Linklaters‘ key strength in the investment fund area is the advice on the structuring and launch of funds. The team focuses on alternative asset classes, including real estate funds, as well as debt funds and European long-term investment funds (ELTIFs). Matters pertaining to fundraising, regulatory law and ESG are also covered. The practice management demonstrates real estate expertise with co-head of the real estate practice Markus Wollenhaupt and Alexander Vogt, who advises on alternative investments as well as transactions in the asset management sphere. Olena Tokman made partner in May 2023 and is well versed in regulatory issues and transactions.

German and international banks, PE funds and asset managers regularly instruct Hengeler Mueller‘s team on cross-border and cross-practice issues as well as interfacing regulatory and corporate law matters. Recent work includes the advice on a private debt platform in Europe and launching a fund with several investment segments for the special fund of the city of Marburg in a Europe-wide procurement process. Carl-Philipp Eberlein (insurance, banking supervision and investment law) and Christian Schmies (banking supervision law, blockchain and crypto assets) are the key contacts.

POELLATH's mainstay is the advice on private equity funds and other alternative investment funds; recent instructions frequently pertain to the technology sector. The practice is jointly led by Amos Veith (fund structuring) and Jens Steinmüller, who is well versed in regulatory and tax issues as well as fund participation and investments. Thus, the team covers investor-related regulatory matters as well as the implementation of EU legal frameworks in connection with ESG, fundraising and contract documentation.

Simmons & Simmons‘ combined regulatory and tax expertise is regularly called upon by national and international asset managers, institutional investors and fund sponsors, which also benefit from close cooperation with the Luxembourg office when launching suitable vehicles in Germany and Europe. Practice head Benedikt Weiser is well versed in fund structuring and fund launches; his team has recently been increasingly active in advising on ​​sustainability-related matters, including in connection with disclosure and taxonomy regulations. Weiser is the sole practice head since May 2023, former co-heads Harald Glander (launch and sales of open and closed funds, master KAG structures and ETFs) and Jochen Kindermann (regulatory, compliance, asset management) are still among the key contacts. Sabrina Schwiebert and Daniel Lühmann (both regulatory law) are experienced in the asset management and investment fund sector and made partners in 2023.

YPOG impresses with expertise in structuring venture capital funds and increasingly advises on infrastructure, debt and private equity funds. The latter is a key strength of Andreas Rodin, who jointly covers tax law issues with Sebastian Schwarz; Schwarz was appointed partner in December 2023. Practice head Fabian Euhus is experienced in the venture capital space, he is also well versed in fund structuring, international fundraising and regulatory matters.

CMS combines its multidisciplinary approach with a focus on fund structuring, including all asset classes, as well as investor advice and fund-related transactions. Recent instructions pertain to fund structuring in the real estate, renewable energy, venture capital and private equity sectors, as well as large investment fund restructurings. Practice head Daniel Voigt is well versed in fund structuring and the acquisition of fund participations, he also comprehensively covers regulatory matters. Tillman Kempf complements this with expertise in the tax structuring of funds.

Ashurst LLP comprehensively advises on regulatory matters, which are regularly called upon in connection with infrastructure, real estate and debt funds. Investment houses constitute a large proportion of the client roster, which the team advises on fund launches, including frequent cooperations with the Luxembourg location on cross-border matters, as well as ESG-related matters. Co-practice head Detmar Loff is well versed in regulatory law and advises on licensing matters, risk management and investment suitability checks; he jointly heads the team with Jasmin Gütle, who specialises in advising institutional investors on investments in international fund structures.

Heuking's full service approach covers competencies at the interfaces with real estate, corporate law as well as M&A; practice head Michael Dröge is a key contact for the latter. The team advises on the launch and structuring of funds, regulatory issues and matters pertaining to investments in funds, including crypto-based funds. Among the client roster are capital management and investment companies as well as family offices.