Due to a client base consisting of federal ministries, state governments and German and international blue-chips which consult the practice on relevant contemporary issues, Gleiss Lutz' team is 'very close to the development of state aid law'. For instance, the firm advised on the structuring of the federal government’s Covid-19 aid measures. Compliance issues represent another central part of the practice, as well as representation before the Commission and in state aid proceedings before the ECJ and German courts. Practice head Ulrich Soltész in Brussels has a 'very good instinct for future trends', while Düsseldorf-based Burghard Hildebrandt has expertise in state aid law, particularly in investment subsidies, research and development; just like Eva Koch, who made counsel in January 2021.

With Jan Bonhage in Berlin and Hans-Jörg Niemeyer in Brussels, Hengeler Mueller s state aid practice fields two experienced partners with significant expertise. The team not only represents clients in proceedings before the ECJ and intervenes before the Commission, but also advises prestigious companies and the public sector on state aid matters. In the context of the Covid-19 crisis, the team assisted several companies with matters pertaining to federal financial aid. The firm also acts across other highly topical issues, such as assisting with the implementation of the first IPCEI in the microelectrics field or advising clients on funding programs for hydrogen technology. In addition, the team oversees public sector share transactions.

Redeker Sellner Dahs' broad, cross-location practice continues to be a top address for state aid advice; the team often acts on behalf of the public sector, in particular for federal ministries and federal states, while associations and companies also belong to its client base. In addition to state aid advice and analysis, the representation before the Commission and the ECJ forms another of the practice's central pillars. Most recently, the team continued to assist with matters related to Covid-19 support measures, but also stands out due to its strategic focus on future-oriented processes and discussions, such as environmental and energy matters or AGVO issues. State aid expert Andreas Rosenfeld, who is based in Bonn and Brussels, leads the team. Ulrich Karpenstein at the Berlin office is another renowned state aid expert.

Hamburg boutique Chatham Partners LLP's Marco Núñez Müller is one of the 'best-known and most experienced German EU state aid lawyers' and heads the practice. The group focuses on the infrastructure sector, where it assists airports as well as increasingly port companies and port projects with state aid issues. The energy sector represents another mainstay, with state aid and renewable energies being an increasingly important key issue for the team. It also often advises on politically explosive, highly complex issues such as the so-called car toll scandal. In addition, the team has experience in preparing state aid notifications and representing clients in private enforcement proceedings before national courts or in state aid investigation procedures at European level.

GvW Graf von Westphalen's team impresses with 'quick familiarisation as well as a high level of understanding of industry-specific aspects' and continues to act for both aid granters and beneficiaries. The practice advises federal states, airports and companies from various sectors, with a focus on infrastructure, real estate as well as research and development, on a wide range of state aid issues, but also represents clients before the European Commission and in highly complex contentious proceedings. Practice head Gerd Schwendinger, who is considered an experienced and renowned state aid expert, splits his time between Hamburg and Brussels.

Kapellmann und Partner's state aid practice advises on the design of support measures and the development of financing concepts and also has experience in notification procedures, state aid complaints, state aid assessment procedures and representation before EU courts. The practice is instructed by federal states, municipalities, automotive companies and airports, among others. Practice head Robin van der Hout has 'good political flair and excellent connections with EU institutions' and Christian Wagner is considered 'legally well versed and creative'.

With an industry focus on broadband infrastructure, life sciences and technology, Baker McKenzie advises both German and a wide range of international companies on pandemic-related funding opportunities as well as in connection with transactions. The close cooperation with other practice areas, in particular corporate, IP, public procurement and real estate, is also of central importance for the team. Marc Gabriel heads the public commercial law practice and draws on 20 years of professional experience. The two counsels Andreas Schulz and Janet Butler are particularly active in state aid issues.

Boutique offering BLOMSTEIN Rechtsanwälte, which specialises in regulatory and antitrust advice, has a 'very good and well-established team' in state aid matters and provides integrated consulting services at the interface to public procurement law as well as state aid due diligence in the context of M&A transactions in cooperation with selected best-friends firms. The team continues to support clients in the context of the Covid-19 crisis and is becoming increasingly active in assisting with monitoring trustee matters. Practice head Max Klasse has 'good industry knowledge' with experience in the industrial, postal and transport services sectors.

Spread across locations in Brussels and Germany, Noerr's state aid team continues to be active at EU level as well as nationally and regionally. Particularly noteworthy is the representation of Condor, both in state aid proceedings before the Commission and in a dispute with Ryanair before the European Court. The antitrust practice is headed by Fabian Badtke and also houses the state aid team, which is jointly led by Jens Peter Schmidt (Brussels and Düsseldorf) and Sarah Blazek (Munich and Brussels).

With a strong specialisation in the sciences and research sphere, Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB's practice positions itself at the interface of sciences and economy and advises large universities and colleges, research institutions and research-intensive companies on state aid matters. Most recently, the practice was able to expand its client portfolio to include various English universities, which the team assists with Brexit-related issues, as well as a federal ministry that is being advised on fund set-ups. Practice head Anke Empting is 'highly competent in complex issues relating to state aid'.

PwC Legal (PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal AG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft)'s practice acts both at national and EU level and assists the public sector and private companies with state aid issues. The group particularly focuses on the automotive sector and on assisting with Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). State aid expert and practice head Jan-Philipp Otter has relevant experience in proceedings before the European Commission and national authorities and also impresses with 'political sensitivity, availability and the organization of good, suitable teams'.