Hogan Lovells International LLP > Frankfurt, Germany > Firm Profile

Hogan Lovells International LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Compliance Tier 1

Hogan Lovells International LLP's diverse compliance team is experienced in advising clients in the automotive, financial, life sciences, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The practice places a strong focus on US-related matters, including the advice on sanctions, compliance management systems, compliance audits, product liability and ESG compliance with a particular focus on the new supply chain law and the EU Commission's proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Sebastian Lach (internal investigations) heads the practice and is supported by Désirée Maier (life sciences), Olaf Schneider (US compliance) and Christian Ritz (ESG compliance issues and support for start-ups). The former chief compliance officer of the TRATON Group, Philip Matthey, joined the Munich-based team in October 2022 and is experienced in antitrust proceedings and investigations before the EU Commission. Sebastian Gräler in Düsseldorf is well versed in environmental compliance and joined the partner roster in January 2023. Former public prosecutor Simone Ridder (criminal law compliance) joined the team as counsel in July 2023.

Compliance > Internal investigations Tier 1

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s internationally renowned practice advises well-known companies from the automotive, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and finance sectors. The team consists of lawyers and specialised experts and advises on alleged money laundering, corruption, supply chain and product liability matters as well as investigations, including criminal proceedings. The renowned practice head and co-CEO of the firm’s legal tech brand ELTEMATE Sebastian Lach has longstanding expertise in cross-border and FCPA, SEC/DoJ-related investigations and is supported by Désirée Maier (criminal law and investigations, life sciences), Olaf Schneider (corruption prevention, FCPA monitorships), Angelina Leder (official searches, fines and investigations), Christian Ritz (dawn raids, cross-border compliance and antitrust investigations) and counsel Lukas Ritzenhoff (antitrust law, compliance investigations). Philip Matthey (antitrust proceedings) and counsel Simone Ridder (investigations, dawn raids) respectively joined the team in October 2022 from the TRATON Group and from the public prosecutor’s office in Düsseldorf in July 2023. Sebastian Gräler (clients' representation in official investigations) made partner in January 2023.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate

Hogan Lovells International LLP's industry expertise spans automotive, consumer goods, energy, finance, life sciences, real estate and healthcare. The team comprehensively assists DAX40 companies as well as large national and international corporations with global restructuring projects, financing and corporate aspects of transactions; furthermore, the group has extensive experience in corporate disputes, including out-of-court dispute resolution and joint venture conflicts, in which litigation, arbitration and employment lawyers Olaf Gärtner and Kim Lars Mehrbrey are particularly active. Volker Geyrhalter and Nikolas Zirngibl lead the corporate and M&A practice and have longstanding experience in transactions and restructuring projects. Lutz Angerer advises companies on stock corporation issues, corporate governance and compliance, while Michael Rose advises on public takeovers, restructurings and joint ventures. Joachim Habetha (corporate structuring, corporate succession, M&A) joined Schalast Law | Tax in January 2024.

Dispute resolution > Product liability Tier 1

Hogan Lovells International LLP's dispute resolution practice impresses with its extensive experience in product liability cases, including product safety and product compliance as well as cross-border product recall litigation. The team is regularly instructed by pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers - areas in which practice co-head Ina Brock is particularly experienced - but also by clients from the automotive, chemical, electronics, energy and consumer goods sectors. The other practice co-heads Sebastian Polly and Matthias Schweiger are among the key contacts for internal product compliance investigations, product conformity and product safety.

Industry focus > Energy

Hogan Lovells International LLP comprehensively covers the energy sector and advises on project developments, transactions and related financing as well as regulatory and contentious matters. This is complemented by Christian Knütel's expertise in the offshore wind sector; he heads the offshore wind competence center in Hamburg and also assists with project developments, including related claim management and disputes. Additionally, the practice is experienced in the onshore wind, solar, hydrogen and geothermal sectors. Matthias Hirschmann heads the team and routinely advises on national and international M&A transactions, acquisitions and joint ventures, while Carla Luh is instructed by banks, sponsors, borrowers and investors on related financing issues. Stefan Schröder heads the firm's global energy transition practice and advises on regulatory law (including hydrogen infrastructure, low-emission and renewable fuels), transactions as well as energy and emissions trading. Counsel Tobias Flasbarth assists with transactions and energy projects and regularly represents clients before the German and European regulatory authorities. In January 2024, the team welcomed Tim Heitling and Thomas Dörmer from Dentons; both are well versed in transactions in the energy sector.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences

Hogan Lovells International LLP is among the top players in the healthcare and life sciences sector and comprehensively advises on various topics with a focus on regulatory and contractual advice pertaining to future technologies in the life sciences sector, such as novel therapies and cell therapies – Jörg Schickert (co-head of the European regulatory team), Ina Brock (product liability), Arne Thiermann (regulatory, compliance) and Matthias Schweiger (litigation) frequently take the lead here. The team also covers issues at the interfaces with public law and contract law as well as IP, IT, data protection and product liability, thus advising on digital healthcare as well as strategic cooperations between pharmaceutical and IT companies. Schickert and Brock jointly head the practice with Andreas von Falck, who focuses on life sciences as well as the chemical and high-tech industries and represents clients in patent disputes, and Tanja Eisenblätter, who is particularly well versed in medical device and pharmaceutical advertising law. Lutz Angerer regularly advises large pharmaceutical companies and private equity houses on licensing and M&A transactions.

Intellectual property > Patent litigation: solicitors Tier 1

Hogan Lovells International LLP is an experienced partner in cross-border patent infringement proceedings and particularly handles matters in the life sciences, technology, telecommunications, automotive and consumer goods sectors. The team, which consists of lawyers and patent attorneys, represents clients in opposition and nullity proceedings and enjoys a particularly good reputation for assisting with FRAND disputes, which is not least due to the close cooperation with its competition and antitrust law practices. Miriam Gundt (life sciences) leads the global IPMT practice, while Andreas Renck (trade mark and design) is responsible for the European group and Andreas Bothe (trade mark, competition and copyright) heads the German unit. Another key figure in the team is Andreas von Falck, who is particularly experienced in cross-border patent disputes and is frequently instructed by clients from the pharmaceutical, medical technology and high technology sectors.

Intellectual property > Trade marks

Hogan Lovells International LLP's trade mark practice was recently able to further expand its portfolio of high-profile German and international clients, which is not least due to the group's broad positioning and its range of advice encompassing both contentious and non-contentious issues. In addition to classic strategic advice and cross-border proceedings, this also includes trend topics such as ESG and influencer marketing. Litigator Andreas Bothe heads the German IPMT group, which also includes Yvonne Draheim, who specialises in trade mark infringement proceedings. Anthonia Ghalamkarizadeh made partner in January 2023 and primarily advises on digital issues, often in the gaming and e-sports sectors. At counsel level, Patrick Fromlowitz advises clients from the pharmaceutical, construction and fashion industries.

Public sector > Planning and environment

The environmental and planning law team at Hogan Lovells International LLP particularly focuses on compliance issues and advises both large DAX companies and international clients. The practice regularly assists with environmental compliance related to M&A transactions and public funding applications, but also comprehensively advises clients on land-use planning and soil protection due diligence in the context of real estate transactions; the key contact for these matters is practice head Thomas Dünchheim. Alongside supply chain due diligence expert Christian Ritz, he also increasingly advises companies on their ESG initiatives. The team further handles product-related issues; here, clients predominantly rely on the skills of Florian Unseld and Patrick Ayad, who has particular industry expertise in the automotive sector.

Real estate and construction > Construction (including construction litigation)

Hogan Lovells International LLP advises national and international clients on the entire value chain of large-scale cross-border projects as well as on in and out-of-court-disputes. The team is particularly experienced in the energy and infrastructure sectors and assists with contract drafting and support in the construction of floating storage, hydrogen and offshore wind projects as well as hydroelectric power plants and waste incineration plants. Christian Knütel frequently takes the lead in offshore wind projects and also handles project-related contentious matters. Practice head Carla Luh regularly advises banks, sponsors, borrowers and investors on related financing issues.

Real estate and construction > Project development Tier 1

Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law

Hogan Lovells International LLP's strategic operations, agreements and regulation practice routinely handles investment control matters with a focus on compliance. Clients from the regulated industries such as TMT and defense instruct the team on the implementation of compliance systems as well as investment control. Thanks to the cross-location cooperation, the team assists with sanctions and planned exits from Russia. Here, the export and investment control lawyer Falk Schöning is a key contact; he jointly leads the team with supply chain expert Florian Unseld and regulatory specialist Patrick Ayad. Senior associate Stefan Kirwitzke complements this with antitrust law expertise.

Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics Tier 1

Hogan Lovells International LLP routinely advises large companies in the automotive industry on the structuring and regulatory framework of distribution systems and is also known for its expertise in negotiating supply and leasing contracts. International clients from the financial, healthcare and consumer goods sectors regularly instruct the team in contract negotiations and related disputes. Co-head Florian Unseld offers support in the restructuring of distribution systems and advises on supply chain disruptions in times of crisis, he jointly leads the practice with Patrick Ayad, who is renowned for his expertise in contract drafting and distribution antitrust law. Jörg Schickert comprehensively advises on supply chain due diligence, while counsel Sebastian Schnell assists with large distribution projects. Counsel Golo Edel is another key contact and frequently acts across the automotive, consumer goods and logistics sectors.

Germany > Antitrust Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP antitrust law team impresses with expertise in merger control, which is routinely drawn upon in the course of cross-border transactions. Among the key contacts here are Martin Sura and Christoph Wünschmann, who are experienced in the automotive, consumer goods and insurance sectors; Wünschmann has additional expertise in antitrust law-related contract drafting. Other mainstays are ongoing antitrust advice as well as cartel proceedings, including cartel damages and disputes. Recent instructions include the support in technology-related mandates (10th GWB amendment/19a and in the context of the DMA) as well as in compliance and ESG-related matters. Practice head Marc Schweda is well versed in public procurement and EU state aid law, while investment control is a key competency of Falk Schöning, who divides his time between Berlin and Brussels.

Banking and finance > Financial services: regulatory Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP comprehensively covers regulatory matters and frequently acts at the capital markets interface; these capabilities lead to regular instructions in the context of digital product launches and the assistance with proceedings against the European Union’s Single Resolution Board pertaining to bank levies and contributions to the European Resolution Fund (SFR). Other key strengths are the restructuring of banks, BaFin licensing procedures as well as payment transaction matters. Among the client roster are banks, credit institutions and international companies. Practice head Richard Reimer is experienced in both institutional and product-specific regulatory law, he is supported by counsel Andreas Doser (financial product launches, cooperation and outsourcing agreements) and Sarah Wrage (regulatory, payment services and investment law) who made partner in January 2024.

Banking and finance > Project finance Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP's team offers project financing expertise in the infrastructure and renewable energy sectors, which is called upon by banks, sponsors, borrowers and investors. This was recently demonstrated in the financing of the Baltic Power offshore wind farm in Poland with a capacity of 1.2 GW as well as various financings in the solar and fibre optic sectors. Practice head Carla Luh is well versed in the areas of energy, digital infrastructure and real estate in the context of international transactions. She is supported by senior associate Amy Wienke, who is qualified under German and English law and assists with cross-border matters. Alexander Stefan Rieger (M&A in the infrastructure and energy sector) joined Latham & Watkins LLP in May 2023.

Capital markets > Structured finance and securitisation Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP focuses on the retail, financial services and automotive sectors, with the latter being particularly reflected in the group's advice on car loan securitisations. The team also assists with various regulatory aspects, for instance related to the distribution of structured products, the use of cryptocurrencies as underlying assets of structured products as well as with ESG securitisation transactions, Fintech securitisations and asset-based lending. Sven Brandt (ABS transactions and derivatives across all asset classes) heads the capital markets group. Fintech-related transactions and car loan securitisations are part of Dietmar Helms' advisory portfolio, while clients turn to Jochen Seitz for advice across the entire range of securitised derivatives and structured products.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration (including international arbitration) Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP has extensive expertise in corporate, commercial and advertising disputes, but is further experienced in supply chain disputes: Inken Knief, who is also well versed in arbitration proceedings in the aerospace sectors, handles the latter in the automotive, manufacturing and industrials as well as life sciences sectors. The team is led by Karl Pörnbacher, who is experienced in ad hoc and institutional arbitration proceedings, and also represents clients in disputes relating to the energy industry as well as plant construction and infrastructure projects.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 2

With extensive expertise in the financial services, life sciences and energy sectors, Hogan Lovells International LLP is considered a popular address for corporate, energy, commercial and antitrust disputes, while practice head Tanja Eisenlaub also regularly handles litigation in the automotive sector. Other mainstays include insolvency disputes and civil and administrative conflicts as well as data protection proceedings and complex, international supply chain disputes in the automotive and mobility sectors; Detlef Haß is considered particularly adept in the latter segment. In addition to litigation before state courts, counsel Christoph Pelz is also well versed in out-of-court dispute resolution.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP is experiened in cross-border project support and focuses on AI-related matters, here,  Martin Pflüger and Marcus Schreibauer are key contacts, as well as cyber security, including clients' representation in proceedings before the supervisory authorities and in civil proceedings, digital healthcare (including healthcare apps and patient data protection) and the European Data Strategy. The experience in the healthcare and life sciences sectors is complemented with relevant industry expertise in the finance, insurance, automotive and technology segments. The advice on contentious matters and compliance is a key strength of Christian Tinnefeld, while Stefan Schuppert focuses on data protection, IP and contract law.

Information technology > Information technology and digitalisation Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP acts from four German locations and regularly covers cross-border matters. The team is an experienced advisor to international corporations and start-ups on traditional IT law matters such as contract drafting and transaction support. Further mainstays include the support for technology companies, particularly from the life sciences, finance and automotive industries, as well as international companies in cloud services, software development, machine learning, open source software compliance and AI; Martin Pflueger is a key contact for this. The team is also instructed by clients from the finance and insurance industries on IT contract matters, where  Marcus Schreibauer and Sarah-Lena Kreutzmann regularly take the lead. Other key contacts include Christian Tinnefeld, who is experienced in IT and data protection law as well as litigation, while Stefan Schuppert advises on license agreements and IT project-related contracts.

Information technology > IT transactions and outsourcing Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP regularly cooperates with other locations as well as the corporate practice and is well versed in transaction support. The team focuses on risk examination at the interface between IT and IP, including risks associated with the use of open source software; the use of personal and non-personal data as well as advice on potential losses of know-how. This is complemented by expertise in joint venture formations for the development and use of new technologies and the out-licensing of software. This focus is mirrored by the practice heads Stefan Schuppert (IP, contract law and data protection), Martin Pflüger (IT, e-commerce, data protection with a focus on technology, life sciences, automotive), Marcus Schreibauer (outsourcing, IT transactions, data protection, cyber security) and Christian Tinnefeld (data protection, data security, IT law; litigation).

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s insurance law team is regularly active in transaction support. The practice follows a cross-locational as well as cross-practice approach, thus covering interfacing tax, corporate, regulatory, and employment law matters. The restructuring of company pension schemes is another mainstay, where practice head Christoph Küppers is a key contact; he frequently acts on behalf of financial service providers, listed companies and companies, including private equity houses. Corporate governance and corporate compliance matters are a key strength of Christoph Louven and Birgit Reese; both are also experienced in corporate and regulatory restructuring.

Intellectual property > Unfair competition Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP's competition expertise is housed within its IP, media & technology practice and covers the whole array of competition issues thanks to a thematically broad team and international network. Trade secrets and know-how protection are just as much part of the consulting portfolio as licensing agreements and client representation in proceedings before German and European courts. Its sector focus rests on technology and telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, automotive and consumer goods, although its client roster also includes players in the energy and financial services industries. Andreas Bothe leads the German team and regularly handles litigation relating to competition and trade mark law, with cross-border cases representing a particular focus. Anthonia Ghalamkarizadeh, who is particularly adept in the online space and co-head of the firm's gaming and esports group, made partner in January 2023.

Private equity > Venture capital Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP supports venture capital funds, corporate venture capitalists and start-ups in financing, transactions and exits, where the team acts in cross-practice and cross-location cooperation; the team also advises on the internationalisation of companies, buy-and-build strategies as well as asset-based lending financing. Jörg Herwig leads the practice since July 2023 and has replaced transaction expert Matthias Jaletzke, who remains on the team. Herwig also coordinates the China desk and covers the interface between VC, PE and M&A. He is supported by Thiemo Woertge, who supports transactions and venture capital financing and handles matters at the IP interface.

Public sector > Commercial administrative law Tier 2

The Global Regulatory practice of Hogan Lovells International LLP around public commercial lawyer Thomas Dünchheim focuses on municipal law and transaction-related compliance advice and counts large German and international companies as well as various municipalities among its client base. As a former local politician, Dünchheim has extensive expertise in budget law and is regularly instructed by large cities and municipal utilities to examine local economic and corporate law aspects of transactions and public projects as well as to assist with privatisation and re-municipalisation projects; he further possesses in-depth expertise in gambling law, which comes particularly to the fore in his regulatory advice to international clients on marketing strategies. The team is also active in dispute resolution and represents companies from the transport and TMT sectors in administrative complaint proceedings, among other matters.

Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 2

Hogan Lovells International LLP is experienced in transaction, project development and investment support and covers all asset classes, with a particular focus on logistics, commercial, office and hotel properties. The team regularly acts on behalf of national and international investors, open and closed funds as well as family offices, which also benefit from the team's ESG-related competencies in the procurement, management, project development and investment areas. Practice head Dirk Debald boasts similar expertise and advises on the entire value chain of a property; he is additionally well versed in tenancy law. Other key contacts are Roland Bomhard (transactions, project developments and related financing issues) and the head of the global hotels, leisure & gaming group Marc Werner (transactions and financing), who covers matters pertaining to the hotel sector, and Markus Franken, who also acts as a notary (transactions and project developments); the latter made partner in January 2023.

Capital markets > Debt capital markets Tier 3

Hogan Lovells International LLP's capital markets practice advises a client base, consisting of banks and government-related credit institutions among others, on issuance programs and commercial paper programs as well as on bonds and Pfandbriefe. The group further assists corporates with various DCM transactions, under consideration of both German and US law. Sven Brandt leads the team and focuses on structured issues and ABS transactions as well as issuance and ABCP programs. With Sina Hekmat (splits her time between Frankfurt and New York) and Michael Schlitt, the practice houses two experts for international transactions, particularly with a US connection. Jochen Seitz is a key contact for investment grade bonds and debt issuance programs.

Capital markets > Equity capital markets Tier 3

Hogan Lovells International LLP impresses with its close cooperation between capital markets and corporate practices and also has particular expertise in ​​scrip dividend transactions. Acting on both the bank and issuer side, the team covers matters such as capital increases and IPOs and assists clients with the implementation of stock dividends. Practice head Michael Schlitt is experienced across numerous facets of capital markets law, including block trade transactions and hybrid bonds.

Corporate and M&A > M&A

Hogan Lovells International LLP's broad sectoral coverage of the automotive, consumer goods, energy, financial, life sciences, healthcare and real estate industries is also reflected in the firm's M&A practice, which particularly frequently advises DAX40 companies, financial institutions and investors on public takeovers as well as financing rounds and cross-border acquisitions. Volker Geyrhalter, who primarily assists US clients with cross-border transactions, and Nikolas Zirngibl, who supports transactions in the automotive and real estate industries, jointly lead the practice. Tim Oliver Brandi's mainstay are company acquisitions and restructuring in the financial services sector, while Matthias Hirschmann focuses on the energy sector and Birgit Reese acts for primary insurers and reinsurance companies as well as automotive industry players; Jörg Herwig is another experienced contact for private equity and M&A. In December 2022, Urszula Nartowska joined OBI Group Holding as Managing Director Legal, while Alexander Stefan Rieger left for Latham & Watkins LLP in May 2023.

Intellectual property > Patent litigation: patent lawyers Tier 3

Hogan Lovells International LLP's globally well-connected patent practice consists of patent attorneys and lawyers and thus handles disputes at German and international level. The group has particular expertise in matters concerning the telecommunications, biotechnology, consumer goods, automotive and technology sectors, where it is instructed by numerous large corporations. Lawyer and engineer Martin Fähndrich, Alexander Klicznik, who specialises in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and chemistry, and Andreas Schmid, who primarily handles issues pertaining to technology, are the key contacts.

Private equity > Transactions

Hogan Lovells International LLP supports both sellers and buyers in the mid- and large-cap segments and routinely assists founding teams, start-ups as well as financial and venture capital investors. Thanks to the cross-location cooperation, cross-border matters are also handled. In July 2023, Jörg Herwig took over management from Matthias Jaletzke, who remains part of the team; Herwig focuses on transaction support and is also experienced in restructurings, management participations and corporate law matters; Jaletzke is well versed in litigation.

Public sector > Public procurement Tier 3

Hogan Lovells International LLP's procurement team primarily acts on the bidding side and represents large companies in bidding and review procedures that serve politically relevant projects such as EU-wide vaccine procurement or the expansion of the German energy and fast-charging infrastructure. Here, the group regularly advises across practice groups, including on regulatory procurement issues in connection with public-sector transactions or third-country subsidies. Thomas Dünchheim is a key contact for procurement advice at the interface to corporate law, while practice head Marc Schweda is an expert in procurement and competition law issues; the latter advises companies from the energy and healthcare sectors as well as the defense industry.

Public sector > State aid Tier 3

In close cooperation with its antitrust and public procurement practices, Hogan Lovells International LLP's state aid team advises clients from the transport, industrial and financial services sectors on a wide range of financing and funding issues as well as on state aid aspects of state stabilisation measures. While compliance expert Thomas Dünchheim assists with state aid issues pertaining to various M&A transactions and privatisation initiatives and further advises clients on state aid review proceedings, competition lawyer and practice head Marc Schweda focuses on funding projects in the transport sector and further increasingly assists with state aid effects of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation.

Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring Tier 3

Hogan Lovells International LLP's restructuring capacities include the support in reorganisation, distressed M&A, financial and operational restructuring, including corporate restructuring, as well as in related contentious matters. The team advises clients from various sectors and regularly assists companies, investors and banks. Practice head Heiko Tschauner focuses on financial restructuring and insolvencies and is well versed in the automotive sector, while Christian Herweg advises on distressed M&A, financing, restructuring and insolvency law matters.

Transport > Advice to the transport sector Tier 3

Led by the trade and distribution expert Patrick Ayad, Hogan Lovells International LLP focuses on the automotive sector and advises on the development of e-mobility concepts, ​​autonomous driving and related regulatory issues. Florian Unseld is experienced in the design of distribution systems and consumer protection issues in the automotive sector, while Detlef Haß is well versed in litigation and supply chain disruption matters; Golo Edel was appointed to counsel in January 2023 and advises clients from the rail sector on commercial and distribution law, including regulatory issues, as well as on M&A transactions, particularly the acquisition of railway portfolios and logistics companies.

Banking and finance > Fintech Tier 4

Hogan Lovells International LLP focuses on the digitisation of business models, payment licenses, product launches, including regulatory matters, and outsourcing, as well as licensing procedures and market expansions or entry. The team routinely cooperates across locations and is regularly instructed by banks, financial institutions and (fintech) companies. Practice head Richard Reimer frequently takes the lead, he is experienced in institutional and product-specific regulatory law.

Banking and finance > Real estate finance Tier 4

Hogan Lovells International LLP's real estate financing team is integrated into the firm's wider corporate & finance practice, thus covering various interfaces, including topics such as green finance and restructuring. The practice is jointly led by Katlen Blocker (banking and financial law), Dirk Debald (real estate transactions and financing) as well as Carla Luh (project financing) and advises banks, investment companies and debt funds on acquisition financing and refinancing, including mezzanine and senior financing as well as project development financing.

Germany > Consumer goods and food law Tier 4

Hogan Lovells International LLP's consumer products practice acts integrated into the global network and advises international companies on compliance, food law regulations and government enforcement actions; further mainstays include product recalls and litigation. The range of expertise also includes the approval of novel foods, food supplements and food packaging, with the team increasingly acting across the area of ​​sustainable products, including vegan and vegetarian fish and meat substitute products. Regulatory expert Thomas Salomon and Florian Unseld, who handles antitrust matters in the luxury goods sector, jointly head the practice and are supported by Christiane Alpers, who is well versed in regulatory matters.

Germany > Tax Tier 4

Hogan Lovells International LLP primarily advises national and international clients from the financial services, automotive, life sciences and real estate sectors on tax law issues that arise in transaction contexts, as well as transfer pricing, tax compliance and investigations. Key contacts for transactional matters include Heiko Gemmel, who applies his expertise in the financial services and fund industry to support sector-specific M&A transactions, and Mathias Schönhaus, who focuses on the real estate area. Practice head Ingmar Dörr is the first port of call for tax and customs investigations. Counsel Nico Neukam is well versed in advising on tax-optimised acquisition and financing structures.

Banking and finance > Lending and borrowing Tier 5

Hogan Lovells International LLP's team is jointly led by project and real estate financing expert Carla Luh and banking and financial law specialist Katlen Blocker, who, in addition to acquisition and corporate loans, also handles export financing and restructuring. Luh's project financing expertise complements the overall focus on the infrastructure and energy sectors. The practice advises on cross-border financing transactions as well as on ECA-covered financing and sustainable finance-related matters. Clients include companies, banking syndicates and, increasingly, debt funds.

Germany > Employment Tier 5

As an integral part of its global network, Hogan Lovells International LLP's German employment practice has a particular focus on restructuring and reorganisation in the insurance, life sciences, automotive and financial services sectors. Matters are often of cross-border nature and usually led by practice head Tim Gero Joppich, who is also experienced in introducing new HR IT systems. Other team members include Kerstin Neighbor and Eckard Schwarz, both of whom are well versed in facilitating reconciliation of interests and social plan negotiations with works councils, while Schwarz also assists with employment litigation.