Firms To Watch: Planning and environment

Arqis Rechtsanwälte has been establishing its public and regulatory law practice since 2021 and hereby focuses on environmental and planning advice. Clients include several municipal utilities, mining companies, energy suppliers as well as well-known private companies, which the group advises on new regulation regarding climate change, sustainability, circular economy and transport revolution.

Planning and environment in Germany

CMS

CMS is a highly regarded address for environmental and planning law and as such covers an impressive number of topics, with the team having particular in-depth expertise in infrastructure matters, network expansion as well as in energy, hydrogen, immission control, construction planning and waste law; with Fritz von Hammerstein, the team also fields an expert in mining law. Furthermore, the practice acts in numerous planning approval, approval and admission proceedings, such as Christiane Kappes in defending the Feste Fehmarnbeltquerung. Clara Volkert also handles various proceedings for German and international companies, for instance in relation to water production. Neele Ann Christiansen, who focuses on general planning law as well as nature and species protection law, made partner in January 2022. Christian Scherer and Ursula Steinkemper jointly head the team from Cologne and Stuttgart respectively.

Key clients

Femern Bælt A/S


Hamburger Wasserwerke GmbH


K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH


NeuConnect


Verbund AG und Innwerk AG


50Hertz Trans-mission GmbH


Bayernets GmbH


Die Autobahn GmbH des Bundes


Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg Behörde für Umwelt, Klima, Energie und Agrarwirtschaft


Landesbetrieb Straßenbau und Verkehr Schleswig-Holstein


Donaukraftwerk Jochen-stein AG


Drees & Sommer Advanced Building Technologies GmbH


ONE-Dyas B.V.


IGG Interessengemeinschaft der Grenzhändler


Abfallwirtschaft GmbH Halle-Lochau


Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG (LEAG)


Smurfit Kappa Herzberg Solid Board GmbH


Work highlights


  • Comprehensive advice to Femern Bælt A/S in planning approval proceedings for the fixed link across the Fehmarnbelt. Defense of the plan approval decision before the Federal Administrative Court.

  • Advising Bayernets GmbH on the planned conversion and expansion of existing long-distance gas pipelines for the transport of hydrogen, in particular on relevant approval proceedings.

  • Advice on environmental and planning law to Autobahn GmbH des Bundes in highway law planning approval procedures for new construction and expansion projects.

Dolde Mayen & Partner

Dolde Mayen & Partner's excellent expertise and decades of experience in environmental and planning is applied in numerous court proceedings, statements on planned legislation and environmental assessments; the team is led by Winfried Porsch and Markus Deutsch and primarily advises well-known companies, but also the public sector on federal, state and local level. The practice's expertise extends across all facets of environmental law, including immission control, nuclear and radiation protection law and nature conservation. Bernd Schieferdecker is a sought-after contact for water law matters, while Klaus-Peter Dolde is considered an expert in environmental law and has extensive experience in waste management issues. In addition, the team has the capacity to provide advice on transport infrastructure, line expansion and energy generation.

Practice head(s):

Winfried Porsch; Markus Deutsch


Testimonials

‘All of this characterizes Dolde Mayen & Partner to a great extent: first-class support in planning law in a politically increasingly difficult environment, solid knowledge of applicable law, but also the forward-looking assessment of current developments in case law and understanding of economic issues beyond questions of planning and procedural law.

Klaus-Peter Dolde: The leading lawyer in environmental and planning law in Germany. Dr Markus Deutsch is a profound expert in noise and immission control law.’

The law firm is very well connected and experienced in Baden-Württemberg and is the leading law firm in Baden-Württemberg for planning and environmental law. It has excellent experts for the individual specialist areas who work closely together if necessary. We can recommend them unreservedly.’

Key clients

Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart


Amprion GmbH


Fernwärme Ulm GmbH


Großkraftwerk Mannheim AG (GKM)


Land Baden-Württemberg (Landratsamt Göppingen)


TenneT TSO GmbH


Zweckverband Bodensee-Wasserversorgung


Work highlights


  • Advising the state capital of Stuttgart on changing the contracts with DB for faster utilization of track apron areas purchased by the city, which will become available for urban development after the implementation of the Stuttgart 21 project.

  • Advising a municipal transport company in connection with a tram expansion.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH excels in advising on demanding environmental projects and covers a wide range of environmental and planning law issues. For instance, the practice assists with urban development projects, a lighthouse project in the hydrogen industry as well as with matters pertaining to the transformation of industry and the energy sector to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality. Of particular note is its focus on nuclear law advice, in which Tobias Leidinger plays a leading role and oversees various high-profile instructions. Sabrina Desens, who made partner in July 2021, particularly focuses on wastewater and advises the public sector as well as industrial companies. Stefan Altenschmidt specialises in environmental and environmental energy law, climate protection and emissions trading law as well as in spatial planning and planning law. The team is headed by Stefan Kobes, who primarily assists with construction planning law and advises building contractors as well as federal companies and federal authorities.

Practice head(s):

Stefan Kobes


Other key lawyers:

Stefan Altenschmidt; Martin Fleckenstein; Gernot-Rüdiger Engel; Tobias Leidinger; Sabrina Desens


Testimonials

The team is very goal-oriented. Very punctual despite the high workload. The use of IT is absolutely contemporary. Many appointments are held via online meetings and thus significantly reduce transaction times. The billing is very transparent and can easily be incorporated into your own billing structure.

Sabrina Desens: Strong commitment, very good specialist knowledge, fast processing of topics.

Tobias Leidinger: A proven expert in nuclear law and administrative procedural law.’

Very experienced and competent team, which also has appropriate references for specific legal issues relevant to us.’

Individuals who have advised us are characterized by the fact that they provide competent answers in a friendly, fast, unbureaucratic and transparent manner.

Stefan Altenschmidt: Strong commitment, very good specialist knowledge, fast processing of the topics.’

Key clients

Zapf GmbH


BvS/BIMA


ArcelorMittal


Steag


E.ON


Evonik


Aurubis


BP


Exxon Mobil


ThyssenKrupp Steel


Salzgitter Flachstahl


Compagnie de Saint-Gobain


HeidelbergCement


Lhoist


Uniper


Solvay


Trinseo


Eisenbahn-Bundesamt


Avacon


MIBRAG


LEAG


Adler Real Estate


Taurecon


Tishman Speyer


Aroundtown


Land Berlin


Heimstaden GmbH


ABROS Eins GmbH & Co. KG


Bayerngas GmbH


Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH (BGE)


Esso Deutschland GmbH


Work highlights


  • Development of a comprehensive report for the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) on the modernization of approvals and planning in Germany and options for further development of public participation, including the formulation of concrete proposals for changes to relevant laws and statutory ordinances.

  • Comprehensive advice to the State of Berlin, represented by the Senate Department for Urban Development and Housing, for the Lichterfelde Süd residential area (Steglitz-Zehlendorf district), one of the largest new residential areas with 2,500 apartments on 96 hectares.

  • Representation of the Federal Society for Disposal (BGE) in the application process from BUND/NABU to the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Environment for the cancellation of the planning approval decision for the Konrad repository.

Noerr

As one of the leading practices for German environmental and planning law, Noerr impresses with a high-profile client base and its assistance with promising and forward-looking projects: one of the team's core competencies is its advice to the federal government and federal states, for instance in the context of the coal phase-out. Furthermore, the group frequently assists cities with urban development measures, with Christian Alexander Mayer standing out in particular due to his expertise in transport matters and alternative mobility. With regards to renewable energy generation and energy infrastructure projects, the practice acts on behalf of energy suppliers, investors and project developers and advises, for example, on the realization, acquisition and financing of wind farms. In addition, the team is not only experienced in general environmental law, but also in the product-related area and advises an international automotive supplier and recycling company among others. Due to his experience in European and constitutional law, Holger Schmitz is a sought-after expert for politically relevant projects, while Christof Federwisch, who is well versed in planning, construction and environmental law, advises on approval proceedings and environmental impact assessments.

Practice head(s):

Holger Schmitz


Testimonials

Holger Schmitz and Christof Federwisch: Outstanding experts in the field of regional planning law with extensive experience.

Christof Federwisch: The cooperation is clearly problem-oriented, relevant and legally at a high level. Coordination appointments on technical content of environmental and planning law take place at eye level. This means that subject-specific solutions can be achieved through real teamwork, which have also proven to be feasible in practice.’

The cooperation between lawyers and engineers is exemplary and characterized by mutual respect. Areas of experience can be brought in easily.’

Key clients

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK)


Hessisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie, Verkehr und Wohnen (HMWEVW)


SL Naturenergie Gruppe


IBERDROLA Renovables


Deutsche Wohnen


H+H-Gruppe


HOWOGE Wohnungsbaugesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung


Nature Infrastructure Capital (NIC)


POSSER SPIETH WOLFERS & PARTNERS

The environmental and planning law team at POSSER SPIETH WOLFERS & PARTNERS impresses with its outstanding competence in advising on groundbreaking regulatory and environmental law projects: for example, the group has been assisting energy suppliers with the nuclear and coal phase-out and is further involved in the development of offshore wind farms and hydrogen projects, with Niclas Hellermann being particularly visible in these areas. The automotive industry represents another focus, in the context of which the practice advises on relevant issues in connection with the diesel scandal and autonomous driving. Clients are also represented in important constitutional and administrative court cases, while the practice has also been defending both companies and a federal state in climate litigation. Benedikt Wolfers has extensive experience in assisting with liability-related crises, while Wolf Spieth takes a leading role in projects pertaining to climate policy and regulation. A proven expert in public commercial law, Herbert Posser is particularly experienced in structuring complex approval procedures.

Testimonials

Smart team, creative and clever as rarely. It is able to think “out of the box” and at the same time stay on course with a sense of proportion. If environmental law really matters, then pswp is a must. Really at the top.

Niclas Hellermann: Very clever, strategically thinking and can solve the most difficult cases. Wolf Spieth is unbeatable with his experience and personality, a great negotiator and, if necessary, a fighter. Each one is first class, together it is a real pleasure to work with both of them.

Years of professionalism and its boutique structure since 2017 lead to a very high level of advice. The team benefits to a certain extent from its connections, especially in politics, science and with colleagues from other law firms.

Niclas Hellermann: quick as a flash, communication to the point without much prose.’

Key clients

Airbus Operations GmbH


Amprion GmbH


Covestro AG


DOW Chemical


EnBW


Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG


innogy SE


LEAG


LMBV


Open Grid Europe GmbH


Ørsted


Peek & Cloppenburg KG


PreussenElektra GmbH


RWE AG


RWE Generation SE


RWE Nuclear GmbH


RWE Power AG


Scandlines Deutschland GmbH


Solvay


Strabag / Schiedsverfahren Offshore-Wind


thyssenkrupp Steel Europe GmbH


Uniper SE


Urenco Limited


Vattenfall Europe Wärme AG / Wärmewende


VDA Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V.


Volkswagen aG


Wacker Chemie AG


Zeelink GmbH & Co. KG


Redeker Sellner Dahs

Led by Frank Fellenberg, Redeker Sellner Dahs' renowned environmental and planning law practice advises cities, ministries and federal states as well as companies in the automotive, chemical and energy sectors on immission control, (product-related) environmental law, mining law, compliance and the planning of road and rail projects, airports and waterways. The team is also well versed in procedural issues and litigation, especially for project developers and approval authorities. Highly regarded planning lawyer Olaf Reidt focuses on urban development projects including special properties, while Kathrin Dingemann, who made partner in January 2022, advises on product-related issues among other matters.

Practice head(s):

Frank Fellenberg


Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance primarily advises on the implementation of energy transition projects, on major projects in the energy sector, infrastructure and the chemical industry, as well as on environmental aspects of M&A transactions and project financing; for instance, it assisted with the approval of a liquid gas terminal and advises network operators in the electricity and gas sectors. Mathias Elpass has been providing comprehensive advice on environmental risks, climate change and emissions trading for many years and is also active in an international task force to develop standards for voluntary emissions trading, while Thomas Voland primarily deals with human rights and environmental protection in supply chains and corporations and assists international companies with environmental product compliance.

Other key lawyers:

Mathias Elspaß; Thomas Voland


Testimonials

Mathias Elpass: Sound knowledge, very pleasant to deal with, also in joint telcos with environmental planners.

Gleiss Lutz

Gleiss Lutz' environmental and planning law practice is continuously expanding its involvement in large-scale planning law proceedings and not only advises German and international companies and the public sector, but is also regularly consulted by other practice groups such as corporate/M&A, antitrust, energy, compliance and real estate. Not least thanks to the experience of practice head Marc Ruttloff, the practice features further expertise in product-related environmental law and in issues concerning supply chains and related problems. Burghard Hildebrandt focuses on compliance entailing public law aspects, while Eva Koch specialises in state aid and subsidy law.

Practice head(s):

Marc Ruttloff


Testimonials

Outstanding combination of commercial and administrative law expertise, also in litigation or liability issues.’

Burghardt Hildebrandt: Very pleasant to deal with; solution-oriented and always with the client’s interests in mind; thinks everything through; short reaction times.’

Extensive expertise; technically very good; pragmatic solutions; fast response times.

GSK Stockmann

GSK Stockmann‘s strong team advises on energy and transport infrastructure planning, with Andreas Geiger‘s expertise being particularly noteworthy here, as well as on urban development projects, for which Wolfgang Wuerfel is the key contact. Furthermore, the practice is well versed in planning law matters in logistics, tourism and retail and often cooperates with the firm’s real estate experts for real estate project developments and transactions. Jan Hennig focuses on commercial project development and has particular experience in the retail and logistics asset classes.

Practice head(s):

Jan Hennig; Wolfgang Würfel


Testimonials

Dr Jan Hennig: Always looking for pragmatic solutions. No focus on judicial enforcement, but on consensual and quick results.’

Key clients

50Hertz Transmission GmbH


Center Parcs Entwicklungsgesellschaft Germany GmbH


Consus Real Estate AG


Cresco Capital Advisers LLP


DB Netz AG


Die Autobahn GmbH des Bundes


ECE Gruppe


Empira Asset Management GmbH


HOWOGE Wohnungsbaugesellschaft mbH


Lidl Dienstleistung GmbH & Co. KG


Regionaler Planungsverband Regensburg


Schweizerische Bundesbahn (SBB)


Siemens AG


Siemens Real Estate


Stadt Neuruppin Amt für Stadtentwicklung


STRABAG Projektentwicklung


TenneT


Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Germany GmbH


Zalando SE


Work highlights


  • Advising Siemens AG on the development of a new district in Berlin-Siemensstadt on an area of approx. 70 ha into an urban quarter with a mixture of residential, accommodation, office space and commercial and industrial uses. In particular, the project also includes high-rise buildings, various infrastructure facilities and considerable open spaces.

  • Advice to Tennet on new construction, replacement and modification of a 380 kV extra-high voltage line. Advice on environmental and planning law, federal sectoral planning and planning approval.

  • Advice on construction and planning law to Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Germany GmbH on the adaptation and further development of several inner-city shopping centers in Germany, in particular on making retail space and range limitations more flexible.

Hogan Lovells International LLP

Hogan Lovells International LLP's environmental and planning law team is regularly instructed by national and international companies and the regulated automotive, chemical, energy, water, infrastructure and utilities sectors to advise on engineering issues, disputes and permitting and planning approval proceedings. The team is also active in transactions and assists with environmental due diligence as well as with the sale and purchase of chemical parks, industrial plants, energy and infrastructure companies. In addition to environmental law, Thomas Dünchheim is also experienced in public commercial law, municipal law and construction law. Sebastian Gräler, who made counsel in January 2022, has expertise in environmental compliance. Carsten Bringmann (sector focus energy) joined Noerr in December 2021.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Dünchheim


Key clients

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Kreisverband Düsseldorf e.V.


IOI Oleo GmbH


Smurfit Kappa Herzberger Wellpappe GmbH


Harry-Brot GmbH


Gelsenwasser AG


Kiepe Electric GmbH


Benky Climbing GmbH & Co. KG


ADAC


Center Parcs


Olbos


UniInstitutional Private Debt SCS SICAV-SIF


DeWert Deutsche Wertinvestment GmbH


Stadt Hürth


Prologis


Görges Naturprodukte GmbH


Harry-Brot GmbH


Autobahn Tank & Rast GmbH


FERRERO MSC GmbH & Co.


European Convenience Food GmbH


Honeywell


Hahn Fonds Invest GmbH


Stadt Pfungstadt


Gesellschaft für Metallurgie GFE GmbH


INTERBODEN Innovative Gewerbewelten GmbH & Co. KG


IMS GmbH


IPK Germany Property Kaiserlei Projektgesellschaft mbH


ZVG Dieburg


Herecon Projekt GmbH


GSS Zweite Projektmanagement GmbH


Centerparcs Entwicklungsgesellschaft Germany GmbH


Stadtgalerie Velbert GmbH


Wildauer Immobiliengesellschaft


ZIA – Zentraler Immobilienausschuss e.V.


BPD Immobilienentwicklung


Work highlights


  • Advising various companies from the automotive industry, including well-known car manufacturers and automotive suppliers, on environmental law. The advice relates in particular to site-related issues of immission control, water and waste legislation as well as issues of global environmental compliance. Recently, advice has also increasingly included questions of e-mobilization, for example in connection with the disposal of lithium-ion batteries under waste law.

  • Advising Gelsenwasser AG on the new state water law of North Rhine-Westphalia and on the priority of drinking water supply in cases of shortages.

  • Advice on planning law to the city of Hürth on the designation of a new industrial area. In addition, advice within the framework of the conclusion of urban development contracts on cost bearing and implementation obligations of a private investor in the industrial area. Advice on construction and planning law related to the development of an inner-city conversion area.

GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB

Under the leadership of Christoph Riese, GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB's team assists companies and the public sector with planning and realisation of industrial plants, infrastructure projects and energy management projects, such as the approval and planning of power plants and districts and the advice to federal and state ministries on energy law and energy efficiency matters. Clients also turn to the practice in issues relating to water, nature conservation and immission control law, as well as in the context of environmental litigation.

Practice head(s):

Christoph Riese


Key clients

Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie


EWE AG (Ardian)


Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg, Behörde für Wirtschaft Verkehr und Innovation


Gaskraftwerk Leipheim GmbH & Co. KG


Hamburg Port Authority AöR


McArthurGlen


Niedersächsische Landesbehörde für Straßenbau und Verkehr


Sächsisches Oberbergamt / Freistaat Sachsen


Carl Eichhorn KG Wellpappenwerke


E.ON Energy Projects GmbH


Energie- und Wasserversorgung Bonn/Rhein-Sieg GmbH


Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg


Froneri Icecream Deutschland GmbH


Froneri Schöller Produktion GmbH


Früh Brauerei / Cölner Hofbräu P. Josef Früh KG


Gasnetz Hamburg GmbH


Gemeinde Alfter


Work highlights


  • Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany in environmental damage litigation against the Butendiek offshore wind farm.

  • Environmental law review of existing power plants and old sites for EWE AG (Ardian), particularly with regard to contaminated sites and liability.

  • Representation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg’s planning approval authority, authority for economy, transport and innovation, in a litigation with over 70 plaintiffs against the so-called western expansion of the Port of Hamburg.

GvW Graf von Westphalen

GvW Graf von Westphalen has in-depth expertise in planning approval law, but also has extensive experience in advising commercial and industrial companies and the waste management sector on immission control law and general environmental law. Furthermore, the team also assists municipalities, various ministries and airports and applies its planning approval expertise in numerous complex infrastructure projects. Dominik Greinacher joined from ADVANT Beiten in July 2021 and, in addition to environmental and planning law, also focuses on energy law issues. Ronald Steiling has longstanding litigation experience and advises both authorities and companies.

Practice head(s):

Ronald Steiling


Testimonials

Ulrich Hösch: Wide range of experience, knows technical and planning contexts.

When dealing with large infrastructure projects, the size of the law firm is an invaluable advantage, since additional people can be added to the core team at any time in order to keep appointments. Good coordination within the team, so that factual knowledge is guaranteed at all times, even with 6-8 employees. High adherence to deadlines. Very good accessibility of the involved individuals and fast processing.

Ronald Steiling: In conflict talks with applicants, communication skills and a balancing manner ensure that channels of communication are kept open, so that viable solutions can be developed together. In court proceedings before the BVerwG, calm is more promising than attacking the other side, making Dr. Steiling a good partner to have on one’s side.

Key clients

Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Arbeit, Technologie und Tourismus des Landes Schleswig-Holstein – Amt für Planfestellung


Ministerium für Infrastruktur, Energie und Digitalisierung Mecklenburg-Vorpommern


Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH


Gräflich von Wedel’sche Verwaltung


Hoffnungstaler Stiftung Lobetal


Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Arbeit, Technologie und Tourismus des Landes Schleswig-Holstein – Amt für Planfestellung


TransnetBW GmbH


Union Investment Real Estate GmbH


Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein GmbH (VHH)


Hengeler Mueller

The environmental and planning law team at Hengeler Mueller advises its clients on planning approval and approval procedures as well as on complex infrastructure and construction projects, but has particularly extensive expertise in industry-related environmental law and assists companies withsoil protection, water and waste law issues as well as with dealing with pollutants; Vera Jungkind is particularly experienced in these areas. Environmental product compliance advice, where Fabian Quast is active, and increasingly ESG issues, for which Jan Bonhage is the key contact, represent further focuses for the practice.

Other key lawyers:

Jan Bonhage; Vera Jungkind; Fabian Quast


Lenz und Johlen

Lenz und Johlen's sizeable team is a sought-after advisor, especially on site security and expansion matters, immission control, water law and for assisting leading wind farm operators in Germany. Planning law support for large urban residential and city districts represents another mainstay and is regularly called upon by industrial companies, project developers, retail companies, federal offices, municipalities and cities. The team is headed by construction and planning law expert Rainer Voß and Inga Schwertner, who is experienced in environmental law; the latter has special expertise in the areas of emergency operations, the Seveso III Directive and water and soil protection law.

Practice head(s):

Rainer Voß; Inga Schwertner


Testimonials

Broad range of skills covers all specializations with timely processing.

Staff is very reliable, helpful and qualified. Invoices are very easy to understand and come in a timely manner. The cooperation is goal-oriented and efficient. Office and communication channel exemplary.

Compared to other law firms, we received extraordinarily good advice on planning law and on individual questions about contracts in building contract law.’

Key clients

1. FC Köln GmbH & Co. KGaA


ABO Wind AG


Action Deutschland GmbH


Aldi GmbH & Co. KG


Aqualand Freizeitbad GmbH & Co. KG


AREAM GmbH


Art Invest Real Estate


Bauhaus AG


Bauwens GmbH & Co. KG


Becken Development GmbH


BIP GmbH Baumanagement und Objektsteuerung


BMR energy solutions GmbH


BPD Immobilienentwicklung  GmbH


Centershop-Korn Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG


Confiserie Paul Reber GmbH & Co. KG


Corpus Sireo Real Estate GmbH


Covestro AG


Decathlon Sportartikel GmbH & Co. KG


Development Partner


Deutsche Post AG Zentrale, DHL


EGP Trier


ENNI Stadt & Service Niederrhein AöR


Euroboden GmbH


EuroParcs


Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Köln und Region


Frasers Property industrial


GAG Immobilien AG


Gemeinde Engelskirchen


Gemeinde Morsbach


Gerchgroup AG


Globus SB Warenhaus Holding GmbH & Co. KG


Gontermann Peipers GmbH


Hafen Düsseldorf Reisholz Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH


Hagedorn, Gütersloh


Haus Rabenhorst O. Lauffs GmbH & Co. KG


HBB Hanseatische betreuungs- und Beteiligungs GmbH


Honestis AGIG Gastro Interessengemeinschaft Kölner Gastronomen


Instone Real Estate Group AG


ITG Düsseldorf


Kliniken des Landkreises Lörrach GmbH


Kölner Sportstätten GmbH


Korthaus GmbH


Lidl Dienstleistungs- GmbH & Co. KG


Momeni Group


Meire


Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen


Möbel Martin


Moderne Stadt GmbH, Köln


Mr. Wash Autoservice AG


New Re GmbH


Ostermann


Pandion Real Estate GmbH


Ratisbona Handelsimmobilien


Regiobahn Mettmann


Rhein-Sieg-Abfallwirtschaftsgesellschaft mbH


RWE Renewables GmbH


RWE Wind Onshore Deutschland GmbH


Stadt Erftstadt


Stadt Gevelsberg


Stadt Niederkassel


Stadt RheinbachStadt Stolberg


Stadt Witten


Thelen-Gruppe


Ten Brinke Projektentwicklung GmbH


Terracolonia GmbH


Tönnies Holding ApS & Co. KG


Waldner Wohnungsbau GmbH


Work highlights


  • Assisting the Thelen Group with the development of Essen 51, a future-oriented new district in Essen with the integration of the latest trends for Smart City, Smart Living, New Work, New Ecology, mobility and globalization.

  • Advice on planning law and support for the project developer Gerchgroup in the development of the InQuartier urban district in Ingolstadt.

  • Representation of RWE Renewables GmbH and RWE Wind Onshore Deutschland GmbH in several wind farm projects in the Rhineland and Münsterland. In addition, support for a larger planned PV open space system, which is to be combined with a wind farm.

Linklaters

Assistance with complex planning and approval proceedings for large energy and infrastructure projects is an important pillar of Linklaters's practice, with its team having a particular focus on network expansion matters and also representing them in court if necessary. The group further specialises in cross-practice advice on ESG, chemicals law, EU taxonomy and transactions entailing environmental and planning aspects. Practice head Markus Appel is a highly regarded environmental and planning lawyer and is primarily involved in proceedings related to the energy transition, climate protection and environmental law issues.

Practice head(s):

Markus Appel


Other key lawyers:

Sebastian Meyn


Work highlights


  • Advising TenneT TSO GmbH on the SuedLink and SuedOstLink projects.

  • Advice to Amprion GmbH on the upcoming planning proceedings (federal sectoral planning, planning approval) for the so-called HVDC Corridor B, a central component of the energy transition.

  • Advice on environmental and regulatory law to Glennmont Partners on the conclusion of agreements to acquire a 50% stake in Ørsted’s Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm.

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP impresses with experience in the automotive sector and in technical compliance as well as in associated climate protection and ESG compliance requirements. In addition to product-related and regulatory environmental law advice, the practice assists its clients, including public bodies, investors and companies, with infrastructure projects as well as project developments and financing and also advises on transactions that are regularly cross-border and in the large-cap area. Practice head Norbert Wimmer, who deals with issues relating to regulated industries and projects, is supported by counsel Anna Burghardt-Kaufmann, who advises companies on chemical and hazardous substance law, immission control as well as water and soil protection law.

Practice head(s):

Norbert Wimmer


Testimonials

‘Norbert Wimmer has excellent technical expertise, is extremely responsive, absolutely willing to think along with and incorporate the entire structure of a business enterprise when advising, even beyond purely legal issues. In addition, the cooperation and communication is very pleasant, uncomplicated and always to the point.

‘The W&C public law practice is a powerful team that is unrivaled in regulatory and public law, not only because of its very good technical knowledge and outstanding technical expertise. In a very volatile regulatory environment, it provides competent, fast and problem-oriented advice on a large number of regulatory issues.

Interdisciplinary cooperation, also with lawyers from other law firms, is a matter of course for this team. They are very open to legaltech solutions.’

Norbert Wimmer: An excellent lawyer with a very good technical understanding and well conncted. He stays calm even in the greatest chaos and contributes to finding solutions quickly and problem-oriented.’

The team combines legal expertise and a very good understanding of the automotive industry in the best possible way. Working with this team is great fun for both the in-house lawyers and the technicians.

Key clients

50Hertz


Land Baden-Württemberg


Daimler Truck AG


Mercedes-Benz Group AG


Work highlights


  • Advising 50Hertz on the planned new 800 km long DC high-voltage line between Saxony-Anhalt and southern Bavaria and the extension of the line to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

avocado rechtsanwälte

avocado Rechtsanwälte focuses on waste management and waste law and assists companies in the waste disposal, transport, food, construction and chemical industries as well as the public sector with the implementation of the Commercial Waste Ordinance, sanctions, criminal and fine proceedings as well as frequently with cross-border waste shipments. The team is jointly led by the two founding partners Markus Figgen and Ralf Kaminski as well as Thomas Gerhold.

Other key lawyers:

Rebecca Schäffer; Matthias Peine


Testimonials

The whole team is very easy to reach, friendly and helpful.’

Markus Figgen is particularly convincing with his knowledge of waste management. He always manages to pragmatically connect legal theories with practice and convey them to the user.

Ralf Kaminski and Markus Figgen: Recording, implementation and solving of complex relationships.

Markus Figgen: Outstanding knowledge of waste law and associated legal areas, in particular public procurement law. Industry leader! Rebecca Schäffer: Outstanding knowledge of waste law and associated legal areas, in particular public procurement law. Thomas Gerhold: Extensive and strong experience in the area of licensing law.’

‘avocado lawyers – know the difference between waste and non-waste, product and by-product – also adept at notifications – also support the approval of disposal plants – optimize disposal contracts – structure transactions and financing in the waste and disposal industry – are experienced in procurement and State aid proceedings – and also represented in administrative offense and criminal proceedings. CONCLUSION: avocado Rechtsanwälte are THE contact for really all projects and questions in the environmental sector .’

Very professional work, without missing a very pleasant human contact. Very good standing with authorities and in the market environment, the arguments are met with a lot of trust and interest. Well connected and always up to date.’

Ralf Kaminski: A well-known personality in the industry, well networked and up to date with the latest jurisprudence and the legal situation. Very pleasant cooperation, constructive criticism and with profound knowledge of the industry specifics.

Key clients

AWB Köln GmbH


Asphalt Ladenburg GmbH


Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Rohstoffwirtschaft e. V.


CONREC GmbH


Engel Umwelttechnik GmbH


Flughafen in NRW


GMVA Gemeinschafts-Müll-Verbrennungsanlage Niederrhein GmbH


KMR-Marine Surveyors GmbH / Custos Consult


MAV – Mineralstoff – Aufbereitung und – Verwertung GmbH


PRS premium Recycling GmbH


RCS GmbH


REMONDIS Konzern (unter anderem REMONDIS GmbH & Co. KG: Region Rheinland, Region Süd, Region Ost, Region West)


Rheinkalk GmbH


Schönmackers Umweltdienste GmbH & Co. KG


Stadt Neustadt an der Weinstraße


Work highlights


  • Advising an airport in North Rhine-Westphalia in connection with the disposal of waste containing PFT.

  • Advising the city of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse on a wide range of disputes under civil, administrative and sanction law, which include complex issues of waste and plant approval law.

  • Representation of a chemical company in proceedings pending at the Federal Administrative Court against an environmental association, which deal with fundamental issues related to the remediation of an old company landfill.

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie impresses with product-related environmental law expertise in cross-border issues and is particularly active in advising on supply chains of international corporations; the group can also rely on seamless cooperation with foreign law firms. Led by Marc Gabriel, the team also regularly assists with real estate transactions and their financing and has further experience in contaminated site and land law issues.

Practice head(s):

Marc Gabriel


Other key lawyers:

Ulrich Ellinghaus; Janet Butler


Key clients

EP Power Europe


Sika AG


BBG und Partner

BBG und Partner advises on environmental and planning law aspects of numerous infrastructure projects and is thus involved in road construction and port infrastructure projects, among others; the support of energy transition is another focus, with instructions particularly often pertaining to all project phases of offshore and onshore wind farms. In addition to companies, the client base further includes authorities, municipalities, cities and ministries, which also draw upon the team's dispute resolution expertise in environmental and planning litigation. Most recently, the practice was increasingly active in assisting state and federal ministries with matters concerning new forms of mobility and the hydrogen economy. The Bremen-based team is jointly headed by Peter Schütte, Malte Kohls, Christoph Meitz and Ulrike Kohls.

Other key lawyers:

Christoph Meitz


Testimonials

Malte Kohls: An experienced and committed specialist lawyer.

The law firm is characterized by a very high level of competence and reliability of all contacts.’

Key clients

50 Hertz Transmission GmbH


Amt für Planfeststellung Verkehr-SH


bremenports GmbH & Co. KG


EWE Aktiengesellschaft


EWE Erneuerbaren Energien GmbH


EWE Gasspeicher GmbH


EWE Netz GmbH


EWN Entsorgungswerk für Nuklearanlagen GmbH


Freie Hansestadt Bremen (FHB)


FHB – Die Senatorin für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Europa


FHB – Die Senatorin für Wissenschaft und Häfen / Abteilung Häfen


Gemeinde Bockhorn


Hamburg Port Authority AöR


Hessisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie, Verkehr und Wohnen (HMWEVW)


HTC Hanseatic Transport Consultancy Dr. Ninnermann & Dr. Rössler GbR


Hypion GmbH


Landesanstalt für Altlastenfreistellung des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt


Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf


MSDE Mitteldeutsche Sanierungs- und Entsorgungsgesellschaft mbH


Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Umwelt, Energie, Bauen und Klimaschutz


NLWKN Niedersächsischer Landesbetrieb für Wasserwirtschaft, Küsten- und Naturschutz


Q-Energy Deutschland GmbH


Sächsisches Oberbergamt


Stadt Hürth


Stadtwerke Kiel AG


Tourismus GmbH Gemeinde Dornum


CBH Rechtsanwälte

CBH Rechtsanwälte assists with construction projects, especially in the infrastructure sector, and advises on energy supply and transport projects, urban planning projects related to the creation of living space as well as on the development of mobility concepts. Stefan Rappen heads the team and focuses on advising companies and investors on project-related environmental aspects such as contaminated sites, pollution control and species protection.

Practice head(s):

Stefan Rappen


Other key lawyers:

Christopher Küas; Tassilo Schiffer


Testimonials

‘Well connected with municipal decision-makers. Pragmatic approach.

Stefan Rappen: Always solution-oriented, fast, reliable initial assessments.

The proximity of the partners to decisions and interfaces in public administration should be emphasized in particular. This proximity sometimes saves months in otherwise very tough and lengthy processing. Christopher Küas and Stephan Rappen are the “flag bearers” of the team. The two are of very great help and are happy to take advantage of individual building law issues and their clarification.

Well trained, very polite and friendly secretarial team; Fast, uncomplicated coordination between office staff, coverage of many legal focal points by an interdisciplinary team.

Excellent accessibility, committed approach to questions, direct coordination in the team.’

Outstanding competence and solution orientation, very relevant information on possible related issues, pleasant communication and form of cooperation.

Worth mentioning is the always good accessibility, the always available competence in all energy areas in connection with good suggestions for problem solving with short implementation deadlines.

Christopher Küas: Fast, goal-oriented, thinks like a project developer with a sound legal background.

Key clients

Gasunie


Evolutiq


Land Mecklenburg Vorpommern


Cube Real Estate GmbH


Autobahn GmBH


Bezirksregierung Düsseldorf


CG Elementum AG


Corpus Sireo Aurum GmbH & Co. KG


Die Developer


DEGES Deutsche Einheit Fernstraßenplanungs- und -bau GmbH


Work highlights


  • Advising Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH on two network expansion projects to connect an LNG terminal to the German long-distance gas pipeline network.

  • Advising a transmission system operator on the acquisition and administration of nationwide line and rights of way.

  • Advising the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in connection with an offshore line to connect a wind farm to the onshore power grid.

Dentons

Dentons' environmental and planning law practice is particularly experienced in product-related environmental law and packaging law and advises a large number of commercial and industrial companies. Clients also benefit from the team's cross-border expertise in waste law. Practice head Ilka Mehdorn regularly assists with environmental requirements for products, such as the European regulations on WEEE, RoHS and REACH/CLP.

Practice head(s):

Ilka Mehdorn


Other key lawyers:

Julia Pfeil


Testimonials

Good partnership, positive vibe, broad professional competence.’

‘Ilka Mehdorn: Trusting, reliable – always on hand, fast and efficient, thinks in the interests of the company, excellent specialist knowledge, highly motivated and committed, conscientious, well thought out.

Key clients

DPG Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH


Stiftung Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister


TEDi GmbH & Co. KG


Work highlights


  • Advice to the central office for the packaging register on the development and further development of an implementation concept for the single-use plastics directive for a total of eight associations that represent the entire German industry and trade.

  • Advice on packaging law to DPG Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH since its foundation, last year including advice on the implementation of the requirements of the 2nd amendment to the Packaging Act (product-related environmental law).

  • Regular advice to an international consumer goods group on waste and packaging law issues.

DLA Piper

In the context of environmental law, DLA Piper primarily assists with industrial accidents, environmental and groundwater contamination, immission control law and hazardous substances and was recently also instructed to advise on environmental and waste law aspects of the export of paper sludge; the practice features additional expertise in representing automobile manufacturers in climate protection litigation. Practice head Ludger Giesberts is well versed in planning law, among other matters, while Guido Kleve and counsel Thilo Streit advise on environmental law issues; Streit is particularly experienced in waste law.

Practice head(s):

Ludger Giesberts


Other key lawyers:

Guido Kleve; Thilo Streit


Key clients

DBG Bio Energy B.V.


DeltaPort GmbH & CoKG


Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH


MKS Instruments, Inc.


Storskogen Deutschland GmbH


Unilever


Work highlights


  • Advice on environmental and waste law to a Dutch supplier and producer of bioenergy regarding the logistics and export of paper sludge from Germany to the Netherlands and associated regulatory and environmental law requirements as well as advice on drafting contracts and liability risks.

Heuking

Heuking's team applies its construction planning expertise in large office and residential projects and advises on development plan procedures and urban planning contracts among other matters. Wolfram Sandner represents federal states in proceedings to ward off a diesel driving ban demanded by the German Environmental Aid, while Thomas Nickel is the key contact for environmental and building planning issues.

Hoffmann Liebs

Hoffmann Liebs' environmental and planning law capacities feature special expertise in soil protection and contaminated sites law, with the team advising on land recycling and the development of brownfield sites among other matters. The practice further represents industrial companies from the chemical or renewable energy sectors in approval proceedings and assists with public investigation and remediation agreements. The team is headed by Volker Hoffmann who advises extensively on the whole array of classic environmental law.

Practice head(s):

Volker Hoffmann


Testimonials

Very fast and competent action.

The lawyer stays close to us in order to close the case optimally in our interest.’

The Hoffmann Liebs team always shows great empathy for the concerns of its clients and their other advisors. The willingness to think out-of-the-box and look for innovative solutions is very high.’

Kapellmann und Partner

Kapellmann und Partner regularly advises on land-use planning, regional planning law, immission control approval proceedings, PPP projects and urban development contracts; the practice also possesses expertise in environmental liability issues and nature conservation law. In the field of renewable energies, the group is frequently instructed to assist with the zoning of wind farms. Hendrik Schilder acts with a focus on development plan procedures as well as immission control approval proceedings and jointly heads the practice with construction lawyer Christian Bönker, who has expertise in planning and approval law issues. Stefan Pützenbacher is well versed in construction planning, building regulations and environmental law.

Testimonials

With 160 employees at seven locations, Kapellmann works across industries and borders. You will always find suitable advice on site, and they see themselves not only as consultants, but also as business partners.

Kapellmann and Partner are characterized by the fact that they always advance the processes in a way that minimizes risk and thus ensures the successful further development of our company.

‘In the past, the law firm has also distinguished itself by declaring its willingness to conduct in-house training courses, which have enabled us to always be up-to-date in the relevant areas of law.

Raue

Raue advises the public sector, corporations and companies on planning law issues relating to infrastructure projects and larger real estate projects, including residential construction projects and urban development. The team around Wolfram Hertel is based in Berlin and primarily focuses on projects in the capital and its surroundings, such as planning the redesign of the former Berlin-Tegel Airport site.

Practice head(s):

Wolfram Hertel


Other key lawyers:

Hans Heller; Arne Dittloff


Testimonials

Absolute reliability and commitment.

Key clients

Bundeskanzleramt


Tegel Projekt GmbH


Land Berlin


Onyx Power AG


Stiftung St. Matthäus


Zweite Caurus GmbH


Unternehmensgruppe Max Aicher


Ministerium für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Klimaschutz (MLUK) Brandenburg


CMB Management GmbH


Landesamt für Umwelt Brandenburg


Work highlights


  • Advice to the Federal Chancellery on the planning of the extension of the Federal Chancellery in the Chancellery Park. Advice on questions of construction planning, building regulations, nature conservation and green space law.

  • Legal advice to the State of Berlin, represented by the state-owned project company Tegel Projekt GmbH, on the planning of the redesign of the site of the former Berlin-Tegel Airport into an innovative commercial, industrial and research location (currently the largest infrastructure project in the State of Berlin). Advice on planning law, planning procedures, the strategic decision between public and private infrastructure and questions of implementation and approval proceedings.

  • Representation of the State of Berlin in negotiations with CA Immo AG regarding a comprehensive land swap agreement to acquire and secure the current museum location at Hamburger Bahnhof (Rieckhallen) in an extremely prominent location of the affected land in the immediate vicinity of Berlin Central Station; Advice on planning law, urban development measures and building permit and contaminated site issues.

Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing impresses with its expertise in building planning advice to the retail industry as well as in airport planning, regulatory compliance issues and health and energy law. The practice further assists domestic and international clients with product-related environmental issues related to the import and marketability of goods. In addition to infrastructure projects, Norbert Kämper's consulting practice also includes immission control law, soil protection and contaminated site law as well as commercial administrative law.

Practice head(s):

Norbert Kämper


Testimonials

Very good negotiators and excellent specialist and market knowledge: Negotiations in close coordination with the client – detailed market knowledge.

Key clients

Deutsche Geflügelwirtschaft


Work highlights


  • Expert assessment and advice on the legal classification of European marketing standards and their compatibility with national animal welfare labels as well as support in political implementation and possible litigation.

ADVANT Beiten

Under the leadership of Hans Georg Neumeier and Stephan RechtenADVANT Beiten primarily advises investors, portfolio holders and companies on building planning matters and building regulations, project developments, transactions as well as nature conservation and water law. Here, the team frequently cooperates with the firm's real estate team, particularly in Munich. The group further handles litigation for various clients, for example in relation to the defense of residential construction projects. Dominik Greinacher (in addition to environmental and planning law also energy law) joined GvW Graf von Westphalen in June 2021.

Other key lawyers:

Katrin Lüdtke


Testimonials

We have a single point of contact that takes care of all our concerns and solves them for us. We always attach particular importance to speed and absolute quality.

At the moment, none of the other law firms that work for us cover such a wide range and deliver such high quality. The commitment of the entire team is more than exemplary.’

‘As in previous years, we have again received compliments from the opposing side for how well the cooperation with the team works in various negotiations and, above all, how goal-oriented it is.

Key clients

Franconofurt AG


Allen & Overy LLP

Due to its integration into the global law firm network, Allen & Overy LLP's team mainly acts in cross-practice and cross-border matters: advice on environmental and planning approval aspects of M&A or private equity transactions is just as much a part of the group's expertise as emissions trading and chemicals regulation as well as water and energy law. As a specialist lawyer for public procurement, Frankfurt-based practice head Udo Herbert Olgemöller has extensive expertise across the entire spectrum of public law.

Practice head(s):

Udo Herbert Olgemöller


Key clients

BVK-Europa I-Immobilienfonds S.C.S. / Universal Investment


alstria office REIT-AG (alstria)


Franz Haniel & Cie GmbH


Friesland Campina


Work highlights


  • Advising BVK-Europa I-Immobilienfonds SCS and Universal Investment on the acquisition of the Zalando headquarters in Berlin.

  • Advising alstria office REIT-AG on the public takeover by Brookfield.

  • Advising Franz Haniel & Cie GmbH on the sale of ELG Haniel GmbH to Luxembourg steel producer Aperam SA

Bird & Bird LLP

Bird & Bird LLP primarily focuses on advising industrial companies on soil protection law compliance as well as on relevant aspects during due diligence and transactions. Clients from the automotive and healthcare sectors also seek assistance with product-related environmental law, while companies in the energy sector regularly turn to practice heads René Voigtländer and Matthias Lang. The practice possesses further expertise in planning approval proceedings.

Other key lawyers:

Hermann Rothfuchs


Key clients

Aluminium Oxid Stade GmbH


Amprion GmbH


Work highlights


  • Advising Aluminum Oxid Stade GmbH on planning approval and approval proceedings under circular economy law.

  • Advising Amprion GmbH on several planning approval proceedingsfor several high-voltage lines. Successful representation in litigation and summary legal protection proceedings before the Federal Administrative Court.

  • Advising and representing a hardware store in several planning proceedings. Representation in regulatory control and other administrative court proceedings.

Franßen & Nusser Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB

Franßen & Nusser Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB's broad client base includes companies, associations and ministries and can rely on the team's relevant specialization in waste management and waste law. Here, the practice particularly focuses on immission control approval proceedings, planning proceedings for landfills as well as on recycling management law issues. The team is headed by Gregor Franßen, who assists his clients both in an advisory capacity and with litigation.

Practice head(s):

Gregor Franßen


Other key lawyers:

Jens Nusser


Testimonials

The Franßen & Nusser team is young, dynamic and reacts very flexibly to a wide variety of requests. The technical expertise is top and the speed and accuracy of the billing of services is impeccable.’

Jens Nusser is characterized by pragmatic, practical solutions and consulting approaches! Highly reliable and responsive in any situation, available.

Franßen & Nusser is characterized by extensive knowledge in the area of real estate-related operator responsibility (public-law obligations on real estate operators) and all of environmental law. The entire team is extremely service-oriented.

Key clients

apetito assist & service GmbH


ASCEM e.V.


Aurubis AG


BETREM Emscherbrennstoffe GmbH


FEhS Institut für Baustoff-Forschung e.V.


Hans Schmid GmbH & Co. KG


Landesamt für Geologie und Bergwesen Sachsen-Anhalt


PORR GmbH & Co. KGaA


REMEX GmbH


Schiefergruben Magog GmbH & Co. KG


VCI Verband der chemischen Industrie e.V.


Xella Deutschland GmbH


Work highlights


  • Acted as moderator of VCI Association of the Chemical Industry eV’s “Working group 2 circular economy and raw material supply of the future” related to the project Chemistry4Climate, the climate protection platform of the chemical industry.

  • Advising the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Geology and Mining on the decommissioning of the Brüchau surface landfill.

  • Preparation of various legal opinions for Aurubis AG, one of the world’s leading copper recyclers, on the production and use of building materials made of iron silicate stone from copper recycling, including in accordance with the Substitute Building Materials Ordinance.

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner focuses on environmental, chemical and substance law as well as public building law. Olaf Konzak and his team apply their waste law expertise particularly often in matters pertaining to the Packaging Act and represent numerous companies in approval and objection proceedings. Advising national and international companies on public building and construction planning law as well as public procurement represent further mainstays of the practice.

Practice head(s):

Olaf Konzak


Greenberg Traurig Germany

The environmental and planning law practice of Greenberg Traurig Germany assists with large-scale construction projects across all relevant procedural stages, including the representation of clients in litigation; notably, the team also advises on a lighthouse project in the hydrogen technology sphere. Other key areas include contaminated soil and groundwater, waste legislation and nature conservation. Martin Hamer advises on a wide range of environmental and regulatory issues as well as on complex approval proceedings. In April 2022, Martin Dressel left for an in-house position at an energy company.

Practice head(s):

Martin Hamer


Key clients

Aermont Capital


ARB Investment Partners


Ares/Alteris


Aventos


Barrick Gold


Benson Elliott


Berlinovo


CBRE


Cirplus


Garbe Industrial Real Estate


GE Power Systems GmbH


Gewobag


Linus Capital


Matheson Tri-Gas


Oxford Properties


Ronesans


The Grounds


Vantage Data Centers


Volvo


Wertgrund


Work highlights


  • Advice to Sector Seven on the development of a district for a university, office and hotel in the area of BER Airport, including advice on development plan proceedings and the granting of building permits and preliminary decisions.

  • Advising Nevada Gold Mines on official requirements for the disposal of elemental mercury in Germany, in particular research on the environmental permits for an underground disposal site in Germany.

  • Advice on construction law to Aermont on the development of the office and commercial building at Stralauer Allee 15/16, including the conclusion of several neighborhood agreements.

HFK Rechtsanwälte LLP

HFK Rechtsanwälte LLP has recently been able to further expand its planning law advice on rail infrastructure projects, quarter developments as well as smart city models; here, the team cooperates across practices to assist with energy and transport transition projects as well as with the development of residential buildings and mixed quarters. Till Kemper, Wulf Clausen and Jörg Stoye jointly lead the practice.

Key clients

BIS Bremerhavener Gesellschaft für Investitionsförderung und Stadtentwicklung Infrastruktur mbH, Bremerhaven


DIE AG


Flughafen GmbH Kassel


RTW Planungsgesellschaft mbH


Schöfferstadt Gernsheim


Stadt Oberkochen


Stadt Steinbach


Urbane Impulse GmbH, Kiel


Work highlights


  • Advising RTW Planungsgesellschaft GmbH on the planning for the realization of Regionaltangente West (RTW), which has meanwhile been extended to six planning sections, as a regional light rail line in the high-speed rail network of the Rhine-Main area.

  • Advising DIE AG on planning and real estate law related to the revitalization of a listed industrial site in south-east Berlin.

  • Assisting Flughafen Kassel GmbH with the development of the former airport site, especially with regard to a climate-neutral design.

Köchling & Krahnefeld Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB

Köchling & Krahnefeld Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB's environmental and planning law expertise is primarily applied in the context of environmentally relevant infrastructure projects, power grid expansion, the construction of industrial and waste disposal plants as well as in raw material extraction projects. The team, led by Lutz Krahnefeld, Markus Ehrmann and Claire Pröbstle, regularly handles projects from planning over approval to its realisation phase and is also very familiar with environmental litigation.

Testimonials

‘A clearly focused specialist law firm with technically excellent lawyers and a reputation that has been continuously built up over the years.’

‘Lutz Krahnefeld and Claire Pröbstle: Consistently very high level of responsiveness and reliability and excellent professional advice.’

‘I appreciate the special expertise of Dr. Markus Ehrmann on emissions trading issues. He manages to address people of different backgrounds, to explain the matter in an understandable way and to present a solution. In addition to legal expertise, emissions trading also requires a strong technical understanding, which Mr. Ehrmann possesses and can convey to laypeople in an understandable way.’

Key clients

50 Hertz Transmission GmbH


Agrar Bioenergie Bleckede UG & Co KG


Amprion GmbH


EEW Energy from Waste GmbH


Entwicklungsgesellschaft Westholstein mbH


Golder Associates GmbH


Hamburger Energiewerke GmbH


Hermann Wegener GmbH & Co. KG


Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG


Lausitz Energie Kraftwerke AG


Novelis Koblenz GmbH


Power Oil Rostock GmbH


RBS – Unternehmensgruppe


Stromnetz Hamburg GmbH


SWK Stadtwerke Kaiserslautern Versorgungs-AG


Unibail-Rodamco ÜSQ Development GmbH


Work highlights


  • Advice and representation of Amprion GmbH in the preparation and implementation of planning approval proceedings for high-voltage line projects (EnLAG project, underground cable pilot project) in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony as well as in legal proceedings, in particular before the Federal Administrative Court.

  • Advising EEW Energy from Waste GmbH on immission control approval proceedings for thermal waste treatment plants throughout Germany.

  • Advising and representing Unibail-Rodamco ÜSQ Development GmbH in a proceeding to remedy the development plan for a large, mixed-use district in Hamburg’s HafenCity and in a norm control procedure against the development plan before the Hamburg Higher Administrative Court.

Kümmerlein

Kümmerlein's nationwide public law practice regularly advises approval authorities on large-scale energy transition projects, while the team's expertise in approval proceedings involving public participation is also called upon by companies. Particularly experienced here are Bettina Keienburg, who is also adept at large-scale mining and water law projects, and Stefan Wiesendahl, who has expertise in environmental impact assessments. Michael Neupert specializes in advising on decarbonization and Industry 4.0 projects as well as on hydrogen use regulation.

Testimonials

‘Bettina Keienburg advises on mining law and approval procedures. Her outstanding competence, friendly approach and solution orientation is highly valued by us as well as by involved authorities. Her fact assessment is convincing.’

‘The law firm is characterized by a particularly high level of competence, reliability and customer orientation, especially when compared to other large law firms I know.’

‘Bettina Keienburg and Michael Neupert are not only highly competent in legal terms, but are also well versed in evaluating and processing technical matters. The successes achieved in the joint procedures correspond to this. On top of that, they are always very pleasant to deal with personally and are always ready to provide support.’

Key clients

Arcelor Mittal


Evonik


Land Hessen


Mark-E AG


Neptune Energy Deutschland


RAG AG


Work highlights


  • Advising Arcelor Mittal on the decarbonization of a steel mill.

  • Advice and representation of Neptune Energy Deutschland GmbH and Palatina GeoCon GmbH & Co. KG on approval proceedings regarding oil exploration in Germany.

  • Advising Mark-E AG on the conversion of a power plant site that has been in operation for 100 years as part of the company’s decarbonization strategy.

Loschelder

Loschelder's clients include large and medium-sized companies as well as federal and state authorities who draw upon the practice's water law and environmental liability expertise and seek advice in the event of environmental damages. The team acts across the entire spectrum of environmental and planning law and is also well versed at the interfaces to competition , insurance and private construction law. Maike Friedrich, who made partner in January 2022, primarily advises project developers and investors on construction planning aspects of construction projects with a special focus on immission control, while Cedric Meyer has extensive knowledge of waste, plant approval, immission control, material, environmental liability and water law.

Other key lawyers:

Cedric Meyer; Maike Friedrich


Testimonials

‘Highly competent team across the entire spectrum of public law. Pragmatic advice.’

‘Cedric Meyer: head of the team and best specialist.’

‘Friendly and very competent. Collaboration is fun. Outstanding quality.’

‘Cedric Meyer: Broad knowledge and great trust.’

‘Medium-sized law firm with a broad coverage. Nevertheless, in terms of content on the level of a large law firm.’

‘Cedric Meyer: An outstanding specialist in his field and to be recommended without reservation.’

Work highlights


  • Advice and representation of environmental partner Vogel AG because of a claim for investigation orders under soil protection law.

  • Advising the city of Bad Honnef on the preparation of a project-related development plan including negotiation of the implementation contract for the revitalization of a central area of the pedestrian zone.

  • Advice to Die Wohnkompanie NRW on the change in land use plan and preparation of a development plan for the conversion of a former commercial area into a residential area.

LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB

LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB provides extensive advice on planning law in the health and social sectors and is involved, for example, in the project development of an existing assisted living property. Under the leadership of the Munich-based Thomas Schönfeld, the team also advises on issues relating to the new Bavarian building regulations, the building land mobilization law as well as occasionally on climate protection. At the Hamburg office, Jan Bernd Seeger also assists with public building and planning law.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Schönfeld


Other key lawyers:

Jan Bernd Seeger


Testimonials

‘Thomas Schönfeld has excellent specialist knowledge. He has good connections/contacts with the authorities. His calm manner is convincing.’

‘Thomas Schönfeld provides practical solutions and suggests possible solutions. He is always easily accessible for the client.’

‘Thomas Schönfeld is always friendly and accommodating.’

Key clients

BHB Bauträger GmbH Bayern


Erzdiözese München und Freising KdöR


Kutter GmbH & Co. KG


numa group GmbH


Sozialservice-Gesellschaft des Bayerischen Roten Kreuzes


SPD Landtagsfraktion im Bayerischen Landtag


Stadt Regensburg


Oppenhoff

Brownfield development and redevelopment play a central role in Oppenhoff's environmental and planning law practice, while the team not only assists with the decommissioning and dismantling of locations, but also advises clients on project development and future usage in close cooperation with the firm's real estate practice. Here, the team's expertise in environmental and planning law is primarily anchored in immission control and soil protection law and in advising on conventional and renewable energies. Stephan Müller frequently applies his environmental law expertise in compliance matters, while Holger Hofmann focuses on plant-related environmental law.

Practice head(s):

Stephan Müller


Other key lawyers:

Holger Hofmann


Testimonials

‘Stephan Müller: An outstanding contact in his field.’

‘The advice is very much geared towards the needs of an entrepreneurial practice. It should be emphasized in particular that the relevant issues are usually understood very quickly and the client’s effort is therefore kept very manageable.’

‘Holger Hofmann: His work mode is characterized by a very problem-oriented approach. Relevant issues are understood quickly, so that the client’s effort to explain is kept within manageable limits. Very practical solutions are developed. Work results will be presented on promised dates.’

Key clients

UL International Germany GmbH/ UL Gruppe


Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur


Compagnie de Saint-Gobain


Ford Werke GmbH


Eastman Chemical


Tata Steel Germany


Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)


Zeit für Brot


Work highlights


  • Advising a US automobile manufacturer on location-related environmental and energy law issues.

Oppenländer Rechtsanwälte

Oppenländer Rechtsanwälte's environmental and planning law practice advises not only companies but also ministries and state governments on a wide range of environmental and regional planning law issues. The extraction of raw materials plays an important role in advising industrial clients and in particular the gravel sector. The team also has experience in proceedings before administrative courts and the ECJ. Christofer Lenz and Torsten Gerhard jointly head the practice.

Practice head(s):

Christofer Lenz; Torsten Gerhard


Testimonials

‘Many years of experience in practice and teaching, good mix of partners and employees, very well trained and continuously trained lawyers.’

‘Christofer Lenz processes complicated company-specific facts in a way that is understandable for the addressee and confidently leads the other person to the right results. You feel very well looked after.’

Key clients

E. Breuninger GmbH & Co. KG


Kies + Sand Maselheim


Ministerium für Umwelt, Klima und Energiewirtschaft Baden-Württemberg


Röhm Gruppe Wendlingen


Sport Sohn Handel


Work highlights


  • Advice on construction and planning law to the state government for the implementation of a facility for the enforcement of forensic measures in Heidelberg.

  • Advising and representing E. Breuninger GmbH & Co. before the administrative court in Stuttgart regarding the expansion of Breuningerland in Ludwigsburg against claims brought by neighboring municipalities.

  • Successful representation of the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg in an appeal proceeding before the Federal Administrative Court on environmental information law.

PAULY Rechtsanwälte

PAULY Rechtsanwälte covers all aspects of waste law, including product responsibility, packaging law and cross-border waste shipments. Refineries, materials manufacturers, disposal companies, but also retailers, food and other product manufacturers are among its key clients. Notably, the practice has assisted various German dual systems with numerous packaging law model proceedings. Markus Pauly leads the team from Cologne and has over 30 years of experience in environmental law.

Practice head(s):

Markus Pauly


Other key lawyers:

Nadja Wüstemann


Key clients

ALBA Group/ALBA Metall Nord GmbH


ALFA-Gruppe, Alfa Recycling München GmbH & Co. KG


Alle Dualen Systeme Deutschlands


Auctus Capital Partners AG


BDSV – Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Stahlrecycling- und Entsorgungsunternehmen e.V.


Beam GmbH/Circleback GmbH


Befesa Zinc Gruppe


Belfor Deutschland GmbH


Berkenhoff GmbH


BP Europe SE/Ruhr Oel


BSH Bosch Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH


Bvse – Bundesverband Sekundarrohstoffe u. Entsorgung


Hornbach Baumarkt AG


IK Umwelt – Gruppe


Interseroh Dienstleistungs GmbH


IP Verpackungen GmbH


Johannes Oetken & Söhne GmbH & Co. KG


Jokey SE


Lavazza Deutschland GmbH


PDR Recycling GmbH & Co. KG


PreZero GmbH


Recenso GmbH/Carbolig GmbH


REWE Group


Scholz Gruppe


Schwarz Gruppe (Lidl/Kaufland/PreZero)


Silver plastics GmbH & Co. KG


Theo Steil GmbH


Tokai Erftcarbon GmbH


Verzinkerei Sahm GmbH


Work highlights


  • Comprehensive advice to BP Europa SE/Ruhr Oel GmbH on the classification of residues from a refinery as waste or by-products, on producer liability and waste and immission control law. In addition, advice on specific waste disposal contracts, representation before the relevant authority in a proceedings regarding a subsequent order on heavy oil gasification of the refinery as well as in administrative and court proceedings for the partial closure of an interim waste storage facility.

  • Advice to IP Verpackungen GmbH for the to-go area on the plastics ban directive and its implementation in Germany as well as further legal developments at national and European level.

  • Advising Jokey SE on strategic issues of future waste policy with regard to GreenDeal, Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) and EU plastics strategy.

Pohlmann & Company

Pohlmann & Company's international team is headed by Horst Schlemminger and Uwe Erling and has expertise in environmental crisis management, environmental compliance, climate protection and emissions trading law. The client base includes companies from the aviation, energy and chemical sectors. Furthermore, the team is well versed in environmental claim management, administrative and judicial proceedings and environmental remediation projects.

Practice head(s):

Horst Schlemminger; Uwe Erling


Key clients

CAP2 GmbH


Celanese-Gruppe


Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG


Ticona (jetzt Celanese Services Deutschland GmbH)


Wacker Chemie AG


Work highlights


  • Advising and representing CAP2 GmbH – Carbon Absorbing Portfolios in proceedings before the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority on the qualification and exemption from authorization of transactions with emission certificates and on other BaFin authorization issues.

  • Comprehensive long-standing environmental compliance advice to Celanese Group.

  • Advising and representing Vynova Wilhelmshaven GmbH in legal proceedings against the Federal Environment Agency before the administrative court.

Rittershaus

Rittershaus focuses on advising on urban planning projects, energy projects as well as securing and developing sites; here, the group is able to cover the entire value chain of a property in cooperation with the firm's real estate and construction experts. With the arrival of Wolfgang Patzelt (nature and species protection, water, soil protection, monument protection and immission control law as well as planning approvals), Daniel Pfluger (public building and environmental law), Thomas Hartl ( land use and building permit proceedings) and Ulrich Loetz (urban planning projects as well as energy, nature and species protection law, water, soil protection, monument protection and immission control law) from Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein, the team significantly expanded both its environmental and planning law capacities. Practice head Hartmut Fischer has experience in land use matters.

Practice head(s):

Hartmut Fischer


Testimonials

‘Hartmut Fischer: Clever, reliable and an enrichment for our work and project implementations.’

‘Wolfgang Patzelt stands as a guarantor for realistic, practical solutions that are not given from an ivory tower, but are tailored and flexibly adapted to the respective situation.’

‘The team understands the problems of medium-sized companies and speaks their language and is technically and legally excellent. The operational capability in time-critical matters is extraordinary.’

Key clients

6B47 Germany GmbH


AGRAVIS Raiffeisen AG


Bonava Deutschland GmbH, Fürstenwalde


Businesspark Konstanz GmbH


C7 Gruppe mit Projektgesellschaft HA Feldafing GmbH


Calvatis GmbH, Ladenburg


DIBAG Industriebau AG


EPPLE Projekt GmbH, Heidelberg


GML Gemeinschafts-Müllheizkraftwerk Ludwigshafen GmbH


HEBERGER GmbH


Höß GmbH & Co. Hausbau KG


Krematorium Werl GmbH


LE Windenergie GmbH & Co. KG


Monsheimer Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH als Projektgesellschaft der Ehret+Klien GmbH


Raiffeisen Waren-Zentrale Rhein-Main eG, Köln


Trei Real Estate Berlin-Winsstraße GmbH


Verschiedene Projektentwickler im Bereich Wohnungsbau


WindEV GmbH & Co. KG


Work highlights


  • Advising Bonava Deutschland GmbH on various housing projects. After purchasing the land, support in obtaining the necessary building rights for projects with 100 to 700 residential units.

  • Advising Calvatis GmbH on the modification and construction of BImSchG systems in a chemical park.

  • Public law support for EPPLE Projekt GmbH in a project development of various housing projects (100 to 300 residential units) in Frankfurt, Baden-Baden, Stuttgart, Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg, Mannheim, Schwetzingen.

Zenk Rechtsanwälte

Zenk Rechtsanwälte maintains long-term relationships with its clients which include companies, federal and state ministries, cities, municipalities and associations. In addition to infrastructure projects, the construction and modernization of industrial plants and residential planning and developments, the practice's expertise also includes building permit and planning approval proceedings as well as objection, claim and summary proceedings. The group is led by Ralf Hüting, Wolfgang Hopp, Martin Düwel and Kostja von Keitz.

Key clients

EUROGATE Container Terminal


Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg


Grunske GmbH


HELMA Wohnungsbau GmbH


Stadtwerke Bremen CREA GmbH


TABEG mbH


HanseWasser Bremen


Vattenfall


European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Facility GmbH (XFEL)


Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY


Flughafen Hamburg