The Legal 500 > DLA Piper > Cologne, GERMANY

DLA Piper’s successful practice spans a number of industries. It recently advised Etihad Airways on its entry as anchor investor in AirBerlin, acted for Gruner + Jahr on the purchase of a majority stake in Indian digital company Networkplay, and represented listed Korean company Doosan Power Systems during its acquisition of a German engineering company. Christoph Papenheim is ‘commercially minded’ and ‘does not just give clients the black-letter law’. The practice has been strengthened by the addition of a four-strong team from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, including Thomas Schmuck, who ‘always answers straight to the point’.

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Germany: Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, DLA Piper is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper’s large, successful practice is representing the Kingdom of Thailand against the insolvency administrator of Walter Bau, and advising Bayerische Landesbank in D&O issues. Other clients include Kraft Foods and Kuwait Petroleum. Thomas Gädtke has ‘deep insurance law knowledge’. Carsten Grau left the firm.

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Germany: Employment

Within Employment, DLA Piper is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper advises Staples on compliance, AT&T Group on compliance and company pension schemes, and also acts for H&M. Rolf Kowanz joined Heisse Kursawe Eversheds, prompting two internal promotions of new counsels Kai Bodenstedt and Pascal Kremp. Volker von Alvensleben and Michael Magotsch are recommended.

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Germany: IP: patents

Within Litigation, tier 5

DLA Piper’s dynamic team revolves around Julia Schönbohm, who has ‘successfully built a substantial practice’. The team represented  Osram in litigation against LG Electronics, and acted for Sun Chemical in patent infringement proceedings. Other clients include Bayer CropScience and Motorola.

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Germany: Information technology and outsourcing

Within Information technology and outsourcing, DLA Piper is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper is well known for its data protection, outsourcing and particularly cloud computing expertise. A leading service provider instructs the firm in several countries worldwide regarding transactions and projects, and the firm regularly advises AOL on IT matters. The team was also recently instructed by an online retailer to advise it on the implementation of a mobile application. Jan Pohle and practice head Jan Geert Meents are recommended.

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Germany: Maritime, shipping and transport

Within Maritime, shipping and transport Other recommended firms

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Germany: Public sector

Within Public sector, tier 4

DLA Piper has a focus on infrastructure and other projects work, as well as expertise in public procurement regulations and substantial transport sector experience, particularly in the aviation industry, where Virgin Airlines is a client. The team continues to advise Nabucco Gas Pipeline International on its projects. Public sector clients include The Federal Ministry for Nutrition and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Ludger Giesberts is the key contact.

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Germany: Real estate and construction

Within Real estate Other recommended firms

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Germany: Structured finance and securitisation

Within Structured finance and securitisation, tier 4

DLA Piper frequently advises banks and financial services providers on regulatory matters as well as new products or structures. It recently acted for an international bank regarding a structured covered bond programme. Wolfgang Richter is the key contact.

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Legal Developments by:
DLA Piper

Sentencing guidelines for corporate manslaughter

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Legal Developments in Germany

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

Preliminary injunction proceedings in German intellectual property...

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No obligation to set up filtering systems in order to prevent copyright violations

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Further ECJ Ruling concerning NGO’s right of action under German environmental law

For the second time within a short period of time, the non-governmental organisations right to challenge administrative decisions under German law is going to be subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). In January 2012, the German Supreme Administrative Court (Bundesverwaltungsgericht) referred a case to the ECJ for a preliminary ruling concerning the NGO’s right of action.

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Lessons in Cross-Border M & A Transactions

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Company & Commercial - Germany

Letters of comfort under company law

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