Linklaters > Dusseldorf, Germany > Firm Profile

Linklaters > The Legal 500 Rankings

Banking and finance > Financial services: regulatory Tier 1

Linklaters comprehensively advises German and international banks, financial institutions, investors and companies on regulatory issues, where the diverse team regularly acts across practices and locations. The mainstays include regulatory support for M&A transactions across the banking and asset management sector as well as advising banks and credit institutions on reorganisation and restructuring projects. In addition to financial and investment regulatory law, practice head Andreas Steck is also a key contact for insurance supervisory law, while Andreas Dehio advises on securities trading law and licensing procedures.

Banking and finance > Investment funds Tier 1

Linklaters investment law advice is based on the three cornerstones of fund structuring, fund regulations and fund investments, while related tax matters are also covered. The focus is on alternative asset classes, with most recent instructions pertaining to real estate. The client roster includes financial institutions, investment and asset managers as well as funds, which benefit from cross-location cooperation, particularly the Luxembourg and US locations. Key contacts include Alexander Vogt and Markus Wollenhaupt, who both comprehensively advise on the structuring, management and regulation of funds.

Capital markets > Debt capital markets Tier 1

Linklaters‘ DCM team is led by Christian Storck, who advises on DCM, structured finance and derivatives under German and English law, and is renowned among clients – including leading financial institutions and companies – for its broad range of advice. In addition to issuing bonds, which regularly include green, social and sustainability-linked bonds as well as hybrid, convertible and exchangeable bonds, the group is experienced in the restructuring of outstanding bonds and in updating debt issuance, commercial paper, deposit and EMTN programs. Peter Waltz (focus on convertible and exchangeable bonds as well as hybrid issues; also structured finance and derivatives) as well as Alexander Schlee and counsel Martin Rojahn, who are both extensively active in the DCM and ECM areas, form part of the core team alongside Storck. In October 2024, Wolfgang Ettengruber (bond issues, convertible and exchangeable bonds, promissory notes and registered bonds) joined from Clifford Chance as managing associate.

Capital markets > Equity capital markets Tier 1

Despite a quiet market situation, Linklaters recently still managed to position itself as a corporate and syndicate bank advisor for larger IPOs, as demonstrated for instance by advising thyssenkrupp AG and thyssenkrupp nucera. Thanks to the firm’s international network, one of the team’s particular strengths lies in international transactions, particularly ECM transactions in Switzerland, Austria, the Benelux countries and Scandinavia. As co-head of the Swiss Group, practice head Marco Carbonare regularly assists with DACH-related deals. He is also part of the corporate and M&A group, which reflects the practice’s close connection between corporate law and ECM. Alexander Schlee is another key contact and well versed in ECM as well as debt capital matters; most recently he advised on capital increases, mergers of SPACs with target companies as well as on hybrid securities.

Capital markets > Structured finance and securitisation

Linklaters' broad advice spectrum ranges from (synthetic) securitisations, special financing and NPL transactions to derivatives, which also represents focus areas for practice head Christian Storck, among others. He specialises in OTC derivatives, but further covers client clearing and netting issues. Barbara Lauer, Burkhard Rinne and counsel Jördis Heckt-Harbeck are among the key contacts for asset-based structured financing; Lauer and Heckt-Harbeck also manage portfolio and NPL transactions and their financing, and Rinne assists with securitisations, factoring and clearing, among other matters. In addition, clients, including banks, sponsors and companies, regularly rely on the team's expertise in ​​product, platform and payment infrastructure development.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 1

The expertise of Linklaters' corporate practice ranges from restructuring, strategic projects, corporate governance and general meetings to ongoing advice to management and supervisory boards; the client portfolio also includes DAX40, MDAX and SDAX companies as well as other leading corporations and German shareholders. Marco Carbonare, who frequently acts in capital market-related matters and thus regularly assists with IPOs, carve-outs and reorganisations, heads the team, which also includes Ralph Wollburg and Hans-Ulrich Wilsing; both have impressive expertise in advising blue chips on corporate structuring issues and ESG as well as in advising management and supervisory boards.

Corporate and M&A > M&A

Linklaters is an experienced partner for large German and international clients, including numerous listed companies such as Volkswagen, ThyssenKrupp and Deutsche Lufthansa, in large and mid-cap transactions. Its expertise extends from takeovers and sales to spin-offs and joint ventures to capital market-related matters and covers, among others, the areas of energy, healthcare, infrastructure and automotive. Marco Carbonare heads the practice and, in addition to cross-border M&A transactions and reorganisations, also handles ECM issues. He is supported by Ralph Wollburg, who counts all DAX companies among his client base, Kristina Klaaßen-Kaiser, who handles general corporate issues in addition to sales, takeovers and joint ventures, Alina Kaufmann (M&A and VC), Christoph van Lier (public takeovers and joint ventures) and Dominik Wegener (cross-border M&A, VC and joint ventures).

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 1

Linklaters is considered one of the leading addresses for dispute resolution; since February 2024, the practice has been headed by Julia Grothaus, who is experienced in antitrust, post-M&A and corporate disputes. The team has in-depth expertise in banking and energy law disputes – including in connection with EU sanctions against Russia and ESG issues. Alongside its focus on energy sector conflicts, Alexandros Chatzinerantzis also handles construction, commercial and corporate disputes. Product liability and cartel damages claims, which are part of Rupert Bellinghausen's skill set, as well as commercial disputes and class actions represent additional practice cornerstones, while the team has recently also seen an increase in instructions from the automotive, healthcare, industrial and technology sectors. Counsel Anke Krause focuses on product liability proceedings, post-M&A arbitration proceedings and contractual conflicts, while Christian Schmitt specialises in national and international litigation and alternative dispute resolution, particularly with regard to contentious banking and capital market matters. Kerstin Wilhelm is also particularly adept in this area.

Dispute resolution > Financial services: litigation Tier 1

Linklaters‘ practice, which is a renowned address for disputes in the financial services sector, is present across the entire spectrum of national and cross-border financial disputes. Headed by Julia Grothaus since February 2024, the team is regularly called upon by credit institutions, investment banks and service providers to especially assist with banking and capital market disputes, including the defense against damages claims and cum-ex disputes; Christian Schmitt is the key contact for these areas.

Industry focus > Energy

Linklaters supports clients in various energy matters and impresses with its expertise in transaction support; the team also focuses on renewable energies, hydrogen and e-mobility as well as matters pertaining to conventional energies such as oil and gas. Practice head Thomas Schulz supports clients, including investors, developers and banks, in national and cross-border projects and transactions, and offers additional expertise in regulatory issues and contract drafting. He is supported by Julia Sack, who is well versed in transaction support and contract law; the latter was most recently utilised in the advice on floating LNG terminals on the North Sea coast, including the review of third-party contracts and the negotiation of an acquisition agreement.

Intellectual property > Patent litigation: solicitors Tier 1

Linklaters' patent practice acts in close cooperation with other practice groups, such as its antitrust team, and due to its global positioning, is able to seamlessly handle cross-border matters. Litigator Julia Schönbohm leads the team and also heads the global IP group; her focus areas include healthcare, technology, chemicals, semiconductors and consumer goods.

Germany > Tax Tier 1

Linklaters focuses on transactional support and therefore routinely advises global companies, financial services industry players and corporations on tax issues related to M&A as well as restructuring and reorganisations, while transfer pricing and compliance as well as investment tax law and issues at the fund structuring interface represent other mainstays. On a contentious level, criminal tax law is a core competency; Jens Blumenberg, who is well versed in cum-ex and cum-cum issues, is one of the key contacts. This is complemented by experience in crisis management. The team is led by Oliver Rosenberg, who has experience in the energy sector and often advises on restructuring and reorganisations; a consulting focus that he shares with Julian Böhmer, who made partner in May 2024. Other key contacts include counsel Kirsten Placke (transaction tax law) and managing associate Alexander Zitzl (transactional support, VAT). Sebastian Benz, who is well versed in transaction-related tax issues, joined Seitz Rechtsanwaelte Steuerberater at the turn of the year 24/25.

Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law Tier 1

Linklaters fields Christoph Barth, who acts as both head of the German foreign trade law practice and as co-head of the global investment control team, which contributes significantly to the German team's workload. Among the mainstays is the support in domestic and cross-border investment control proceedings, where David-Julien dos Santos Goncalves regularly takes the lead; the latter was appointed to partner in May 2024. White collar criminal lawyer Kerstin Wilhelm advises on sanctions with a particular focus on Russia-related matters, while head of the German ESG team Julia Grothaus covers supply chains and human rights issues.

Germany > Antitrust Tier 2

Linklaters‘ antitrust law team is integrated into the Antitrust & Foreign Investment group and is well positioned for cross-border advice thanks to the cooperation with the international network. The mainstays include the advice on merger control and interfacing investment control, dispute resolution, corporate law as well as energy law matters. Litigation, including cartel damages and abuse proceedings, as well as the support in antitrust compliance are further core strengths. Daniela Seeliger (antitrust proceedings, compliance and international merger control proceedings) and Carsten Grave (merger control and antitrust proceedings) regularly take the lead here, while counsel Kaan Gürer has expertise in antitrust investigations. Further key contacts are counsel Ingo Klauß, who is increasingly instructed on matters pertaining to market power, and David-Julien dos Santos Goncalves (merger control, antitrust and market power abuse proceedings), who joined the partner roster in May 2024.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration (including international arbitration) Tier 2

In addition to complex energy disputes, for which Alexandros Chatzinerantzis is the key contact, Linklaters is regularly instructed by clients from the automotive, healthcare, industrial and banking sectors due to its expertise in international arbitration proceedings. In addition to post-M&A arbitration proceedings, the practice is particularly dedicated to construction, corporate and commercial law disputes, with a further focus on antitrust and contract disputes. Here, Julia Grothaus, who has headed the German practice since February 2024 and regularly acts as an arbitrator, is particularly well versed. The team also includes Rupert Bellinghausen, who specialises in post-M&A arbitration proceedings, and counsel Anke Krause, who has experience in product liability proceedings.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 2

Linklaters boasts expertise in corporate advice to insurers and frequently supports reinsurance transactions and M&A transactions across the life insurance sector; the team also regularly assists international reinsurers and insurance groups with restructuring projects. Regulatory matters are another key strength, where banking and insurance supervisory lawyer Frederik Winter regularly takes the leas. He is part of the team led by Wolfgang Krauel (corporation law and M&A) and Thomas Broichhausen (capital and corporate law, M&A, fintech, insurtech).

Private equity > Transactions

Linklaters follows an integrated approach and comprehensively advises clients from regulated sectors, including energy, healthcare and digital infrastructure, on mid- and large-cap PE transactions, including investments, leveraged finance transactions as well as related tax issues and exits. The team regularly acts on behalf of financial investors, including infrastructure sector clients, US asset managers, family offices and PE funds, as well as portfolio companies. Practice head Ralph Drebes is experienced in the comprehensive support to PE, infrastructure and financial investors in M&A transactions.

Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 2

Linklaters advises funds and asset managers on transactions across various asset classes, including data centers and residential properties, and has recently become increasingly active in the logistics sector, where it assists property managers and project developers with portfolio transactions as well as an increasing number of restructuring and insolvency-related matters. Practice head Wolfram Krüger is also regularly called upon to assist with pan-European portfolio transactions and restructurings, particularly by investors, especially from Asia, as well as by banks and insurance companies. Counsel Hannes Dietmaier advises investors, including private equity firms, on rental and leasing matters in addition to real estate transactions.

Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring Tier 2

Linklaters‘ restructuring and insolvency practice demonstrates expertise in financial and operational restructuring as well as reorganisation and regularly advises on carve-outs and StaRUG-related proceedings. In addition to creditors, the team increasingly advises shareholders and companies from various sectors, most recently banks, energy companies, automotive manufacturers and real estate companies. Ever since former co-head Sven Schelo (restructuring of banks and financial institutions) moved to DLA Piper in June 2024, Sabine Vorwerk has acted as sole practice head; she advises creditors on crisis and insolvency matters as well as restructuring, including distressed M&A. Riaz Janjuah joined the team from White & Case LLP in September 2024, he is experienced in the shipping industry.

Banking and finance > Fintech Tier 3

Linklaters follows an interdisciplinary approach and covers various financial technology issues, including capital markets and acquisition transactions, data protection and cyber security, digitisation projects as well as regulatory and licensing issues. Matters pertaining to DLT, cryptocurrencies and assets as well as tokenisation are core topics, where practice head and capital markets lawyer Christian Storck as well as Andreas Dehio frequently lead. The client roster consists of major banks, fintech start-ups, technology companies and financial infrastructure providers. Thomas Broichhausen boasts expertise in transaction support.

Banking and finance > Lending and borrowing Tier 3

Linklaters is experienced in cross-border acquisition financing and also boasts expertise in ​​sustainable financing, where the team advises syndicated and private lenders as well as private and public companies from the energy and automotive sectors on the financing of major infrastructure projects, ESG-related corporate transformations and M&A transactions. Practice head Marc Trinkaus focuses on cross-border transactions, while Przemyslaw Lipin specialises in leveraged finance matters and is also well versed in the restructuring area.

Compliance Tier 3

In addition to its traditional focus on banking and finance, Linklaters‘ cross-practice and cross-location compliance offering focuses on the energy, aviation, industry, automotive and technology sectors. The team advises on various topics, including supply chain due diligence, whistleblower protection, human rights, corporate governance, D&O liability and cybersecurity as well as MeToo-related issues, antitrust matters and sanctions; the latter is a key strength of managing associate Jacqueline Engineer. Criminal lawyer Kerstin Wilhelm (financial, automotive, industry and technology sectors) co-leads the team with Staffan Illert (corporate governance, internal investigations); Illert recently took over the co-management from Hans-Ulrich Wilsing (corporate governance), who simultaneously switched to the of counsel position.

Compliance > Internal investigations Tier 3

The Linklaters team acts integrated into the Crisis Management & Compliance practice and consists of white collar crime, antitrust, capital markets, corporate and foreign trade law experts. The mainstays include the support in allegations of money laundering, corruption and tax evasion as well as sanctions violations. The team is led by criminal lawyer Kerstin Wilhelm (finance, automotive, industrial and technology sectors) and Staffan Illert (corporate, M&A, crisis management); Illert recently took over the co-management from Hans-Ulrich Wilsing (corporate law), who simultaneously switched to the of counsel position. Key contact Jacqueline Engineer is experienced in EU sanctions law.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Linklaters focuses on supporting national and cross-border transactions and follows a multidisciplinary approach, including cross-border competencies thanks to the international network. Among the client roster are companies from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and healthcare services sectors, which benefit from Tim Johannsen-Roth‘s in-depth corporate law expertise, while Jana Hager covers regulatory aspects both in the context of transactions as well as in connection with medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Julia Schönbohm complements this with expertise in patent law and litigation.

Public sector > Commercial administrative law Tier 3

Public sector > Planning and environment Tier 3

Linklaters‘ environmental and planning team focuses on energy transition, energy security and grid expansion and advises on LNG terminals, electricity and gas projects as well as ESG issues. The group also represents clients in planning and approval procedures and complements this with expertise in transaction-related project work. Practice head Markus Appel routinely assists with industrial and infrastructure projects and demonstrates particular expertise in climate protection law. He is supported by, among others, associate Sebastian Meyn, whose focus areas include emission control as well as water and soil protection law.

Germany > Employment Tier 5

Linklaters focuses its employment expertise on collective law issues, resulting in regular advice on negotiations with works councils and unions concerning restructuring and transformation processes. The team is also experienced in transaction support and corporate co-determination, company pension schemes and remuneration issues as well as compliance and internal investigations. Timon Grau (corporate co-determination, works constitution law) and practice head Matthew Devey (transaction support and restructuring) are among the key contacts.

Industry focus > Telecoms