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

Well-versed in the regulatory framework underpinning the industry, Arendt & Medernach is well-positioned to provide 'clear and commercial advice' on the cross-border transactions handled by an impressive roster of private equity sponsors, including Bain Capital, Carlyle Group and Blackstone. Recent transactional highlights include Sébastien Binard's work for Bain Capital on the acquisition of Dutch design company Bugaboo International, and Pierre Beissel's representation of Blackstone on the acquisition and financing of Cirsa, a leading gaming and leisure company in Spain and Latin America.

Able to tap into the expertise of four partners with a significant fund formation and transactional focus, and also able to leverage the firm's international network, Clifford Chance is well-positioned to handle a tremendous volume and variety of matters within the private equity space. In a high-profile matter involving a large multi-jurisdictional team across many international offices, Katia Gauzès led out of Luxembourg on behalf of a consortium of private equity sponsors, including Cinven, Permira and Mid Europa, in their acquisition of the Allegro Group and Ceneo from the South African global Internet and entertainment group, Naspers. Christian Kremer is also recommended for private equity M&A, while Joëlle Hauser and Paul Van den Abeele lead on the fund formation front.

Aided by a 'pervasive knowledge of the regulatory landscape', Elvinger Hoss Prussen has a particularly strong reputation in the market in relation to the structuring of private equity funds and on their subsequent investments. On the transactional front, the 'outstanding' Toinon Hoss has an excellent pedigree for private equity M&A; she is particularly active on behalf of Cinven, including her recent work for it on the Luxembourg law aspects of its acquisition of Chryso. François Felten is another key member of the team, and recently acted for Apax Europe on the placement of its entire shareholding  in Swedish-listed Capio by way of an accelerated book building to institutional investors. Thibaut Partsch  was a new arrival from Loyens & Loeff in 2019.

Enhanced by a market-leading tax practice, as well as sizeable corporate and fund formation practices, Loyens & Loeff provides a very rounded service to private equity sponsors, including Anchorage Capital, BlackRock and Blackstone. Thierry Lohest has a 'great overview of the market' and is regularly involved in the most significant private equity-related M&A transactions handled by the firm, including his recent work for KKR portfolio company, Selecta Group, on its acquisition of Pelican Rouge Group. Guy Palmaers is also very highly rated for handling private equity M&A; he recently advised Ontario Teachers' Plan (as part of a consortium led by BC Partners) on the acquisition of CeramTec Group from Cinven. The team also includes the 'very thoughtful and experienced' Marc Meyers, who heads the overall investment management practice.

At Bonn Steichen & Partners, Linda Harroch has close ties with numerous high-profile private equity sponsors, including Advent, Bain Capital and Apax. Her work includes both fund formation and subsequent investment activity, including her recent representation of Advent and Bain Capital Private on their acquisition of Concardis. On the litigation front, Alain Steichen continues to represent Apax Partners in high-profile litigation brought by the UK Liquidators of Hellas Telecommunications. Jean Steffen is also recommended.

Well-placed to advise many of the largest private equity sponsors in the market, by virtue of the firm's traditional pedigree in the area and its international strength in many of the most significant fund jurisdictions across Europe, Asia and the US, Dechert Luxembourg provides 'practical and commercial advice' across every stage of the investment cycle. The 'excellent' Patrick Goebel provides 'precise and tailored advice' and is a key member of the team that also includes Jean-Louis Frognet ('excellent at cross-border deals'); Florent Trouiller ('brilliant international experience'); and Marc Seimetz ('willing to go the extra mile').

Led by the 'dedicated and solution-oriented' Gérard Maîtrejean, Dentons' ten-strong team has an excellent reputation among high-calibre private equity sponsors, including CVC and Apax. Recent highlights include Maîtrejean and Frédéric Feyten's representation of cornerstone client, Terra Firma, on the Luxembourg corporate and tax aspects of the £5.8m sale of Dublin-based aircraft lessor, AWAS, to Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.

LexField has a 'good reputation in the private equity industry' and provides 'responsive, commercial and technically astute advice' to clients including Volpi Capital, Aldgate Developments and Babilou. The 'technically strong' Aldric Grosjean is praised for his ability to 'explain all aspects of a transaction in a clear and understandable way', and is a key member of the team that also includes Pierre-Yves Magerotte, who provides 'clear advice on tax matters' associated with private equity transactions.

With five partners who have significant private equity expertise as it relates to corporate, tax and fund structuring/regulatory, NautaDutilh has the critical mass to handle a diverse range and volume of matters across the private equity spectrum. Yoanna Stefanova handles a significant amount of work for Silverfleet Capital Partners, including recently advising it on the acquisition of Pumpenfabrik Wangen. Jean-Marc Groelly is noted for his tax expertise. Other clients include Anacap Financial Partners, Argand Partners and Centerbridge Partners. Ezechiel Havrenne left the firm in February 2020.

Stibbe receives a significant amount of high-quality private equity M&A work, either from private equity houses directly or as a result of the strong ties it has forged with numerous large international law firms. Gérald Origer recently advised Investindustrial on the Luxembourg corporate aspects associated with the €550m exit of the investment held in leading leisure car rental operator, the Goldcar Group. Claire-Marie Darnand is also a pivotal member of the team advising on private equity-related transactions. Other clients include KKR, Rhone Capital and Oak Hill Partners.

Benulux firm AKD opened its Luxembourg office in 2016 and since then has effectively gained market share within the private equity sector, both directly from private equity sponsors and by virtue of referrals from various international law firms. Led by Bernard Beerens, the three-partner team has the critical mass to be able to advise across the spectrum of corporate, finance and regulatory work. Clients include Battery Capital, Bridgepoint and NEO Investment Partners.

At Bonn & Schmitt, Frédéric Lemoine provides a 'high-quality service' to numerous private equity sponsors, including EQT, which he recently advised on the sale of Bureau van Djik group to Moody’s Corporation.

At KLEYR GRASSO, the team recently advised GSO Capital Partners in connection with the financing of Bridgepoint's acquisition of Miller Homes. Rina Breininger is also recommended and handles a significant amount of investment work for TA Associates. Patrick Chantrain left the firm.