The Legal 500

Within Antitrust,

‘Simply excellent’ and ‘extremely hands-on’, Linklaters LLP had a fantastic year in 2011, receiving its first instructions from Nestlé and Deutsche Bahn. The team also advised Deutsche Börse on its planned merger with NYSE Euronext, ACS on its takeover of Hochtief, and Sanofi-Aventis on the veterinary medicines business merger of its Merial division with Merck’s Intervet. Practice head Daniela Seeliger provides ‘highly practical advice’, Wolfgang Deselaers is ‘always available’, and Carsten Grave is also a key figure.

Within Bank lending, Mayer Brown is a third tier firm,

Restructuring and real estate finance have been significant sources of work for Mayer Brown LLP recently, and the group has leveraged its international network, particularly in the US and the UK, wherever pertinent. Manfred Heemann heads the practice locally, which advised the mezzanine lenders on the restructuring of credit liabilities of the Highstreet Immobilien Joint-Venture, and Bank of America on the financing of Amerigon Europe’s public takeover offer for W.E.T. Automotive Systems.

Within Mid-sized deals, Mayer Brown is a second tier firm,

Mayer Brown LLP’s varied cross-border practice saw the Frankfurt team work alongside Hong Kong colleagues to advise AkzoNobel on its proposed acquisition of Schramm. The practice also advised Caterpillar on its acquisition of MWM, and Deutsche Post on its acquisition of online advertising service provider nugg.ad. Christof Gaudig is ‘exceptional’: ‘you want him on your side when the going is difficult.’

Within Dispute resolution , tier 4

Mayer Brown LLP’s small team has an international focus, as evidenced by its defence of a German company before the Shanghai courts and representation of UBS in the High Court of Justice in London against KWL, the latter matter being handled jointly with London colleagues. Mark Hilgard is the name to note.

Within Employment Other recommended firms

Within Information technology and outsourcing Other recommended firms

Within Restructuring Other recommended firms

Within Investment funds , Mayer Brown is a third tier firm,

Mayer Brown LLP’s small team advised Bayerische Versorgungskammer on its investment into a fund, and JAB Holdings on its investment in a Cayman Islands hedge fund. Benedikt Weiser has ‘great knowledge of supervisory law matters’.

Within Real estate, tier 4

Mayer Brown LLP’s ‘strong and goal-oriented’ team is especially strong on the financing side, where Matthias Meckert was promoted to partner. The team also advised Tishman Speyer on an office building sale to Warburg Henderson and represented Lone Star on the restructuring of a loan pertaining to a €1bn real estate loan portfolio. Jörg Lang and Joachim Modlich head the practice, in which the partners think ‘both like lawyers and businessmen’.

Within Structured finance and securitisation , tier 4

Mayer Brown LLP’s growing team has expertise in auto loan matters, and it recently advised HSBC on an auto loan securitisation originated by Ford. Another key area is consumer loan securitisations, where the team counts Santander Consumer Bank among its clients. It also advised Smurfit Kappa on a pan-European trade receivables securitisation. Ralf Hesdahl is recommended.

Within Tax Other recommended firms