin Schultze is ‘very analytical and thorough’, Stephanie Pautke is ‘quick at understanding complex matters and reducing them to the quintessential issues’, while Dominique Wagener ‘goes straight to the heart of the matter quickly’. The team regularly advises Esprit on all aspects of contractual and distribution-related competition issues with regular clients including The Body Shop and Procter & Gamble.

Banking and finance Bank lending

Within Banking and finance Bank lending, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors has a ‘very professional and well-informed banking team’ with the ‘efficient’ Michael Foundethakis and Olaf Gebler, who has a ‘good commercial and legal understanding of issues’. The firm is building its reputation in syndicated lending and restructuring. On the acquisition financing side, it advised Allianz Capital Partners and Deutsche Seerederei on the financing for the €1.56bn leveraged buyout of Scandlines.

Capital markets

Within Capital markets, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors filed four prospectuses with BaFin in the past year and advised on the listing of a Ukrainian Agrarian Company on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (and other private placement issues). Manual Lorenz, Barbara Deilmann and Andreas Lohner are also recommended.

Corporate and M&A Mid-sized deals

Within Corporate and M&A Mid-sized deals, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors has a ‘strong international network and is a good choice for international M&A transactions.’ The team advises top industrial clients and has expanded at partner level with the addition of Soenke Becker and Florian Thamm from Hengeler Mueller. The practice advised Siemens on the sale of Wireless Modules Business to Deutsche Telekom and the financial investor Granville Baird, a transaction that spanned 35 countries. Another multinational deal was its advice to Evonik Industries on the sale of the Initiators Group to Speyside Equity.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors is ‘traditionally very strong’ for dispute resolution, and has a number of key partners, including Guenter Pickrahn, who ‘knows his stuff’; and Joerg Risse, who ‘knows the answers’, with clients remarking that he is ‘perfect in his preparation of briefs’ and provides ‘very detailed risk analysis’. ‘The depth and breadth of the knowledge’ of Juergen Mark is impressive while Stephan Spehl is ‘very knowledgeable and responsive’. This ‘excellent’ and diverse practice is noted for its considerable experience in post-M&A disputes and infrastructure projects. On a large construction project, the team is advising one of the underwriters in the consortium carrying out the contract in complex disputes with the end client. It also represented an American company in ICC arbitration proceedings.

Employment

Within Employment, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Henning Wiehe joined Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors’ Frankfurt office in March 2008, moving from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Gregor Dornbusch, part of the much-praised Frankfurt team, displays ‘experience, capability in problem solving, and efficiency’, and Günther Heckelmann is ‘among the most knowledgeable, responsive and efficient lawyers I have ever worked with’, remarks one client. The team ‘is without ego, performs for the best interests of the client, and does not dump a problem back on the client’. Furthermore, clients appreciate its ‘familiarity with and sensitivity to the perspective of US corporations doing business in other countries’. The practice acted for Abbott on the worldwide restructuring and integration of purchased companies, while General Motors instructed the practice on an ongoing European restructuring project. Clients find it is ‘better value than other firms’.

IP: patents Litigation

IP: trade marks

Within IP: trade marks , Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors is recommended for work on product piracy matters, with recommended partner Michael Fammler found to be ‘ practical and pragmatic’. Clients appreciate that advice ‘provides a sense of confidence and firmly expresses an opinion on risks’. The team, and particularly Fammler, ‘has proved to be a pair of safe hands’. Samsung instructs the firm on all IP matters in Germany, most recently on trade mark clearance work. Cisco refers to the firm on IP enforcement matters and the firm manages Unilever’s IP portfolio. The Munich office saw the arrival of Benjamin Koch from BMW in January 2009.

Information technology and outsourcing

Within Information technology and outsourcing , Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors’ Christoph Rittweger displays in-depth knowledge and has ‘great negotiation skills and a diplomatic approach’. Wolfgang Fritzemeyer and Matthias Scholz are recommended, with the latter advising a global life science and chemical company in all data protection matters. Albis Securitisation turned to the firm for advice on the preparation of an electronic platform for the granting of loans, and the designer and manufacturer of Driver Control Systems was advised on data protection issues. The practice acted for Esprit Europe on the outsourcing of its IT infrastructure and in the negotiation of agreements for the global implementation of a SAP-System, with Rittweger leading the team. Michael Schmidl acted for Barclays on the setting up of an international privacy infrastructure for Barclays Global Investors, where the team advised the German branch in particular on the infrastructure’s implementation. Clients are ‘100% satisfied’ and appreciate the ‘availability and quick responses’.

Private equity

Within Private equity, tier 4

At Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors there is a significant multi-jurisdictional element to deals, with advice to Triton and its portfolio company RMG Regel + Messtechnik on the acquisition of Mercury Investments, Regina Engelstaedter being the lead partner on the deal. Another cross-border deal was its advice to MS Privatstiftung and the other (indirect) shareholders of MDC on the sale of a 70% stake to Telekom Austria (with an agreement on put and call options for the remaining 30%). Nikolaus Reinhuber has joined the team from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Public sector

Within Public sector, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors focuses on regulatory matters, which make up about 50% of the practice’s workload. The firm strengthened its public procurement team with the hire of Marc Gabriel from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, joining Joachim Scherer and Ulrich Ellinghaus who are also recommended. Veolia Cargo instructed the team on the acquisition of a rail transport company, and the practice advised PTT Chemical Public Company on environmental aspects relating to the acquisition of Henkel’s subsidiary Cognis Oleochemicals.

Real estate and construction Real estate

Within Real estate and construction Real estate , tier 5

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors’ practice is headed by Peter Wessels in Berlin. Significant arrivals include Matthias Eggert, who has joined the Frankfurt office from Hengeler Mueller. The team advised John Buck Company on the Sony Center Berlin aquisition and CB Richard Ellis on the acquisition of several hotels from Lone Star.

Structured finance and securitisation

Within Structured finance and securitisation, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

At Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors the ‘efficient and reliable’ Martin Kaiser and Dietmar Helms, who is known for structured finance and asset securitisations, are recommended. The team is particularly visible in the auto loan securitisation sector, with true sales securitsations and trade receivables other key components of the practice. It acted as transaction counsel to DZ Bank on a securitisation transaction of the rental car fleet and residual values for Robert Straub, with a considerable amount of time on the transaction devoted to VAT optimisation.

Tax

Within Tax, tier 4

Clients of Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors say the team is ‘quick, efficient and explains risks in advance’. Stephan Schnorberger is described as a ‘transfer pricing expert who seems to command a lot of respect with the German tax authorities’ and clients ‘highly recommend’ Ulrich Raensch for ‘complex corporate tax matters’. Christian Brodersen and Nicole Looks head the practice, which specialises in VAT/customs matters, invariably with a cross-border element to its transactional advice. Highlights include its advice to Sony on a cross-border merger. Other key aspects of the practice include corporate finance and the taxation of financial instruments.

Telecoms

Within Telecoms, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Wirtschaftsprüfern, Steuerberatern und Solicitors’ ‘old fox’ Joachim Scherer ‘delivers flawless work and has raised his profile due to his representation of the Federal Network Agency’. The strong team of Joachim Scherer and Ulrich Ellinghaus is the ‘most experienced’ in the market. The practice is known for its representation of mobile operator e-plus, recently advising on the regulation of mobile termination rates. Other clients include VATM and the German Association of Telecommunications and value-added Services, which instructed the team regarding the non-compliance of certain tariffs of Deutsche Telekom. Iridium Satellite was also represented in litigation.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Baker & McKenzie office to view full details of what we say in that region, or choose from this list to view a specific editorial reference in context.

Australia

Offices in Sydney and Melbourne

Austria

Offices in Vienna

Azerbaijan

Offices in Baku

Belgium

Offices in Brussels, Antwerp, and Brussels

Bahrain

Offices in Manama

China

Offices in Beijing and Shanghai

Czech Republic

Offices in Prague

Germany

Offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Munich

Egypt

Offices in Cairo

Spain

Offices in Madrid and Barcelona

France

Offices in Paris

Ghana

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Hungary

Offices in Budapest

Indonesia

Offices in Jakarta

India

Italy

Offices in Rome, Milan, and Bologna

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

Kuwait

Kazakhstan

Offices in Almaty

London

Offices in London and London

Libya

Malaysia

Offices in Kuala Lumpur

Netherlands

Offices in Amsterdam

UK Overview

Philippines

Offices in Makati

Poland

Offices in Warsaw

Qatar

Russia

Offices in Moscow and St Petersburg

Sweden

Offices in Stockholm

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

South Korea

Saudi Arabia

Offices in Riyadh

Switzerland

Offices in Zurich and Geneva

Taiwan

Offices in Taipei

Thailand

Offices in Bangkok

Ukraine

Offices in Kiev

US

Offices in Washington DC, Palo Alto, New York, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, and Houston

Vietnam

Offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments by:
Baker & McKenzie

  • Tax Reforms Towards the Creation of an International Financial Center in Russia

    In December 2009 the Russian Parliament adopted important changes further promoting the Russian holding companies regime. Starting from January 1, 2011 Russian holding companies will no longer be required to meet the present 500 million ruble threshold for investments made into companies qualifying as “strategic investments” to receive tax benefits.
    - Baker & McKenzie

Legal Developments in Germany

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • Recent Changes to the European Patent Convention

    The administrative council of the European Patent Organisation enacted important changes to the European Patent Convention in March this year. These changes serve the pursuit of the so-called ‘raising the bar’ project of the European Patent Office. This project seeks to improve both the quality and legal certainty during the granting of a European patent. However, it cannot be overlooked that significant numbers of changes are disadvantageous for the applicant. In the future we will endeavour to provide you with recommendations in regards to how you can minimize potentially disadvantageous outcomes.
    - Hertin Anwaltssozietät

  • 'Phoenix' and 'Cuckoo' Businesses: Liability Risks Related to Business Transfers

    A recent Federal Court of Justice ruling highlights the risks of taking over and carrying on an existing business using a business name which is identical or similar to that used previously. Any party partaking in an asset deal involving the transfer of German business operations must be aware of several pitfalls in order to avoid liability.
    - GSK Gassner Stockmann & Kollegen

  • What are the procedural means to invalidate a patent in Germany and in the United States?

     
    - Reimann Osterrieth Köhler Haft Rechtsanwälte

  • EPO Publication - Patents for Software?

    Brochure of the EPO about European law and the practice of the EPO with respect to computer-implemented inventions.
    - Reimann Osterrieth Köhler Haft Rechtsanwälte

  • Restructuring strategies for the automotive sector

    The automotive sector has been struggling for many years, but it has never faced a catalogue of challenges quite like this. Rising oil and commodity prices, the declining value of the US dollar, tighter lending habits, rising competition and environmental concerns have all conspired to make it more difficult than ever for auto companies to operate profitably.
    - Hermann Rechtsanwälte Wirtschaftsprüfer Steuerbe

  • Finance for small and medium enterprises in times of fi nancial crisis

    Since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, the global fi nancial crisis has intensifi ed dramatically and grown to become a world-wide economic crisis. The conventional fi nance and banking system has imploded and is experiencing a “melt-down”, and it is uncertain how it is going to end.
    - SIBETH

  • New possibilities for IP owners in Germany

    Enforcement Directive 2004/48/EC implemented in German Law. As of September 1, 2008, the enforcement directive 2004/48/EC was implemented in German Law. The underlying idea of the directive is to ensure that the substantive law on intellectual property is applied effectively in the European Community. In this respect, the means of enforcing intellectual property have been amended. Implementation in German law therefore has a great impact on most of the laws concerning intellectual property, inter alia on patent law, design law, trademark law and copyright law. The latest amendments improve the position of the owners of intellectual property significantly.
    - Wildanger Kehrwald Graf v.Schwerin & Partner

  • Obligation to inform the target’s works council prior to take-overs

    On August 19th, 2008 the Risk Limitation Act (RLA) took effect, which substantially increased the obligations to sufficiently inform the employees of a company to be acquired ("Target") about the acquisition by a prospective buyer ("Buyer"). The official goal of the RLA is to impede takeovers by financial investors such as hedge funds and private equity funds.
    - Avocado Rechtsanwälte

  • (P) notices under (reformed) German Copyright Law

    Again, shortly after the last major reform of the German Copyright Act in 2003, several aspects of the law have been adopted to European legisla-tion, especially EU Directive 2004/48/EC on the Enforcement of Intellec-tual Property Rights ("Enforcement Directive"). The new law became ef-fective Sept. 1, 2008.
    - Hertin Anwaltssozietät

  • COMPLIANCE – A CENTRAL THEME OF MODERN GERMAN CORPORATE LAW?

    As a legal term, ‘compliance’ is hard to grasp. The German translation would simply mean the adherence to legal provisions. Compliance, as a “legal transplant” of Anglo-American commercial law, goes back to the US “Federal Sentencing Guidelines” that were introduced in the early 90s of the last century in order to stem corporate crime.
    - Heussen Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
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