The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Luxembourg > Private equity

Deeply entrenched in the private equity space and also working with many high-profile international law firms, by virtue of its (largely) independent status, Arendt & Medernach provides a one-stop-shop service to a myriad sponsors at every level of the value chain - including on the structuring of the funds, the pursuant M&A activity and any associated regulatory matters. Team head Pierre Beissel has vast industry credibility and takes the lead on many of the most significant mandates handled by the team, including his work for The Carlyle Group on its €10.1bn acquisition of Akzo Nobel's Specialty Chemicals unit. Laurent Schummer is also recommended.

With significant capability on the ground in Luxembourg and also able to work with a huge roster of private equity experts across the firm's international network, Clifford Chance is a popular choice for many leading sponsors, including KKR and CVC, on their cross-border mandates implementing Luxembourg structuring. Christian Kremer and Katia Gauzès are the primary contacts for private equity transactional work.

Implementing a multi-disciplinary approach which draws upon the expertise of practitioners from the firm's corporate, banking and funds teams, Elvinger Hoss Prussen provides a comprehensive offering to high-profile private equity sponsors, including KKR and Cinven. With a team of lawyers dedicated to servicing Asian clients from Luxembourg and also aided by a small Hong Kong office, the firm continues to pick up a significant share of Asia-based funds - which are appreciative of the firm's ability to significantly aid the 'difficult process of raising capital in Europe and establish Luxembourg-domiciled funds'. The 'brilliant' Toinon Hoss is a market-leader for private equity-related M&A, and the practice also gained Thibaut Partsch  from Loyens & Loeff in January 2020.

Private equity work is one of the cornerstones of Loyens & Loeff's activities in Luxembourg. With 12 partners focusing on work in the sector from across the corporate, fund formation and tax practice groups, and also able to leverage the expertise of practitioners throughout the Benelux region, the team has excellent credibility among a plethora of leading sponsors, including Bain Capital and Blackstone. The team has recently handled numerous disposals for KKR, including on its €2.6bn sale of European cable and pay-TV operator to BC Partners. Guy Palmaers has strong market credibility for private equity-led M&A. The 'smart, calm and diligent' Michael Scott has an excellent reputation among US and UK-based private equity sponsors. Thibaut Partsch  left for Elvinger Hoss Prussen in January 2020.

At Bonn Steichen & Partners, 'very efficient and technical' team head Linda Harroch regularly handles work for global private equity sponsor, Advent International, which she recently advised on its $3.25bn acquisition of General Electric’s Distributed Power business.

Led by Marc Seimetz from Luxembourg and aided by an international network, which includes offices based across many of the primary global fund centres in Europe, Asia and the US, Dechert Luxembourg provides 'good knowledge and understanding of the private debt and private equity business'.

Led out of Luxembourg by Gérard Maîtrejean and aided by an extensive international network of offices, Dentons has a strong pedigree on behalf of major private equity sponsors, including Terra Firma and Apax Partners, across the spectrum of their investment strategies.

Independent business boutique LexField provides a 'cost-effective international service' across the spectrum of private equity-related work, including advising on the Luxembourg structuring elements of cross-border M&A matters. Appreciated for its 'pragmatic and responsive approach', the firm regularly receives referral work and partners up with international law firms who lack a presence in Luxembourg. The team is particularly strong at real estate-related private equity work. The 'fantastic' Aldric Grosjean provides 'clear and concise advice and is able to resolve any problems which are thrown at him'.

Praised for its 'speed of execution and responsiveness' and 'ability to think outside the box',  NautaDutilh is able to provide a 'responsive and skilled offering' by virtue of its ability to seamlessly knit together expertise from the corporate, tax and funds practice groups. The team's transactional expertise encompasses public-to-private transactions, IPO exits, secondary or other private transactions, and acquisition finance.

Praised for its 'market knowledge and responsiveness', Stibbe receives a significant amount of high-quality private equity M&A work, either from sponsors directly or as a result of the strong ties it has forged with numerous large international law firms. The 'very efficient' Gérald Origer heads the team and has recently handled numerous mandates for Investindustrial, including advising on the IPO exit (on the London Stock Exchange) of portfolio company Aston Martin.

Since opening its Luxembourg office in 2016, Benelux firm AKD has successfully cultivated a credible private equity offering, which has effectively been engaged directly by sponsors and through law firm referrals to advise on the Luxembourg structuring aspects of international transactions. Bernard Beerens heads the team.

At Bonn & Schmitt, Frédéric Lemoine regularly handles M&A work for private equity firms, including EQT, which he recently advised on its acquisition of Nestlé Skin Health.

KLEYR GRASSO is 'very knowledgeable of the Luxembourg private equity market'. Praised for its 'high-quality service', clients appreciate the firm's partner-led approach which enables it to handle complex and often bespoke mandates. The firm handles a significant amount of work for global growth private equity firm, TA Associates. Rina Breininger is noted for her private equity-related M&A work.

PwC Legal Luxembourg is particularly noted for its ability to handle complex cross-border mandates involving multi-jurisdictional tax structuring issues. 'Very positive and proactive'  team head Saskia Myners has a particular focus on the UK and German markets.