What we say about the firm's legal practice in Germany
Antitrust
Within Antitrust, tier 6
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has a strong market presence advising on large merger control cases, where it frequently collaborates with colleagues in other offices. It represented Novell during its $2.2bn acquisition by Attachmate, and Apax Partners in the €920m sale of a majority stake in IFCO Systems to Brambles. Horst Henschen is recommended.
Banking and finance
Within Bank lending, tier 4
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has been busy advising on restructuring matters, often in conjunction with London colleagues. The team acted for Tele Columbus in its €1.1bn restructuring by means of a debt transfer and debt-for-equity swap, and for Bank of America on a $1.5bn secured term loan credit facility and associated $800m asset-based revolving credit facility for Novelis. Matthias Horbach and Johannes Kremer are recommended.
Capital markets
Within Capital markets ,
Shearman & Sterling LLP’s ‘very strong practice’ provides debt and equity advice, frequently regarding US aspects. Notably it advised the initial purchasers, led by Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan, on Kabel BW’s €1.2bn high-yield bonds issuance. However, in February 2012, Stephan Hutter and Katja Kaulamo moved to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
Corporate and M&A
Within Large deals, tier 4
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s relatively small team is ‘a great choice’ for cross-border M&A, particularly regarding the US. Highlights included advising Tele Columbus on restructuring; Süd-Chemie’s family shareholders on its €2bn acquisition by Clariant; and Apax Partners on the €920m sale of a majority stake in IFCO Systems to Brambles. Matthias Jaletzke delivers an ‘outstanding performance’ and Matthias Horbach has ‘strong business acumen’.
Private equity
Within Private equity , Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a second tier firm,
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s ‘superb’ practice maintains a steady market presence, capitalising on its large base of longstanding clients, among them Apax Partners, which the team recently advised on the €920m sale of a majority stake in IFCO Systems to Brambles. It also advised AXA Private Equity on the sale of Gealan to Halder, and Quadriga Capital and Barclays Private Equity on their €600m sale of Jack Wolfskin to Blackstone. Matthias Jaletzke is recommended.