The Legal 500

Within Bank lending, tier 4

Weil, Gotshal & Manges has been advising on debt restructuring and refinancing; advising financial institutions on buying up senior, second-lien and mezzanine loans granted in the context of LBOs; and acting for EQT on the restructuring and recovery of its senior debt and mezzanine investment in Cinterion. Michael Kohl heads the team.

Within Large deals, tier 4

Weil, Gotshal & Manges excels at restructuring-related work, and recently advised Atos Origin on the takeover of Siemens IT Solutions and Services. Additionally, in conjunction with colleagues in Asia, the team advised Grohe on its voluntary public tender offer to shareholders of Joyou. The tough Gerhard Schmidt is recommended, and the team as a whole is ‘efficient, pragmatic and precise’.

Within Dispute resolution , tier 4

Weil, Gotshal & Manges provides ‘excellent response times, advice and knowledge’. Corporate and restructuring litigation, as well as disputes with insolvency administrators, are areas of expertise. The team is also notable for regularly acting in parallel proceedings in the US and Germany. Clients include shareholders in banks and corporations. Britta Grauke heads the practice.

Within Restructuring, tier 4

Weil, Gotshal & Manges provides ‘good support and immediate responses’ as part of ‘very good-quality client service’. Cross-border work, particularly with a US angle, is a focus for the team, which acted for Lone Star on its acquisition of Düsseldorfer Hypothekenbank, and assisted Strategic Value Partners and Oak Hill Advisors with the cross-border financial restructuring of Pfleiderer. Uwe Hartmann is highly regarded.

Within Private equity , Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is a third tier firm,

Weil, Gotshal & Manges frequently advises clients on acquiring distressed assets or restructuring portfolio companies. It advised Bregal Capital on its agreement to acquire German automotive component supplier Novem, and Lone Star on its acquisition of Düsseldorfer Hypothekenbank. Gerhard Schmidt is recommended.

Within Tax , tier 5

Weil, Gotshal & Manges excels at advising on restructurings, and private equity deals or corporate M&A. The team advised Synventive Group on financial restructuring and Atos Origin on its acquisition of Siemens IT Solutions and Services. Tobias Geerling and Jürgen Börst are the key partners.