Linklaters > Luxembourg, Luxembourg > Firm Profile

Linklaters > The Legal 500 Rankings

Luxembourg > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Leveraging 'excellent industry knowledge' across the banking and capital markets landscape, as well as being abreast of relevant market trends, Linklaters 'delivers top quality work' to a myriad stakeholders engaged in new money and refinancing work. Much of this is cross-border, with the firm collaborating 'extremely well with other offices' throughout the network to provide a compelling service on many high-profile transactions. The tone is set by 'exceptional' team head Melinda Perera, who 'has all the technical skills necessary to execute complex financings' throughout the capital structure, with recent work encompassing cross-border restructurings, real estate finance and supranational debt capital markets transactions. The 'excellent' Patrick Geortay is also a key member of the team and is particularly active advising on leveraged and asset finance transactions. On the regulatory front, Eliane Dejardin Botelho excels at providing 'tailor made and out of the box solutions' to clients both on standalone matters, as well as in the context of financial services M&A. Nicki Kayser  also maintains a vibrant transactional practice, including on fund financings, DCM and structured financings, work which he combines with his duties as managing partner.

Luxembourg > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Now under the leadership of the 'creative and commercial' Rémy Bonneau following the retirement in May 2024 of Nicolas Gauzes, Linklaters' 'responsive and client-oriented' team acts on domestic mandates, as well as forming a vital part of the firm's global offering where it is appreciated for its 'deep expertise and ability to handle complex, cross-border transactions'. A good deal of this multi-jurisdictional work relates to Luxembourg structuring on behalf of private equity firms, both on the buy and sell-side. Much of this is led by Bonneau, who 'is able to navigate through complicated and unusual structures' and is well-versed at advising on matters throughout the investment life-cycle. Manfred Müller is also recommended, recently providing the Luxembourg structuring advice pursuant to Carrier Global Corporation's $4.95bn sale of its security business, Global Access Solutions.

Luxembourg > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Noted for their ‘local knowledge and international experience’, the ‘very experienced and results-oriented’ team at Linklaters has gained a particularly strong reputation representing financial services entities (including banks, accounting firms, insurers and funds) across a wide array of complex cross-border disputes. Guy Loesch is ‘highly knowledgeable and experienced’ in the sector and as well as handling civil litigation, including in relation to shareholders’ disputes, is also increasingly active with regard to criminal actions. In addition, Loesch is also skilled at handling international arbitration, particularly in the context of enforcing arbitral awards in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg > Investment funds Tier 1

The 'very strong' team at Linklaters 'covers all the relevant areas of expertise', particularly for fund managers in the alternative asset space, as well as a growing offering for insurance companies and pension funds as fund investors. The 'very accomplished and collaborative' team head Silke Bernard effectively marshals the office's resources, often working in unison with lawyers from throughout the firm's vast international network of offices on cross-border matters. As well as fee-earning work, Bernard spearheads the office's industry efforts promoting the retailisation of private funds. 'One of the leading experts in the field of fund formation in Luxembourg', Martin Mager is across all relevant alternative asset classes, including impact funds, and is also spearheading the office's growing investor-side offering. The 'commercial' Claire Prospert 'has a flexible mindset to try and make client objectives work', including for some high-profile US private equity sponsors, as well as in the context of retail products. Now in his position as of counsel following his retirement from the partnership, Hermann Beythan has vast knowledge across a broad range of fund mandates, including the creation of AIFMs and other regulatory issues.

Luxembourg > Private equity Tier 1

Providing 'solutions-oriented and pragmatic advice' at all levels of seniority, Linklaters' Luxembourg team is a key component of the firm's overarching global private equity practice, regularly being plugged in to provide the relevant domestic law advice on large M&A transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions. The team, which is now headed by the 'creative and commercial' Rémy Bonneau, following the retirement in May 2024 of Nicolas Gauzès, is appreciated for its close working arrangement with clients, which according to one, feels more akin to being an 'extension of our legal department rather than the use of a third party service provider'. Bonneau excels in navigating through complicated and unusual structures both for financial sponsors acting on their own as well as part of a co-investment strategy, and is also well-versed in advising on portfolio company restructuring matters.

Luxembourg > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Led on the downstream investment front by the 'proactive, diligent and very professional' Anton Cox, Linklaters is particularly adept at advising institutional investors on acquisitions and sales in the domestic market relating to the office, retail and logistics assets. The team is also able to lean into broader corporate/M&A strength, while this cross-disciplinary approach is similarly applied across a considerable volume of real estate finance work. Cox is also active advising developers, as well as for owners and users on lettings. Leveraging the firm's extensive international network, the team is also well-placed to advise funds structured in Luxembourg on their cross-border real estate strategies.

Luxembourg > Tax Tier 2

Often working in close co-ordination with transactional lawyers across the corporate, funds and finance groups, in particular, and also having access to the expertise of lawyers spread throughout the firm's international network of offices, the 'organised, knowledgeable and highly responsive' team at Linklaters excels in providing the appropriate tax structuring pursuant to cross-border mandates in M&A, financing and restructuring contexts. Joakim-Antoine Charvet has an 'excellent knowledge and competence of the Luxembourg law' and heads up a team that also includes Danièle Buchler, who provides 'a practical and well-rounded approach' to asset managers in the set-up and tax structuring of joint venture companies and fund vehicles.

Luxembourg > Employment Tier 3

Working on its own as well as frequently as part of a co-ordinated offering with other practice groups, including M&A, banking and investment management, Linklaters provides 'commercial and helpful' advice to financial services and funds clients across a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Team head Marie Sinniger takes the lead on much of this work, including on the TUPE issues associated with M&A transactions, advice on remuneration policies and settlement agreements, as well as the defence of unfair dismissal claims.